Immortal: the Virtual Series
Episode 3.6: Resurrection
Written by the Main Slayer
Airdate: August 30, 2006
Episode rating: K+

Part 1

Death is a funny thing. You think that when your time comes you are whisked away on a magic carpet ride up to the big guy in the sky. Well, maybe that is the way it is for humans, but for us vampires...it's a little more complicated. Because we have already died once and been damned to boot, we don't exactly get the carpet ride into the sky. So what happens to us? Basically this, we get staked or burned up by the oh holy sun, and then what's left of us is sent into limbo. You see there is this world between earth and "heaven" and this world is where all lost souls go. Those souls who are not allowed to enter "heaven" and those souls who are not good enough for the devil to have. Some call them Ghost Roads; some just call them a parallel universe...but whatever they are that is where we go. From there all we do is float around not actually feeling not actually knowing what is going on around you. Its actually one of the worst things you could image. Whoever decided to create this world should be the one to die because they have wicked sense of humor. Every couple of months, each "ghost" is allowed to look into the Waters of Yesterday. What this means is that we can see the people we left behind. Those people who we loved; those people we hated; or just to see human life passing on beneath us. So this happens and we see, we basically see what we are missing. So you may be thinking why would a vampire want to see people that he may have loved? Well its because the souls of the vampire that is up here, is the human one. Human soul, vampire soul it doesn't matter we are damned no matter what we do. You would be surprised who you see up here. You may see those people you thought had actually made it up to "heaven" but because they have unfinished business as it were, there are stuck here until they believe that their business is over.

So, this is my story. I am stuck here. It is a bloody pain in my ass but I'm here. I hate looking down on those who are left there and watch the people I love be with other people who I hate. Funny thing about this limbo, there are always ways around them. I have found this way around it. I need to get out. I can't stay here anymore. So with the help of a few demonic figures, William the Bloody is coming home to play.

ROLE CREDITS

"Why is it that we are doing this in the first place my Queen?" A Beholder questioned. The Queen spun around and smiled at her subjects.

"We are having some problems getting rid of certain people. I am not pleased." The Queen glared at her people and then to Tristan who stood beside the throne, "I want that girl! I want to suck the life out of her so that she can not cause problems anymore. She is planning something and we need to stop her."

"I have done my best. I have turned the family against her. I have fought her. What more can I do to make you happy my Queen?" Tristan pleaded.

"I do not want to hear excuses. I want action!" The Queen moved forward and took hold of Tristan's neck and picked him up off the ground, "You have done nothing. She got to you! She used you to figure out when she could go and stop us from bringing you into my family. You are not doing your job." The Queen dropped Tristan and moved towards a large dish of water placed in the center of her home.

"Tell me what to do! I will kill them all if you command it! Tell me what you want from me!" Tristan pleaded with her standing up.

"We need a different angle. We need the past to destroy the future." Waving her hand over the pool, the water rippled reveling faces of the dead.

"What do you plan on doing?" A young Beholder asked her. The Queen smiled and raised her hands.

"We are going to bring the past to life. Please, stand around the bowl. Tristan you too." Everyone in the hall moved towards the alter and stood in a circle. Tristan stood by the Queen's right. Clasping hands the Queen rose her voice.

"We are your servants. I beseech you, grant my request. Bring me the ones that can destroy thine enemy. With the power of the Beholders, grant my request." The air around them went cold, and Tristan found it hard to breathe. A white mist rose around them as the outline of the Queen glowed. Shaking the Queen opened her eyes and placed her hands over the pool.

"Rise and help me destroy thine enemy." Fear gripped Tristan as a white light enveloped the room.

--

I knew that my death would be a challenge. But I didn't think I would die three times. I never knew that when I was on my death bed that my life would end up this way. A lot has happened to me in my four hundred plus year life, but I think I made the most of it. Its strange you know, wandering around up here. You meet the strangest people...

Death is only another version of life. Another way for me to continue to cause problems for the people around me. I was once a great lord; feared and loathed by many...and here I am up here wandering around as if my history meant nothing. If it wasn't for that Slayer bitch I would still be walking the earth...more than that I would be in control of every humans pathetic existence. I swear, if I ever get out of here she will have to deal with me...

--

When the light cleared, three figures stood in the center of their circle. Releasing hands, the circle broke and the Queen moved towards them.

"Welcome back." Before her stood the three vampires that would make the Slayer's life hell: The Master, Darla, and Spike.

Part 2

Buffy ran around the penthouse trying to get everything that she needed. It had been a long time since she had gone out. She had to make sure that all the phone numbers for the twins was ready and all their formula, everything that they needed. It would be the first time since they were born that Buffy would leave them alone. Well, not completely alone. She trusted her step-son and Faith but she was a new mom and didn't want to leave her children.

"Buffy! We are going to be late if you take any longer." Angel yelled from the living room. Buffy looked at herself in the mirror one more time and frowned. She was finding it incredibly hard to lose the baby weight she had gained during her pregnancy. Angel liked to see her more curvy but for her, it was a change that was taking some time to get used too. Her breasts had gotten so big that she had to replace every bra in her wardrobe. She had always been small, and now she had these boobs that she didn't know what to do with. For her evening out, Buffy had chosen a simple black dress that fell mid-calf. The top cut into a deep V in both the front and the back and Buffy had to rearrange the top so that she didn't fall out of the top. She wore her cross that Angel had given her on the first night they met and earrings her mother had given her on her sixteenth birthday. She wore her hair straight and her make-up was simple yet sultry. She hoped that this would be enough to make Angel weak in the knees. Sighing Buffy left the bedroom to see her fiancé waiting for her.

Angel smiled when Buffy entered the room. She looked so classy in her simply black dress. He almost felt like he was underdressed in his black dress pants, red shirt and leather coat. Angel took Buffy's hand and spun her around.

"You look amazing." He said.

"You are a terrible liar, but a sweet liar." Buffy kissed him and turned to face Connor and Faith, "Okay so I left you all the emergency numbers and our cell numbers if anything should go wrong."

"Nothing will go wrong. Just enjoy yourself and do me a favour." Faith said.

"What's that?" Buffy asked as Angel helped her into her coat.

"Don't come home." Faith winked at her and with Connor's help pushed them out of the penthouse. Shutting the door in their face, Buffy took Angel's hand and together they walked out of the building.

--

Together, the vampires walked the streets of New York. It felt really good to be alive again. To feel the wind blow; to hear the sounds of car horns honking and the night animals howling. Spike never realized how much he actually missed it. To his right was Darla, Angel's sire, and to the left was the Master and the young man charged to them, Tristan. Spike, Darla and the Master had been given their instructions and only knew what they were told. All this Queen wanted was for Angel to be eliminated. That wasn't going to be hard. The Master hated him for taking Darla from him; Darla hated him for making her kill herself and Spike hated him for obvious reasons. This would be a piece of cake to pull off. The Queen had told them that for the first time since the birth of their children Buffy and Angel had decided to go out to dinner. All it would take was to get Angel when Buffy became so worried about the children that she had to go and phone them. From there it would be easy, make Angel see Spike, lead him outside and take him together. So what where they getting out of this? According to the Queen the only way to make the spell permanent was to kill the one person who connected them all: Angel. They were all connected through Buffy too, but there was more she was supposed to do. It wasn't her time, but it was Angel's. Approaching the restaurant Spike watched as Angel helped Buffy out of the car and handed the keys to the young guy standing outside the door to the restaurant. Smiling to himself he stopped the group and turned to the kid.

"This is it. Are you sure we can't mess around with the others too?" He asked. Tristan shook his head.

"No. We need to kill him now. You will have several Beholders at your disposal when you bring him out here. Just get rid of him."

"You really want your father dead. What did he do to you?" Darla asked.

"Long story..also, none of your business. Just do it." Tristan walked away from them and positioned himself behind some trees so that when Angel came out he would not see him.

"I'm hungry." the Master stated, hunger blazing in the yellow of his eyes.

"Once this is over, we can feed all we want." Darla said to him. The Master laughed and smiled as his moment over the Slayer would finally come to be.

"Our time is upon us. I will finally have my revenge."

"So are we playing by the rules?" Spike asked. Darla gave him wicked smile.

"Never." Spike smiled back and turned back to face the open door. This would be fun.

Part 3

Sitting across from him, Buffy smiled at Angel. It was nice to be out alone together. It had been a long time since they had any time alone. It was like she was in high school again. Angel held her hand from across the table. He had flowers waiting for her and Champaign on ice. He had even pulled out her chair for her. It was more than she could have asked for. So they sat together hand in hand smiling and laughing talking about old times. There was never anything better than this moment. Buffy took her hand off the table and looked at the time on her cell phone. Angel tilted his head and laughed.

"Buffy, leave it alone. They are fine."

"I know," Buffy said, "I'm just worried that is all."

"I don't think Connor would ever let anything happen to his sister and brother. Neither would Faith. They love them just as much as we do." Angel said as he signaled for the waiter.

"I know. You have to admit you are worried too. We have never been without them for this long. I can't help it...now I know how my own mother must have felt when I did the things that I did...remind me to make sure there are locks on windows when they are older." Angel laughed and took her hand again.

"Locks on windows?"

"You know what I did when I was sixteen. I snuck out of my room, I got kicked out of school, and cause more problems than I could have ever imagined."

"You were also the Slayer."

"True, but still. Anyway, I know they are fine...but I worry."

"I do too," Angel replied, "but we deserve this night. Enjoy it." Buffy smiled and allowed Angel to order their dinner. To make the evening more romantic, Angel had decided on a French restaurant. Buffy had never been good in French but Angel liked to show off. Dinner came within fifteen minutes and was amazing. Buffy had never had dinner so good. After dinner Angel order some desert and they continued to talk about their future.

"So I was thinking that we could have an outdoor wedding." Buffy said. Angel looked up from his cup of coffee and smiled.

"I hope you don't want to host this during the day, or you may be a widow before you are a wife." Angel replied.

"No, night. Or just after sunset. That way we can do this outside. I'm not sure if we should use a priest or just a Justice of the Peace. I think the JoP because I don't know if a priest is going to marry a vampire to a human." Buffy said taking another sip of her tea.

"True. So Justice. It works for me."

"I thought about some colours, maybe you could give me your input?"

"Sure."

"Okay, so I was thinking either soft colours like pale pinks, purples, blues or black, red and white. I know you love red and black and white is for the traditional dress...so I thought it would be nice colour scheme. Plus red roses are my favourite."

"I like whatever you like." Angel said. Buffy put her cup down and gave him a don't-do-that look.

"Come on, you have to give me your honest opinion."

"I like them. So long as they are not tacky, as Dawn would say, then I am happy with anything." Angel replied.

"Okay. So if we do the colours I was thinking of making all the colours as part of my bouquet, the bridesmaids in the lavender and then have blue and white as the colours at the reception. If we go with the black, red and white, then the dresses would be red and the colours of the reception would be the red, black and white with my dress the only white one." Buffy stopped to watch Angel smile at her, "What?"

"Nothing. You have really thought about this."

"Yes, we are getting married this year you know."

"I know."

"Anyway, that is where I am so far. What kind of cake do you want?" The waiter came up to the table and put the bill down. Angel put his credit card down and the waiter walked away. When the waiter came back Angel stood and picked up Buffy coat. Helping her into his coat he asked for his car.

"Well, that was a nice night. Home?"

"No."

"No?"

"Faith told us not to come home. I don't intend to." Buffy took hold of Angel's arm and walked out of the restaurant with him. Holding the car door open, Buffy got into the car as Angel shut the door. Getting in himself, Angel started the car and put it into gear. Looking out the window, Buffy thought that she saw something that was more than impossible to see...Spike's face in the shadows. Shaking her head, Buffy smiled at Angel and allowed him to take her on their next adventure.

--

Spike and Darla watched as the car drove away. Turning to him, Darla glared.

"Why did we wait?"

"Because," Spike said, "we must wait for the opportune moment. Now is not that moment. We need to catch him off guard. Right now, he is on his guard. There is no way to kill Angel...we know that one. We will get him. That I promise you." Spike watched the headlights stop at the red light. Stepping out from behind the bush, he opened the door to a taxi nearby. All three vampires got into the car and shut the door.

"Follow that car. And be discreet." They handed the driver a large sum of money and he nodded. The car started and they were soon following the Benz towards the New York pier.

--

Okay, we need a quick moment to recap the situation. I understand that a lot of people don't like us vampires for obvious reasons, but you have to admit what that bugger did to me is more than enough reason for killing him! I mean come on, I loved her and he had to brainwash her and turn her against me so that she would pick him over me! I hate that bastard more than anyone could imagine, but the stupid part is, and what that bitch of a queen didn't realize, was that I have a soul now. We all know this, its is a common knowledge. So please, if any of you really think that I have the guts to kill the one vampire who gave a lick about me in the past over some girl you are sorely mistaken. This is all for show...I am telling the truth...actually I'm not. Vampires are funny that way...we tend to lie out our asses. To kill him or not to kill him, that is the question. Not to mention the motives of that bloody queen (who by the way thinks she is all high and mighty on her throne). I don't believe for one second that killing Angel is part of her plan. She has other motives. Maybe we are simply the distraction? Who knows, all I know is I'm doing what I'm told and getting paid to do it. Not that it will do me much good considering we only have 48 hours to live anyway and then its back to the shadow land we go. I think I might kill my counterparts...maybe that bloody child too. Might be fun. Anyway, I suppose we should go back to the story shouldn't we...

--

Faith twisted around in her seat trying to refocus her eyes on the TV. They had put the twins to bed right after Buffy and Angel had left and decided that they would watch a movie to kill time. Faith wanted to do other things but Connor said he refused to do anything in front of the twins. Understandable but damn she was horny. Looking over she saw that Connor was asleep and decided that now was the perfect time to go for her long awaited smoke break. She knew that Connor hated her awful habit, but when she was in prison, she kind of got hooked on it. Stepping out on the balcony she lit up and leaned over the edge of the deck. Look out at the stars, a light breeze swept over her and she shivered. Refocusing her eyes she looked out at the park below them and thought that there was movement. Shifting her focus, she narrowed her eyes and opened her mind up. Slayer thing, Faith then realized that there was someone down there and it was that young girl, Kari. Putting her smoke out she went back inside, grabbed her coat and quietly left the penthouse. Running down hall, she chose the stairs over the elevator and ran down them faster than anyone else could. Pushing the exit open she ran across the street and entered the darkness of the park. Slowing her pace she opened her mind and allowed all the sounds of the night envelope her body. Hearing a branch crack, Faith turned and found herself face to face with Kari. Holding her arms up, Kari stopped.

"Wait, please."

"Why should I? We have been told some interesting things about you." Faith put her arm behind her back and took hold of the knife she always carried.

"I know. Please, will you let me talk? Before you decide to kill me?" Faith looked her over and tired to see if anything was concealed in her coat. Sensing what Faith was doing Kari stripped off her coat and put it on the ground.

"See, nothing." Faith brought her arm back out and folded her arms.

"Talk." Kari moved away from her coat and sat down on a bench to her left. Faith moved towards her too and sat next too her making sure to keep her distance.

"What I'm about to tell you, you need to keep to yourself. You are the only person that I can trust, you always were the only one, other than mother and father." Faith knitted her brows and relaxed a little.

"What are you talking about?" Faith asked. Kari took a breath and put her hands between her legs to keep them warm.

"My name isn't Kari," She looked at Faith to try and find some kind of security there, it was smiling she took another breath, "My name is Kera. I am Buffy and Angel's daughter, from the future." Shock registered on Faith's face as she attempted to process what she had just been told.

Part 4

"What? Is this some kind of sick joke?" Faith wasn't sure that what she was being told was the truth but there was something in her face as she looked at her. There was fear, fear that she wouldn't be believed, that she would be alone; Faith knew that look all too well, it was the look she had before she had even met Buffy.

"No joke. I swear I'm telling you the truth. I have a birth mark on my right hip. So does Tristan, but his is on his left. It is in the shape of a crescent moon." Kera stood up and pushed her pants down so she could show Faith the mark. Faith's eyes widened. It was there, just like baby Kera's. Faith ran her finger over the mark to see if it would come off, but it didn't.

"You're not lying are you?" She questioned.

"Why would I?"

"You have been for a while." Faith stated as Kera sat down.

"I know. It was necessary."

"Why are you here? How are you here?" Faith asked her.

"I can't tell you everything. I am here to save my family. The young man that told you everything about me making me the bad guy is actually Tristan." Faith couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Tristan? Baby Tristan?"

"Yes but he is not a baby and he is not good either. Tristan is more than evil."

"But, Buffy and Angel averted that prophecy." Faith stated. Kera smiled and looked down.

"You of all people should know that you can't truly avert a prophecy." Faith smiled. It was true, prophecies happened whether they were wanted or not.

"So, he does go evil, like they said?"

"Yes, but it takes effort. You see, the Queen didn't realize that she was going after the wrong sibling. It is her who turns Tristan. With great effort of course, but she manages it. Tristan is why I am here. I need to save the baby in order to save his future. But, unfortunately Tristan has more than stopped that one. I can't get near him now, because has told all these lies," Standing Kera began to pace to keep warm, "By now, the Queen knows its me she needs not Tristan, she is just using him until she doesn't need him."

"Do you think she will kill him?"

"That would do some justice now wouldn't it," Kera laughed, "Tristan has murdered more people than you can imagine. He was always meant to be evil, but there was just no way to stop it. Kind of happens when your father is a vampire." Noticing how cold she was Faith stood and retrieved her coat, handing it to her, Faith sat down again. Kera put her coat on and smiled.

"Thanks."

"So, what happened? You still haven't really told me what's going on."

"Father, Angel, sent me here. He sent me to save Tristan. We were hoping that if we could save baby Tristan that we could save future Tristan...and our family. But, it doesn't look like that is going to work." Sitting down Kera wiped a tear from her face.

"Why not?"

"The one chance I had with the baby showed me more than you think. There is heavy magic guarding him. I am not experienced enough to get through it. Aunt Willow gave me the spell that I need to perform, but there is something guarding him. I think it might be the Queen, or other external forces. Like I said, he is meant to be evil."

"Why are you telling me this! You should tell Buffy." Shaking her head Kera looked on her Aunt.

"I can't. They won't believe me."

"Why not?"

"Because they have been touched by the Queen's magic. The only way that they believe Tristan is because he uses magic. When the Queen turned him, she infused herself with him. He has all the power she does...she is the one really manipulating them."

"Why me then?"

"Because she can't get to everyone. Tristan never liked you. He always stayed away from you when you came to visit. You always saw through his crap...mom and dad, they were blind. By the time they listened, it was too late. I could always trust you with everything." Faith smiled. It was good to know that someone in the world trusted her more than anything.

"So better reason to put the mojo on me right?"

"You would think, but even to this day, Tristan hates you. That is why he didn't kill you like he did..." Kera broke off and lowered her head again. Faith looked at her niece and put her hand on her shoulder.

"He killed Buffy didn't he?" She stated simply. Kera looked at her with tears filling her eyes, "Unreal. What about Angel?" Wiping them Kera looked at her Aunt.

"I left before I knew what happened. When I tried to contact him, he wasn't there. I think...no, I know...Tristan killed him too. He always threatened he would kill them both one day." Kera moved away from her Aunt. Faith couldn't believe what she was hearing. The little baby in the baby room of her best friend was standing right in front of her.

"This, this is like something out of the Twilight Zone." Faith stated simply.

"Tell me about it. If I had known my life would turn out this way, I think I might have signed up for a different one." Faith laughed. Kera smiled. It had been a while since she smiled.

"So what's next then?" Faith asked. Kera looked at her in disbelief.

"You actually believe me?"

"Why not?"

"I don't know, if I had some crazy teenager come up to me to tell me all this I might think she is crazy." Kera said.

"Look, I do think you are crazy. But, in my life and line of work, you could be telling me the truth. So, I suppose I have to give you a chance. First, tell me something about myself that only Kera would know...even though she is a baby right now." Faith folded her arms across her chest and waited.

"Your birthmark for example...or my mother's. Yours is behind you right knee; if you look really closely you can see that it is in the shape of a heart. Mom's...well, I think dad is the only one that has really seen that one." Faith laughed. True enough.

"All right. Tell me what we need to do and you have my help." Faith stated as she stood up.

"I don't know. We have to stop Tristan. If we don't he is going to kill more people." Kera zipped up her coat and started to walk back to the penthouse with Faith.

"I think we should tell Connor. He might be willing to buy your story and help out." Faith said. As the two walked back to the apartment a shot rang out piercing through the sounds of traffic. Both girls stopped suddenly.

"Where did that come from?" Kera asked. Faith's face went white. Breaking into a run, she tore out of the park and ran across the street causing horns to honk and blare. Kera followed her Aunt dogging between cars and listening to blaring horns. She caught up with Faith as she flew up the staircase taking them three at a time. Kera knew that she couldn't move that fast. Moving away from the stairs she hit the elevator button and walked in. Faith moved faster than she had ever moved before. The only though running through her mind was that she was sure the shot came from the penthouse. Connor. Faith's mind moved back to the dream she'd had. Faith burst through the top door as the elevator door chimed and opened. Kera stepped off and headed to the penthouse door. The door was ajar. Faith held Kera back and moved into the penthouse first. The hallway table had been knocked in front of the door. Slowly moving it out of the way Faith entered the room to find the TV on but Connor not in the room. The lamp across the hall was knocked over and the kitchen chair was knocked on its side. There had been a struggle. Faith then hear a cry emit from the baby's room. Faith motioned for Kera to enter the room noticing that no one was around.

"Whoever was here is gone now. Go to the baby's room and check on them. Now." Faith moved into the living room to check the balcony door. It was open and night wind was blowing the curtains into the room. Stepping onto the balcony Faith noticed that there was no movement and no one on the deck. Satisfied Faith turned to go back into the room when she heard Kera cry.

"Faith! Get in here now!" Faith ran to the baby's room and halted in her steps, frozen. Lying on the floor was Connor. Blood surrounded him as he fought to breathe. Kera was kneeling beside him holding his head up. Tears fell down her face as she tried to keep him awake.

"Connor! Please! It's me, Kera. I know you know its me. I know you do, please don't die!" She turned to Faith and noticed that she had fallen to her knees. Her eyes were glassed over as if she wasn't even registering that she was there.

"Faith! Faith!"

"Huh?"

"You need to call 9-1-1 now!" Reaching into her pocket, Faith took out her cell phone and dialed. Her world was moving in slow motion, she could barely hit the numbers. Sitting on the floor she held the phone in her hand.

"9-1-1, how can we help?" Faith didn't even put the phone to her ear. Kera moved towards her slowly and took the phone.

"Faith, please. Give me the phone, go to Connor. Hold his head up. Faith? Can you hear me?" Faith looked up at her as tears fell down her face. She nodded her head and moved towards Connor lying on the floor. The cries from the baby filled the room but noise didn't register with Faith's mind. Kera put the phone to her ear and told the operator all the information needed. She then tried to call her mother's cell phone but got not answer. Faith held Connor's head and took his hand.

"No. This is not happening. Connor, Connor, please answer me." Faith gripped the wound where it appeared Connor had been shot. Connor spat and tried to breathe. Faith allowed her tears to fall down her face as she held Connor. Kera stood and looked in the cribs, what she saw caught her breath.

"Faith," She bent over to pick up her baby brother and turned to see Faith looking at her with hatred in her eyes, "There is only one. I'm gone, I mean, baby Kera she's gone." Faith looked away from Kera and then back down at her lover...hatred and anger coursed through her body as she internally vowed to kill whoever did this; kill whoever brought about the end of her happiness.

To be continued...