Victor was roaming the streets of Sunnydale avoiding the commandos. They might not have a direct trace on him but he really doubts Lex Luthor will let his millions just walk away. He sees a group coming up for their nightly patrol and quickly puts a hood up over his head.
The initiative soldiers looked at their screen. Victor's chip has been damaged beyond repair but the tracking ones still work. They see him and chase him down the plan was to overload his system with a blaster assault. "Stop right there 3-02."
Victor rolled his eyes and started to run so much for cover. He ran north and was cut off by another team. Victor took a stance ready to fight until an arrow impacted right next to him unleashing a blue electrical field taking out the power for the block.
A man in green leather and a hood and sunglasses comes down catching one of the commandos from behind as a red and gold streak frees them of their weapons and knocks everyone out.
The streak stops revealing Bart. "You know you should be more careful you're not as fast as I am."
Oliver counts to ten he really needs to find someone that can beat Bart in a race. "Just help me get him out of here. He might have the information we need."
Bart rolled his eyes. "Man Lois goes to LA and you become a real pain you know that."
Clark woke up with a smile on his face in his little shanty of a hotel room instead of the nice place he dreamed of. Where he slept didn't matter to him as much as the woman that was sleeping next to him. He smiled seeing Faith starting to come to.
Faith looked at him eyes glazed over. "What time is it?"
"9:30" Clark answered. "So what are we doing here anyway"?
"Oh I set it up so we can see the filming of a movie." Faith replied.
Clark looked at her intrigued and worried. "Faith… what movie?"
"Oh… the latest Johnny Cage movie."
Clark rolled his eyes not believing she did this to him. "Faith!"
Faith put her hands up. "Hey my friend asked me for a favor so I did it alright. Remember Cordelia she actually got a bit part in it."
Clark lay back on the bed and groaned. "I'm not going to win this one am I?"
"Nope"
"Chloe's really mad at me for not telling me her I know Johnny Cage huh?"
"Yep"
Clark sighed another day in his life. "She doesn't know I beat him up does she?"
"No."
Clark rolled his eyes. This day can't get any worse.
AC sat in the room with Alicia he shouldn't be here he should have been outside last night cracking heads. He looks up and smiles seeing Bart coming n which means they must have found what they were looking for. "Did you find out where Luthor is keeping everyone?"
Bart shakes his head. "Nothing yet, though he did level that place he held you in."
"How about that robot he made?" AC asked.
"Captain money has him in a lab having his tracers removed if there are any." Bart answered as he looked down at Alicia. "So how is she doing?"
"Well we had a lengthy debate on morality but it was kind of one sided." AC quipped she's a cute girl but Impulse could date a lot of girls if he asked them. "Why her anyway bro?"
Bart smiled thinking back to the few times Alicia was actually herself at prom night. "You've never seen her smile."
Faith came into Buffy's room and saw her Willow, Cordelia and Claire in a circle. "I sense spell someone start talking because I'm not exactly a fan after what happened last time."
Claire looked up with a smile. "We're going to see how we died in past lives."
Faith looked at the three. "Um OK that's really… morbid hot head."
Buffy nodded in agreement she's not doing it. "Willow offered to do it mainly because I asked what guy she was scared of back home so she changed the subject."
"This won't blow up in our faces in anyway. It will just be like that bad dream where you wake up right before you die." Willow assured them. "Besides might warn us of upcoming challenges and I'm curious."
Buffy rolled her eyes exhausted. "Fine, though mine better be surrounded by fat grandchildren."
Willow lights up the candle and said an incantation as she and the others were doused in light. As they all watched as they died horribly mostly.
Cordelia was the first one that came too and checked her head. "My brain exploded and they kept me alive for a day on assisted living gross. When I get home I'm giving Xander permission to pull the plug… I mean ew."
Claire had a much different reaction as she was frantically checking her stomach. "OK still alive and I still have all my internal organs."
"What… what exactly did you see?" Faith asked concerned for her with how scared she was acting.
Claire rolled her eyes she was always afraid that was how she would die in the initiative but she got out then Faith and Giles looked out for her ever since then. "Some sick fucking freak lobotomized me to take away my powers and then he cut me open without anesthesia and took out my kidneys and left me to bleed to death. Weird thing is he kind of reminded me of Clark."
Willow didn't say anything because hers didn't exactly end the way she thought a dark haired version of her stabbed by Buffy.
Buffy looks at everyone wanting to change the topic of what she saw. Her jumping off a tower and not much older then she is now. "So are we going to breakfast?"
Cordelia nodded she'll never do a spell again. "And get away from this freak show oh god yes."
Faith looked to Buffy. "B why don't you gather the others and go me and Red have to talk. Besides those visions are faulty past has already been changed by me and Clark and Willow's spells are never 100% accurate."
Willow nodded in agreement there were cars floating when she died anyway and she didn't look much older or turn to dust. "Yeah I think I screwed up somewhere in there."
Buffy, Cordy, and Claire leave the room with a sigh of relief as Faith stares at Willow waiting for the redhead to crack she knows what Willow's like and she wants to avoid another use of the black arts to fix her problems. "So what's on your mind Red?"
Willow pointed at herself. "Oh who me nothing same old Willow thoughts."
Faith looked at her and laughed. "Bull I can tell something is troubling you and you don't know what to do. It is a guy isn't it."
Willow fidgeted nervously. "You're not exactly the person I'd talk to."
"Which means even if I run my mouth your secret is safe with me." Faith pointed out. Faith wants her to open up before she sees magic as the solution again.
Willow pointed at her of all the people to be talking about with this why Faith. "Put your arm up and swear you won't tell a soul."
Faith looked at her eyes but just shrugged and did as told. "Not a word."
Willow looked at her nervously and just got it out. "I-I Loved Oz and there were good times but I… I think I want to try something with Buffy's roommate Tara. I think I'm kinda gay."
Faith looked at her for a minute and wrapped her head around this and does everything she can not to laugh. "You're not gay Red."
"Well how do you know that?" Willow asked she could very well be.
Faith looked at her and smiled. "Because I saw you glowing and walking funny at graduation"
Willow blushed not believing that. They thought they hid it well. "Maybe Oz was a one time thing."
"Or maybe you decided to forgo stick for the time being to try it out with the other blondie in B's room." Faith countered seeing her nervous. "Its college aren't you supposed to do this crap anyway."
Willow simply shrugged kind of seeing her point. "You think I should."
Faith rolls her eyes she wonders why Willow is so defined by labels. "Red I think you should do what makes you happy and say screw everyone else. What do you want right now? Xander, Clark or Tara."
Willow looked at her not amused never again will she fluke with a guy that's already with someone. "Ha, ha but if I had to choose someone it would definitely be Tara I mean she's so witchy and wise and cute and ..."
Faith put a hand up rambling Willow is usually the sign of her liking someone. "I got it Red. And if you decide go back to stick no one will judge you for it or they'll answer to me. So do you want to go see a movie being made."
"More then anything." Willow replied following Faith out.
Bart finished reading up another book. All things considered in Sunnydale there are worse ways to spend the day. He got up and stretched his legs getting circulation back in them as he sees Alicia's eyes open. Bart waits a moment because she's done this nine times and Bart's hopes were quickly dashed by doctors telling him it was merely a muscle response.
"Alicia can you hear me."
Alicia looked at they guy and the voice was soothing but she needs to find a certain blond that tossed her off the roof. She also notices the handcuffs she's strapped to her hospital bed. Alicia realizes they plan to take her away again just like before and desperately tries to break free.
Bart realized what she was so rattled about and tried to stop her. "No we're not going to arrest you we're just going to help you."
Alicia broke her restraints and quickly head butted the youngster as Bart dropped to the floor. Alicia grabbed the nearest thing and hit him with it. In this case a steel bedpan. She looks to the floor as the adrenaline cuts off and she realizes just who it is she knocked out. "Oh Bart… I'm sorry I didn't know it was you. I just got scared." She bent down and kissed him on top of the forehead. "Goodbye"
Alicia left her room and quickly went for the elevators. Alicia went to the gift store and read the date on the newspaper. She missed that much… no Buffy made her miss that much. And she'll pay for it.
Alicia walks outside and just hears a whole bunch of things powering up as she sees five soldiers now that she's out of the view of the public. "So whose little welcome back present is this?"
One of the commandos holds their weapon steady. "You have to come with us Ms. Baker."
"I'm not going back into a cage like an animal." Alicia replied. "My parents already did that once and it won't happen again."
"You don't have a choice don't get too close… the lead on her arm won't let her use her abilities."
Alicia smiled and looked at her wrist and put her hands up. "Oh you read Dr. McBride's work. There's just one thing the doc took to his grave." The soldiers approached her as she disappeared in a green haze leaving behind a lead bracelet.
Alicia reappeared behind them and kicked two soldiers in the back causing them to collapse on the other three but was pushed off as Alicia grabbed on arm and hit him in the gut with the bedpan and again across the face knocking him out. She threw the bedpan at another soldier's head knocking him out. Alicia heard two of the power up sounds and quickly teleported out as two of the commando zapped each other as she reappeared behind the last one and kicked him in the back of the leg and stole his asp baton.
"That lead trick only works when it's released into my bloodstream but I doubt you'll remember." Alicia finished as she hits him in the head with it.
Alicia took one of the other soldiers asps she figures she'll need weapons in Sunnydale.
Buffy was walking up to the set and joined the giant crowd who knew this many people would show up for a movie shoot. Especially a Johnny Cage one. Who knew Faith could get them in to see it?
Clark looked at the set and saw Cage go through fight after fight with cheesy one liners thrown throughout.
Faith was standing near a dressing room waiting for Cordy to get changed. "You done yet Cor?"
"As I'll ever be." Cordy answered as she came out in a bikini.
Xander looked at her. He's open mouthed but he doesn't want the rest of the world to be. "Wow, Cordy it's um…"
"Daring" Buffy filled in.
Cordy looked at herself in her gold bikini with white dots this is degrading but it's also the first actual acting job she had and she needed Faith's help just to get a role as a beach bimbo that's likely going to pop out of her top. This isn't her. She deserves much better then this.
Clark looks at the director as he walks over and looks at Cordelia. "Not bad when does she go to make up."
"I've already been there." Cordy replied.
The director rolled his eyes nothing but amateurs. "Then go back you look like you're a refugee from an abused women's shelter with those eyes." The director turned to Clark. "Do you want to sleep with her of course not?"
Clark glared at the director does Cordy really want a life where you're constantly cut down by these jerks. "I think she looks nice."
"No she looks beautiful." Xander corrected Clark.
The director rolled his eyes. "Yeah two unknown hicks opinions really matter."
Xander was set to pop him until to his surprise Cordy slapped him and Clark had him about a foot off the ground with both hands on his sleeves. "I think you owe the lady an apology."
The director rolled his eyes. "Oh, let me guess. Wanna-be rocker or part-time male model. I could go either way on this one."
Clark just pushed him against the wall. "I'm going to be the guy that knocks some of your teeth out if you don't apologize."
The director looked over to his assistant. "Get security."
The assistant turned around and was met by a line of Buffy, Faith, and Claire.
Johnny Cage was walking off the set and saw the scene with a smile as he approached everyone only him. "Clark"
Lois and Chloe were taken back that Clark and Faith actually do know Johnny Cage. Chloe is having a serious talk with him about every person he's met since he came to Sunnydale.
"Hey John." Clark replied not taking his eyes off the producer.
Cage looked up and smiled he should have come earlier so he could see all of this. "So is there a reason you have my director three feet in the air."
"Mean to my friend, he owes her an apology." Clark answered.
"Which I'm still waiting for." Cordy said with a smile on her face.
Cage looked up and smiled he would have done this a month ago if it wasn't for his contract. "Ed I recommend apologizing you wouldn't like him when he's really angry. He tends to sneak up on you and beat the crap out of you."
"Yeah sorry about that I was kind of drunk." Clark said avoiding the fact Alicia doped him on Red K.
Cage shrugged. "Ultimate Combat was M Night level douchey I had it coming." Especially since Cage cast himself in Clark's role.
Ed meanwhile just panicked realizing if this guy can kick the crap out of Cage he can tear him apart in moments. "OK, OK look I'm sorry you're beautiful absolutely beautiful."
Cordy smiled it's nice to know she has such good friends. But she's intrigued since if they know Johnny Cage does Faith really know two assassins. "Clark put him down."
Clark didn't say a word and dropped him hard on purpose as he hit the floor.
Cordy looked to Ed and just held her hand out. Ed calmly shook it as Cordelia started. "I just wanted to shake the hand of the person that showed me what horrible career acting is. If being an actress means putting up with pathetic little trolls like you that are probably eunuchs if you think a girl like me needs make up then who needs it. Now I'm off to live a much better life if I wanted to be around a troll who never got any and took it out by ordering me around I'd stay in high school." Cordy wrapped her arms around Clark and Xander. "Boys"
Johnny Cage smiled happy for her that she figured it out long before he did. His contract is up after this movie to replace the one Clark 'accidentally' destroyed and then he's off for Special Forces.
Faith walked up behind him. "It was nice seeing you again for all of five seconds."
"Likewise" Cage replied seeing Faith off as she wrapped Clark's free arm around herself. Cage just smiled. "I knew it."
AC pulled out a dozen Motrin and gave them to Bart he's not trying to kill his friend he just a very fast metabolism. "So can you go back to the part where Luthor's goons were wiped out by a ninety pound girl with a bedpan because that's not ever going to stop being funny."
Bart rolled his eyes and took the medicine dear god does his head hurt. "Yeah well she's out there and nearly a year has gone by. Kind of makes you nervous about what she's going to do."
Oliver came out with a man in glasses and showed him the door catching their conversation. "I'm just glad Lois and the others are out of town according to her things got really bad between them."
AC looked at him. "Did Emil get all the bugs out?'
"Nothing left that will lead Lex here." Oliver answered as his phone rung.
Bart watched him "Aren't you going to get that?"
Oliver shook his head. "No, I already know what it's about something happened in LA and Lois is on her way home."
Oliver turned on his voicemail. "Hey Ollie its Lois look LA has been kind of a wash thanks to a jerkass producer so we're going to spend the night and then we're coming home tomorrow. Alright bye"
"So let's find her fast shall we?" Oliver replied.
Alicia was walking through the streets of Sunnydale. Clark and the others must have pulled it off. There's way too much order here if the Mayor's plan had actually worked well that's one chain of support she can't find.
She backs into an alley hearing the support siren of a police car and feels a hand touch her shoulder.
"Alicia"
Instinct took over and Alicia quickly felt fuzzy hands as she broke the demon's neck. She looked down and spotted an envelope and a box which she helped herself to and saw the contents were a portable DVD player. Alicia powered it up and saw a video from the Mayor.
"Hello Alicia. If you're watching this tape, it can only mean one thing. I'm dead. And our noble campaign to bring order to the town of Sunnydale has failed. Utterly and completely. But on the other hand, heck, maybe we won. And right now, I'm on some jumbo monder in the Richard Wilkins museum surrounded by a bunch of kids sitting Indian style and looking up at my face filled with fear and wonder." The mayor laughs. "Hi kids!" Alicia smiles. "But the realist in me tends to doubt it. Now, Alicia, as I record this message you're sleeping. And the doctors tell me you might never wake up. I don't believe that. Sooner or later you will wake up, and when you do, you'll find the world has gone and changed on you. I wish I could make the world a better place for you to wake up in. But, tough as it is to accept, we both have to understand that even my power to protect and watch over you has its limits. See, the hard pill to swallow is that once I'm gone, your days are just plain numbered. Now, I know, you're a smart and capable young woman in charge of her own life, but the problem, Alicia, is that there won't be a place in the world for you anymore. By now I bet you're feeling very much alone. But you're never alone. You'll always have me." Alicia picks up the box as the Mayor continues. "And you'll always have this. Go ahead. Open the box." Alicia looks in the box and sees a weird glove thing. "Don't worry. It's not gonna bite. That's my job." He laughs. "Go ahead. Open it. Surprise! You won't find these in any gumball machine! See, when you've been around as long as I have, you make friends. And some of them forge neat little gizmos. Just like the one you're holding right now. And here's the good news. Just because it's over for my Alicia, doesn't mean she can't go out with a bang.
Xander laid in bed with Cordelia wrapped in his arms. "I can't believe you gave up an acting gig for a movie."
"Oh please if I ever did become an actor I'd like to at least show more depth then a beach bimbo." Cordelia replied not really seeing what she gave up anymore. "Besides guy made fun of you. Problem now is what am I going to do with my life until my inevitable superstardom takes off and I'm discovered?"
Xander thought about it. "Well there's always college."
Cordelia rolled her eyes she loves Xander but now is so not the time for his jokes. "Xander I can't afford any of the places I got in."
"That was then." Xander pointed out. "The Magic Shop, financial aid it's not Duke or Columbia but we can get you into UC Sunnydale. Also a couple things in construction opened up and everyone insists I have a gift for it. I can help pay for your tuition and after what you did I really want to."
Cordy smiled and kissed him. "Can't buy loyalty like that for a million dollars." And she knows that from experience all her daddy's high power lawyers threw him down the river as soon as the checks stared bouncing. Cordelia smiled seeing come summer she'll be a college student again with Faith, Giles, and maybe even Clark running the magic shop while she divvies part time college part time saleswoman she appreciates Xander's help but she won't put it on his shoulders alone. Cordelia smiles as she drifts off to sleep. Tomorrow will be a brand new day for her.
Author's Notes
Thanks for the reviews.
I hated that scene in Angel it made no sense then to give Cordelia something to angst about in Pylea.
Alicia awakens… my god the shock.
Up Next: Wet work
