Chapter 23: Friends and Enemies
Voldemort's Lair
"You know what to do." Snape hissed at his niece, who was running around frantically. In search of Spike, no doubt.
"I can't just leave him." Angelika ducked as a demon was flung her way, narrowly missing his hulking form.
"It won't matter if we don't survive the night." God, how he hated her stubbornness. Taking out the demon who stumbled his way, he grabbed his niece's shoulders, "Just stick to the plan. Ripper will deal with the rest."
Nodding her head in assent, they both took off, striking out at the demons standing in their way.
On the other side of the cavern Angel and Spike weren't fairing much better. Spike, having been caught unawares, was being held up against the wall as a demon leaned in menacingly. In the next instant Angel was there tackling the demon to the ground.
"I can't believe I'm saving your life." Angel growled as he continued to grapple with the over-sized demon.
"You wish." Spike grunted as he broke the neck of the still fighting demon.
"We're getting nowhere." As Spike helped Angel to stand, he found himself grateful that Spike was fighting with him in this instance. Turning as one, they ran back into the fray.
"Stop!" The commanding voice of Voldemort could be heard over the din. Instantly all of the vampires and demons froze.
"Now's our chance." Spike whispered to Angel urgently.
"Wait." Angel held Spike back. "Killing them isn't working. We have to get out of here."
Spike wrenched his wrist free and glared at Angel, "I'm not leaving without my girl."
"Now what?" Angelika whispered as Voldemort's voice stopped her cold. She was certain that he had found them out.
Snape opted not to answer, lest they draw attention to themselves. Instead he continued to creep along the cave walls, Angelika following close behind. Up ahead he could see a doorway in the wall. Their only chance was to reach the doorway and hopefully Spike and Angel would be waiting on the other side. Quickening his pace he shot through the doorway and came face to face with Spike and Angel. They were arguing. Granted, they were being quiet, but still was that all they did?
Motioning for Angelika to wrangle her boyfriend, Snape quietly approached Angel. "We don't have time for this."
Angel rolled his eyes, "Tell that to the Billy Idol wannabe." He hooked his thumb and pointed at Spike.
Glancing over at Spike, he could see that he was now embracing his niece, almost as if he thought he was never going to see her again. The spell was broken, when Voldemort issued a final command, which subsequently caused the demons and vampires to scatter as they made their way to the surface. "We have to go. Now." Snape urged his companions.
"What about them?" Angelika didn't like the idea of letting the demons and vampires attack the school or the Slayer, for that matter.
"Ripper will deal with it." Snape asserted, once again.Why couldn't she just believe him; trust that he knew what he was doing?
Something was wrong, Angelika didn't know what, but she felt it. Ripper was going to do something extremely dangerous. She just hoped that her Uncle was right and he knew what he was doing. Kissing Spike lightly, she prayed, that they would all make it out of this.
Hogwarts, by the lake
"You can't be serious!" Willow growled. What the hell was Giles thinking? No, I can't let him get away with this. Without conscious thought Willow narrowed her eyes as she mumbled a few incoherent words.
Giles, sensing what was coming, stopped her spell before it could manifest. "Willow, don't test my patience. If I so choose, I could take your powers from you, without so much as a word spoken. This is a very grave matter and should be treated as such." Before Giles could comment further Snape and Angel appeared, followed by Angelika and Spike.
"They're coming." The warning was a moot point, Snape knew, but he still uttered the words.
Muttering under his breath, Giles glanced at the two vampires, "You're first." Giles touched first Spike's forehead than Angel's, each time uttering one word, "Domus."
A second later, they each disappeared, to which Angelika rounded on Ripper in anger. "What the hell was that?"
"I sent them home." He explained with a shrug, "The spell I'm planning would have done them more harm than good. I couldn't risk it."
Not waiting for her to reply, he looked first at Willow, then Xander and Dawn. "I'm sorry, but this is for the best. Believe me." He completed the same spell, sending each of them home to Sunnydale. They may hate him for it, but he wasn't about to let any of them suffer needlessly. Especially when there was something that he could do to prevent it.
Sunnydale, Summers' home
"Don't worry Mrs. Summers, I'm sure they're fine. Rupert knows what he's doing." Wesley tried to comfort the older woman, but like so many other times, what he said had no bearing on what she perceived to be happening.
"I'm sorry, Wesley, but I just can't stop thinking about this. It's…he took my daughters from me, both of them."
Wesley was about to respond when a flash of light temporarily blinded him.
"I'm going to kill him."
"Now, Will, I don't think that's such a good idea. Besides, Giles was just trying to protect us." Xander consoled his friend, though silently he was grateful to be home.
Blinking his eyes rapidly, Wesley took note of the 3 teens and 2 vampires standing in the same room…wait a second…2 vampires. "Spike!"
"Wait, Wes!" Angel stepped in front of Spike, holding his arms out to fend off Wesley's half-hearted attack.
By this point, Joyce had turned and was gaping at her daughter. "Dawn! You and I are going to have words about this, young lady!" Even though she was grateful that he daughter was safe, she couldn't allow this type of behavior to continue. "Go up to your room, now."
"But, Mom, I just wanted to help." It was clear that Dawn's attempt at valor was going unnoticed by her mother.
"No buts, young lady. Now, march." Joyce watched as Dawn traipsed up the stairs to her room, slamming the door in her wake.
"What's all this racket?" Cordelia poked her head in and squealed when she spotted Angel. This caused Tara to gaze in at the odd assortment of people. Half of which looked to be deep in arguments with the other half. This did not bode well.
"That's enough!" Gunn's outraged shout quieted everyone. "What the hell happened?"
Angel was the first to recover enough to speak. "It's quite a long story…"
"Yeah, well, in case you didn't notice, we've got the time." Cordelia interrupted.
Hogwarts, by the lake
"Snape, you know what to do?"
"I'll take care of it." Snape ran off towards the school, intent on completing his task.
Ron turned to Giles, "Where's he going?"
"Never you mind that," Giles responded with a smirk. "Harry, I need you to deal with Voldemort. Remember, he will be virtually powerless. But be careful." He cautioned the young Wizard, before turning to face Buffy, "Buffy, Can you, Ron, and Hermione take out Draco?"
"Count on it." She asserted, "What about you?"
"I must deal with these pesky demons and vampires."
Buffy did a double take. Was Giles actually joking? He never did that. In fact, normally he would chastise them for joking in the face of the apocalypse. "Was that a joke?"
"Sorry, Luv. Couldn't help myself." OK, that was really weird. Was it just her or was his accent slipping a little? Before she could speculate further a clap of thunder could be heard and the world erupted in chaos.
Everyone fanned out. Buffy headed off into the night, chasing after any demons that got in her way whilst looking for Draco. This time she was taking him down. Ron and Hermione were following her, trying to stay out of the way and cursing any wizards who stood in their paths. Harry trailed behind the others intent on getting to Voldemort before he could cause any more harm.
Giles was trying not to show it but he was extremely nervous. It wasn't every day that he tried a most impossible spell. Of course if it were impossible, then he wouldn't even be attempting it. Snape had yet to return, but he had full faith in the wizard. The timing had to be perfect and for this to work he needed his old friend.
Stumbling slightly, Giles righted himself. What the hell was that? Closing his eyes, Giles could sense something…something that was just outside his grasp. No matter, he didn't have time for this. It was now or never. Keeping his eyes closed, he started to chant.
In accordance with his chanting the sky darkened as thunder and lightning flashed. The next moment saw plump raindrops falling to the ground. A torrential downpour had started soaking everything in its wake.
As the rain fell, Buffy looked around in awe. Giles had done this…her Giles. Demons and vampires were fleeing in fear, only to be taken out by the magick that soared on the wind. Shaking her head, Buffy spotted Draco grinning as he took out a wizard.
Heading towards him, she ducked behind a tree, trying not to draw attention to herself. Looking around, she saw Ron and Hermione copy her motion and duck behind the tree to her right. Placing her finger against her lips, she indicated her need for silence. She had to coax Draco out into the open, but how?
Making the only decision she could, she hoped that Ron and Hermione would stay back until the time was right. Jumping out in front of Draco, she grinned. "Hey, Mini-Spike, wanna play?"
"Slayer, I thought you'd never show up." He sent a wave of magic after her, to which she jumped aside, barely avoiding the stream.
Looking over her shoulder, she scrambled to her feet, "Is that the best you've got?" She took off running. Taunting him may not have been the best option, but it had the desired effect. Growling, Draco stormed after her.
Initially, he had been planning to take her down without magic, but where was the fun in that? Taking aim he mumbled the spell under his breath, so as not to potentially warn her. The magic shot forth but before it could hit the Slayer, Hermione shot out, as Buffy passed, deflecting Draco's spell.
Ron was close behind and shot a spell at Draco, hoping to catch him unawares. Not to be the case, he realized, as Draco jumped aside allowing the spell to pass harmlessly by. "Well, well, well…what have we here?" Draco sneered at Ron and Hermione, before regarding Buffy once more. "Hiding behind dumb and dumber? I'm shocked, I tell you, simply shocked." He stalked forward, "Not so tough now, are you?"
Buffy crossed her arms and regarded Malfoy coldly, "And you, Malfoy? What's your excuse? Can't take me on without magic?" She continued to taunt him, hoping to make him off balance. What she really needed was for him to lose the wand. Without it he would be virtually powerless.
Ron, who was closes to Malfoy shouted, "Expelliarmus!" and Malfoy's wand flew into his waiting hands.
With a shout of outrage, Ron watched wide-eyed, as Malfoy ran towards him at full speed. Buffy ran to intercept, landing a kick to Malfoy's stomach.
"You'll pay for that." Malfoy threatened, as he slowly stood up, not noticing as the sky crackled with energy around him.
Ron and Hermione inched towards Buffy as a vortex slowly opened up behind Malfoy. "What's that?" Ron whispered urgently.
"Buffy!" Angelika could be heard shouting over the force of the gale winds. "Send Draco through the portal!"
As her words tapered off, Draco launched himself at Buffy. Ducking, she plowed into his stomach, knocking him down. "Why are you helping me?!" Buffy hollered back as she faced Malfoy once more.
"Does it really matter?!"
Shrugging Buffy supposed that it really didn't matter. She had to take Malfoy out of the picture that much was certain. Gaining momentum, she launched herself at Malfoy throwing punch after punch determined not to let him catch his breath. Turning, she landed an elbow to the side of his face, sending him crashing to the ground. As he stood up, she jumped into a flying kick that sent him tumbling through the portal. With a wave of her hand, Angelika, now standing next to them, effectively closed the portal drowning out Malfoy's protests.
Of all the things Ron had seen this seemed to be the worst. Wasn't there something else that they could have done? No, he didn't suppose there was. Malfoy had been given several chances and still he had fought them. It was best to just leave him to his fate
By now most of the vampires and demons were gone thanks to Giles' spell, but Harry still had yet to find Voldemort. Where the hell are you? He was starting to lose faith, when he spotted the elusive wizard out of the corner of his eyes. Turning quickly, he shot a spell at the retreating wizard; no way was he letting that monster get away.
Voldemort slowly got to his feet after being hit with a spell that quite literally took his breath away. Looking around, he spotted the boy wonder heading his way. This time, Potter wouldn't live through the night.
"You won't get away with this."
"Look around, Boy, I already have." Voldemort opened his arms wide, gesturing around them.
Harry knew what he was doing. Voldemort was trying to distract him, catch him off guard, but it wasn't going to work. Giles had said that Voldemort should be powerless, but how could he test that theory? Of course, Harry mentally berated himself, by letting Voldemort cast a spell. Not wanting a spell flung at him, he thought it best to be the instigator and see if Voldemort could deflect his spell. "Levicorpus!" He shouted and watched as Voldemort tried, unsuccessfully to counter the spell.
Voldemort's eyes grew wide as he realized that it wasn't working. At the last minute, he jumped aside narrowly missing the stream of magic. Before he had a chance to recover, Harry shouted, "Immobulus!" Whilst running towards the evil wizard. Having the desired effect, Voldemort was standing, but unable to move. Harry knew that the spell wouldn't keep Voldemort frozen for long.
Racking his brains he tried to come up with a spell that would hold the wizard, without killing him. The point was to make Voldemort suffer and killing him would not accomplish that. However, living without his magic may do the trick.
"Incarcerus!" Harry was snapped out of his musings by Snape, who was casting the very spell that had escaped Harry's recollection. They watched as ropes sprung out of Snape's wand to bind Voldemort. It was over. Voldemort was finally captured. Looking around, harry could see as those who supported the Dark Lord were being rounded up by the Ministry of Magic. They would stand trial, of course, but this marked the end of the war.
The sky brightened as a rainbow arced across the land signifying a new day. "You OK, mate?" Ron slapped Harry on the back, snapping him out of his daze.
"We did it." Hermione smiled at the two boys, grateful that her friends had made it through the night.
"Yes, we did." Harry agreed, hugging his two friends.
"Giles!" Buffy was running through the clearing. Now that the fight was over and most of the wizards were rounded up, she felt a desperate need to find him. Where the hell is he?
In answer to her unspoken question, a light lit up the sky illuminating his figure. Running at full speed, she raced up the hill. Giles was indeed standing there, his eyes were now open and she gasped, "Giles…" His eyes were the deepest shade of Jade imaginable. How could he even see?
She watched, the tears evident in her eyes, as his body seemed to collapse in on itself and he fell to the ground in a dead faint.
Chapter 24: Ethan
Sunnydale
Ethan Rayne was dreaming. He knew something bad was coming, had known for quite some time. Ripper can handle it, He thought as he saw the sky all around him darken, almost as if arguing with his precious assumption.
Ethan winced as the thunder boomed. "No…no…no…" It had started, he was sure and now it was up to Ripper and his Slayer to set things right. Never had he felt so powerless. The ground began to shake and break apart. Ethan took off hoping to outrun the destruction that was sure to find him.
No such luck as a fissure opened up in front of his fleeing form. A startled gasp escaped as he fell flat on his rear. "Wha-what?" His eyes widened and he gulped loudly as he slowly backed up.
A figure rose up from the gap and proceeded to glide towards him. The man was cloaked in shadows and even though Ethan couldn't see his face, he knew who he was…what he was.
"You're Chaos. Have you come then? Is it time?" Ethan had always known that Chaos would come for him, but he had hoped that it wouldn't be for many years yet.
Shaking his head, Chaos regarded him. Pointing a bony finger at Ethan, the shadows reached towards the sorcerer. "Your time will come, Sorcerer, but it is not now. Ripper needs you." The shadows covered Ethan's body and he was prepared for the end to come swift and painful.
Pleasantly surprised, however, he sat in bed clutching the sheets to his chest. He jumped when a man suddenly appeared by his side. "You must come with me now." He stated without preamble.
Narrowing his eyes, Ethan recognized him as the infamous Snape. Ripper had spoken highly of this man and now all Ethan could feel was dread. What had happened to bring this man here? And what could he possibly hope to achieve by bringing Ethan into it? Standing quickly, Ethan dressed, "What's happened?"
"You'll see soon enough." Did every person that Ripper know have to be so damn cryptic? Ethan sighed, knowing that he wasn't likely to get anything out of Snape.
Finally they were ready and Ethan braced himself for the journey, hoping that he didn't just damn himself for trusting the wizard.
Hogwarts; Hospital Wing
It had been 2 days and still there was no change. Buffy had fallen asleep curled up against Giles. They had tried to get her to leave his side, but she had flat out refused. Giles needed her, now more than ever and there was no way she was leaving him.
Life had pretty much gone back to normal. All the wizards had been rounded up and Voldemort's caves were destroyed. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were back in class, but they still visited Buffy whenever they could. Hermione could tell that Buffy was hurting beyond the surface and she wished that there was something she could do for her friend, but what she needed was Giles. Hopefully the professor's excursion would prove fruitful.
Snape had left in search of Ethan Rayne, vowing not to return without the chaos magician. Although how Ethan could help, Buffy didn't know, but she had to trust that Ethan could bring Giles back from the brink.
Buffy snuggled in closer as the tears slowly flowed down her cheeks. That was how they found her. Ethan gasped as he took in the severity of the situation. "What did he do?"
"I think you know what he did." Snape whispered back fiercely. "He deserves better. Ripper saved this sorry world and we are not giving up on him."
"Can you help him?' Buffy's softly spoken question damn near broke Ethan's heart. He had hated her for taking Rupert away from him, when in all actuality it wasn't' even her fault. Destiny was funny like that. But looking at her now and the love she clearly feels for Ripper, he knew that he had to try, anything less was not acceptable.
"I shall endeavor to do my best." He promised her with a small smile.
Dumbledore's Office
Ethan had called a meeting. Never in all his life had he ever thought he would be working with the Slayer, but he would do whatever he had to in order to save Ripper. With any luck this would work like a charm.
"Do you know why this happened? What caused it?" Buffy asked Ethan. She figured that if anyone here would know, it would be him. She suspected that Dumbledore knew, but he wasn't being very forthcoming. Hopefully Ethan wouldn't share the same reserves as the wizened wizard.
"Yes, I do." Ethan paused contemplating on the best way to explain it. How could he possibly make her understand?
He must have paused too long, because Buffy's face fell, "You don't want to tell me, do you?"
"No, Buffy, you misunderstand." He reached out and placing his finger under her chin, he raised her face up so that he could look into her eyes, "I just don't know how to explain it."
"Try, please?"
He smiled suddenly, Buffy really did love his old mate and he was grateful that Ripper had found someone so devoted. He truly deserved it. "Think of it like a coma. The spell he did was very powerful and the magic sort of short circuited his brain a bit."
"You mean kinda like an overdose?"
"Exactly. The spell wiped out his magic reserves and this is the end result. I'm surprised he didn't do more damage."
"How do we fix this?" Buffy was determined to see Giles pull through this and after he did they were going to have some serious words.
Ethan was amazed at her resolve, although when Ripper wakes up he'd hat to be in his shoes. "I'm going to share my magic with him. Hopefully, it will be enough to rouse him." Ethan really hoped that this would work, but even he had his doubts. Ripper really was drained and his own magic might not be enough to pull him out. Not this time, at any rate.
"What about me? I mean, I don't have any magic…that I know of anyways, but what about the whole Slayer thing? That has to mean something, right?"
Ethan regarded her in silent contemplation. She may be on to something, but could they risk it? And what would Ripper say? "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Too much of your energy and I could wipe out your power completely. Ripper would kill me if I let that happen."
"No, Ethan, it doesn't matter. All that matter is that I get Giles back. Please? I have to do this."
"Very well, but I must caution you…too much energy could be detrimental to you as well as Ripper, himself. Understood?"
"Consider me warned." Buffy responded with the first smile he had seen her give.
Hogwarts; Hospital Wing
Ethan didn't know if this was going to work, but he had to try. "Buffy, I need you to place your hand on Ripper's chest, over his heart."
Tentatively she reached out and placed her left hand over his heart, "Like this?"
"Yes, now take my hand." He instructed whilst placing his right hand against Giles' forehead. Buffy reached out and grasped his left hand in her own. "Now, I need you to concentrate on what makes you the Slayer. Whatever you think, whatever you feel, I need you to direct it towards Ripper." I hope this works…
Ethan closed his eyes and could sense Buffy doing the same. Centering himself, Ethan thought of all the things that Ripper had done for him and with him. All those times that Ripper had protected him or helped him through a particularly difficult time. They may not be related by blood, but Ripper was still his brother and his brother needed him now. Slowly his hand began to glow a warm yellow as his magick entered Ripper.
Buffy wasn't sure what she was doing, not really, but strange as it seemed she did trust Ethan. Like he said before: Giles was like his brother. And she knew from experience that even brothers fought from time to time. Keeping her eyes closed, she thought of all the times that Giles was there for her. All the times that he cared, when in all actuality he should have been disappointed in her behavior, but still he never wavered in his trust of her. And from all of that sprung a love that brought her to her knees. She may be the Slayer, but that wasn't all she was…not anymore. She started to feel a tingly sensation working its way through her system and traveling down her arm. Suddenly a warm pink glow emanated from her hand as the very essence that made her the Slayer entered Giles.
"Buffy?" Ethan was shaking her form. In fact he was growing quite worried about her. She had seemed fine earlier, but she had expended a lot of energy trying to awaken Ripper. He still hadn't woken and it was nearly morning. Hopefully Ripper would awaken soon.
"Giles…" Ethan heard Buffy mumbling as she snuggled in closer.
He was about to double his efforts, when he heard a groan coming from Ripper. Although with Buffy draped on him, it was hard to tell. Focusing on Ripper, he leaned in and heard Ripper murmur, "Buffy…"
Even in sleep they seemed to reach out for each other, but seeing as how that was the first thing he heard Ripper say, he was ecstatic. It seemed the energy transference seemed to work and Ripper would be just fine. Of course he'll still be grounded for a few more days and wouldn't that piss him off. "Buffy, you must wake up. Ripper needs you." Ethan whispered in her ear, hoping to rouse the sleeping Slayer.
Buffy opened her eyes instantly and slapped Ethan's hand away, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Thank God, I almost thought you were out for the count. Ripper's coming around, I think." Ethan explained with a shrug.
"Buffy…" Giles whispered once again and Buffy smiled as she looked at her sleeping Watcher.
"Giles…" she reached out and caressed his cheek as his eyes slowly opened.
"What happened?"
"You've been pretty out of it," She started by way of explaining, while still caressing his cheek. He moved into her touch like a man drowning. "What do you remember?"
"The spell, but then…I'm sorry it's a bit scrambled right now. I can't really recall." He closed his eyes as a wave of fatigue hit.
"Not surprising, Ripper." Ethan commented, by way of making himself known to his friend. "You've been asleep for nearly 3 days.
"Ethan?" Giles questioned, not fully understanding the implications of his presence.
"You wiped your reserves, Ripper. That was very foolish of you." He scolded his friend, "You know better than that."
"There wasn't another way, Ethan, believe me." Giles closed his eyes again, just wanting to sleep.
"I thought I'd lost you." Buffy whispered as her eyes filled with tears. Giles could hear the desperation and sorrow in her voice and it broke his heart that it was he who had caused her that pain.
"You can't get rid of me that easily." He whispered before claiming her lips with a fierceness that shocked them both. Ethan, sensing the need for them to be alone, slowly slipped from the room with a smile on his face.
