Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are copyright Joss Whedon. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
The Slayer Squad – Origins Episode Six: Morgala
By
Celgress
Sunnydale Museum early December 1996, night
Having already drained the two night watchmen Absalom boosted up the diminutive Anointed One. The boy vampire wedged a purple gem into a slot on the forehead of the large stone dragon, which had only arrived in Sunnydale the previous day. Reciting an incantation both the gemstone and the dragon's eyes emitted violet light. Cracks spiraled through the statue until stone blew apart revealing the purple scales beneath. The surrounding group of lesser vampires watched the ritual from a respectable distance.
"Go forth Morgala the Great Worm our Master, thy Master, commands it!" Absalom ordered the revived beast. "Find the Slayer oh Morgala. Devore her flesh, suck the marrow from her broken bones make her head a trophy for thy Master."
The Anointed One waved a photograph of Buffy Summers in front of Morgala whose eyes flashed brighter. With a terrible shriek Morgala ascended into the heavens on his outstretched wings smashing threw the overhead skylight raining glass down upon the inhuman throng. The horde of vampires watched with approval as their Master's long lost pet flew off into the night.
Sunnydale High School
"G-man when can I join Buffy & Will in the field." Xander sighed adjusting his blindfold for the millionth time.
"W-when I'm satisfied with your test results." Giles said holding up a stop watch. "Now reassemble the crossbow again." Within less than a minute Xander completed the task.
"Anything else G?" Xander asked.
"Hit me in the chest with this on my mark" Giles commanded throwing Xander a small stick. Giles then took up a position behind and to the right of the teen", "mark." Xander threw the stick over his shoulder hitting Giles square in the chest with little apparent effort.
"Anything else?' Xander again asked.
"N-no that will do Xander." Giles said cleaning his glasses.
Grinning from ear to ear Xander removed his blindfold. "So tell me did I pass teach?'
"You were, very impressive." Giles begrudgingly admitted.
"When can I join the others on regular patrol duty?"
"How about tomorrow night?" Giles said wearily deciding there was little point delaying the transition further.
"Really, thanks Giles you won't regret this." Xander said jumping up from his seat, knocking the chair aside, and then shaking Giles' hand vigorously.
"I best not." Giles said trying to get the feeling back in his hand. The boy's grip was even tighter than Buffy's, no small feat.
An Alleyway, two hours later
After weeks cooped up at Angel's apartment with nothing to eat except pig's blood, damn the reformed vampire's stupid rules, Darla's boredom had gotten the better of her natural cautiousness. She had gone out at sunset giving Angel the excuse she was taking a much needed walk. Angel had both lectured her about not eating humans and keeping away from the regular haunts of her former family. Spying a lonely young man licking her lips Darla slipped into game face.
"Yummy" Darla purred. "Come to mommy sweet thing." Slowly Darla advanced on her prey before she could swoop in and make the kill however she was surrounded by a group of vampires with Absalom at the head.
"Greetings Judas" Absalom said sporting his own game face. "Fancy finding you here, seize the traitor! Remember the Master wants her alive!"
Darla immediately knew she was in trouble. Powerful as she might be she couldn't overcome them all. Seeing no other way out of her predicament Darla bolted. She didn't get far before her assailants fell on her en masse.
Simultaneously in another part of Sunnydale Buffy, Angel & Willow were fighting for their lives against a large group of vampires. It was one of the biggest swarms Buffy had faced since moving to the town. Buffy shuddered thinking how much more difficult her life would be without her new boyfriend and best friend fighting by her side. In truth Buffy hadn't completely forgiven Willow yet for her behavior as the Crimson Witch, a fact which filled the young Slayer with shame. Intellectually Buffy knew what happened hadn't been Willow's fault, emotionally however the things the Crimson Witch did and said cut Buffy to the quick. She could believe her own best friend called her a slut on numerous occasions. The question Buffy couldn't push out of her mind no matter how hard she tried, did Willow believe the things Crimson Witch said about Buffy? Did Willow think Buffy was some kind of skank? God what if her best friend secretly hated her?
"Buffy incoming!" Angel shouted shooting another vampire towards her. Buffy raised her stake dusting the target. Beside Buffy Willow gingerly staked a vamp. By now all but a few vampires had either been killed or retreated.
"Do your fools worse it means nothing, our Master's great worm Morgala now comes to destroy you Slayer!" A male vampire declared pointing overhead.
The three heroes did a double take. Swooping out of the night sky was a large, purple dragon. "I-I take it-it that's Morgala." Willow stammered in awe.
"No doubt" Angel mumbled.
Morgala zeroed in on Buffy laying down a swath of violet flames. The three heroes jumped out of the way. Morgala swept high into the air making another pass the dragon spewed forth more fire. The parking lot where the battle with the vampires had been taking place now resembled a war zone, cars were ablaze everywhere.
"Any ideas how we deal with flame breathe bright or otherwise?" Buffy asked her companions as they huddled together behind an overturned van.
Before anyone could answer Morgala let loose twin purple lightning bolts from his eyes. The lightning blew the van apart. The three heroes scrambled away in opposite directions. Morgala, ignoring Angel & Willow, once more he zeroed in on Buffy. Diving under an upright car Buffy took a short breather. A moment later Morgala overturned the vehicle with several beats of his mighty wings.
"Do you never give up?" Buffy bemoaned searching for a new hiding place. "You're clingier than most boys I've known, get a hobby."
Morgala screeched by way of reply snatching at Buffy with his back talons. "Over here!" Angel yelled bouncing a rock off Morgala's head. The enraged dragon turned his wrath towards the vampire momentarily forgetting his preferred target.
Willow rushed over to Buffy while Angel lead Morgala away. "I don't know if this'll help or not Buffy but that thing is magical. I can sense it isn't natural. If we can break whatever spell the Master is using it'll go away."
"Do you know how such a spell might work?" Buffy asked hoping Willow did.
"Usually it involves animation or reanimation by a talisman or something along those lines. You know a manmade device which obviously doesn't belong." Willow said apologetically. "I wish I could be more help."
Watching Morgala barrel back towards her Buffy for the first time noticed the pulsing crystal on his forehead. "I think you've told me everything I need to know, thanks Will." Buffy said grabbing a twisted piece of bummer from a destroyed car. Waiting until the gapping jaws of Morgala were less than five feet away, luckily the dragon didn't use his fire this time around, Buffy hurdled the bumper fragment like a javelin straight into the crystal. With a tremendous bang, the intensity of which blew the windows out of the surrounding buildings and set off several car alarms, the crystal shattered into a million shards upon contact with Buffy's projectile. Morgala instantly reverted into stone falling towards the ground breaking apart the moment he hit the pavement.
"So much for the Master's pet dragon", Buffy said dusting off her hands.
The Sunken Church
"Tell me Darla why should I not kill you?" The Master asked his former favorite, playfully running his clawed index figure around her eyes.
"Because I will make amends my Master." Darla said trembling.
"Lies oh mighty one, do not be deceived by the wiles of this jezebel!" Absalom said from his position beside the Anointed One.
"Silence Absalom, or must I remind you of your place?" The Master growled shooting the other vampire a deadly glare. Absalom bowed his head saying no more.
"How can you possibly atone? Because of your unhealthy obsession with your estranged offspring, and former lover, I remain trapped here. Furthermore I have lost a powerful tool in the form of the Crimson Witch, a powerful tool that has now been turned against me I might add. Tell me how will you compensate me Darla?" The Master said placing the point of his claw against Darla's right eye.
"By doing what others have proven incapable of. I will deliver the Slayer to you on a golden platter."
"Intriguing boast, how shall you accomplish this seemingly impossible task?"
"Through Angel the Slayer is in love with him. She values his opinion. I will convince Angel I have reformed, and then have him convince the Slayer & her friends. Once she lowers her guard I'll bring her before you my Master." Darla said winching in pain as the Master increased the pressure on her eye.
"I have a better idea. Bring me the waters of forgetfulness." The Master commanded finally removing his claw from Darla's eye. Darla breathed a silent sigh of relief.
A minion passed the Master what appeared to be an ancient Greek vase. "Anyone who drinks from the waters contained within forgets their life. Be careful only one dose remains. I trust you know what should be done with my gift Darla?"
A wicked smile spread across Darla's now vampire face. "I believe I do." With the Waters of Forgetfulness at last Angel's heart would be belong to her again.
Summers' Residence
Joyce tied the bathroom over her nightdress wondering who could be knocking on her door at such an hour. Opening the door Joyce was confronted by a talk, bearded man, wearing a leather jacket. Joyce had to admit the man was handsome in a distinguished sort of way.
"Can I help you sir?" Joyce asked.
"Ah yes miss my automobile broke down. It is at the end of the street. May I please use your telephone to ring a garage?" The Bearded Man asked politely. His voice bore a thick accent Joyce thought could either be Dutch or perhaps German.
"Yes you may, please come in Mr.?" Joyce said.
"Nest Miss, my name is Heinrich Joseph Nest. I am pleased to make your acquaintance Miss?"
"Its' Mrs., Mrs. Summers Joyce Summers" Joyce said extending her hand. Instead of shaking it Nest took it and gently kissed the back of her hand.
"I cannot believe a woman so young is married. Is your husband around?" Nest asked entering the Summers House.
"Aren't you the charmer, I'm divorced actually." Joyce said feeling giddy as a school girl.
"A pity, his lose" Nest said to Joyce who lead him to the phone. Handing him the receiver Joyce's eyes locked with Nest's own. "Now look into my eyes." Nest said softly. Within a matter of seconds Joyce was under the monster's spell. "Listen carefully Joyce Summers you will tell no one of our encounter tonight or our encounters which shall follow. You shall remember only the details of our encounters I deem fit. Now embrace me my new pet." Nest commanded opening his arms. Joyce did as she was instructed, slipping into vamp face Nest bite into his prize.
When Buffy arrived home near dawn there was no sign of Nest's visit. Slipping in through her bedroom window Buffy was thankful for one thing above all else. Tomorrow was Saturday. After vanquishing Morgala she could use the extra rest. Taking a deep yawn Buffy passed into a restful sleep. She was blissfully, many would later contend mercifully, unaware what a terrible holiday season awaited her. By the time the New Year came Buffy's world would be turned upside down. Worst of all her innocence, along with that of her friends, would be lost forever in a conflagration worthy of the apocalypse.
To Be Continued
