The Balance VIII
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own the Buffy and Angel characters, but the other characters and the plot are mine.
Summary: Our heroes have finally returned home, but nothing has changed in Sunnydale...or has it?
Special Note: This takes place immediately after the Balance VII.
They moved from ruined building to ruined building.
Demona's patrols were everywhere.
Athena and the others had been been skulking around Sunnydale for two hours now.
And as far as they could tell, all the tribulations they had went through in Eppy's world had been for naught.
Demona was still in full control of Sunnydale.
And the barrier was still intact.
Coming to a manhole cover in a dark alley, Artemis moved the cover aside and everyone scrambled down the ladder into the darkness of the sewer.
Taryn replaced the cover and the party moved stealthily down the moist walkway, weapons at the ready.
"Where do we go? What do we do?" Xander asked.
"We will head to Neil's castle, then attempt to locate Angel." Diana replied.
"I think we should have asked Eppy and Spidey to give us an army or something." Buffy commented.
"They're only dreams, Buffy. They probably can't exist in the real world. We are on our own, I am afraid." Giles responded.
"You're right. I didn't think of that." Buffy answered.
"These weapons they gave us are real enough." Faith said.
"Yes. True. I had forgotten about tha" Giles started.
Only to be interrupted by Diana's raised hand.
"We are not alone." Diana whispered.
There was suddenly a flurry as they were surrounded by armed human soldiers!
And everyone immediately noticed their leader.
"Angel?!" Buffy exclaimed.
"Buffy?! How?!" Angel nearly shouted, but he managed to compose himself.
The next person they noticed caused a stronger reaction.
"Spike?!" Xander said in disbelief.
"Well well well. Welcome bloody home." Spike sneered.