Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: Huh, yeah. To be completely honest, I've had this piece sitting for a long while. I wanted to update it after I've had the last chapter written, but well, I don't have it. Yet. I have very little time to sit down and write, but I think that soon will change. So... yeah.
Chapter Twenty-One: To Live Is To Die
''What the hell are they doing, packing up for a summer vacation?'' Angel asked, clearly agitated. He was sitting on one of the chairs in the kitchen, Spike and Connor occupying the other two. ''We need to move.''
''They're going as fast as they can.'' Spike answered, finishing a mug of blood. ''Remember that we're going after Faith because Illyria needs a power up.''
''Would you leave her alone otherwise?'' Connor turned to Spike.
''I don't know.'' He shook his head. ''I think I wouldn't go actively searching for the bird. When you think about it... we've been taking a pretty good beating ever since Andrew grabbed that psycho slayer from right under our noses. Kicked off with Illyria and after I saw what Faith did to Gunn and... Fight's coming. Literally. And the worst part is that it's not even The Partners. Just a complication. They're probably already going over the plans how to get back on board and trust me, it won't take them long.''
''I'll talk with Lorne. Call me when they're ready.'' Angel sighed and stood up. After Lorne gave them the message they agreed to let him rest.
He walked in to see Lorne covered in sweat, but watching him.
''Hey.''
''Going already?'' He asked, blinking tiredly. ''Damn and here I was, trying to think of a song to cheer you up. Nothing came to my mind. Strange.''
Slowly, Angel moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed. ''You're gonna be fine. Just have to hang on Lorne. We'll come back as soon as we can.''
''I really hope you do.'' Green demon coughed. ''Can you, uh...'' He looked sideways. Vampire followed his gaze and saw a tall glass od water. ''Sure.''
Gently, he brought it to Lorne's lips and let him swallow a couple of mouthfuls.
''I'll be fine, Angelcakes.'' He said once Angel set the glass back on the table. ''It's just... not fair. I keep trying to remember when did we go wrong, you know? What did we do that was so horrifying... that we'd deserve this? And I, uh, I can't. I don't know.''
''Maybe it's just a test.'' Angel muttered. ''Or not... I think that's it. The finish line, the last job, you know? Something, The Powers, universe, I don't know, something just kept throwing things at us and we beat them all back. We're gonna make it through this too. All of us.''
Lorne let out a choked laugh. ''You need to work on your speeches. They used to be better.''
Angel smiled and scratched the back of his head. ''Yeah, I've had a lot on my mind lately.'' They sat in silence for few minutes. ''I'm sorry.'' Angel started, hesitantly.
Lorne looked at him in slight confusion. ''For what?''
Vampire shrugged and shook his head. ''Everything.''
''I'm a big boy, champ.''
''We're ready mate.'' Spike said, standing in the doorway. Angel turned to him. ''Right, okay.'' He looked back at Lorne. ''We'll be back as soon as we can.'' He said, standing up and passing Spike.
Other vampire stood there for few seconds longer, staring at the resting demon. From behind his back he produced a bottle. ''One for the road, eh?'' He took a swing and set it down on the table next to a glass of water. ''See you in a minute.''
''What is that?'' He heard Angel ask as he walked in to see the rest of them gearing up, Illyria and Anthis packing a jar of unknown greasy, sticky substance in a color of vomit, to the bag.
''Well, this is uh, a binding component, so to speak.'' Anthis explained. ''Seeing as most likely we won't have enough time to prepare a proper ritual, like we did with my brother, we had to find another way. This should keep and enforce the connection between Illyria and Faith long enough to extract the power.''
''It will be much more painful to her.'' Illyria continued. ''She will have to keep mostly still, so I doubt we can hold her down. We need to beat her down first.''
''Great.'' Connor sighed.
''One more thing though,'' Spike spoke up. ''Once you get all that back... I mean, haven't we had a problem with too much power before?''
Angel let out a heavy breath. ''Of course. With all that power, Fred's body will explode. Again. Why haven't we thought of that before?'' In frustration, he kicked a chair. ''So what,''
''We'll worry about that later, vampire.'' Illyria cut him off. ''I know what to do. We should go.''
Angel exchanged looks with Spike. Blond vampire shrugged in a what-the-hell manner. ''Let's go.''
They left the apartment. Once on the streets, Angel quickly picked up his pace to a light jog. Illyria had the most trouble keeping up, she could vaguely see in the dark, as the gentle light of the barrier she would soon destroy allowed her to mostly notice the outline of various trash on their path. Her body, Fred's body, was tiring quickly.
After few blocks, Connor risked a glance back. ''Dad!'' He called out. ''Stop.''
Their party came to a halt. ''What?''
''We need to slow down.'' He said when Illyria joined them, slightly out of breath.
''No. No, we need to get there fast. We can't waste time.'' Angel argued.
''Lorne said that Faith would move in the morning. We still got like half the night. Going at this pace we'll be exhausted.'' Connor shot back.
''Kid's right.'' Spike joined the conversation. ''Look if we walk, I reckon we'll get there in about three hours, maybe. That's still night.''
''Should we stop somewhere and acquire more weapons?'' Anthis asked.
''No.'' Angel said firmly. ''No, okay. Uh, this is what we're gonna do. We'll walk, but we do not stop anywhere. We go straight there.''
Out of them, only Anthis and Angel carried weapons. She had her bow, along with a sword she promised to pass onto Illyria once there, and Angel held a broadsword. Both Connor and Spike decided to stick to their fists.
''Okay, we should come up with some sort of a plan.'' Spike said when they were walking. ''Come on, what do we know about the bird? What could we use against her?''
''Hey, you're the one who killed two slayers, why don't you tell us how to do it?'' Angel said over his shoulder.
Connor heard Spike mutter something that sounded suspiciously like 'wanker' under his breath.
''Yeah, but I never clashed with her. Not really.'' Blond vampire said, out loud.
''Right, and the last time you went up against a slayer, she cut your hands off.'' Angel remarked.
''Really?'' Connor turned to Spike.
''Yup. She was a psycho. Point is, how does she fight?''
''Uhh...'' Connor tried to remember the last time they fought. It was here, alright. When she came and found him with Gunn? He lost that one pretty badly. No, after he met Anthis. Everyone was going out of his mind. He would lose that one too, but it turned out a lot better. And then there was the time when she came back with The Scythe and gave him the worst beating ever. ''She tends not to think when she's angry.'' He started. ''Pissed off even. The only time I came close to a standstill was when we both just... went at it.''
''I beat her when she first came to L.A,'' His dad carried on. ''Turns out she wanted to die. The longer the fight went, the more... erratic her moves became. As Angelus, she gave me a good beating before I bit her. Turns out that's what she wanted all along. She kept in control.''
''Okay and now she beat Amy and Gunn to death. That does not seem like a quick kill, more of a purposefully drawn out fight to dish out and take the most you can.'' Spike concluded.
''She is stronger. Faster.'' Illyria supplied. ''Perhaps she wanted to discover just how much more resistant?''
''Right, so she's testing her boundaries. But there's five of us.'' Vampire looked at Illyria. ''When she came after you, I knocked her out like that.'' He snapped his fingers. ''The element of surprise is all we need.''
''You really think we'll have that?'' Connor asked.
''It's not like she's waiting for us, shotgun all cocked and ready. And there is five of us.'' He stressed. ''Come on people, I reckon she'll be pretty busy. There's bound to be more than one chance at taking her out, clean.''
''Maybe.'' Angel said. ''How, ugh...'' He looked to his left and right, before continuing on straight. ''How do we approach this? Her?''
''I think we're well past trying to reason with Faith.'' Anthis shrugged.
Angel just looked at her.
''Do we go in as one or split up?''
''That depends on how does that church look.'' Illyria said. ''If we'll be spotted immediately, if there is anything else there. Impossible to plan the approach yet.''
''Okay, how about a basic idea? Say we split up, who goes with who?'' Angel asked.
''I should probably stay with Illyria.'' Anthis volunteered. ''I can do damage from distance and she should only join the fight if absolutely necessary.''
Angel thought this over. ''Alright. Connor, you'll be with them.''
Boy looked at him sharply. ''What?''
''If we split up, I'll go with Spike and you'll protect them. If we go all in, the three of us should suffice.'' His father said.
''Do I have any say in this?'' Spike raised his hand.
''What now?'' Angel stopped and spun around to look at the vampire. ''What part of the plan is not good with you? I'm not telling you to wear anything.''
Anthis and Connor looked at the rest, clueless.
''Oh, I know. The split is good.''
''Then why-''
''Just wanted to make sure my opinion matters.'' Spike said smugly.
Angel closed his eyes, counted to ten and moved on.
''Just so we're clear, we go non-lethal?''
''Yeah.''
''What if one of us gets a clean shot? Head, chest?''
''Then we don't go for it.'' Illyria said. ''If one has a chance to slow her down, he should take it. But not something that would kill her immediately. She needs to be alive.''
''Oh, that is so gonna cause problems.'' Spike fished out a cigarette and lit it up.
Angel stopped at a crossroad. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
''What?''
''I think we might've taken a wrong turn. I don't remember that street.''
''Maybe you forgot.'' Connor suggested.
''I don't forget.'' Angel said and sighed, looking past them. Then he turned right. ''Yeah, I think that's it.''
''Better be.'' Spike commented. ''Or we'll waste the whole night, lost.''
For over twenty minutes, they walked in silence.
''How do you guys think is it like out there?''
''What do you mean?'' Angel didn't even look back.
''What's going on. Sunnydale was covered up as an earthquake, which by the way, is as bullshit explanation as they come.'' Spike clarified. ''Earlier, you mates had the permanent night and people cooked up some other story. What about this one?'' He vaguely remembered wondering about his before.
''I think it's too big to cover up.'' Connor answered after a while. ''Unless you use like, magic to wipe out everyone's memories or something.''
Angel's eyes flicked briefly to his son.
''It would have to be a very powerful magic.'' Illyria said. ''But that is not wise. I believe it is time for your whole... race, to know the truth.''
''Huh? That is a perfect recipe for a disaster.'' Spike said and Angel agreed.
''You are looking at it from the wrong perspective.'' Illyria countered. ''How can you expect humanity to prevail when, roughly... eighty percent of you does not even know there is a danger? It's too late to protect your home when the enemy is already inside. They simply can not remain oblivious for much longer. That,'' she put pressure on the word. ''Will end in a disaster. Namely, the extinction of humanity.''
''Maybe, but bringing a demon to the local news might be even worse.'' Angel said. ''I've been around long enough, to see what happens when people with authority, with resources learn of the supernatural and feel threatened. Most likely humanity would bind together against everything that's not. You, me, the slayers, demons that are not aggressive. Military would start going through each city, purging it. Soon after, demons would fight back. That's a blood bath.''
''Meaning whatever happens we're fucked.'' Connor ended. Angel looked at him with a criticizing eye. ''What? It's the truth.'' He defended himself.
''So we do nothing then?'' Spike asked.
''Pretty much. I think it's already too late to play cover up. We'll just have to go on.'' Angel sighed. ''Like we always do.''
''Bollocks.'' Blond vampire muttered. ''To think that we're the ones who started it. There should be a special section in the history books about us. The first resistance. Like the September Campaign.''
''You do know that they've lost?'' Angel asked.
''Uhh, maybe. Country still exists, right?''
''Last I've heard, yeah. But you know there won't be any history books, because there won't be people to write them.'' Older vampire said.
''Really? Then who wrote the books about the Old Ones? Don't tell me Illyria here grabbed a pen and poured her heart out in a diary.''
Goddess looked at him darkly while Connor chuckled.
''What are you even arguing about?'' Anthis suddenly asked.
''Small talk.'' Spike said to her. ''Something to pass the time.''
''What's that?'' Connor pointed to something on their left. Immediately everyone moved closer to one another and tensed.
''A zombie.'' Anthis decided.
''It's far away. Ignore it, we've gotta move.'' Angel said.
Anthis licked her lips, obviously wanting to shoot. ''He's right.'' She finally said, relaxing.
''Screw this.'' Angel muttered ten minutes later and changed directions purposefully from straight to right.
''Where you going?'' Connor called after him.
''I'm tired of going through back streets and alleys.'' Angel called back. ''We're going down the main road.''
''And the main road would be...'' Spike started when they caught up to him, looking at the lanes that were full of cars.
''Hollywood Freeway.'' Angel finished.
***B***B***
Angel poked his head out, looked at the white building across the street and leaned back against the wall. ''I don't want to go there.'' He confessed.
''I think it's a bit too late to back out mate.'' Spike said, crushing a cigarette under his boot. ''Home stretch.''
''I see one entrance.'' Connor murmured.
''There's probably another one, at the back. For priests and nuns and whatever. Always is.''
''Okay, you go to a church... where do you hole up?'' Angel asked.
''Depends. She wanted to pray, sleep or what?'' Spike scratched his head.
''Wherever she is, going through the main entrance is risky.'' Illyria noticed. ''That big door is most likely not in good shape, which means noise upon opening. The floor might be marble... echoing footsteps. Only one of us can move soundlessly.'' She looked at Anthis, who sighed.
''That wasn't the plan.'' Angel said.
''How, then? Either try to be sneaky by approaching from two directions or we go as one. Brute force.'' Anthis laid out their options.
Angel looked at all of them. ''Uhh, vote?''
''I say we go all in.'' Spike shrugged. Connor nodded his head.
''I'd rather stay as one.'' Illyria joined them.
''Alright then.'' Angel breathed out and stared at the monastery, psyching himself up. ''Let's go.'' He threw over his shoulder few moments later and, with determination, walked forward. Once they got to the entrance, instead of going for the handle, Angel just kicked the whole thing in.
Inside, he noticed that the candles near the altar and few along the walls were lit, most of them half-burned already.
Midway there, he stopped.
''Oh c'mon, seriously?'' Faith's voice rang out around them. Due to the echo, it was impossible to track the point of origin. ''Just when I thought about letting you guys roam free.''
Spike looked at Connor. ''Wasn't she supposed to go specifically after us?'' He muttered under his breath. Boy shrugged. By now they stood next to each other, looking in every direction.
''But you had to know we couldn't let you go.'' Angel called out. ''Not after what you've done.''
''Wha-What I did? I killed demons!''
''Amy was not a demon.'' Angel said softly.
''It's a bigger plan, you see. She had to die. So do the rest of them. Anyway, aren't you three people short? Figured you'd let Lorne and the chicks sit this one out?'' Faith chuckled. ''That wasn't the best idea.''
''Lorne's sick.'' Connor looked at Angel, searching for clues.
''The birds are dead.'' Spike broke their circle and marched forward. ''Where the bloody hell are you, huh? Let's get this show on the road.''
''Really?'' He picked up her interest. ''Well it's not like you guys actually expected to stay safe and sound for the whole trip, right?''
''This is not a personal vendetta is it?'' Angel realized. ''You said it's a plan, what plan? Why do you want the slayers dead... they are the reason the world's still standing.''
''Yup. But that should've been it. One time deal.''
''So what, you're just jealous of the attention they get?'' Spike said. He noticed that Anthis set down the bag and passed her sword to Illyria. ''Hardly a master plan.''
''You know nothing. Not yet.'' Her voice sounded closer. Stronger. ''But since you're all here anyway, we might as well get it over with.''
''Faith! It's not too late for me to help you.'' Angel spun around, looking for her. A last desperate attempt.
''Not two minutes ago you said something different soul boy.''
Angel's face hardened. A fraction of a second later a dagger flew out of the darkness and into Spike's back. Vampire in question crashed to the ground face first with a pained grunt. Anthis released an arrow in that direction and heard it connect with the wall. Connor got to Spike and pulled the blade out.
Just then, Faith came sprinting from the darkness straight at Angel, who barely had time to raise his sword in defence. Using The Scythe with one hand, she swung hard enough to knock the sword away and splashed him with holy water from a goblet she held in the other. As Angel yelled in pain and tried to cover his face, she kicked him hard and he flew into the pews. She turned to the rest in time to avoid an arrow. Connor came at her with her dagger in his hand, Spike few steps behind him.
She jumped back as he attacked and then kicked out at the back of his hand, forcing him to let go of the blade. Before she could cut him down, Spike stopped her wrists. Faith then headbutted him and slugged Connor across the face. Vampire's fist collided with her right cheek and she punched him back, sending him to the floor. She quickly dropped down and swiped Connor's feet from under him. He hit the ground as she raised The Scythe. In the next moment, there was a metallic noise and she felt it torn out of her hold. Brunette heard Angel groan in pain and hit the ground, the arrow that hit her axe was sticking out of his shoulder. It must've been her lucky day, he had a clean shot at her.
Spike ran at her from her side, bringing them both down, between the pews. He hit her twice before she managed to kick him off. Faith got up and was met with a hit to the face from Connor. She jumped over one of the pews, positioning herself behind Connor, shielding her from Anthis. In the corner of her eye she could see Angel getting to his feet. Boy attacked and she swatted his fists away, sending an uppercut to his chin. The force of the hit made him take a step back, hit the pew behind him and tumble over it.
Faith grabbed the pew in front of her, lifted the whole thing up just in time for another arrow to stick into it and swung it at Angel. He flew hard into the wall and groaned in pain. She saw Spike coming closer, so she threw it at him. He dropped to the ground just in time to avoid it. Having a second to breathe, her eyes searched for The Scythe. It was laying near the small stairs leading up to the altar. She sprinted there, having now both Connor and Spike coming after her. On her way there, Angel appeared from the side and swung at her, but she went under his arm to, again, protect herself from Anthis' aim. Vampire was faster than she gave him credit for. As soon as she passed him, he spun around and rolled to the ground, catching her ankle with his foot. Her left leg shot to the right and she fell to the floor. She got up as fast as she could, but by then Spike and Connor caught up to them.
None of them wanted to make the first move.
''Now that's a party.'' Faith licked her lips and, never taking her eyes off of them, tried to calculate how much distance kept her from the weapon.
Angel seemed to have taken the worst beating so far.
''This doesn't have to get any messier.'' He said and Spike shot him an incredulous look.
''Oh, of course it does. We've all traveled too far up this road. But there's only-'' Having had enough, Connor lunged forward. Straight into Faith's boot as it connected with his chest and brought him down. He hit the ground, his breath completely leaving him. Spike and Angel both attacked, driving Faith away. Between blocking their punches, she had no time to sent one back. For all the things they said about each other, the vampires really made a good team. They reached a stalemate, which soon would change not in Faith's favor, because Connor was getting to his feet and she was pretty sure that Anthis was searching for a way to safely incapacitate her. Exposing herself to Spike, Faith struck Angel in his injured shoulder. He cried in pain, his hand subconsciously moving to cover the wound.
A powerful punch from Spike sent her crashing into the confessional. Inside she saw a rosary, laying on the priest's seat. She took it and grabbed Spike's face with an open hand. He roared and changed into his vampire visage. With his free hand, he punched her in the stomach just as Connor grabbed her from behind and tore her away from Spike. Holding her in the air, he threw her to the ground and kicked Faith in the face.
There was no room for any rules.
As he tried to do that again, Faith caught his foot and punched him in the kneecap. There was a sound of bone crunching, followed by boy's yell as he toppled to the ground.
''Connor!'' Angel screamed.
Faith got up and ran for The Scythe. She got to it just in time to deflect another arrow. As both vampires moved towards her, she realized something. Despite having a sword, Illyria did not participate in the fight. She just waited. And the huntress was standing next to her, protecting her. It was Illyria who was the most important to them. She didn't know why. That meant Illyria was now her target.
Slayer attacked the vampires, who did everything they could to avoid being slashed, yet it was them that eventually managed to drive her back. She hit the wall after a kick from Angel and something caught her eye. In a sweeping strike that made both vampires back off a little, she cut through the basis of the huge cross that decorated the altar. They both jumped in opposite directions, the crucifix landing between them. Faith grabbed the nearest candlestick and threw it at Angel, hoping to distract him for a while longer. As the vampire shielded himself from the fire, Faith jumped at Spike, narrowly missing an arrow. Honestly, how many of them did that annoying demon had?
Blond vampire punched her in midair and she hit the ground, hard.
''Come on, slayer. Show me those moves.'' He taunted. She threw The Scythe at him, which he instinctively caught. A second later he hissed in pain and dropped it, but it was too late, for Faith was already making her move. Their eyes connected a millisecond before her heavy boot connected with his balls. He jumped up with the force of the kick, his hands going straight to protect his crotch, his face changing back to human as he stared at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed, his expression showing an unspeakable pain. Literally, because a strangled noise escaped his throat before she powerfully hit him in the temple. Vampire hit the floor like a ton of bricks and didn't move, his hands still clutching at his private parts.
Faith turned back to Angel, who stood frozen few feet behind her, with an expression similar to Spike's, except his also contained sympathy. ''Really?'' He asked in horror.
Slayer shrugged. ''You go for what you can.'' She bent over to pick the axe.
''I should go and help him.'' Illyria said to Anthis, watching Faith advance on Angel. Spike was out for some time and Connor was slowly walking to the pair, but his leg seemed unstable.
''I don't know.'' Anthis answered nervously. This all went horribly wrong. She released a couple more arrows, but none of them hit the intended target. She shook her head. ''Go.'' She decided and walked closer herself. It was about time to get physical. Faith wrestled with Angel for The Scythe, much like she did with Gunn, the vampire's back was against the wall. Illyria attempted to stab Faith in the side, but the slayer let go of the weapon and stepped back, Angel falling forward and Illyria's sword piercing the air. Goddess swung sideways and Faith danced back, punching Illyria. One hand covering her mouth, Old One attacked again. Slayer avoided the blade and kicked the back of Illyria's thigh, forcing her to drop to her knees. There, she took the sword from her grip and prepared to cut her down. Angel grabbed the blade with his coat and body-slammed Faith.
She heard the vampire drop it to the floor as she got on all fours. Then she felt a radiating pain in her rear end. With a shocked expression, she turned to see an arrow stick out of her butt. ''My ass!'' She roared. Faith pulled it out and looked at Anthis murderously. ''My ass?'' She growled. Brunette threw it at her, causing the demonic woman to duck.
Connor, who stopped to pick up Faith's dagger, was now coming closer, fighting back the pain in his leg. Spike moaned in pain and rolled on the floor.
Faith ran at Angel, sending a left hook at Illyria, knocking her down. She noticed that Connor almost reached them by now, so at the last second she ducked the vampire's swing and rammed into him with her shoulder, shoving him away. She hissed in pain after Connor used the opportunity to slash at her shoulder blade. Slayer backhanded him across the face and tried to kick at his knee, but he managed to move it away just in time. They danced like this for few moments, neither of them touching each other, despite their best efforts. Finally Faith managed to take a hold of Connor's wrist, snatching the dagger away and stabbing him with it just below his ribs on the left side.
He gasped in surprise as it slid into his flesh, their eyes briefly meeting. She then headbutted him, taking the blade out and spun around, throwing it at Anthis in one swift movement. Due to the small distance between them, huntress had no time to move. The dagger got her in her right shoulder, causing her to fall down.
''Connor...''
Faith turned to the voice. Angel was staring at his son with wild, bewildered eyes. Slayer glanced there. The kid was definitely alive, breathing heavily and pressing his palm into the wound. Realizing that he was distracted, Faith got to Illyria and kicked her back down. The sound seemed to wake Angel from his stupor. She managed to hit the Goddess across the face one more time before the vampire jumped at her, rolling them both away. Faith elbowed him and got to her feet. Angel did the same.
''W-What happened to... your face?'' He breathed out, clearly tired. Vampire assessed the situation. Connor was definitely out of the fight. He wasn't sure about Anthis, Illyria was bleeding profusely from her broken nose, one of her eyes was bloodshot and she was most likely disoriented. Depending on how much longer the fight would last, Spike could still get up. At least now he was showing more signs of life, trying to get onto his knees.
''Gunn's magical knife. Or whatever.'' Faith shrugged. ''Nothing I can't handle.''
He needed to get her away from them, give them time to recover. Angel backed down the aisle, towards the altar, looking for the door to the vestry.
''Listen to me-''
''What?'' She snapped. ''What can you tell me that I don't already know, huh? That you haven't already said to me? What, you got some more words of wisdom somewhere?''
''I still believe in you Faith.'' His eyes moved to Connor. ''I know that you can do the right thing. You're in there somewhere.''
Faith sighed. ''Honestly, why can't you just accept that this is who I am? You did see me in Sunnydale. Granted, I had some problems back there, but I'm all right now. Is it that hard to believe that I've been chosen?''
''Chosen.'' Angel nodded. ''Chosen... for what exactly?''
''To save humanity.''
''How can you even believe that?'' Vampire asked. ''It's... We're on the same team here.''
''No.'' She shook her head. ''No, you don't get it big guy. Because if we do it, if we do kill every demon out there, every supernatural fucker... there will still be one left. You. What then?''
''That is true.'' He glanced back and stepped on the first stair leading up to the, now demolished, altar. ''And what will happen to you? You are supernatural.''
''I wouldn't worry about that if I were you.''
''Tell me something else, then.'' Angel stopped right next to the door. ''If you want to kill demons, why focus on the slayers first? Why us? You keep saying that they need to die, why?''
Faith touched her right butt cheek tenderly. It hurt.
''For every slayer we created in Sunnydale, there is a hundred demons out there in the world. The Earth needs balance. We tipped the scale so hard in our favor... There was only supposed to be one. Me. That's enough. All that matters. I'll make it right.'' Slayer explained and inhaled. ''Ready to go to the prom?''
Angel shook his head. ''I don't dance.'' With that he shot off to the right, going through the door with Faith hot on his heels.
Anthis pulled the dagger out of her shoulder with a gasp. She threw the blade away and pressed her hand against the wound, standing up. She walked over to Illyria, who laid spread-eagled on the ground, breathing heavily.
''Alright?''
''No.''
Huntress offered her hand, which Illyria gladly took. Together, they staggered to Connor. There was a small puddle of blood on the left side of his stomach. ''I don't think I'm moving.''
Anthis crouched and removed Connor's hand from the wound, trying to take a closer look. She hissed. ''It does not look too good.'' She looked back to the bag she set down. With a groan, she stood up and walked to get it.
At the same time, Spike, using the nearest wall as support, got to his feet, his legs an unnatural distance apart. ''What'd I miss?'' He asked after looking at them. Tentatively, he began walking to them.
''Angel lured her away.'' Anthis said, setting the bag next to Connor and rummaging through it.
''We should go and help him.'' Spike noticed. He touched his face where Faith has pressed the rosemary and hissed. Anthis pulled out bandages, plasters and the like.
Connor sucked a breath in when she pressed them against his side. Illyria cleaned her face. ''We're no longer capable of doing that.'' She muttered.
Spike looked hopefully at the bag. ''Don't suppose you have some ice in there?'' He leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. ''Did we even do any damage?''
A loud crash echoed through the space.
''Uhh, got her with an arrow. Connor cut her. Everything else is mostly bruises, blunt damage.'' Anthis said, while tending to her own shoulder. ''Help me with this.'' She turned to Illyria.
''Where?''
''Her right butt cheek, right shoulder blade.'' Illyria answered. She tugged at the bandage. It held.
''Let's go.'' Vampire decided and straightened to his full height, with minor difficulty.
''Someone should stay here with Connor.'' Anthis noticed.
Another rumble.
''Mate's still fighting.'' Spike began walking away, his steps determined, if a little too wide.
Illyria and Anthis exchanged looks. Old One picked up a sword and followed Spike.
''This is much more difficult than we anticipated.'' She said once they walked into the vestry. The room was neat and tidy, suggesting that Angel simply ran, hoping to put as much distance between himself and them.
''No kidding.'' Eventually they reached a staircase. Fresh blood on the wall indicated the way. ''Bloody hell.'' Spike groaned.
Slowly they walked up the stairs, up to the gallery. Faith and Angel were on the other side of the church, near the pipe organs. They both looked a lot more bloody and exhausted. Despite having an advantage, Faith must've gotten as good as she gave. As Spike and Illyria hurried to help, Angel ripped off one of the pipes and hit Faith's temple with it. She dropped to her knees on the side and he continued to beat her with it. There was no finesse in his moves, just pure strength and desperation. She managed to block one of the hits with her arm and shot up, hitting Angel in the face three times before kicking him in the chest, straight into the organs.
She turned to them and jumped back, avoiding Illyria's sword. ''Okay, y-you know what?'' Slayer spit out some blood. ''This is getting a little less funny.''
With a roar, Faith threw herself at Illyria, both of them going down, with the slayer ending up on top. Having in mind the recent hit to the balls, Spike grabbed a fistful of her bloody hair and pulled Faith away from Illyria, but not before she had a chance to smash her head into the floor.
One hand still buried in her hair, Spike started to beat her face. Angel rolled away from the organs and landed on the floor next to them with a moan.
Taking hold of Spike's arm, Faith bit into his forearm, forcing him to let go of her hair. He shook her off and kicked her in the face. Illyria and Angel both stood up. Faith grabbed the pipe Angel used to beat her with and stuck it into Spike's gut, before they could move forward. Vampire choked on his own blood and she shoved him sideways. Angel punched her and she hit him right back, his right hook to hers. Then she aimed at him with her left, causing his back to hit the balustrade. She lunged at Illyria, who stepped back. Angel grabbed her from behind, immobilizing her arms and allowing Illyria to pummel her. After the fifth blow, Faith threw her head back, hitting Angel's face and encircled Illyria's waist with her legs.
Then she pushed them all over the edge.
Angel cushioned Faith's fall, but she in turn served as a mattress to Illyria. She disentangled herself from both of them, crawling away. Angel laid on the ground, not moving. Illyria was on her knees, slowly standing up and Anthis was coming closer, a sword in her hand. From her position on all fours, Faith jumped forward and punched Illyria straight in her face. Old One hit the ground hard and moaned in pain, but didn't move to get back up.
Faith looked for The Scythe and saw it on the floor near Connor. He was prepped up against a pillar, looking at them with a grimace of pain. Faith avoided the first two swings from Anthis, but just barely. Her reflexes were worn out by now and only the fact that the huntress used one arm saved her. Anthis kicked her in the thigh, then punched in the face. Faith had no way to duck the next swing, so she blocked it with her arm, the blade cutting into her flesh. Gritting her teeth and using this as a distraction, with the strength she had left, Faith punched Anthis in her wounded shoulder. With a cry of pain, the taller woman let go of the sword and fell to her knees. A kick to the face finished the job.
Heavily, Faith stumbled over to The Scythe, hoping to end this once and for all. On her way there, she saw the rest of them struggling to get up. Connor was using the pillar to support himself, Illyria rolled on the floor and Angel crawled towards them.
She picked it up and turned to face them. Angel was now near Connor, Illyria and Anthis were halfway to standing up, she even saw Spike's head sticking out from behind the balustrade. He was obviously trying to see the outcome, not being able to get down to them.
Faith swung The Scythe at Connor. He managed to duck, a grunt of pain escaping from his mouth as he punched her in the stomach. Breathing through her nose, slayer attacked again, grabbing Connor's wrist and holding it away from his body. He was done, helpless against her. She reared her hand back, The Scythe cutting through the air when she felt a sudden, sharp pain from her leg. Faith looked down and saw the cause. Angel managed to crawl to them in time and stabbed the inside of her left thigh with her own forgotten dagger. She let go of Connor's hand, aiming a backhand at Angel, but before it connected, he pulled the blade down, slicing her flesh open two-thirds down to her knee.
Pushing back from the pillar, Connor shot at her, both of them going down and The Scythe leaving Faith's possession. Boy didn't even try to cushion his fall, he crashed to the floor and rolled onto his back, looking at her tiredly. Faith, for her part, struggled to her feet using a pew as a support. She looked down on her leg. It was gushing blood, everything from the knee down was red.
Angel stood up heavily, his back hunched over, his posture clearly shaky. ''I-I'm sorry.'' He whispered.
Sucking a breath, Faith took a step forward. Instantly she felt lightheaded, her leg giving out on her. She all but sat on the floor, watching it in confusion. ''Wh-... You..''
Vampire looked back to Illyria. ''Go! Get the bag, come on!'' He called and got to Faith, crashing next to her. Immediately she punched him, but with no real strength behind it. He crawled behind her, letting Faith lean on him. Illyria and Anthis set the bag down next to them and opened up a jar from inside of it.
Angel sneaked his arms around Faith's chest, immobilizing hers. He let his head rest next to hers, his mouth to her ear. She stopped struggling against him, simply staring as life seeped out of her with blood. ''It's... 's not ti-time... yet.''
Illyria stuck her hand into the sticky substance.
''It's-It's okay Faith.'' He felt tears appearing in his eyes as Illyria put her hand under Faith's shirt. ''You're gonna be fine.''
He could almost experience the pain itself, as Faith let out an anguished scream from deep inside her throat.
''I promise... it'll be fine. You'll see for yourself, it's gonna be okay.'' He talked through her screaming, hoping to drown it out somehow. It didn't work. He felt Faith tremble against him, her muscles spasming in unnatural ways.
Finally Illyria took her hand away and shot backwards, as if someone hit her. Anthis kneeled over her and said something, but Angel paid no mind to it.
Incredibly pale, Faith looked Angel in the eyes. ''Wrong. 's wrong. Slayers...'' She croaked out. ''They can't... stay.''
''Don't think about it. Faith, don't.'' Angel kept her close. ''It's over now. It's all over.''
Faith found it very difficult to move, to think, to breathe. ''Never is. D-Dawn. Huh... always figured... bit it... night.''
Angel raised his head, looking at the windows. They were just a tad bit lighter than before. He turned back to Faith, only to see a pair of unfocused eyes. She stopped moving altogether.
''Faith?'' He whispered. She wasn't breathing. ''Faith?'' He tried again, softly. No reaction. He felt hot tears falling from his eyes as he closed hers.
With a gasp, Illyria shot up. She stared at her hand and, as she closed her fist, turned blue. All the bruises she had, along with the blood, vanished. ''It's back.'' She announced quietly.
Angel looked back at his son. ''Connor...'' He asked, worry evident in his tone.
''I'll be fine.'' He said.
Nodding absently, he looked at Anthis and Illyria. Huntress was sitting on the floor, while Illyria moved without any difficulty.
''Where's-'' In that moment, Spike flew through the air and crashed to the floor. He must've chosen the faster way, instead of going down the stairs. ''Bollocks.'' He breathed out.
''We did it.'' Anthis murmured, staring at the fallen slayer. Gritting her teeth, she stood up. Angel removed himself from under Faith, laying her gently on the floor. Illyria walked to Spike and pulled him up. He groaned as she set him straight. ''Hell of a fight, huh?'' He asked quietly.
Angel helped Connor up. He looked at his son's wound. The bandage held together rather well, the bleeding significantly slowed down. ''We need to get to uh, a hospital. Some doctors...''
''We ain't gonna leave her here like this, right?'' Spike took the time to see the damage.
''No, we uh-how are we gonna take it?'' Angel pointed at The Scythe. ''We can't hold it.''
Not missing a beat, Illyria stood over it. She cocked her head, licked her lips and bent over to pick it up. Her fist closed around the cool metal. Nothing.
''Is the, uh, the curse... gone?'' Connor asked.
''No.'' She shook her head. ''But I can withstand it.''
''Oh my God.'' Angel exclaimed. ''Lorne. We need to get back to him. Fast.'' He looked at them. The vision of traveling through the city in their state was haunting.
''Which one of you can pick her up?'' Illyria asked.
Angel stared at Faith's face. She seemed at peace. ''I'll do it. Let's go.'' He grunted as he prepared to lift her body up.
''Wait.'' Illyria said.
The group looked at her. Goddess extended her hand and, just like that, a portal appeared. ''It'll be faster. Go on.''
Angel looked into the vortex. One by one, they went through. Only Anthis stopped to pick up her weapons.
Next thing he knew, he was back inside their place. He set Faith down on the couch just as Illyria came through and the portal vanished.
''Lorne!'' He called out. Spike, Anthis and Connor were already there, blocking his view. He stopped next to them.
The bed was empty. Lorne was gone.
''Lorne!'' He backtracked, going into every room. He wasn't here. ''What the hell? Where is he?'' He asked, coming back to them.
They all looked at Illyria.
''I don't know.'' She shook her head.
''Maybe he's just... gone.'' Spike said. ''I can't smell him.''
''No.'' Angel denied. ''No, I saw what happens to Pyleans when they die. They, uh, they are just like us. They don't just vanish into thin air!'' He felt dizzy. That activity seemed to be just a little too much for him. Vampire leaned against the wall. ''This can't be...''
''We don't know what was happening to him.'' Connor noticed. ''It might've... somehow...''
Spike walked over to the table and picked up the bottle her left with Lorne. The amount of liquid hadn't changed. He brought it to his lips and swallowed a couple of mouthfuls. ''Anyone?''
Connor and Anthis held out their hands. Vampire passed it onto them.
''Are we ready?'' Illyria asked from behind them, holding up Gunn's knife.
They exchanged looks. The moment was here. Angel nodded his head. Illyria looked at them for a little longer, turned on her heel, created a portal and disappeared in it.
''Hope she can pull it off.'' Spike said and left the room. He walked to the table and sat down, trying not to look at Faith's form on the couch. Anthis joined him.
Connor passed a bottle to his father. Resignedly, Angel took a drink.
''Hey, kid.'' Spike called out. Connor turned to him. ''Still got that tape?''
He nodded.
''Keep it.'' Vampire left it with that.
''What now?'' Anthis asked.
Just then, there was a sudden flash of light followed by a thunder, as if a thousand lightning bolts struck just outside their window. ''Bloody hell!''
Due to the noise, they hadn't immediately heard Illyria arrive back. A sound of smashing glass alarmed Angel and he turned to the kitchen. Goddess was leaning against the cupboards, or rather what was left of them. She crashed right through them, stopping at the wall.
''Whoa, you okay?'' By now the rest of them caught up, piling up behind him.
''Yes. Didn't expect the blast to be so strong.'' She crawled out of her landing zone and stood up. ''The barrier is destroyed. We're free to leave.''
''Buffy.'' Angel decided. ''Take us to Buffy. To Giles.''
''Uhh, mate...'' Spike spoke out.
''It's time you came clean, Spike.'' Older vampire said. ''And all of us need to sit down. And talk.''
''Yeah, sure.'' Spike said slowly. ''I can just see how it's gonna be like. This is a bad idea.''
''What about... hospital?'' Anthis asked.
''They must have supplies, or a doctor there. We'll be fine.''
''What are we waiting for, then? Can't wait to get out of this hell hole.'' Connor breathed out. He still seemed to favor his left leg.
''Yeah, let's... let's get everything we need.'' By that he meant three things. Faith, The Scythe and the tape of Angel's Investigations.
Moments later, they waited for Illyria to act.
''That place is protected.'' She cocked her head. ''Warding magic. From a witch. I can't get us in, not imperceptibly.''
''Willow.'' Spike murmured.
''But you can break it?'' Angel pressed.
''Of course.'' She replied without batting an eye.
''Do it.'' He commanded. ''And uh, could you possibly... appear as... Fred?''
They all looked taken aback at his question.
''Why?''
''You're an Old One. A demon. Powerful one. They are not as... accepting as we are. They might try to fight you.'' Angel explained. ''They might see you as a threat.''
Illyria obliged. Fred's form looked back at him, bloody and beaten. ''Better?''
They nodded.
With a sigh, Illyria turned back to them, holding out her hand. ''I'd like to see them try.'' she said under her breath. Spike chuckled.
When the portal appeared, Angel was the first one to go in. He materialized in a living room, to a pair of frightened eyes. Probably a kid slayer. She opened her mouth, planning to threaten him when the rest of the group appeared.
''Where are we?'' Connor asked, after looking around.
''Cleveland.'' Illyria answered.
Angel set Faith down. Young girl must've recognized her. She backed away from them, yelling at the top of her lungs. ''Guys! Help!''
''Ohh, shut up!'' Spike groaned. Seconds later they heard multiple footsteps run down the stairs.
Kennedy and Willow appeared first, few more slayers after them. They stopped, frozen. ''Wh-What...''
''What is happening?'' Another voice asked. Older voice. A watcher made his way through the slayers. ''A-Angel? Spike?''
Vampire looked at him darkly. ''Giles...''
***B***B***
Okaay, there is only one more chapter of this story to be published. So this is my question for you lot, would you ever want to read a sequel? Probably about Spike, Angel and Connor, the world post the Los Angeles etc. I mean, I already know how this will end. Whether should I continue, it's up to you. So a review right now would be the best thing you could ever do ;)