Thanks goes to all you reviewers, keep 'em coming!
*Warning! This chapter lives up to it's R Rating.*
Special Thanks goes to Boulder, for all his help and advice.
To answer 'fanboy's review, all references I have for Spawn come from the movie. Everything else I have created to fit into the Buffy universe.
To those of you who are not happy about the relative slow pace of the last few chapters, this should spice things up a bit for you.
Without any further ado, I now present; The Wrath of Hell; Just When you Thought it was Over, part b.
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Too late, Riley realized that he had left the window closed. "Oh, shit!" He muttered, looking in blank surprise at the broken glass in front of him, shards gently cascading, landing in a musical tinkle onto the pavement. No matter, he thought grimly, the distance isn't great enough to effect the accuracy.
Xander sighed happily. Everything was right in the world again. Buffy clung to him, desperate for forgiveness, which he was more than happy to give. "It's all right Buff" he murmured to her.
"No it's not, I should never have..." A flicker of movement in an upstairs window caught his eye and he focussed on it curiously 'must be Deadboy seeing what was up' he thought to himself. As it was day, it made sense that he wouldn't be able to emerge from the building... Sniper! Shoilin yelled in his mind. Reacting instinctively, Xander morphed into Spawn. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. The window smashed, glass cascaded down in a of colour and sound. A bullet inched towards them, as if in the Matrix. Riley's face behind the gun. Things sped up, and Xander spun around, using his momentum to throw Buffy to safety, during his spin, his cape extended, flying above him, and as his back was to the hotel, it acted as a shield, 'catching' the bullet. Completing his revolution, his cape shrunk back down to normal length, and his eyes smoked in anger. The slug dropped to the ground with a click.
Buffy tumbled to the ground in confusion. "Xander, what..." Her words died as she looked at what had become of her friend. "Spawn" She whispered disbelievingly. All this time, Xander was the demon. Slowly making her way to her feet, she stepped cautiously closer. Spawn - 'Xander' she corrected in her mind, had not moved, his back facing her. Why would he simply throw her? 'Xander?" She asked timidly.
Xander was seeing red. Angrier than he had ever been before. 'I'm gonna get you, farmboy' he screamed in his mind. Shoilin coughed politely If you really want to do that, the fastest way up there is to use your chains 'How?' Xander queried Use the force Xander blinked. 'Tell me you didn't just make a joke, you being an evil demon in my head.' Well, er, look; just think about what you want to do, and do it 'Thanks for the help. An instruction manual, you're not.' Shoilin sighed in his mind How do you more your arm? You just do. Its the same with your armour Xander stood for a minute, thinking about what Shoilin had said. It made perfect sense suddenly. In an instant, he was aware of what his armour could do, and how to do it. Looking at his arm, he grinned under his mask as blades popped out of his knuckles and forearm. 'Riley, your ass is mine!'
(AN: Yes, its the moment we've all been waiting for, please save all applause for the end...)
Jumping ten feet into the air, Spawn activated his chains, which whipped out from his armour, and clamped into the wall either side of the window Riley had shot from. Like a Spawn shaped sling shot, he crashed through the window, rolled, and ended up on his feet, facing a surprised Riley. "You!" Riley yelled. Spawn stepped closer at a deliberate pace. Riley smoothly drew his pistol, aiming it at Spawn's head in the classic Weaver's two handed stance. Spawn kept coming. Riley smirked, glancing at his pistol. It was a Berretta 9mm, a well known pistol, trusted for it's ease of use and reliability. It held fifteen bullets, and that would be more than enough to take out this freak. Spawn stopped, and cocked his head to one side. Riley grinned "Look, demon, what I'm going to do is..." Spawn ducked, causing Riley to instinctively shoot. The bullet hit the far wall, just as Spawn swept the legs out from under him. Riley landed hard on his back, air expelled from his lungs in a forceful rush, his gun thrown across the room to land near the door. Ignoring the pain, Riley quickly rolled to his feet, taking a defensive stance,. Far from beaten, Riley pulled out a switchblade from an inside pocket. Shaken slightly, but feeling more confident with the blade in his hand, he advanced slowly towards Spawn, who had dropped into a semi-crouch.
Spawn watched, as Riley cautiously stepped forward, holding his knife in a style Shoilin whispered was standard Special Forces. Obviously the schmuck knew how to use it. Riley lunged forward, catching Spawn by surprise and slashed across the armoured chest. Spawn hissed slightly in annoyance at the stinging pain across his chest, leaving a green line, which quickly disappeared. Riley lunged again, this time for his throat. Spawn leant back, causing the swipe to go wide, and replied with a quick combination of jabs that sent Riley back, his face bloodied. Riley staggered back, only keeping to his feet through sheer tenacity. Spawn snarled while Riley tried to regain his balance, and before the Iowa boy could prepare, stepped forward with a side kick to the chest at full power. Riley flew through the air, ribs breaking with an audible snap. Riley crashed into the far wall, several feet in the air, leaving a large hole in the plaster, as he fell to the ground. Spawn paused, surveying his fallen opponent. Riley was only semiconscious, a stream of blood emerging from his mouth. Kill him Shoilin whispered. Spawn walked forward, several blades emerging from his knuckles of both hands. Spawn stood over Riley, and drew back a fist. That's it! Shoilin encouraged. Spawn hesitated. His blood was pumping through his veins, the anticipation of the kill causing his mouth to water. But was it right to take a human life? He was going to kill Buffy, for no reason. Surely he must be killed Shoilin persuaded. Spawn remained motionless for a second, his spiked fist still poised over Riley. A million thoughts ran through his head, one coming to the fore. "I'm not a killer" Xander spoke aloud as his mask withdrew, though still standing above Riley. You are a killer, that was the deal! Shoilin sounded more frustrated then angry, and Xander sighed, 'I'm not going to kill anyone' he stated firmly in his mind We'll see Xander stood, shaking his head and backed off.
Riley blinked hard, trying to clear his head. He made to stand, when an uncomfortable object underneath him made him remember the gun. Moving quickly, Riley forced himself to a knee, and scooped up the gun. Spawn had turned, his mask covering his face. Riley's eyes opened wide in disbelief "Xander?" He asked in surprise, before his mouth curved into a smile "Guess this is my lucky day" His hand shook as he tried to ignore the pain and keep a bead. Spawn jumped towards Riley, who, still on a knee, shot two fast bullets - a 'double tap' - into Spawn's head. Spawn fell back, the pain excruciating, and his vision destroyed. Riley quickly staggered to his feet, and wove his way across to where Spawn was lying. Keeping his gun firmly aimed at Spawn, he grinned as he looked at the demon's face. "Ha! Killed you! One down, one to go." Turning to a radio, he made to pick it up, before turning back, quickly, and emptying the rest of the clip into Spawn's chest. "Always wanted to do that." Riley murmured, shakily wiping some blood from his face with the back of his hand, unaware that he was simply spreading it more. He turned, wincing at the pain in his chest his movement caused, grabbing the radio and switching it on.
"Beta Control?"
"Receiving."
"This is Riley, serial number 301246"
"Go ahead."
"Target two has been terminated."
"Target one?"
"Will be killed before the day is out."
"Agent, how is it that you have eliminated a target that was only signed for termination today, but you haven't yet killed Buffy?"
"Sir, its been harder than expected, she..."
"Enough, Agent. You have two days to finish the hit."
"Sir"
Riley turned off the radio with a sigh "Why is it my fault? Sending me after all these damn supernatural..." Still rambling, Riley turned to look at the body. And blinked at the empty space on the ground. Space where there should be a bullet ridden corpse. Not fourteen slugs lying on the ground. Looking around, Riley felt a drip on his shoe. Looking at it, he saw a small drop of green liquid on it. Looking up, Riley found himself staring into two glowing eyes. "Oh fu..."
"No."
"Aw, come on."
"Spike, no means no."
"Just once?"
"How many times are we going to have this conversation?"
"Look, its not like I'm asking for much, is it?"
"I'm not going to do... That! What do you think I am?"
"Well..."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence."
"For me?"
"I wouldn't do it for anyone, much less you. You know what he'll do when he wakes up."
"Have you got something against me?"
"Apart from the fact that you're an evil demon?"
"Hey! I... Wait... That's right! If you don't do it, I'll bite you"
"..."
"Or not"
"Why do you want to do that to him anyway?"
"Just look at it!"
"... Okay, maybe it should be done, but not by me."
"I'd do it myself, but you know I can't!"
"Why? You afraid?"
"Bloody hell Faith, I'm not worried about him, It's Buffy I'm worried about"
Willow watched on in amusement as the argument continued, looking up as Tara entered the room. "Hey, sweety" She called out softly. Tara smiled in return, and snuggled into the sofa. "What are they arguing about?" Tara asked, pointing to an extremely animated Spike, who was literally bouncing around the room, and Faith, who was standing across from him, her arms crossed, with a half frustrated half amused look on her face. Willow smirked. "Spike is trying to convince Faith to shave Angel's head while he's asleep."
Tara snorted loudly at that image, causing Spike and Faith to look around at her. Tara went red as the attention in the room moved to her, and sank deeper into the cushions "Sorry" She murmured into her chest. Faith smiled sympathetically, and walked over to the two witches. "Hey." She smiled "I'm Faith."
"T, t, t, Tara" Tara smiled weakly in return.
Faith switched her gaze to Willow, who's eyes had hardened as soon as Faith had moved towards them. "Hey Willow" Faith greeted softly.
"Faith" Willow stiffly replied.
Faith sighed. This was going to be harder than she had thought. "Look, Willow, I just want to say." She broke off, a loud bang from above catching her attention "What the?"
Angel emerged from his room, shaking his head "What was that?", Everyone shrugged. Buffy slammed through the door entering the lobby, and raced up the stairs. A series of bangs echoed through the hall, though not as loud as the first. "A gun" Angel stated quietly. The two vampires looked at each other, before racing up the stairs. Faith turned, attempting to follow, "Immobile" a voice whispered from behind her. Suddenly Faith was frozen in her tracks, unable to move. Growing fearful, she struggled, stuck in her pose. Willow walked around to where Faith could see her "I don't trust you, Faith." She stated quietly "I don't know what's happening, but I don't trust you." Faith snarled inaudibly as Willow gazed at her levelly before calmly walking up the stairs. Buffy ran, her heart hammering. Quickly ascending the three floors, she made her way to the door of the room she had seen Spawn entering, barely aware of the vampires on her tail, not slowing she hit the door so hard, it flew off its hinges, smashing against the wall opposite. Spinning to study the room, she was shocked to see Xander in Spawn's body armour standing in the room, which was drenched in blood and entrails. Fighting down vomit, she paled as she recognized Riley's head, which was lying on the ground near her feet, eyes staring blankly. Xander spun around to face Buffy, his eyes lightly smoking green "Buffy..." Buffy didn't hear what Xander was saying. A murderous rage came upon her, and she lashed out with a crescent kick full power to Xander's face.
The scent of blood and death was overwhelming. Riley looked like a rag doll someone had let the dog loose on, then covered in ketchup. Intestines decorated the room in a gruesome display. In the middle, stood Spawn. 'I killed him' Xander was in shock. He had killed a man. Riley lay on the ground in several pieces. Spawn had decapitated him with his chains, much like the first vampire. His body had been destroyed by the spiked fists. Xander fought the urge to throw up. Inside his head, Shoilin was doing a snoopy dance. Yeah! Oh Yeah! OH Yeah! Yeah yeah yeah! Woa! Kick ass! You Rock! Xander swayed on his feet, his powerful demonic body the only thing keeping him from crashing on the ground. Xander sadly looked at his armoured hands, now covered in red blood. His mask disappeared, and he sighed, closing his eyes. Riley might have been a murderous asshole, and he might of deserved to die, but that didn't change the fact that it was Xander who had killed him. Bloodlust had taken over, and Spawn had taken pleasure in Riley's destruction, Xander's own conscience had been suppressed from the enormous pain of fourteen bullets. He had quickly come to, but not quickly enough to save Riley from being torn apart. A loud bang caused him to turn in suprise, as the door flew inwards as if hit by something or someone very powerful, and he tensed when Buffy entered the room. Locking eyes with the slayer, he hastened to explain "Buffy, I'm sorry, please..." A full powered kick from a slayer would hurt Spawn. What it would do to an unprotected human face is to burst it into pulp. What saved Xander from a gross death was a combination of his demon - which managed to take some of the damage; not much though, as he was demasked, and fast reactions, which threw him backwards with he blow. Unfortunately for Xander, this threw him into the air, and out the smashed window, unconscience.
Buffy slowly dropped to her knees, starting to weep. She couldn't bring herself to look at the room any more. Right now, things where to much for her, and she turned fleeing from the room.
Angel had almost made it to the door, when Buffy barreled past him, sobbing. "Buffy?" He called after her. She paid no attention, not stopping her rush. Angel looked towards Spike who shrugged, and gestured to the door. The two vampires entered the room. The smell hit them, and their faces automatically morphed into their demonic visage. "Oh god!" Angel gasped weakly, surveying the carnage. Spike whistled appreciatively "Pretty impressive" Spike turned to Angel, who was looking distinctively queasy "Oh, come on Angelus!" Spike snorted at the souled vampires reaction "It's not like we haven't done worse." Spike frowned at that thought "Though it has been a while..." Trailing off into thought, Spike sat on a chair, which some how managed to survive intact, while Angel needlessly gulped air, trying to steady himself. "Hey! Look at this, Angel!" Angel turned at Spike's entirely too cheerful tone, to see that he had picked up Riley's head. "Oy! Look at me!" Spike spoke in falsetto, working Riley's jaw with his free hand, a gruesome parody of a puppet. Angel swallowed with difficulty "My name's Riley, and I'm a wanker from Utah who likes sheep allot" Spike grinned, and turned his face to look at Riley with a mock look of suprise, while turning Riley's face to look at him, manipulating Riley's mouth to form a smile, before turning both back to Angel. Angel's face had gone even more pale, and he kept his composure with difficulty, walking out of the room. Spike sighed as Angel left, before turning to look at the head.
"Guess it's just you an' me now, sport."
The silence in the room was broken by a loud grumble.
"Sorry mate, this smell is making me hungry."
Silence.
"You know, I never figured you for a quiet one."
Silence.
"A stupid one, definitely, but not a silent one."
More silence.
"I'm actually beginning to like you."
Even more silence.
"You know when to keep your mouth shut."
Willow made her way up the stairs, to have Buffy run into her. Whispering a quick spell saved her from a tumble, and she looked in concern at Buffy, who had sank to the ground in tears. "Buffy, what is it?" She asked, sitting down next to the slayer, wrapping an arm around her.
"Riley." Buffy managed to whisper, before collapsing against Willow in tears. Willow held on tight, trying to soothe the distraught blonde. Footsteps coming down the hall caught her attention, and she was surprised and a little frightened to see Angel looking slightly sick. She looked to him, questions in her eyes. Angel simply shook his head, spotting Buffy, awkwardly sat on the step next to her, patting her shoulder.
Buffy sobbed into Willow's shoulder for several minutes, before finally quieting. Spike came down the stairs whistling a jaunty tune, a bounce in his step, and a develish gleam in his eye "Excuse me ladies!" He smiled, vaulting the three easily, landing at the railing at the next floor down, in an extremely good mood. The three 'ladies' ignored him. Willow gently stroked Buffy's hair, while she sat, her face in Willow's shoulder. Buffy mumbled something Willow couldn't pick up. "Buffy I didn't hear you" Willow stated softly. Buffy didn't move, but spoke louder. "Xander. Xander is a dead man."
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What do you think? Was it well worth the wait?