Chapter 21 To Become Evil
A/N: This chapter…just two more to go after this one. The song helps you to prep for what's about to happen. I choose this song for the title song because of the outcomes of the book. It contains the whole feel of the book from start to finish. It's going to up the feeling at the end to. Enjoy.
Jimmy's in the back with a pocket of high
If you listen close
You can hear him cry
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Sing it
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Judy's in the front seat picking up trash
Living on the dough
Gotta make that cash
Won't be pretty
Won't be sweet
She's just sittin' here on her feet
Sing it
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Go
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Sing
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Oh, Lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Way down below, way down below
I've had better days, man
I've seen better days
I've had better ways, man
I know better ways
One, two, three and four
The devil's knocking at your door
Caught in the eye of a dead man's lie
Show you life with your head held high
Now you're on your knees
With your head hung low
Big man tells you where to go
Tell 'em it's good
Tell 'em okay
Don't do a goddamn thing they say
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Way down below, way down below
I've seen better ways, man
I know better ways
I've seen better days, man
I've had better days
Jenna's in the back with a pocket of high
If you listen close
You can hear the crying
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, heaven knows
We belong way down below
Oh, lord, tell us so
We belong way down below
Way down below, way down below
Way down below, way down below
Heaven Knows by The Pretty Reckless
Willow was warm and comfortable right now as she laid with Oz. It kind of reminded her when she and Oz were together for the first time just before the Mayor rose on graduation day. All those feelings came back and she was relaxed and happy. Just then Willow realized something.
"It's morning." She stated seeing the light trying to break though the curtains. Oz looked over to the widow and she was right, they've lost track of time completely.
"So it is." But Oz couldn't care much as they both just laid there together. Willow got closer to Oz smiling knowing they should sleep a little.
"Forgot how good all this felt, us together." She really did miss him and from last night Oz knew she was sorry for what she did. It's hard to stay mad at her and it's easier to forgive her. Oz always misses her even if it's just for a day. Willow then caught a glimpse of the time and sighed. "It's getting late."
"Want to get up?" Oz asked.
"No," Willow smiled and Oz smiled too. There was need to get out of bed right now. But then the smiles started to fade. The last few hours the outside didn't exist. "Was thinking about Anya and Xander." Oz was too. It all came apart last night. "Angel too, how Buffy's gone." No could still wrap their heads around the fact that Buffy was gone, she's been here since the beginning.
"I know," Oz agreed with Willow as she sat up and he knew the look. "We won't find her, if Angel can't then we won't either."
"I just feel bad for what happened. I know Angel is going through things but he's better now." Willow knew how Angel felt because it happened to her. Oz left her because she was using too much magic, so much so it nearly killed her. Angel didn't use magic but alcohol and it nearly killed him so Buffy left. "If she could just see it then maybe,"
"They won't want to get out of bed either." Oz finished and Willow nodded. "They'll work it out some how they always do. I mean, Angel sent Buffy to Hell once and she still forgave him." That was true. "They just need time."
Dawn was awake in the bathroom brushing her teeth. It was a nice day out and Angel gave her some of his own money to go spend. It wasn't much but she wanted to do something fun after what happened last night. Maybe her, Willow and Cordelia could do something girly. She would stay with Angel but he left early this morning for work. Dawn finished up and started to leave the bathroom as Cordelia came up from the stairs to inform her breakfast was ready.
"Who's making it?" Dawn asked just wanting to know.
"Doyle made waffles." Cordelia answered and Dawn seemed ok with that. It's hard to screw up waffles right? Cordelia then walked to Willow's door and knocked and the witch answered. "Hungry?" Willow smiled at Dawn and Cordelia.
"Yeah we are." Willow smiled but that caught both Cordelia and Dawn off. Just then Oz was there just in boxers and a t-shirt. Both Cordelia and Dawn smiled.
"You know what, forget waffles, let's go out to breakfast and celebrate." Cordelia smiled as she said this.
"Yes!" Dawn agreed. "This calls for a celebration."
"Guys, it's ok," Willow smiled. "We can celebrate here, besides we kind of just want to stay here."
"Oh right, right so you two can have sex all day." Cordelia smiled but that was awkward as Cordelia looked around as they stared at her. "What, that's what you two want right?" Should Willow and Oz answer that? "Come on Dawn, if you two get hungry feel free to join." Cordelia smiled and Dawn followed smiling at Willow and Oz.
"I'm so happy for you guys! Like, yes!" Dawn had that girlish squeal as she left following Cordelia. Both Oz and Willow looked to each smiling. Finally something good was happening.
Angel wasn't at work today, he lied he was in fact looking for the Trio. Someone needed give them an ass kicking. He just didn't want anyone to tag along. Also it's not hard to find a band of three nerds in a small town. The best place to start was where you find nerds, comic books stores, bookstores, video game stores and any place that has role-playing preferably live action role-playing. Angel just had to take his pick.
The video game store manager knows the Trio very well and told Angel where they usually hang out these days. The three together have managed to rent a small house just on the outside of town. Angel found it and it wasn't hard to find as they had a Captain America flag outside the house. You know if you're going to be evil it's best not to draw attention to yourself.
Angel kicked down the front door of the small house and looked in. It was empty and it looked like three guys lived here alright. Angel started to snoop around looking. As he headed towards the back of the house he saw some papers on the table. The papers were old and by the writing it was Latin. Angel grabbed the piece of paper and while he can't completely understand Latin, he has picked up a little on it in the last few years. By the old papers was a big book and Angel grabbed it but then there was a note under the book.
Angel reached for the note that read 'joke's on you slayer.' Angel then ducked as a knife flew across the room. Angel then grabbed an oncoming knife and started to run but not without the old paper and book. Then three knives flew at him and Angel jumped twisting just enough to dodge them. He made it out of the house looking at it.
"Assholes," He muttered but they might have made a mistake leaving information around.
At the mansion Angel had the paper he found plus the big book. Dawn knew he wasn't working today one, she's seen his weekly schedule. But that was ok they were hunting and investigating. Dawn had a book to translate the Latin, Willow, Oz, Cordelia and Doyle were here to help.
"Ok, so translate that whole book as fast as possible right?" Dawn asked.
"That's right." Angel answered.
"Be easier if Buffy was here." Cordelia stated and she didn't mean anything by it just telling the truth. They all looked to her and she shrugged. "It would be."
"Doesn't matter, we need to know what those three are up to." Angel stated the objective.
"They're not the brightest bulbs in the bunch." Doyle reminded everyone. That wasn't the point, they lack the supernatural knowledge and that causes a lot of harm.
"Maybe we can talk to Spike," Dawn suggested.
"No," Angel wanted nothing to do with Spike right now. "He's not one of us." Dawn nodded understanding as she looked through the Latin translation book.
"Well I know how to say I came, I saw, I conquered." Dawn smiled.
"Veni vidi vici." Angel said and looked to Dawn and he ruined her moment. "What?" He asked as she gave him the classic 'I hate you' look. "Everyone knows that." Dawn rolled her eyes and looked to a page in the book and started to look up words. Willow smiled a little as they went back translating a sentence.
Buffy was in the front of the church switching out the flowers from the statues. If the flowers didn't appear to be dying then she would just make sure they were watered well enough. After removing the some older flowers and tossing them Buffy went out back behind the church to the gardens. She went to start gardening something she liked to next to reading.
"This is where you have been." The voice made Buffy jump and she turned around seeing Dawn standing there. "Angel said he checked this place out but you two have that freaky thing that you two can feel each other when close by." Buffy just stood there. "See, sometimes you can be found."
"What do you need Dawn?" Buffy asked as Dawn looked around the garden that was rather pretty.
"Why here?" Dawn was just curious.
"It's quiet." Buffy folded her arms across her chest.
"I'm just here to say that Angel's ok, I'm ok," Dawn felt some abandonment because of Buffy.
"I know, I know how to watch and hide." Buffy added and Dawn nodded.
"You're not coming back are you?" The teen asked and Buffy didn't know.
"It's complicated Dawn," Buffy wasn't sure how to explain everything but Dawn wasn't happy as she did that half eye roll.
"I guess so," Dawn didn't agree with Buffy on this one. Yes what her brother did was stupid but it felt like Buffy was punishing her too. "Everyone says that."
"Dawn," Buffy wasn't sure what to say. "Things happened to me once when a man got drunk. Ok, so maybe I was scared, I do get scared sometimes. But he never turned to me for help; he nearly killed himself with alcohol. And I know he's sorry and that's he's trying to change it but…it takes time." Dawn actually understood that and nodded.
"I won't tell anyone you're here." Dawn added and Buffy looked grateful for that. Dawn let out a sigh and started to leave. But before entering back into the church she looked to Buffy. "Do you still love him? Angel?" She wanted to know. Buffy didn't answer right away as she was thinking.
"I've been asking myself that lately and…" Buffy nodded a little. "Yes, just trying to remember how all that works." Dawn understood and decided to leave Buffy alone for now. Once Dawn left Buffy let a few tears fall that she fought hard keeping back. She wiped some away and tried to regain herself. She looked to all the plants that needed her care. "I still do, I still do," She whispered to herself. If she didn't love and care for him then she would have left town a long time ago. Buffy started to work so she had something to focus on just like when Angel was dead, the more she worked the less likely she would think of him and cry.
Warren, Andrew and Jonathan were back at the old factory. It was taking all three of them to drag a dead demon body inside. Demons hang around the factory all the time it was just a matter of actually subduing and killing one. They cheated with a taser and then stabbed the demon once it was unconscious. Once they got to where they wanted to be they laid the demon down.
"Next time one of you can be bait that wiggles on a hook." Andrew declared.
"Shut up," Warren ordered and then looked to Jonathan. "Ok, your turn." Jonathan nodded while Andrew and Warren left to make sure the place was secured. As they left Andrew looked at Jonathan as he started to set up the ritual. Warren was getting close to it all, he'll have it all soon.
After making sure the place was secure the Trio sat around the dead demon while inside a circle of candles. Jonathan then started to chant something while cutting the demon. He then took the blood and marked an orb. Once the last words were spoken and blood was on the orb it turned a bright white color.
"Did it work?" Andrew asked as Jonathan held it.
"I'll find out." And Warren grabbed it from Jonathan smiling. Jonathan wasn't sure if it would work but just as he thought about taking it back the orb got a little bit brighter and the light surged through Warren. Andrew and Jonathan got up and stepped away but just as fast as the light went through Warren it stopped.
"Are…are you ok?" Andrew asked and Warren stared at the orb and then looked up to them.
"Guys, let's do this." Warren smiled and was happy.
At the mansion the research was going so much slower than the team wanted. Without Buffy and Giles around they were sort of stuck. Dawn knew where Buffy was and wanted to tell Angel. He was worried about her, hoping she was safe. But Dawn also swore to not tell and if she did then Buffy will probably leave because she would not trust anyone.
"Do you need help?" And everyone looked up seeing Xander standing there. There was pity felt from everyone. They felt bad for Xander that Spike and Anya slept together. But then again Xander did leave Anya at the Alter, so justice or revenge?
"Yeah, we do." Angel knew Xander wanted to stay busy with something. But the amount of in formation they have in front of them they had no real place to start. Xander sat down looking at the work that was cut out for them at the moment.
"So, what are we looking for?" Xander asked as he took a piece of paper to look at it.
"Good question," Cordelia answered and Doyle shrugged.
"The Trio is up to something so up to us to figure that out." Doyle stared at a piece of paper.
"Well, most of these look like rituals." Willow spoke up as she looked through the book. "Simple stuff,"
"So magic one o one?" Oz asked, maybe the Trio was taking the time to study to better themselves. That or they were trying to find something extremely crazy.
"These guys are armatures and idiots," Angel started. "They want to be bad, look for a difficult and dangerous spell." So they have a plan, they have the who but they need the what and how.
Buffy sat in her little room alone, just sitting there. Dawn's words were playing through her head. She knows she could go back, no one would turn her away but that's not the point. But was Angel sobering up? Was he going back to his normal self? That's impossible, you change, you always change and you can never be the same person you were yesterday, a week ago, a year ago. Angel has changed because of what has been done to him. Buffy saw the signs; she saw them from the beginning. But she didn't want to see them because Angel was back. She missed him so much and just wanted everything to be the way it use to be.
There was nothing wrong with that. There are times we want to go back in time when things were simple, when things seemed so perfect. Buffy then reached to her neck and pulled on a thin chain and the ring hung on the chain. From the distance when she watches Angel she can see he still wears his. But you can never go back to yesterday.
Buffy found herself standing before Angel's tombstone. It was still there. She felt like she shouldn't remove it, it was a symbol. Yes he's back but he can always return to the dead. This stone represents his chance of dying again. Maybe he does want to die and she knows why. She wanted to die before and not only once. It's not because he wants to give up but he knows what's beyond this world. There's something better than this.
The earth he crawled out from was no longer unturned. The grass was there but no flowers. The group stopped giving him flowers after his return. Hunters that knew him, Wes and Gunn, they stopped coming and bringing little momentums. So the stone was empty and cold much like how the slayer feels. But Buffy brought something to maybe perk up the grey stone.
She got closer to it and laid out colorful roses to it. The least she can do is keep the stone looking pretty if she has no plans on removing it.
"I'm sorry," Buffy whispered. She has been told to never feel sorry these days but part of her felt like she should have stopped him from coming back. It didn't matter how much she missed him, how alone she felt, she just knew he was safe and happy. She knew one day the cold would melt, the sun would shine again. But everything now was broken. She didn't know where she stood in all this or where to go from here. Maybe time will run its course.
Angel sat on the edge of his bed looking at a drawling. It was so old well compared to all that has happened it felt old. It was a picture of Buffy he drew back in high school. He has drawn many of them over the years but this one, this one had meaning. It was the picture Buffy saw of herself for the first time in centuries. She thought Angel had drawn another woman. This drawling showed Buffy smiling looking slightly off to the side and up. Thinking about it now he hasn't seen her smile in a long time.
"Angel!" Dawn's voice broke the slayer's concentration and he looked up. "We know what ritual they used." Angel set the drawling aside and left the room following Dawn back downstairs and to the dining room. Dawn pointed to a section that was circled in red.
"For trying to be evil they suck at it." Xander commented.
"Did you translate this?" Angel asked pointing to it and Dawn nodded and grabbed a piece of paper she had written on.
"It's a rough translation but it's basically endowing someone with a strength of a demon." Dawn summed up.
"Why?" Cordelia asked. "Other than just wanting to be strong." She got the obvious out of the way.
"They want to take on the slayer so you need to be strong to do that." Xander added and so far they were putting the pieces together. "But it's a spell it doesn't last right?"
"According to this they've trapped the essence of the demon, break whatever they trapped it in will break the spell." Willow stated.
"So, where are they?" Doyle asked, they have the answers but now to find them.
"They're idiots, we'll find them." Angel assured the team.
"Look no further," Oz pointed out to the small TV that sat in the dining room. For them the small TV is sort of like a police radio. They have it on the local news for anything that might be link to the supernatural. Everyone focused on the TV seeing a newswoman outside a bank.
'"It's an unusual robbery as these thee young men," The woman went on as three pictures of the guys appeared on the screen. Warren, Andrew and Jonathan were now on the local news.'
"They're using demon strength to…rob banks?" Cordelia just wanted to be sure. Usually if you want incredible strength its take down you enemy, destroy the town or the world. But to rob a bank?
"Hey, into today's economy you need the money to be evil." Xander added.
"This stops now." Angel declared and headed out with the team following. "Smash the vessel they have and they lose power?" Angel asked Willow as they all walked together.
"Yup." Willow answered.
"Well, this will be time I'll never get back. Look the rest of you stay here just Oz, Willow and Doyle come with me." Now Dawn gave that look, that serious upset look. "Dawn, not now, besides this isn't worth your time." Dawn wanted to protest but she won't get very far. "Be back before dinner." Meaning this won't take long.
"Is just me or does evil not have any respect for itself now? Robbing banks?" Xander was a bit perplexed at this just like Cordelia. Dawn just stood at the entrance watching four of them leave.
Angel drove following the sirens to a Sunnydale bank. The problem will be getting through the cops and crowd to get to the Trio. Willow will create a distraction, Oz and Doyle will help in get in and if they get in they will help Angel finish the Trio off. Angel parked the Mustang and they all got out and to the commotion. This wasn't really a problem the A-Team deals with but it can get very out of control.
"Willow," Angel gave Willow the ok and she nodded and held her hand out and muttered something. And just like Moses parting the sea Willow parted the crowds. Angel made a dash for it knowing she can't keep it up for too long. Oz and Doyle ran with Angel as Angel jumped through the glass doors of the bank. Angel tucked and rolled in and the Trio heard the glass smashing.
"Slayer!" Warren yelled. Three against three, it's a fair fight. Angel went after Warren, Oz after Andrew and Doyle after Jonathon.
"Wait, wait! We have no power!" Andrew yelped but Oz punched him down. Angel threw a punch to Warren but Warren dodged him and kicked Angel back. Angel just had to find whatever was keeping the power knowing it was somewhere on Warren. Warren went to punch Angel again but Angel caught his fist, spun around, pulled Warren over his shoulder slamming him to the ground. Your average human may not be able to fight a demon but a slayer does, a slayer with six years of experience will best just about any demon.
Angel went to grab Warren and the kid did put up a fight and got to his feet. Warren threw another punch and Angel ducked. Angel elbowed Warren in the chest and then kicked him back. Most likely Warren will have the vessel in a pouch or pocket. Angel did a quick scan of the man and saw something hanging from his belt. The plan that the Trio was trying execute looked good on paper. Gain strength, rob a bank for money and get whatever you need. But it only worked on paper.
Angel kicked Warren back and grabbed his shirt and threw him to the wall making sure not only did he hit it hard but he hit on the side with the vessel. Angel heard something shatter and there was a flash of bright light and Warren looked up. The slayer won this round for sure. Just then cops started to flood into the bank breaking Angel's attention away from Warren allowing that split second for Warren to get up and start running. Jonathan and Andrew however weren't so lucky as the cop raced to them. Warren got away at the moment and was being perused by the cops.
The night had come and gone and now Angel was sitting outside in the garden of the mansion. It was a very nice day out and he had about another two hours before he had to go to work. He sat there listening to the wind chimes and whatever the day's sound made. But he felt someone was close and looked up seeing Dawn there.
"Busy?" Dawn asked and Angel shook his head no. So Dawn joined him at the table and sat down. "Any word on Warren?"
"Got away, not worried about it though." Angel sounded somewhat bored talking about Warren. But the slayer knew that's not why Dawn was out here. The young teen had to tell her brother.
"I know where Buffy is." Dawn slightly blurted out.
"Dawn," Angel stopped her from going on. "Buffy and I…," Angel paused for a moment. "We're going through something that I caused and,"
"She still loves you that's why she hasn't left." Dawn added. She hoped it would help.
"And she probably doesn't want people to know where she is right?" Angel asked and Dawn nodded. "When the time is right…we'll talk." Dawn however didn't look pleased or satisfied.
"Willow and Oz are together, they worked it out. So what you got drunk and it reminded her of her father but,"
"Dawn," Angel's tone was firm and the teen didn't dare to speak anymore. "You have no idea what her father did to her." Dawn knew she just crossed a line. "She had every right to act the way she did." Dawn diverted her eyes away from her brother for a moment.
Upstairs Willow and Oz were finally getting out of bed for the second time and actually dressed.
"Look, clothes," Willow smiled and Oz smiled back. "Shouldn't get use to it right?" And the werewolf smiled. The two got closer and hugged. Downstairs Cordelia and Doyle were in the living room watching some TV. They debated going to magic shop as Anya was there at the moment. Xander was at work for the day and would come by tonight.
Back out in the garden Dawn sat there a little disappointed. She always thought Angel and Buffy would work everything out in the end. Angel could see the disappointment and got up and got closer to his sister.
"Dawn," He then sat in chair closer to her and the teen looked up at him. "I screwed things up and Buffy had every right to be mad. I wished to god I can go back and fix it somehow, not push her away but I did." Dawn was listening to him. "I miss her and I want to tell her how sorry I am for everything, for yelling at her, for pushing her away. But until she's ready I just have to wait." Dawn understood even if she was still upset about it. So the teen did what she thought would help and leaned in and hugged her brother.
From a distance Buffy had watched the small moment between them. From what she can see things were healing. Slowly, very slowly but it was happening. Part of her wanted to jump in and hug them but she knew it wasn't the right time.
Angel and Dawn pulled away from each both needing that much needed hug.
"Hey!" A voice called out and Angel turned around seeing Warren walking to towards them. "It's not over slayer, there's one more thing I got for you." And as if everything went into slow motion Warren took out a gun. From the distance Buffy saw the event unfold and she started to race to Angel and Dawn but it was like she couldn't run fast enough to them. Angel pushed Dawn back as Warren pulled the trigger. He wasn't really aiming he just let random shots go letting the bullets fly as he started to run away.
Oz and Willow were laughing about something but three loud bangs were heard and then a brief pause until another one went off. Something shattered through the window and Willow felt something splatter on her and looked up seeing Oz standing there.
"Willow?" Oz asked and fell to the ground.
"Oz?" Willow ran to him.
Downstairs Cordelia and Doyle heard the bangs and looked around and then heard screaming.
"Angel!" Dawn screamed in horror as she watched Angel fall to the ground.
"Angel!" Another voice called out and Dawn saw Buffy running towards them.
"Oz!" Willow cried out pulling him close to her and saw the wound as it went through his heart. "Oz! Oz! Wake up!"
Buffy made it to Angel's side as he was on the ground. There was a wound in shoulder, chest and stomach.
"Angel!" She lifted him a little closer to her. "Baby!" She fell back into her old ways. "Stay with me baby!" Dawn was in tears as Buffy did her best to put pressure on the bleeding wounds. "No, don't do this again!"
"Oz! No! No!" Willow sobbed as he wouldn't open his eyes. Willow felt her chest being crushed as she continued to try and wake Oz but he didn't move, he just laid there.
"Angel, stay with me! You can't die again!" Buffy screamed as she had one hand on his chest as the blood didn't stop. But the slayer just laid there not moving and all Buffy could hear were the wind chimes on the beautiful sunny day.
Cordelia was on the ground holding Dawn as she sobbed in her arms. Doyle was helping Buffy with Angel's wounds while the sirens of an ambulance could be heard off in the distance. Buffy could still feel Angel's heart beating so he wasn't dead. He was unconscious though. The sirens got closer and Doyle got up to lead the EMTs to the right spot. He ran out from the garden and saw the two men.
"He's back here!" Doyle yelled to them and they started to follow.
"He was shot?" One man asked.
"Yes, the chest and stomach!" Doyle was frantic as they came over to Angel.
"Was it an accident?" The same man asked.
"No, no he was trying to kill him." Doyle meant Warren as the two EMTs were close and Buffy looked up. Her hands were covered in blood as she was doing her best to contain the bleeding. The two men literally pushed Buffy out of the way and Doyle took hold of her but she didn't want to leave Angel's side as the EMTs started to work.
"Blood pressure is dropping, pulse is elevated." One EMT started.
"What does that mean?" Doyle asked.
"Meaning he's going into shock, we need to get him to the ER right away." The man answered and Dawn hugged Cordelia even tighter as the EMTs worked to get Angel on the stretcher.
Up stairs in the mansion Willow continue to hold Oz hearing the sirens outside. But so far she couldn't hear anyone come running to her. Willow was in tears as she held Oz unsure what to do. All she could do was beg for Oz to wake up, beg for him to ok.
"Oh, god, no, please no, come on Oz." She repeated in various forms. "Please, Oz, please," But the more she begged the less happened. "Osiris!" Willow called out looking up. "Osiris I command you to come forth and bring him back!" Just then the room got dark and cold.
"Witch! How dare you call me! How dare you call me for this task!" A loud voice rumbled.
"Please, please bring him back, please," Willow begged and she wasn't sure how much more she could beg now.
"You cannot violate the laws, his was natural." The voice rumbled.
"This isn't natural!" Willow protested with anger. "How is this natural!"
"It is a human death by human means." The voice answered. "You've raised one killed by mystical force that was unnatural. This one is not the same. He is taken by natural order it is done."
"No! No there has to be another way." Willow sobbed.
"It is done." The voice answered.
"No!" Willow screamed and looked back to Oz holding him closer as the room returned to its natural light and warmth. But for Willow she was still shivering and alone.
Angel was put on a stretcher while Dawn and Buffy followed him. They were going to go to the hospital with him. Doyle and Cordelia were going to follow the ambulance to the hospital. Buffy was hearing the EMTs talk but she couldn't understand anything they were saying. Once Angel was in the stretcher Doyle helped Buffy into the back. Buffy turned to Dawn and Doyle helped Dawn in with Buffy pulling the young teen in with her.
"We'll meet you there alright." Doyle assured Buffy and Dawn. The doors shut and the sirens went off and the ambulance raced off the property. Doyle took Cordelia's hand and she was in tears, fear and distress. As they headed to Doyle's car Willow came from the mansion. "Willow," Doyle raced to the witch. "Angel, Angel's been shot, Warren came in." Willow stared blankly at Doyle. "We're going to hospital." Doyle went to usher Willow to the car.
"No," Willow pulled away. "I have something to do." Willow sounded cold and lost. Doyle stared at Willow seeing blood on her shirt. Was it Angel's? It had to be but he never saw Willow outside but then again everything was a blur right now. Willow turned away from Doyle and started to walk away leaving Doyle even more confused.
"Doyle, let's go." Cordelia's voice was choking as the half demon looked to her. He nodded and knew they had to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
Warren walked a causal walk to a familiar demon bar. He took out the slayer; the demons and vampires should thank him for that because they couldn't do it. Warren walked in wearing a blazer, sunglasses, anything that made him look cool. He walked in with confidence as he moved his way through the crowds to the bar and took a seat. He removed his sunglasses with a glee-ish look to his face ready to announce the good news.
"Whiskey straight up." Warren informed the bartender. "You know what, get a round for the house." The vampire sitting next to Warren then looked to him. "Hey man what's up?" But then the vampire quickly turned to him and morphed into his vampire face.
"Shut up." The vampire decided once he was done with his beer he'll finish the guy off.
"Oh, sorry, guess I wasn't expecting a thank you from the guy who killed the SLAYER!" Warren made that known and now he was starting to get the attention he wanted. "Yeah, that's right I did it." He boasted. "Took him out myself." But then there was a low giggle around the bar.
"You? A puny human took out the slayer?" The vampire asked.
"Yup, popped him a few times with a gun, did the trick." Warren continued to gloat on himself. "See I was running an organization called the Trio but cut them loose. Now that Angel is gone I need a real gang, something to run this town."
"You killed the slayer?" The bar tender asked as Warren sipped his drink.
"Yup," Warren smiled.
"You a warlock?" The bar tender asked.
"See, I looked into that, explored all the dark arts. Did it, been there, done that. Doesn't work on the slayer. Bullets however do." Warren once again smiled. "The town is ours."
"The town is ours, you however are screwed." The vampire looked to Warren and then started to laugh and Warren laughed with him.
"You know the vampire with a soul loves the slayer." The bar tender looked to Warren. "Elizabeth, you can't kill that bitch, she just keeps on coming. You killed the slayer, you'll be dead before dawn." He threatened and it hit Warren. He didn't think about Buffy at all. Come to think about it he hasn't seen her around. The gleeful look disappeared and his color faded. "Besides, did you check to make sure he's dead? He's come back from the dead once before."
Maybe Warren shouldn't have basked in his own glory so soon. He started to think about it now. Angel might be alive and slayers recover. If he is dead then he'll one pissed off vampire after him. Just then the TV caught Warren's attention.
'"A local man was shot at his home today by a gunman. The young man, Angel O'Brien, twenty-one has been rushed to the hospital in critical condition." The woman reporter went on. The bar tender and the vampire looked to Warren.'
"Better start running." The vampire taunted Warren and he got up and rushed out of the bar.
Anya was at the magic shop reading up on some invoices when the door flew open. The now newly ex-demon, demon looked up and saw Willow standing there. Her white shirt had blood spatter on it as the red head walked in.
"Oh my god, Willow are you ok!" Anya rushed to her but Willow was focused on something else as she stood at the foot of the stairs. Anya felt something and kept her distance from Willow, something was wrong.
"That's where the dark magic books are kept right?" Willow asked still not looking to Anya. Anya didn't answer and Willow held out her hands and the books came flying off the shelves and too her.
"Willow no don't," Anya begged.
"I need power." Willow gave her reason.
"Willow," But Anya went flying to the wall as Willow held out her hand. Willow held Anya there and placed her hand on a book and the lights around the shop started to pop as energy started to swirl around Willow. Anya watched as Willow's eyes turned black and her red hair turned black too. Willow released Anya as she gathered the information she wanted from the books and started to leave.
Warren sat there waiting in a small room. He needed protection until he can find a way to sneak out of town. Then a man came from a room, shoulder length hair; he had an older look to him.
"Who's next?" The man asked.
"I am!" Warren shouted and pushed his way through and walked up to the man.
"You're new." Rack stated.
"Yeah, so what?" Warren held some money up.
"How did you find this place?" Rack asked.
"Ask the right people and you can find anything." Warren answered and Rack can clearly see Warren was in some sort of distress so he let him in. "Look, I'm in a little bit of a situation here ok. I tried to do us all a favor, kill the slayer." Rack started to chuckle.
"He's killed the Master and a god, tamed the great Elizabeth and came back from the dead," Rack listed some of the things Angel has done. "You think you could kill him?"
"Well, I didn't, he's still alive and she's going to come after me." Warren was in a panic.
"Oh, you mean Buffy?" Rack asked smiling. "Yes, taking out the slayer means taking the one thing that keeps her humanity." Warren sighed, he knows this already. "It's not Buffy you should be worrying about." Rack circled the room and then stopped and looked to Warren. "It's the witch." Warren was now confused.
"Witch?" Warren asked, who cares about a witch.
"Willow, one of the slayer's lieutenants." Rack started to get closer to Warren. "She's the new power man, anyone with intuition can feel it. And she's going to blow this town apart…and it starts…with you." Rack was face to face with Warren.
"Me? Why me? What did I do her?" Warren asked because other than shooting her friend he didn't know. He thought it was Buffy he needed to run from. "I mean I shot her friend, but,"
"I feel death," Rack was somewhat speaking to himself not to Warren.
"The slayer is alive, he heals!" Warren shouted.
"He might but someone is stone cold dead, someone the witch loved and you took it from her." Rack looked to Warren and the man was still confused. "She wants your head and she can sense your essence right now."
"So what do I do?" Warren was in a panic.
"I'd get the hell out of dodge." Rack answered and Warren ran up to him giving him money.
"There's more if you need it just help me." Warren begged. Rack looked to the wod of cash and then looked back up to Warren.
"Hid or fight?" Rack asked.
"Both!" Warren knew his time was running out. "I got a few tricks up my sleeves but I need more fire power."
"I can't guarantee anything." Rack gave his disclaimer to Warren. "The girl's running on pure furry and fumes." Rack then smiled. "I've never felt anything like it."
"Thanks, I feel better." Warren stood there waiting for something.
At the hospital Buffy, Dawn, Doyle and Cordelia waited. All of them had Angel's blood on them in some form. Just then Xander came charging in hearing everything off the news. The four stood up as Xander rushed to them.
"Is he ok!" Xander was in a panic.
"He's in surgery now." Buffy did her best to contain herself realizing she might lose him again. It' been a while for Buffy to smell that much blood let alone it being Angel's and she was covered in it.
"Warren did this." Doyle filled in Xander as much as he could. "Cops are looking for him." But it won't be enough.
"How bad is he?" Xander didn't want to know but he had to. Dawn just got closer to Buffy sobbing a little. Cordelia stood there and tears were already draining from her eyes.
"Bullet to the chest and stomach, he's lost a lot of blood." Doyle answered just then a doctor came out.
"Dawn O'Brien?" The doctor asked and Dawn looked to him. "You're blood matches…rather…well pretty much exactly to your brother's and he needs blood, are you willing to do a transfusion?" The doctor didn't have to ask twice and the teen nodded. The doctor ushered Dawn away and Buffy stood there. It won't take too long but if this can help save Angel's life then Dawn will do it.
In the operating room the surgical team worked on Angel. The bullet to the stomach wasn't there, it had exit out of the body and they were checking for organ damage. The bullet to his chest however was still lodge there. They were stitching his stomach up seeing not much damage was done. But because of where the bullet landed in his chest he was bleeding badly as it was close to the heart. Two more centimeters it would have gone through the heart and he would have died instantly. As the team worked the lights and computers flashed.
"Leave," A voice demanded and the team looked up. Willow was standing there all in black. The team had no idea what to do. "Now!" The witch demanded as she walked over to Angel but the medical team didn't move. Willow sensed one was about to call for security and she held out her hand crushing his. That made everyone realize that maybe they should go. Willow walked to the table seeing Angel laying there.
Willow focused on Angel and around his heart it appeared to look like veins were forming and just then a small bullet came out and hovered there. It was so small, something so small can kill someone so easily like it did to Oz. Willow reached for the bullet and held it in her hands and looked back to Angel. He was still alive and to Willow it meant she saved him again.
Angel started to come around hearing some beeping noise. He opened his eyes a little but it was a blur for a second. He looked over and saw a bag of blood hanging and sitting next to the bag was Dawn. He just doesn't know that it's Dawn's blood that was hanging. But the teen knew that they shared the same blood and he saved her life with it so in turn she saved his. He then noticed just about everyone was here.
"Dying once was funny, but it gets old after awhile." Doyle greeted the slayer as he sat up.
"What happened?" Angel asked because he was confused. He then saw Buffy there and that was something he didn't expect.
"Warren shot you." Doyle answered. "But we got a bigger problem."
"Willow," Buffy jumped in. "She came here all in black, something is wrong I can feel it."
"Big time." Doyle added.
"She said we needed to find Warren and left." Cordelia jumped in. Warren did shoot Angel maybe Willow was going to find him.
"Well, I did get shot at, I'll find the bastard." Angel would keep his word on that.
"No, it's something else," Buffy stood up. "Willow, she's using magic but it's dark it's very dark even for her."
"So much so her hair turned black?" Cordelia asked and that made Angel very worried so he started to get up. "What are you doing?"
"We need to find Willow." Angel stated.
"Angel," Dawn protested but it was too late as he pulled the IV out of his arm.
"Doyle, find me some clothes." Angel demanded and everyone started to get up knowing Angel was serious. He might not be with Buffy but he still trusts her instincts. And if she says something is wrong then something really is wrong. Buffy walked over to Angel mostly to keep him seated or he might fall if he did stand up. Doyle came back with his bloody and somewhat torn clothes. It'll do for now.
Angel left the hospital against medical advice of course but something caught his attention as the gang started to leave.
"Another victim, this one is dead." Someone stated and Angel had to see what the person met.
"Who is it?" Angel asked as a stretcher came rolling in and Angel heard Dawn scream. Buffy grabbed Dawn pulling her close as it was Oz on the stretcher. Then Doyle made the connections why Willow had blood on her shirt. Angel stared at him for a moment and a medical person looked to him.
"You know him?" The man asked.
"Oz, his, his name is Oz, what, what happened?" Angel asked still not able to keep his eyes off of him.
"A stray bullet must have it him when it hit you." The man answered. Buffy continue to hold Dawn looking to Oz as she had tears too. Cordelia couldn't look as she buried her head in Doyle's chest and Xander just stood there. But as Angel stood there seeing him dead he realized more and more why Willow was after Warren. This was bad and yet there was no time to do anything for Oz. They wheeled the stretcher away as Angel stood there by himself. He couldn't move, he barely could breathe. This can't be happening, Oz can't be dead. None of this was happening.
Everyone returned to the mansion getting cleaned up but where did Willow go. No one talked as they sat around the table. What could be said right now? Oz was dead and it hasn't sunk in yet. They haven't processed that they've lost another one of their own now. Tara and Joyce last year and now Oz.
"What are we going to do?" Cordelia broke the ice first. What were they going to do? What do you when this happens? Angel sat there and usually he has answer but he was at a loss for one.
"Warren's a dead man if Willow finds him." Xander reminded them.
"Good," Dawn muttered and Angel looked to her.
"Don't say that." He warned his sister and she looked up to him. "We don't kill the living." That was a rule that was hard to understand especially now.
"He killed Oz, he nearly killed you, he should pay." Dawn defended herself.
"Just because I'm the slayer doesn't give me a right to kill people." Angel sat there and Buffy looked to him. A year ago he would mean that but right now he sounded dead inside. "We'll find him and deal with it."
"We need to find Willow," Buffy stepped in. "The magic she tapped into…it's dark and powerful and I'm not sure if she will be able to control it." She looked around. "Warren will pay but we can't let Willow destroy herself," She paused again. "I have too much blood on my hands for that to happen."
"So, where do we start?" Xander asked.
Willow had taken Xander's car from the hospital and was now driving it. She was no longer in town but heading out towards the desert. She can tell Warren was heading south probably to Mexico. But he won't make it as Willow raced on the road. Up in the distance she could see something. It was the bus Warren was on.
On the bus Warren sat in his seat hoping to put some distance between him and Sunnydale. Maybe he made a mistake going after Angel. But if Angel was going to live why was Willow after him? If Angel didn't die who did? Warren looked up and over to a woman sitting across the way from him. Just then her face went white, eyes were gouged out and blood came from them. Warren quickly looked away taking in deep breaths and was afraid to look back up.
"Warren," Something whispered to him. "Warren," He looked around wondering who it was.
"Who's there?" Warren demanded and some of the passengers on the bus looked to him.
"Warren," The voice whispered again. Warren looked around. "Up here," And Warren looked up to ceiling of the bus. Something with a white pale face, yellow and crooked teeth, red rims around the dark eyes looked back down at him and smiled. "You're gonna die."
"No!" Warren got up from him seat but stood still in his spot as he looked through the windshield of the bus and someone in all black stood on the road. He knew who it was.
The gang made it to the magic shop and found the place in some disarray along with Anya. She explained that Willow was here and she used the books for power.
"Well, she's out for Warren." Angel continued on.
"I know, I can feel her. Her thirst for vengeance is overwhelming I never had that." Anya looked around.
"Is that like a demon residual thing?" Xander asked but Anya didn't say anything and Xander's eyes widen.
"When?" Xander asked and Anya looked annoyed.
"When do you think?" She asked and Xander answered his own question.
"Can you actually find her?" Angel asked and Anya nodded.
"Wait, shouldn't you actually be with her since you're a demon again?" Doyle asked because Willow is a scorn woman now.
"Most of the time yes but she doesn't want me." Anya answered.
"She's going to do it herself." Xander added.
"Fuck." Angel muttered and right now everyone was in a time crunch.
"She has him, they're in the woods out near the mansion." Anya stood up. "I'm doing this to help Willow. If she follows through she'll become what I am now."
"Then let's put the pedal metal then." Doyle suggested and they all left the shop.
Willow was dragging Warren now as he screamed for help. He screamed for help and begged for his life but Willow didn't care. Oz wasn't given a choice. Oz did nothing to deserve this, he did nothing wrong.
"Please!" Warren begged and then Willow tossed him to the ground and he looked up to the witch as the tree blew around her because of her furry. Willow could say nothing to him she just wanted to erase him from the world. Willow held out her hand and Warren started to hover just above the ground. She could kill him slowly but she wanted to make him suffer, to feel her pain and die a slow painful death. "It was an accident!"
"Oh, really? Instead of killing my best friend you killed my boyfriend." Willow stared at him. Willow then started to mutter something and the vines and roots came out and took Warren by his hands and feet holding him there. Willow then held out her hand and opened it and it was the bullet she pulled from Angel's chest. "And eye for an eye."
"Help!" Warren yelled again.
In the distance the A-Team heard the faint scream and they all rushed to it. Angel upped his speed. Part of him didn't want to save Warren but if he allowed Willow to kill him she'll become the very thing she's fought against.
"You know what a real bullet feels like Warren?" Willow asked and Warren tried to stay strong but the bullet flew to his chest and went in. Warren screamed in pain. "Now you know. It doesn't make a nice hole. It obliterates your organs, makes your lung collapse, you can't breath." Willow explained the pain Oz felt within seconds and what Angel felt as he laid dying before she saved him. "Then, when it hits your spine it'll blow your central nervous system and you suffocate to death."
"Please! Stop!" Warren begged and Willow held up her hand and Warren's mouth was shut tight.
"The pain will be unbearable." Willow continued on. "A bullet travels faster of course but the dying part, that feels like forever." Warren continued to beg but nothing. "Amazing, one tiny piece of metal destroys everything." Willow looked to Warren's chest as she can remember holding Oz's limp body in her arms. "It ripped his insides apart. It took him away from me, from the world. The one who should be here is gone and piece of garbage like you gets to live." The bullet went deeper. "But I get to play God tonight."
"Willow, no!" Angel yelled and Willow looked to him. "I know what he did but don't! The magic it's too powerful!" Willow looked back to Warren as he begged for mercy with his eyes. "Willow this needs to stop or won't ever stop."
"You don't know what it's like to lose someone you love." Willow looked to the slayer, her eyes were cold. But the one person here who knows what it feels like to the lose the one you love was standing in front of her.
"The hell I do." Angel got angry but before he could stop this Willow held out her hand keeping Angel at bay. She then turned to Warren.
"Bored now." Willow's voice was cold and Warren screamed as his flesh was ripped from him. Angel couldn't believe what he was seeing as Willow flayed him like a fish. But he was still alive and screaming. The rest of the group made it to Angel and saw a skinless man hanging there. No one has seen anything like that.
"Willow," Angel couldn't believe what just happened. Willow snapped her fingers and Warren's body went into flames and she looked to the burning body.
"One down, two to go." Willow muttered with a little smile and looked to the group and in flash was gone.
That's what I leave you all with. Also I'm going to run because I killed Oz and there's a mob after me. It's not over yet guys, two more chapters to go just like Willow said. What happens next? The last two chapters along with this one take place all in a span of two days so it's going to be a long night for the team. By the time the book ends from the time of Angel and Oz's shooting to the end is just under three days. So buckle up.
Comments, reviews and threats are welcomed. Will post chapter 22 tomorrow. Thank you for reading everyone.