Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Cinematic Universe, Buffyverse or anything else you may recognize

Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.

Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for his help again.

Chapter 22- The Immortal in Question

It was rush hour and the streets were choked with traffic. People milled past on the crowded sidewalk. There were various people - an overweight guy, a pair of homeless teenagers, an Asian vendor, a streetwalker.

4 punks in their teens, sporting piercings and tattoos were looking at various people.

"How about that one?"

"No fatties. They taste like Cheetos."

"What about that shrunken apple-head beeyatch-a-saurus over there?"

"Fucking blow me, man!"

Their names were Squid, Proof, Flick and Dingo.

Dingo snapped. "C'mon, just pick one."

Proof told him. "Once you buy a prize, it's yours and yours to keep."

They kept looking. Then, Flick suddenly pointed, excited. "Got it, got it! Baby on board!"

There was a woman, moving below, her figure camouflaged beneath layers of clothing, her head down. She was lugging a newborn in a Baby Björn carrier that was strapped to her chest, clutching a bag of groceries in either hand. She looked a little haggard.

She reached an elevated rail station entrance.

Dingo nodded and smiled approvingly. "Looks like we got ourselves a combo meal."

The woman made her way into the station, passing a few other people here and there as she reached a depressing, dimly lit, partially open-air station. She moved out onto the platform, which was now deserted. She glanced around, a bit nervous, and finally sat on a bench.

Beat.

Just the wind moaning in the tunnels, across the platform. Then a rustling sound was heard- she looked right, seeing nothing.

Then another sound, this time from the left - she looked up, briefly glimpsing a figure ducking behind a concrete pillar. Unnerved, she stood, moving a protective hand over her baby. She backed up a few steps, trying to look around the pillar - - but no one was there.

Then a shadow moved behind her. She sensed it, spinning - - but again, she seemed to be alone. Thoroughly frightened now, she scooped up her grocery bags, turned to exit and - - slammed right into Dingo and Proof!

She gasped.

Dingo taunted. "Hey, pretty lady."

Proof added. "Sophisticated mama." Dingo and Proof revealed their fangs. She screamed, running - - right into the arms of Flick and Squid!

They grabbed her, ripping the BabyBjorn carrier from her chest, shoving her back at Dingo and Proof.

In seconds, Dingo and Proof had her on the floor. They were tearing away at her clothing, laughing.

Dingo mocked. "Scream if this hurts, chica!"

Flick removed the baby from the carrier. He held the baby up - only it's not a baby.

It was a doll with the words "FUCK YOU!" written on its chest. Flick was briefly confused - - and then the baby doll exploded, covering Flick's face with HOLY WATER!

Flick recoiled, retching, wiping at his burning face – "-aghhk - it's holy water!"

Dingo and Proof turned back, alarmed. Then the woman pulled her knee to her chest. A wooden stake sprung out from the toe of her boot.

She kicked up, imbedding the stake up through the underside of Proof's chin, cutting off his head. Proof was ashes.

It was Faith!

Before Dingo had a chance to act, Faith got him in a leglock, flipping him back onto his ass. Faith jumped to her feet, shedding her coat and hat. Long tresses of hair spilled around her shoulders.

The whole thing was an act to lead these Vamps away from the crowded area and take them out with her latest arsenal.

Dingo snarled - CRUNCH!

Faith planted her heel in his face, smashing in his nose. She did a cartwheel, kicking him again, and followed that with flurry of punches.

He went down as - - Flick and Squid came charging! Squid got her in a chokehold. She flipped him over her shoulder, kicking him in the nuts as he landed. He curled up, groaning- Faith turned back to Flick, elbowing him in the throat - - then returned to Squid, ejecting a wooden stake from a spring-loaded, automated dispenser strapped to her wrist. She popped the stake through Squid's chest.

He was ashes.

Faith reached behind her, removing a crescent-shaped device secured to her back. She held the crescent in the center, the curve pointing away from her, gave it a twist and - CHINKT!

The device extended from either end, telescoping outward into a three-foot long metal arc. Connecting the two ends of the arc was a powerful, buzzing UV laser.

Faith lashed out, lopping off Flick's arm. His arm fell, dusting. Faith swung the arc around, pushing it forward through Flick's mid-section like a cheese cutter - Flick literally fell apart, his upper torso sliding from his trunk, dusting, his burning particles falling away.

Dingo scrambled to his feet, running for his life. Faith gave her UV arc a twist. It retracted. She secured it behind her back once again, unholstering a strange-looking "bloop" gun with a large barrel.

She fired - A rapidly-expanding spherule of anti-personnel foam splattered against Dingo's legs, hardening instantly, tripping him up - Dingo went down again. He panicked, trying to scrape the gunk off his legs, managing to get one of his hands stuck to the hardening mess in the process - like a mouse in a glue-trap.

Faith calmly approached. She stood over Dingo, staring down at him with a look of cruel indifference. She holstered her bloop gun, withdrawing another wooden stake and mocked. "Scream if this hurts, chica."

Then she slammed the stake into his chest.

As he dusted, Faith turned, surveying her work. There was just dust. In thirty-seven seconds she'd managed to eliminate them all.

The train then passed the area and when it was gone, so was Faith.

Wolfram and Hart

Gunn was walking through the lobby with Angel. "We need to act on this now."

Angel disagreed. "Not without a full risk analysis. We don't want to be rushing into this thing half-cocked."

Gunn rolled his eyes. "As opposed to the full-cock that's been working so well for us?"

Angel stopped walking and crossing his arms asked. "You got something you want to say?"

"Just don't wanna lose another baby with the bath water... boss."

"Fine. We'll send Spike."

The elevator doors opened as Faith walked out, holding her new weapons.

"How did the weapons work, Faith?" Gunn asked.

"Whistler knows his stuff and he's awesome for sending this stuff over to me, his favorite Slayer", Faith said, walking past them while ignoring Angel, which he noted.

Spike was sitting in a chair in Angel's office, hanging his legs over the arms of the chair, playing a handheld video game. Angel and Gunn were standing behind him, but he didn't look up from his game.

"Bugger that. Do it yourself."

"Spike, this is a delicate matter that needs to be handled with a lot of finesse", Gunn threw up his hands, looking at Angel. "And why the hell are we talkin' to him?"

"Because he signed on to help."

Spike rolled his eyes as he looked at Angel. "Not to be some glorified garbage collector."

Gunn argued. "It's not garbage. It's a body. And there's a bloody gang war coming our way if we don't get it back."

Spike was incredulous. "This stiff's that important?"

"It's the remains of the Capo di Famiglia of the Goran demon clan."

"Never heard of 'em."

"That's 'cause the Capo was human-tolerant. Kept a low profile. More interested in profit than mayhem."

Angel asked. "What happened to him?"

"Died on a business trip in Italy. We need to go there, retrieve his body, and return it to his family in the next..." Gunn looked at his watch. "Ooh, 26 hours."

Spike asked. "Or what—he gets deader?"

"No. He stays dead. They die, they pupate, they live again, but only if the proper rituals are performed by the immediate family. If the Capo's body isn't returned in time, the rituals won't take. So long, Capo. Hello, power vacuum."

Angel realized. "Which the rival clans will try to fill."

Gunn added. "And they aren't as tolerant of humans. If we do this, it all stays cool. If not—"

"We'll stick with "do"", Angel went over to Spike, knocking his feet off the chair's arms. "OK, come on." He took Spike's video game away.

"Hey, hey."

"Pack your bags."

"I don't even speak the language."

"We'll get you a book."

Spike asked Gunn. "How do you say "wank off" in Italian?"

Gunn shrugged. "Can somebody please just get on a plane?! People, and powerful non-people, are coming after this head, rival clans, opportunists, this Immortal guy-"

Now that got their attention.

"Woahwoahwoahwoah, backup," Angel and Spike said at the same time, until Angel took over. "You mean...the Immortal?"

"Um, yeah? I don't know, they never gave me a name."

"He doesn't have a name." Spike added.

Angel stormed out of his office into the lobby, followed by Gunn and Spike.

"I said I'll take care of it."

Gunn asked. "Take care of what? And who is this Immortal?"

Spike scoffed. "The foulest evil hell ever vomited forth."

Harmony asked. "Worse than you?"

Groo asked an add-on question. "Even worse than Angelus?"

"He's going after the head—" Angel turned to the elevator.

Gunn realized. "So he knows you."

Spike agreed. "Oh, wait a minute. That's definitely his M.O."

"The Capo's?"

Angel explained. "The Immortal. He whacks the Capo, lures me to Rome, takes out a Vampire with a soul."

Gunn added. "Plus he starts a war when the Capo's body isn't returned for resurrection. This guy's good."

"So am I. Harmony, have the jet fueled and ready for takeoff." Angel walked purposefully toward the elevator.

Spike joined Angel. "You really think we could take him?"

"Whoa, whoa. What do you mean, "we"?" Angel pressed the elevator call button. "What? You don't think I'm gonna let you traipse off to Italy without me, do you?"

The elevator dinged.

"You don't speak the language."

"I'll get a book."

The elevator doors opened and a man walked off between Angel and Spike.

"Spike, you're only gonna make things worse."

Angel walked inside and Spike followed.

"Look, we get the Capo's body, we stop The Immortal. It's that simple. Unless he kills you, which would be sad."

Angel assured. "He's not gonna kill me."

Spike smirked. "Not if I'm with ya."

The elevator doors closed.

Angel and Spike were sitting in the cabin of the private corporate jet beside each other, but on opposite sides of the aisle.

"Just admit it: You think you're gonna ride in, save the day, and take out the Immortal—"

"Like you're not thinking the same thing."

"Doesn't concern you, Spike."

Spike grinned widely. "I just wanna see you happy." He leaned closer. "Would say not too happy or I'd have to stake ya, but that's old news now." He sat back and smiled. "Though if it was not, I'd say have at it."

"This isn't about us."

"What?"

"Me and you. This is a dangerous mission that's only gonna get worse if we don't put aside our differences. Look, we have to work together on this to stop The Immortal." Angel sighed. "Oh, and pick up that demon body thingy."

"Partners, then?"

"Just like old times. You want a drink?"

"God, yes."

Later, the little table between Angel and Spike was littered with empty miniature bottles of various sorts of alcohol.

Angel looked at the empty bottle in his hands. "Huh. Really can't get drunk off these things."

Spike was slouching in his chair, twirling an empty bottle in his hands. "Not us, anyway. Vampire constitution. Not always a plus." A beat. "How did you know?"

"Drank a lot of 'em, and I still don't like you."

Spike scoffed.

Angel sighed. "We'll be landing soon." Spike sighed too. "Remember the last time we were in Italy?"

"Like it was yesterday."

1950s, Italy

Chester Phillips fired at Spike and Drusilla as they tried to avoid the shots, then Stick threw a sword which went through Spike's chest, impaling him.

"Bloody hell!"

Present day

"Wait a minute. I wasn't in Italy in the fifties. And I never met Stick till joining Wolfram and Hart."

Spike realized. "Oh, right. Guess you weren't. Really missed out on a good fight, even if we were driven away."

"Guess so. Sounds a lot better than when I remember it."

"1894?"

"The room of pain."

The two groaned at the memory of the Immortal having gotten them both captured and tortured in that year.

Matt walked into his office, but someone was already there, and he knew it wasn't human.

"I have a meeting in two minutes."

It was Hamilton. "Mr. Murdock, it is a pleasure to finally catch a moment of your time. I cannot tell you how happy the Senior Partners were when they heard that you accepted a position here. I'm pretty sure they actually smiled. And I must say that while our clientele isn't your regular poor soul to be rescued, your work has been exemplary, puts many of our current and past employees to shame, why, I don't think Lindsey McDonald had such a successful beginning as you have in the short time you've been here."

"You can spare the flattery, don't need it to do my job." Matt said as he walked around to his desk to grab a file.

"That's the kind of dedication we admire." Matt walked out, Hamilton followed. "We understand that there's some disunion among the ranks." Matt stopped and turned his head over his shoulder. "Angel's deal with the Fell was a surprise to us all, and I can only imagine how you must feel."

"Pretty sure you need a soul to feel how I do." Matt fired, but Hamilton chuckled good naturedly.

"Fair point. All I'm saying is, if you ever believe that there should be new management in the LA branch, the Senior Partners would be very interested in your thoughts."

Matt finally turned to face Hamilton.

"Are you offering me a promotion?"

Hamilton gestured back into Matt's office and he shut the door after the human walked through.

"Not so much, not yet, although we both know that nothing lasts forever, not even Vampires. Considering Angel's new...approach to fighting the good fight, we believed you would be more wary of having him as a boss."

Matt stayed silent, Hamilton taking it as confirmation.

"Mr. Murdock, no one can deny the advantageous relationship Wolfram & Hart and yourself has gained since you joined us. Paychecks with more zeros than you've ever received, a prestigious job in one of the most powerful firms in the world, and any desire or wish you have, we can comply, even the return of your sight if wanted."

Matt never spoke a word, Hamilton opened the door.

"Just food for thought," he walked out, but turned around to add one last thing. "Oh! And be so kind to thank your partner for us, the earnings we gained from selling that new Hell dimension that once belonged to the former Higher Being you dealt with, has been very beneficial."

Fred touched the bamboo plants before turning to Cordelia, Wesley, Faith, Stick and Lorne, with Faith holding Connor.

"Illyria can't talk to plants anymore", Fred sighed before informing them. "She's pretty depressed about it. I was a little on the fence, personally, but the ferns were surprisingly great conversationalists."

"Who knew?" Faith quipped as they snickered.

Fred suddenly stumbled. "She wants to come out, I think she needs this."

Then she willingly transformed into Illyria, cocking her head at Connor. "So that is a little human of your species."

"He's a baby, and don't touch him!" Cordelia warned.

Illyria told them. "You revel in my defeat."

Wesley asked. "Is that how you view it—you've been defeated?"

"My world gone. My power stripped. Having to share with another. How would you define it?"

Lorne quipped. "Uh, I don't know, how about... lucky we didn't kill you when you went nuclear due to you sharing your body with our friend?"

"This fate is worse than death. Condemned to live out sharing existence with a vessel incapable of sustaining my true glory. How am I to function with such limitation?"

Lorne chuckled. "Well, ever tried a Sea Breeze?"

"You attempt amusement at the expense of your better."

"Only one who thinks you're better is you", Faith told her.

"Yeah, we treat all the same", Cordelia added.

"Besides, you should turn back into Fred if you're going to be such a downer", Wesley commented.

"And my shame continues." She turned back into Fred.

"Look, I'm going into the lab, thinking I can try to cheer her up by watching some cartoons, she might like those as she has never seen them before", Fred said before walking off to the lab.

"She's a tough cookie." Stick said as they watched Fred go.

"Yeah, she adjusted to her situation faster than Matt did with Adam." Faith added.

Behind them, the elevator doors opened and Lorne looked over their shoulders.

"Burkles!"

"See? I told you they would remember us", Roger Burkle told his wife Trish Burkle as they stood together excitedly.

Trish quipped. "Guess we do make an impression."

"Nice to meet you again, Fred's parents", Cordelia said, hugging both of them as they returned the hugs.

"Any reason for visiting?" Wesley inquired.

"Hawaii", Roger said.

Trish added. "Been savin' up for years."

"Thought we'd take a layover and surprise Fred. Uh, know where we can find her?"

"Yes, in the lab, but some introductions first", Cordelia gestured to Faith. "That's Faith, head of human/non-human relations, she is a Slayer."

"Hi", Faith said, handing Connor to Lorne as she shook hands with them. "Nice to meet you two, Fred is all praises about you lot."

She didn't sound jealous, just sad that her parents were never like this.

"She is praises about you too whenever she speaks of you", Trish said as she and Roger shared a smile.

"Yeah, she has good taste in friends", Roger added as Faith smiled in appreciation.

"And that would be Stick", Wesley gestured to Stick.

Stick made his hand solid, deciding not to reveal the ghost thing for now, and shook their hands. "Um, I'll just go and handle some lawyer stuff and, um...legal things."

"Ah, lawyer here, huh? Must be fun", Roger said and Stick snickered.

"You have no idea, a lot of fun", Stick said before walking off, out of their sight, and disappearing to tell Fred.

"And here's the little nipper, I'm sure Freddles mentioned him too", Lorne said, handing Connor to the two Burkle parents as they cooed over him.

"Awww, he's so sweet", Trish smiled.

"Yeah, Fred sent us some pictures but the real deal is the best", Roger added as Connor laughed in their arms.

Trish commented. "Oh I miss having a baby around."

"Don't miss the diapers." Roger joked.

"We must ask Fred when she'll get her own."

"Right you are, we might look healthy as mules, but age sneaks up on everyone. Well, I suppose not everyone."

Rome

Angel and Spike were walking through streets as the latter listed. "We have fought Vampires, Demons, Hell gods, Higher Beings, Aliens, Evil, mutated vampiric abominations-"

Angel interrupted. "But the Immortal-"

And Spike finished. "Is another beast. We're going to be at our peak for this."

"Don't want a repeat of last time."

They remembered last time when the Immortal had 'violated' Darla and Drusilla while having tortured the two, and then not let them enter the party.

Eventually, the two waited in the parlor of a fancy house.

A creepy demon guy watched them as they waited in the parlor. The demon had long, pointed ears sticking out of his cheeks. His skin was gray and uneven. His nose was long. He was wearing his hair in a tacky, greasy comb-over. Otherwise, he was dressed like a normal person, wearing a tuxedo.

Spike then told Angel. "I heard he once closed a dimensional rift the size of Texas with his bare hands."

"Oh that's just ridiculous! He can't be that tough, everything about guys like this are exaggerated."

"You're right. He's not a God, or a Devil, and I'm best mates with both!"

Angel growled at the last bit but didn't say more due to how serious this was.

A female Demon of the same kind as the one wearing the tux and watching them walked into the room carrying a bowling ball bag, putting it on the table. "Grazie, Signor Angelo. We are in your debt for attending to a delicate matter. Grazie, grazie."

Angel nervously pointed to the bag. "Um, this is the, uh, Capo di Famiglia of the Goran demon clan?"

"Si, si. The Capo di Famiglia."

Spike quipped. "Must've been a wee fella."

Angel unzipped the bag, looking inside. "This is just his head."

"Si, si. The Capo di Famiglia."

Spike inquired. "What happened to the rest of him?"

"When a Goran demon becomes heavy with the age, his head-a sag and drop off like a ripe-a fig. Heh."

Angel asked. "So his new body just hatches out of it?"

"If the rituals are performed by the family in time. You must-a get the head of the Capo to Los Angeles subito. Eh? Si?"

"Si. Subito."

Angel grabbed up the bag in a hurry, and he and Spike rushed out.

But there was one matter to attend to still.

Angel made a call and as the guy picked up, he said into his phone. "Listen closely, you will tell me exactly what I want to know. This is the most important phone call of your life, because if you don't tell me what I want to know, I'll end it. Where. Is. the Immortal?!"

Roger and Trish walked into Wesley's office and look around, admiring it.

Roger commented. "Gotta say this is a step up from where you boys used to hang your hat."

Trish added. "Ooh, a couple of steps."

Wesley closed the office door, Cordelia and Faith with him now as Lorne had gone off to work, taking baby Connor with him. "Yes, we—"

Roger cut him off. "Uh, you know, we didn't wanna say anything, but we were a little worried about that old hotel."

Trish added. "Seemed a little run-down."

"But Fred called it home, so we just kept our mouths shut."

"Girl reaches a certain age, she's earned the right to make her own decisions."

"Which with Fred was around 7, wasn't it?" Trish laughed.

"They are pleasant company", Faith told Cordelia.

"Yeah, we were all pleasantly surprised", Cordelia nodded.

Wesley was about to say something. "Mr. and Mrs. Burkle—"

Trish didn't want formalities. "Please."

Roger confirmed it. "Roger and Trish."

Trish said. "The way she goes on about y'all, well, it feels like we're practically family."

While they weren't looking, Stick appeared next to Cordelia and Faith and told them. "I'm playing warden in her mind to make sure no accidents happen. Got to go!"

He disappeared as Cordelia said. "The guy knows how to commit." Faith nodded.

Roger asked. "So where is that prodigal daughter—out saving the world with that nice Angel fella?"

"Mom?" Fred was standing in the doorway to Wesley's office now.

Roger smiled. "Well! There she is now."

"Dad! Oh, my God. What are y'all doing here?" Fred ran to hug her parents.

Roger greeted her. "Sweetie."

Trish added. "Sight for sore eyes."

"Oh, you look great!"

Cordelia, Wesley and Faith smiled.

Rome

In a night club, dance music played loudly as Spike and Angel made their way through the crowd toward the bar.

Angel muttered. "Dancing. Why'd it have to be dancing?"

Spike asked the sexy female bartender. "You speak English, luv?"

"Si, si. I love the English."

Spike quipped. "We'll get along fine, then."

Angel asked her. "We're looking for a guy. Tall, black hair, blue eyes, not that good looking."

"I heard he's Greek", Spike added.

"I do not know."

Spike finally said. "The ponce's name is the Immortal." Now she knew who they spoke of.

"Ah, si. Si. The Immortal. I know him very well. He come while ago", she gestured to a booth across the dance floor. "There."

Angel and Spike turned to look; a muscular man was sitting in said booth, sipping a drink. The lights made it hard to see his face but they knew it was him.

Angel snarled. "That vintage, that posture-"

"That arrogance, like he owns the whole bloody world-"

"It's him." They said at the same time

"Right. Hold down the fort. I'll be right back", Spike walked away through the dancing crowd.

"Huh?" Angel followed. "Oh, yeah, here it comes. The part where you run off alone and play the big hero who took down the Immortal. Well, newsflash, blondie bear: Never gonna happen."

Spike had different intentions. "Not about being the hero anymore, all I want is to punch that wanker's jaw off! Then maybe I'll sleep better at night."

"Spike."

"What?"

"The head."

"I thought you had it."

They looked back at the bar to see the butler from the house where they picked up the head carrying the bag away.

"Hey!"

They chased the butler; Spike put his hand on the butler's shoulder.

"Where you think you're going with our head, Jeeves?"

"Anywhere he wants."

Angel and Spike turned to see several large, bulky muscle-men standing behind them.

Angel asked. "Don't suppose we can talk about this over a nice amaretto?"

One of the men punched Angel.

"Take Me in Your Arms" by Dean Martin played over the fight.

A man punched Angel, and he staggered back. Spike jumped the man, knocking him down. Angel engaged another man, punching him, while Spike kicked the man he tackled before.

They continued to fight, exchanging punches. Angel grabbed the man he was fighting and threw him headfirst into the wall.

Spike punched his man in the face, shattering a display at the bar.

Angel walked toward Spike, but Spike punched him in the face. When Spike stood and looks at whom he punched, he realized it's Angel. Angel looked at Spike, wondering why he would hit him.

Angel rubbed his jaw, then got an angry look on his face before returning Spike's punch.

Spike looked angrily at Angel, and they both reared back to swing, punching each other in the face.

Angel got up. "What the hell are you doing?"

Spike yelled. "I was confused, ya git! It's very loud in here."

"Where did the little guy go?"

Angel and Spike saw the butler leaving with their head and gestured with his fingertips before leaving. They rushed after him.

Spike and Angel walked out of the club and looked around, but there was no sign of the butler.

Spike asked. "Where'd he go?" A car screeched as it rushed past them, nearly running them down.

Angel scrambled back to his feet. "Hey!" He watched the car drive away. "That's our car. He's got our car."

Spike grabbed a nearby motor scooter, started it, and revved the engine, pulling it up to Angel. "Hop on, little mama."

"I'm not ridin' on the back."

"He's getting away."

Angel stepped over the bike, sitting behind Spike, and put his arms around Spike's waist. They drove off after the car on the motor scooter.

The car sped through the streets of the old city. Angel and Spike weren't too far behind.

"Faster! Come on, punch it!"

"Stop holding on so tight."

The butler drove the car down an alley and the tires screeched. A random person pulled out in front of him on a motor scooter, and the butler had to swerve to miss him. Angel and Spike almost caught up to him, when he turned a corner.

Angel said. "Shortcut. Turn right."

Spike snarled. "Let go of me."

Angel urged. "Turn left, turn left. We'll cut him off."

"All right, already!"

Spike and Angel had headed the butler off and were now facing him head on. The butler paused a moment, then drove the car into their motor scooter, knocking them off and destroying the scooter.

"Son of a—" Spike angrily muttered.

Angel kicked the debris. "One job, you know. Hang onto the head. That's it."

Spike reminded. "You were right there, too."

Angel argued. "I wasn't in charge of the head."

Spike inquired now. "Well, it's gone now, isn't it? You gonna stand here in the strada yelling at me all night?"

Angel noticed something. "Did you just say strada?"

"It means street."

"Yeah. I know what it means."

Spike pointed out the situation. "We only have 12 hours to get that head back before Los Angeles becomes a demon war zone. Should we argue some more, or should we get on with it?"

Angel agreed. "Ah, all right. You know, you're right. No more screwing around. We find that guy, we get the head back, and then we get the hell outta here. That's it."

Angel and Spike were back at the dance club talking to the bartender as Angel asked. "Have you seen the Immortal?"

"Did he leave?" Spike asked.

"Relax-a, relax. It's OK."

Spike asked. "He's still here?"

"No, no. He's gone. But you must relax. I pour you some wine."

Angel scoffed. "Oh, he's got us, Spike. Why is this always happening to us?"

Spike muttered. "It's him. The Immortal. This is what he does. Every time he shows up, I either lose my girl, get beaten by an angry mob, get led on a wild goose chase or get thrown in prison for tax evasion. Long story."

Angel wasn't going to let it go. "Well, you know what? It's different now. We're different."

Spike nodded. "Hey, damn right we are. We're not gonna be his Shemps anymore."

"No way, man. I mean, we're just out of our element."

"If this was L.A., We'd have him hog-tied by now."

"If we had our resources, if we had our team, if we had our helicopters or—he'd be in a world of—"

Spike remembered something. "Hang on. Doesn't Wolfram & Hart have an office here in Rome?"

The elevator bell dinged and Angel and Spike stepped off the elevator into a lobby that looked identical to the L.A. branch's lobby.

Angel looked around. "Huh." The office was busy at night, full of people chatting away in Italian.

A woman walked through the lobby toward them. She was wearing a low-cut, tight, slinky sundress.

"Ciao! Benvenuti! Welcome! Ah, Spike." She kissed Spike on both cheeks. "Ha ha ha. Oh! You are the very meaning of handsome. You take my breath away. Ah, I have no breath. Ha ha ha!" She kissed Angel on both cheeks. "And you, what an honor. The great Angelus."

"Actually, it's just Angel."

"Ah, yes, of course. The gypsies, they gave you your soul. The gypsies are filthy people!" She spat. "And we shall speak of them no more. I am Ilona Costa Bianchi. I'm the CEO of the Roman offices of Wolfram e Hart. And please, we are at your disposal. Whatever it is that you want, we give to you. If you want the world, we give you the world. We give you 2 worlds, in fact, because this is our way."

"OK."

"Good. Yeah."

"Now, let's go in my office, and we talk like adults, eh? Come.", Ilona turned to her office. "Pietro."

Pietro the receptionist (not to be confused with Wanda's brother), replied. "Si, signora."

Ilona spoke Italian rapidly. "Vai un circare un caffe e dolce qual checosa di mangiare."

"Per chino, signora. Andiamo. Subito. "

Angel and Spike hesitated to follow her, but did.

"She seems nice."

LA

Lilah was in her office when Hamilton came in.

"Like old times isn't it?" She looked up as he entered. "Throwing away the morals and get the job done, you were always the best at it. Cut from the very same cloth as Holland Manners."

"What do you want?" Lilah asked.

"Your dedication to the firm has been noted, Lilah. We know that, over the past few years, there's been some rough spots, but you always rise to the occasion. Some of us, myself included, believe that it's time for you to finally be recognized for your efforts. If you're interested, don't be afraid to call me."

Then he left as Lilah contemplated what he said.

Fred escorted her father into the science lab. Trish was behind them, holding onto Wesley's arm.

Roger commented. "I gotta tell ya. Everyone is so dang friendly. I can't get over it."

"Well, they kinda have to be, daddy. I'm their boss. If they're mean to you, I'll just fire 'em."

Trish noted to Wesley. "Have we not seen each other since I ran over that bug demon with the bus? How is that even possible?"

Wesley shrugged. "Things have been a bit hectic for a while."

Trish said. "Well, I want to hear absolutely everything, but most importantly, have you got a young lady in your life?"

"I do", Wesley told her.

"I wish there was a perfect gentleman next to my single daughter", Trish commented, embarrassing Fred.

"Dad, make her stop."

Roger told her. "Knock it off, big mouth."

Trish quipped to Wesley. "He keeps talking to me like that."

Roger asked Fred. "Uh, is this whole laboratory yours, honey?"

"Well, technically, it's the company's, but... yeah. I'm in charge of it. Wanna see my office?"

"That's it up there?" Roger turned to Trish. "Come on, baby."

"Well!"

They walked off as Fred stumbled but Wesley caught her. "Are you alright?"

"It's like pay-per-view in here."

Then Stick was thrown out of her mind but flipped in the air and marched back toward Fred.

"Round 10, Drago!" And he faded into Fred before Illyria could come out, she stumbled again just as Trish came out with Roger.

They all smiled to hide what was happening as Trish held up a picture of Fred dancing with Steve at the wedding.

"Oh yeah, we forgot to mention, Fred has a new man!" Cordelia spoke up.

"He's not my man!"

"Oh really, the dancing tells me otherwise", Faith quipped as Fred glared at them both.

"I think you have some explaining to do!" Trish said excitedly while also shocked alongside Roger. "Your man is Captain America, sweetie! So, for how long-"

"We talked and danced and had some pictures taken together, he didn't propose."

"Oh we want to know more", Roger said as Fred groaned.

"Starting to wish Illyria can take over", she whispered to herself.

Rome

Ilona's office was where Angel's would be, but it was decorated very differently. There were lots of paintings of religious and secular material that appeared to have been created by masters of the Italian renaissance and baroque periods. Pietro lighted a cigarette for Ilona, and she smoked it through a long detachable filter.

"Please, make yourselves as though you were at home. Your problems, they are no more. You have no more problems." She shrugged and chuckled. "What are your problems?"

"There is a thieving jerk", Angel snarled.

"Working for the vilest wretch this side of Mount Everest. Which... I'm told he has climbed... several times."

"Look, he goes by the name of The Immortal."

Ilona knew who he was. "Ah, The Immortal. Ha ha. I have had dealings with The Immortal many times, and I must say that the outcome is always... most satisfactory."

Spike said. "He's got us trapped."

"It's a spell, he uses magic to stay 10 steps ahead", Angel groaned.

"It's doubtful. The Immortal doesn't use spells. He considers them dirty. Dirty tricks for dirty people. Like gypsies", Ilona spat. "We will speak of them no more."

"Well, he's done something magic to us."

Angel asked. "We need to do some research. Look, don't you guys have, like, an Italian Wesley or Italian Matt here?"

Ilona's head perked up again. "Oh yes, we know of Signore Murdock, we very much admire his reputation." It was clear it was more than admiration though. "And our Wesley is taking a nap, and I not need him to know what we all know. The Immortal does not use magic."

Spike wasn't convinced. "Then it must be somethin' else."

Angel started. "Look, we need to know everything there is to know about him. We need—"

"To keep your head. Ha ha! Yes. We know all about your mission to retrieve the Capo di Famiglia. And I have to say, right now it seems a bit more important than a preposterous grudge with the Immortal."

"It's not preposterous!" Both said together.

"Your head is in great danger", Ilona walked to her desk. "We have already received a ransom note. It was addressed to you via our offices." She unfolded a piece of paper. "I took the liberty of sneaking a peek." She handed the paper to Angel, who seemed annoyed. "We must hurry because the drop is about to take place in less than one hour."

Angel started. "All right. We're gonna need a chase helicopter, assault team..."

"And guns. Lots and lots of guns.

"No, no, no, no! No, no", Ilona squeezed their cheeks. "The two of you are so precious. But no! This is a civilized country. We do these things all the time. Somebody gets kidnapped, somebody pays the money. Everybody goes home happy. Grazie. Prego. Kiss-kiss. We already have the money ready to go." She gestured to Pietro, who opened a briefcase full of Euros. "Eh. Huh?"

Angel and Spike looked at each other and sighed. "All right. Fine. Whatever. We'll do it your way."

Spike sighed. "Who's making the drop?"

Angel and Spike were standing in the middle of a piazza at night, waiting.

Angel started. "I helped saved the world you know."

"Like I haven't."

"Yeah, but I've done it a lot more."

"Oh please."

"Closed the Hellmouth."

"I fought a Hell goddess."

"Fought aliens and helped bring back half of all life-"

"So did I."

"I helped kill the Mayor, and the Beastmaster-"

"Do those really count as saving the world?"

Angel finally said. "Point is, we're better than this. Why the hell does this guy always show up and ruin our lives?"

"Perhaps because he is so much better than you."

They turned to see the butler and various other men who surrounded them.

Roger Burkle pressed the down button to call the elevator. Trish was standing with him. They turned to face Cordelia, Wesley, Faith and Fred, with Wesley now having Connor back from Lorne.

Trish told Fred. "Sorry to just drop in on you like this unannounced."

Fred asked. "Are you kidding me? I'm just sad y'all can't stay longer."

Roger quipped. "Well, the beach is callin'."

That was when Matt and Lilah arrived as the former said. "I heard Fred's parents were here."

"Oh yes, you must be Matthew Murdock, Devil guy, right?" Roger asked as Matt chuckled while shaking hands with them.

"Yes, that would be me", Matt nodded in confirmation. "Nice to meet you two."

"Oh its nicer from our side, our little Fred is friends with a Devil", Trish said as they chuckled again.

"And I'm Lilah Morgan", Lilah held out her hand, which the Burkles shook.

"Ah, so you work here?" Roger asked and Lilah nodded.

"Yeah, Lilah is my…friend, she is my friend", Fred confirmed, sharing a smile with Lilah, the words sounding strange to Fred, but also true.

Groo appeared. "Ah, you two must be Fred's life-givers. I am the Groosalug." He bowed to them both as they bowed back, confused, and he kissed Trish's hand before walking off.

"Nice guy, that Groosalug", Trish commented.

"Yes, he is great", Matt nodded.

"Also, when you're in Hawaii, send us pics", Faith told the Burkle parents. "Hubby and I have our honeymoon coming up," she looped her arm with Matt's and leaned her head on his shoulder, and he rested his head on hers, "any recommendations would be great."

"Absolutely, hon. Wish we could have been at the wedding, from what Fred shared with us, it was quite the affair."

"Lorne certainly gave it his all."

Fred sighed and said. "Mom, dad, I have to tell you something."

They looked at her as Trish said. "Sure, sweetie."

Fred mentally said to Stick. "Please, let me do it."

Stick then appeared, surprising both parents. "Hi, I'm a ghost, forgot to tell ya. My bad."

Fred took a deep breath and transformed into Illyria, shocking them both.

"I am Illyria, God-King of the Primordium. You are the life-givers of this shell I share myself with, as shaming as it is for me", Illyria said, then tilted her head. "The affection you show….it tastes better than offal."

Illyria turned back into Fred as both Roger and Trish had looks of shock.

"Illyria was an old Demon Goddess whose essence took over Fred", Cordelia then explained.

"We almost lost her", Wesley added, horrifying them both, and Wesley decided not to mention they had lost her for a while. "But a friend of ours with powerful magic saved her, though Illyria could not be expelled."

"So now they share bodies, and have finally established control", Matt finished.

"I know its freaky, but its all good now", Faith assured.

"Besides, stuff like that is normal around here", Lilah shrugged.

"And your daughter handles it like a champ", Stick added.

Fred told the two. "So yeah, a few things might have happened that I left out in our conversations, but I want you to know that while Illyria may seem scary, and brutal, and...blue, there's a lot more to her, and she is just as much a victim as I was after Pylea, as those who infected me with her did not think of her feelings either. Besides, we're making progress, I doubt she's any real threat now that she's hooked on 'Tom & Jerry'."

The parents still looked shocked before Trish grasped Fred by the face and kissed her forehead. "Oh Fred, you-"

"We have no idea what to say", Roger said, all three hugging each other.

"It's all good daddy, we share a body and minds, but we have worked out a balance", Fred assured them. "She is becoming better now."

"We are worried, we will always be worried", Trish started, stroking Fred's face and hair.

"But we are also proud of you for how you're taking it", Roger smiled at her as she smiled back.

"Yes, you are now sharing your body with and rehabilitating a Demon Goddess", Trish commented as they chuckled. "We always knew you were special."

"Guess its time to leave now, its all out in the open now", Roger muttered.

Trish nodded and hugged Fred. "Ohhh. I miss you already, and we haven't even gone yet." She sighed, looking at Fred. "You sure you're OK?"

"Yeah, its all good, mom", Fred assured.

Roger added. "Oh, she's just growin' up, mother, rehabilitating a Demon Goddess and sharing her body with that one. Let her go. You're gonna embarrass her in front of her employees."

"Stop it, daddy, and come here. Give me a hug", Fred hugged them both. "I love you guys so much."

Trish smiled. "Oh, we love you, too."

Roger added. "We'll talk soon. OK?"

"Countin' on it."

They got on the elevator and as the doors closed, Roger said. "Invite Captain Rogers to Thanksgiving!"

"And Christmas too", Trish added.

"Labor day as well", Roger said as the doors closed, Fred smiling and sighing in relief.

"Well, at least I got through it", Fred said with a chuckle, happy to have met with her parents again, then turned back into Illyria.

"Now I must go, the battle between cat and the mouse continues", Illyria said before adding. "Though the cat is unable to outsmart the little vermin. In my day, he'd be skinned for his incompetence."

She walked off as the rest exchanged weird looks. An Old One talking about 'Tom and Jerry' for whatever reason seemed like the strangest thing ever.

The demon's cronies were in a circle surrounding Angel and Spike. The demon butler circled the two of them, talking, holding the bowling ball bag that the head's in. "How unfortunate for you two, feeling small in front of the Immortal. But do not be, he is a powerful man."

Angel scoffed. "You're his lackey?"

"But of course."

Angel noted. "Ha! I knew it. None of this is a coincidence."

"Been his plan all along. Steal our head, keep us busy, and humiliate us again."

Angel scoffed. "It's a setup. You're just his lackey."

"I should be so lucky. The Immortal does not need men like me to do his business. He is a wild card, a wolf removed from the pack, a stallion without, uh, the bridle."

Spike sarcastically asked. "What, are you in love with him?"

"No, no, no, no. Well, OK, yes. But if anything, he's more of a, uh, inspiration, a spiritual guide. Have you read his book? It's a life changer."

Angel whispered to Spike. "I'm gettin' a little tired of Italy."

Spike agreed. "Know what you mean."

Angel and Spike started fighting the men surrounding them.

"Oh look. The Americans are relying on violence to solve their problems. What a surprise!"

The butler threw the bag as a man caught it and hit Angel's face, and then the men tossed the bag around to prevent Angel and Spike from getting it.

Angel whispered. "Should've brought Matt."

"Smartest thing you said all day."

The bag was given back to the butler.

"OK. No more games!" He pulled out a gun and aimed it at the bag. Everyone stopped fighting, but then Angel elbowed a man behind him, getting in one final blow. "One more step, and the head gets it, hey? We are not animals. We are italiano. You give us the money, we give you the head." Angel and Spike didn't move; they just stared. "You give us the money, we give you the head." Angel and Spike stared. "The money, the head. The money—"

"Yeah. We get it", Angel hit Spike. "Money."

Spike got the money and walked toward the demon, holding out the money bag but pulling back. "Hey." They switched bags at the same time.

"Arrivederci, americanos. It was a pleasure to do the business with you", the butler chuckled; he and his men left.

Spike snarled. "Don't believe him for a second. The Immortal's neck-deep in all of this."

Angel nodded. "'Course he is. He's screwin' us. He's screwed us before, and he's screwin' us now."

"Yeah. Every time we hear his bleeding name, we end up standin' in the strada holdin' the bag."

Spike unzipped the bag to look inside, and instead of the head, a ticking bomb was inside, counting down in seconds from 0:05 — 0:04 — 0:03 — 0:02 — 0:01.

Angel and Spike were looking around at the fiery debris from the explosion that littered the street.

Spike asked. "Civilized country? Look what that squeaker did to my jacket."

Angel asked. "After everything we've been through, you're pissed about a jacket."

Spike told him. "No, not a jacket. My jacket. You have no idea what I went through to get this."

Angel reminded. "You stripped it off a body of a dead Slayer."

Spike shrugged. "Well, which gives it great sentimental value. Besides, I've been wearin' it for over 30 years. It's like a part of me."

Angel snarled. "Get over it. Buy a new one."

Spike ranted. "It's my second skin. It's who I am. It's just one more thing he's taken away that I'll never get back."

Ilona helped Spike put on a new black leather duster just like his old one and he admired it. "Yeah! This is good."

Ilona petted Spike's shoulders and chest. "I'm glad you like, because I sent another 10 of them to Los Angeles for you along with a fine assortment of shoes."

Angel walked in wearing a waist-length white, red, and black leather motorcycle jacket. He was not quite as pleased with it as Spike was with his.

Ilona gasped. "You! Guarda! Come sei bello! Sei bellissimo!" She spoke Italian. "Bellissimo! You look gorgeous! Oh!"

Angel muttered. "You know, I'm not sure this is me."

"No, no, no, no, no. This is the latest style. You will define handsome for years to come. Ha ha ha! Now, what happened to the drop? No grazie, prego, kiss-kiss?"

"Grazie, prego, ka-boom."

Ilona realized. "Ohh! Oh, they always do this to first-timers in this country. Did I not mention that?"

Angel unzipped his jacket angrily. "That's it. Call up the helicopters."

"And the assault team."

"We're gettin' our head back."

"No, no, no. I love the two of you so much, but brute force will only get your precious head smooshed. You have done such fine quality work." Ilona escorted them to the door. "Now, please, relax. Let us handle it from here." She walked them out of her office. "Sometimes you have to put your fate in a higher power."

Angel commented. "We're heroes. We don't need any higher power."

"I'll be in touch." Ilona closed the doors to her office.

"We make our own fate." The doors clicked shut. "We don't need anybody cleaning up our mess. You know, we're champions!"

Spike pounded on the door; Angel tried to open it, but it was locked. "Got this under control." He pounded on the door. "You know, we're just gonna— We're—" He sighed and leaned against the door. "Should we just go home?"

Spike sighed. "Oh, God, yes." They walked to the elevators. "Couldn't get me out of this rat hole of a country fast enough."

"Rat hole?" The two snapped their heads to a man wearing a dark, expensive suit, he was tall, broad shouldered and muscular in a way that reminded them of Thor, slicked back dark brown hair, chiseled features and defined jawline which both wanted to punch. "You must be thinking of the 1940s Rome, now THAT was a rat hole, but we've come a long way from then."

The two leapt at him, but the Immortal pushed them off, sending them across the lobby.

They got up.

"Oh I've been waiting for this!"

"Yes! Blood Venegance at last!"

"You had your last laugh you smug faced, women stealing, show off, bastard!"

Then Ilona came out of her office, arms raised with a string of Italian words coming out that they could barely understand due to how fast she talked.

Then the Immortal replied in Italian. "Ilona, my dear, you are more beautiful every time you grace my eyes."

Then they shared a deep kiss.

Angel and Spike couldn't believe their eyes, they stood waiting, tapping their feet, checking their watches, before Spike yelled. "THE WOMAN NEEDS TO BREATHE!"

Finally, they slowly parted as the Immortal asked. "May we use your office."

Ilona tapped her chin in thought, then said. "Yes! But we must have dinner."

"How could I refuse such a vision?"

They kissed again, and the Vampires threw their arms.

"Oh come on!"

"Seriously?!"

They parted as Ilona walked away and the Immortal gestured to the office.

"Gentlemen, if you would please."

He walked in the office, the two running after him just as he sat behind the desk, and shut the door behind him.

"Alright, Casanova, we've played your game long-"

"Forgive me, I know you have a whole speech planned out, but what I'm talking about is very crucial about your future, and LA's."

The two stopped and shared a look, noticing whatever the Immortal said sounded important, so they were about to sit realizing what they were doing and stood up, arms crossed.

"I lured you here to Rome-"

Spike said. "AHA! It was you all along!"

"Actually no," they deflated, "I had the rumor spread that I was going for the Capo's head, and theorized that the mere mention of me would be enough to bring you," he pointed to the older Vampire, "Angel, here, seeking me."

"What the bloody hell for? Looking to meet your maker?" Spike taunted, the Immortal went to open his mouth. "Actually, no, don't sully the Queen's English, can't bloody stand it."

"I can speak American if you prefer." The Immortal's accent changed.

The two reluctantly nodded.

"Anyway, I had you come here to offer my help to you."

Angel and Spike's jaws dropped, and they were silent for thirty seconds before exploding, at the same time, "NO WAY IN HELL!"

"You don't trust me, fair enough, but maybe this will help." The Immortal leaned forward and looked them in the eye. "What I am about to tell you, I haven't told anyone for more than three thousand years."

The duo leaned closer.

"My name, my true name...is Hercules."

The two were quiet for a whole minute before laughing hysterically.

"This is gold!"

"Wow! Just….you think we're stupid?"

They had tears of laughter now, falling down hilariously.

"Think he's messing with us", Angel shrugged his shoulders.

"But we won't be messed with", Spike added as they made to walk out.

"I was broken."

They stopped, and looked back at "Hercules", looking out the window to the city of Rome.

"In my youth, I was much like my father with his taste in women, all of them basically." He looked down, ashamed at his next revelation. "One day, my third wife discovered my infidelity, and had me poisoned. I died, and my father brought be back to life, but I was not the same. My wife killed me, and it was fault. I tried so hard to not be like him that I was becoming him. He offered me a place on Olympus, an offer I turned down, I did not see myself a God, nor did I want to be like them. For hundreds of years I wandered, watching, never interfering, even as people screamed for help. I shut myself away from the world, no food, no water, no rest. I was not a hero anymore, not the legendary Herakles who had accomplished the impossible twelve labors. I waited to see if I would die."

Angel and Spike turned fully toward him as he explained his story, their whole perception of the Immortal, Hercules, now changing.

"One day, I met an old hermit, he offered me food, shelter, and advice." The son of Zeus finally looked back at the two other men in the room. "He told me of a time when a demon with a soul would fight against an evil that has plagued this world for millennia, and after hearing that the Scourge of Europe gained a soul and has been fighting Wolfram & Hart for years now, I knew it was you." He looked straight at Angel. "I changed who I was, built myself back up, but I knew that the world needed a different kind of hero. I remained in the shadows as the world grew, every battle, invasion, and world ending threat, I placed my faith in the heroes of this world, and they have not disappointed, though I admit, they cut it close with the Infinity Stones." Hercules chuckled at his own attempt to lighten the mood, before becoming serious again. "The battle is fast approaching, and I wanted you to know, when the times comes, I'll be there to help."

Angel and Spike were, once again, silent.

"Woah...that was..."

"Yeah...what a load of bollocks!"

"You thought we'd fall for that?!"

"Look, mate, that little ploy may work with the floozies over here, but not on us."

"You can take you story, and your offer, and shove it!"

Angel pushed open both doors as he exited, Spike behind him, walking backwards as he flipped the bird to Hercules, who remained sitting calmly in the chair, before turning after the other Vampire.

Hercules exhaled before standing, and doing the button of his blazer, not feeling offended in the least since they had every right to dislike him, and he himself used to suffer from pride before once upon a time so he could understand.

"That went well."

Gunn signed a document on a clipboard as Angel and Spike walked off the elevator.

Angel passed Cordelia, who looked at him, then ignored him.

Angel told Gunn. "Gunn. We lost the head. Start preparing the troops for war.

"Head's in your office."

"What?"

"It's on your desk." Gunn walked away.

They walked to Angel's office.

The bowling ball bag containing the head was sitting on Angel's desk with a little folded note tied to it with ribbon.

Angel and Spike walked up to it.

Angel pulled the note out of its envelope and read it. "With regards, The Immortal."

He angrily ripped the note. "You know, I really hate that guy!"

"Does he really think we're that thick? Hercules? More like Jercules!"

"God I hate him."

"You know what we should do, get Matt, and Thor, and Hulk, and Iron Man, and Cap, and send his immortal ass into hellfire!"

"...they're pretty busy though."

Spike slumped his shoulders and reluctantly had to agree. "Yeah." Spike sighed, sitting on the edge of the desk by Angel.

"So, what? We just have to live with the humiliation? Forget him? Get on with our lives?"

"'Fraid so."

"Fine", Spike sniffled. "No problem. I was plannin' on doin' that anyway."

Angel agreed. "Yeah, me, too."

Spike said. "Actually, I'm doin' it right now. As we speak, I'm movin' on."

"Movin' on."

"Oh, yeah."

They sat next to each other in the big, empty office.

"Right now."

"Movin'."

And that's the end, thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for his help on this once more, especially the Hercules bit.

So yeah, The Immortal is Hercules from Greek Mythology, but the Marvel version of him, though I've taken creative liberties to make him smarter.

Let's just say his time with the Tibetan monks made him patient, smooth and strategic here.

So Hercules makes his debut in both 'Heroes' and this series, though in this he is played by Henry Cavill. So we have a smooth and intelligent Hercules here, like in 'The Legendary Journeys'.

Faith got Abigail's intro fight scene from Blade: Trinity. Don't like the film as it is a MASSIVE disappointment compared to Blade and Blade II, but that intro fight was awesome.

This isn't Hercules' last appearance either.

Hope Illyria watching Tom and Jerry was enjoyed, that was fun to write.

Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for his help again, and also thanks to Stand with Ward and Queen for Illyria's 'vermin' line regarding 'Tom and Jerry'. Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter. The big 2 are here now.