Freedom Fighter
Author's Note: Chapter 13 baby! I have survived writer's block, my brother interrupting me at every turn, writer's block, my cat typing on the keyboard for me, my computer being stupid, writer's block....you get the idea. These next five chapters are where everything, and I do mean everything, comes together, and finally you get the entire picture. So, they take longer to write and edit, so please be patient. There will be another chapter after the next five, making this story 18 chapters or 17 chapters and an epilogue. I'm thinking of a sequel to this, and I also have an idea for a completely different Buffy story. I've fallen in love with Geia and Jamal, and I don't think that I can let them go just yet. *SIGH* Peace out--and please pray that I can score Aerosmith tickets cause my mom's a fan club member! I could die a happy person after seeing one of their concerts :)
Chapter 13--The Countdown Begins (Day 1)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." *Edmund Burke* Thoughts on the Cause of Present Discontents, 1770
Dawn broke the next day, revealing a sleepy little village. The townspeople were simple folk, doing things the same way every time, never breaking tradition. They even fought demons the same way their ancestors had; with pikes and homemade bows and arrows. Simple they might be, but not ignorant.
Word never spread past their village about the evils that lived nearby, kidnapping children and attacking anyone who came close enough. No one in the "civilized" cities in Libya would want to know, probably not care, and very possibly wouldn't even believe it. Cuni demons were ferocious, territorial demons. Much like a pack of wild dogs, these demons traveled together, lived in a class structure, with the head of the pack being the strongest male demon. They may lack the cunning and stealth of a pack of dogs, but their ferocity was not even comparable.
"They'll be alright while we're gone, Master. We've given them enough knowledge and supplies to take care of themselves for a week or so."
Davis smiled at his young apprentice. "I suppose so, but I'll still worry about them. If the Cuni get wind of the fact that we're gone, they'll attack the entire village." He turned to Jasmina, the sunlight reflecting off his black eyes. "But Geia needs us more than anything; between protecting a village of sacred people and helping to save the world from turning into Hell, I'm afraid our choice is only one."
Jasmina nodded and rose as a villager came over to her. "We wish you well," he said in his native tongue.
"And we wish the same upon you and the dear people of this village. We will return after we help an old friend," she replied. She watched the villager walk away, and a fleeting thought passed through her mind. If there is a world to return to....
"Now Jasmina, we know that Myron will be defeated. I don't think we are the only ones who Geia has called for assistance. Such negative thoughts are useless and should not take up your mind." He watched as Jasmina bowed her head in reprimand, the sunlight striking her classic Indian features. "Come, we have a long way to go before we reach Geia. She is in the United States, a small town in California called Sunnydale."
Jasmina's eyes grew large. "The only active Hellmouth? Master, if Myron is there...."
Davis began to walk, his arm around her. "I know, I know. He is more than likely feeding off of the Evil power that is centered there, and the way Geia explained what was going on, he already has one souled vampire to preform the ritual. He needs one more, and he isn't one to do more than necessary if there is another one around. She has a plan to get this vampire, Spike, away from Myron, but she needs our help." Davis stopped and looked at his apprentice sternly. "If the signs are right and the prophecy comes true, we must do all we can to assist Geia. It is my personal belief that she is the ultimate Master, but this has yet to be seen."
The villagers watched as their protectors walked away, disappearing into the trees. ----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*---------- *----------*----------*----------- A few hours later, the residents of Sunnydale woke up in hope of witnessing that same breathtaking sunrise, but were greeted with dark storm clouds and a cold, bitter wind. Those who chose to walk to their destination instead of drive walked quickly, something unknown, unseen, making them look over their shoulders.
Geia was also out walking the streets and she felt the fear of the people who passed by her. Human instinct was one of the most accurate and perceptive parts of the human mind, and the people of Sunnydale had seen enough supernatural activity and occurrences to know that something wasn't right.
Out of pure restlessness, Geia had left the house and began walking. She must have been a sight to the mortals--her in all black, with her black duster flapping behind her. She didn't know where she was going. Her mind was working overtime, so many thoughts and worries crossing it that she felt completely lost. But lost was the one thing she couldn't be. Everything depended on what she did--she had the weight of the world to grapple with.
More like the fate of the world. She'd do whatever it took to stop Myron, and if she was right, it would take every ounce of ability and power she had. Jamal was far enough along to take the tests to become a Master-he was growing more powerful everyday. His only weakness was his judgement. He was on occasion rash and impulsive, but this was minor. He had the strength, agility, power, and speed to pass the tests, and his mind was well-developed.
As she approached the house, her mind dwelled on her apprentice. He would do just fine in the tests. He knew that he could pass them but had been waiting until this crisis was resolved to take them. Like any good apprentice, he had respect for what his Master thought and usually followed orders. He'd be just fine.
Even if he had to take the tests without her looking on.
Just as Geia's hand reached the doorknob, her "sixth sense" kicked in. Jumping backwards, a net just narrowly missed her feet. Fuming with rage and panic, Geia kicked in the door to find an unconscious form in the middle of the living room floor. Or what used to be the living room. There had obviously been a struggle. So much for this being a safe house.
Geia ran over to the unconscious figure, who was face down on the scuffed wood floor. What she saw outraged her.
Xander's face was bruised and bloodied, his clothing ripped. He had bruises on his forearms, as if someone had grabbed him, and there were rope burns on his wrists. Tied up and beaten, she thought. Not a demons' style. This stunk of mortals...the Initiative were the only ones capable of such destruction.
Geia started to gently shake Xander, hoping he hadn't been given a concussion. "Xander, please wake up...Xander please...." After a few minutes of pleading with his prone body, Geia gave in. She placed her hands on either side of his face, giving him enough energy from her own body to wake him up and give him some strength back.
A few seconds later, Xander sat straight up, eyes wide and alarmed. He saw Geia right beside him and gave her an accusing look. "You...you left us. They came in, took everyone...even Jamal."
Geia's head snapped up to look at him. "Shit. How could Jamal let himself be taken?" But as soon as she spoke, Geia realized what Jamal had done. "He made sure he was taken so he could protect the others. Initiative bastards....."
"At least we agree on one thing." Xander stood up on his own, now strong enough to function normally. "But this is still your fault. I thought you were all-powerful and seey. You could have stopped this."
Geia spun around to face him. "Know what? You're right. I could have stopped this. But that would have meant killing human beings--I'm not permitted to do that unless they threaten others. They took everyone else, but they're all alive. If they had killed someone, that would be different." She paused, her eyes pleading with him to see who the enemy really was. "But I'm only one. And we, you and I, have the advantage. They left you to die, whether here or out there while searching for everyone, and they don't know what Jamal and I are. That's quite a big advantage, Xander, and I'm offering you the opportunity to get revenge on our favorite soldier boys." She went over to the wall where the hidden weapons closet was, activated it, and pulled out a crossbow. "Here's your chance."
Xander hesitated for a few seconds before he took the crossbow and notched an arrow. "I'm with you, all holy one. What's next?"
Geia's eyes roamed over the destruction the Initiative left behind. "We kick some ass, Xander." She laughed softly. "My Master told me that the one thing that drove most Tainted Ones was anger and want of revenge when those they care about are threatened and harmed. I didn't know what to make of that when he told me because I had never experienced such feelings." Her eyes locked with his and she smiled. "Now I do. And to think I doubted my Master. He was absolutely right. Bastards won't know what hit them."
Just as Geia opened the front door, two familiar and very welcome figures were coming up the porch steps.
Davis held him arms out to embrace Geia as a confused Xander looked on. "Geia, my dear, it is so good to see you," Davis said as he studied her. Jasmina stepped up behind her Master and Davis smiled at her. "You remember my apprentice Jasmina?"
Geia embraced her warmly. "I do." She turned to Xander to explain. "These are two of my comrades, Xander. Davis is a Master like myself, Jasmina his apprentice. I sent a call out for help a few days ago." She turned back to Davis. "This is Xander, a mortal friend and ally of mine and the Slayer. I had everyone here under watch, but the Intiative broke in and took all of them. Jamal is also with them, but allowed himself to get captured to protect the others."
Davis heard the anger in her voice and he reached for his weapon as his own outrage built. "Need some assistance? The Intiative is a group of foolhardy humans who have no idea when it comes to dealing with demons. I'd love to have a reason to take their operation out."
He got a Cheshire cat grin in response as she looked for Xander's nod of approval before answering. "So you want to join my little raiding party? If Xander's okay with it....then I certainly would love to have you join us. All the more power, plus it'll be good to work with some old comrades." She watched as Davis held his own sword up to check the blade. It was as powerful a blade as hers, but not as ornately decorated. It was the kind of sword the ultimate Master's right hand would have, if such a thing existed. Jasmina carried the battle axe that was the symbol of apprentice status, just like Jamal, but she had "customized" hers with a longer and thicker handle to make the weapon easier to swing.
Xander saw their weapons and looked at his own. "Uh, Geia, I only have four extra arrows. What if I run out?"
Geia smiled at him. "You can never run out of arrows with that crossbow. It's enchanted so that it can't be destroyed and can shoot up to five arrows at one time. But if you want a different weapon-"
"No, this is great." He grinned. "Should put a label on this thing--'Can and will cause mass destruction and kick some serious ass.' " He cocked the trigger on the bow and started off down the steps. "So much for being everyone's butt monkey." ----------*-----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*--------- -*----------*----------*----------
"You bastard, how could you?"
Riley tightened the ropes around her as he answered. "I have my orders. We have to take the enemy and anyone associated with the enemy. You got involved with that girl and him," he gestured to Jamal, "and now I don't have a choice. I'm sorry Buffy."
Buffy looked pleadingly toward Jamal, who was chained by his arms to the ceiling of one of the underground interrogation rooms of the new Initiative complex. The walls were stainless steel, to prevent any capturee from climbing the walls and finding a way out. A desk sat at one end of the room, probably Captain Thorn's by the looks of it. There were two guards posted at every door, and the looked on indifferently. Riley appeared to be the only other soldier in the room, but he was also armed. Buffy's eyes ran over the others, all tied up like she, with the exception of Jamal. They chained him up to beat him, right in front of everyone in hopes of someone talking, she realized. Don't they know those chains can't hold him there for long?
Jamal was also taking in his surroundings. Everyone seemed to be conscious and not too seriously injured--they hadn't touched any of the women (good thing for them), but Giles and Angel had a few obvious bruises, with Giles sporting a black eye from when he tried to stop the attack. Angel was struggling against his bonds, his face still in full-vamp mode despite the gag in his mouth. Jamal clenched his arm muscles to test the strength of the chains that held him up. Solid iron with some kind of steel reinforcement, his test told him. Wouldn't be too hard to burn right through them, but then he would be putting the others in danger. He knew Geia was on her way with a few comrades-in-arms, so until then he had to stay where he was and deal with what he was given. He searched the room with penetrating brown eyes for his battle axe and saw it lying on Thorn's desk. He'd like to see the big-shot wield it. Even though his weapon wasn't as strongly enchanted as Geia's, she had helped him put a spell on it to prevent it from being used against humans and friendly demons. Plus, as an added bonus with the enchantment, it would feel about one hundred pounds heavier if Thorn or anyone else touched, and Jamal figured it probably took at least two men to put it on the desk to begin with.
But Jamal could only watch, feigning helplessness, as Dawn and Joyce grew frightened when Captain Thorn and four Intitative soldiers came in the room, while Willow and Buffy looked on in complete rage. The witch's eyes were black, meaning she was either getting ready to do something stupid in an escape attempt, or the words she was muttering were part of a protection spell. Anya could only look on in horror. But Dawn and Joyce....they were innocents in the whole thing, having no idea what a danger Myron, Captain Thorn, or the entire situation was to the human race and the world. This battle was no longer as individual as it had seemed; it was mankind against Evil, and the sides were pretty evenly matched.
Captain Thorn made his way over to Jamal. The smirk on his face made Jamal ready to free himself then and take the bastard, but he was bound by Sacred Rule that no human is to be killed unless they kill first....human or Tainted One. It seemed an absurd rule when put into perspective, but at the same time, Tanited Ones couldn't be given free reign when it came to humans. His race tended to be bull-headed and strongly passionate about certain things, and humans were always a controversial subject.
"So, my dear friend, looks like you've gotten yourself and your friends into some trouble here." Thorn leaned closer and grinned at the contempt on Jamal's face. "I'll cut to the chase. Give me the girl, Geia or whatever her name is, and your surrender and your friends go free."
Jamal sent Buffy a reassuring look before turning his hatred-filled eyes to Thorn. He had never hated a human being before, and it felt....good. It fueled his soul and inflamed his body. "What in hell makes you think I'm gonna lead you to Geia? Actually, no, nevermind that question." He took a deep breath before saying clearly, "What makes you think that you can even get close to her? She's indestructible."
Jamal had hoped that his bluff would throw Thorn off, but Thorn, despite the anger in his eyes, smiled disarmingly. "Indestructible? Really! I didn't know there were demons who were indestructible. I've learned from my experience that every demon can be killed."
Riley took the cue and roughly pulled Angel to his feet after untying him. Thorn brought the vampire in front of Jamal and placed a stake at his heart. "Take vampires for instance. A little wooden stake to the heart and they just go poof! Their remains are enough to fill an ashtray."
For the first time, Jamal became worried as he looked at Angel's calm face. Calm and somehow, he was looking reassured. What did Angel know that he didn't?
When Jamal didn't answer, Thorn got in his face. "So, what is your choice, my demon friend? Some helpful informatioin or your vampire friend here?"
With a wink and a nod from Angel, Jamal put on a bravado and grinned coyly. "Go ahead. I never really liked the guy anyway. Dust him."
Thorn moved to do exactly what Jamal told him, but stopped with the stake just a few centimeters from Angel's heart. "Wait a second....you're faking me out, aren't you? You know something...." He pushed Angel over to Riley to be tied back up. "How about if we deal a little more my friend." Thorn untied Dawn and pressed a knife to her throat. "Now I know she's mortal and can be killed just as easily."
"Thorn, I swear, you son of a bitch if you hurt her you will deal with me."
Thorn turned to see an enraged Buffy pressing against the ropes around her. "Well well. Our little Slayer's decided to speak up. Anything of interest you have to tell me?"
"Don't touch her and I'll tell her everything you want to know."
All eyes turned to Buffy and Dawn mouthed the word 'no' at her sister, but Buffy's head hung in defeat. Riley pulled Dawn away and watched his boss stomp over to his ex.
Thorn leaned down and whispered menacingly, "Where is Geia and how do you kill her?"
Buffy sighed loudly. "She's at an abandoned warehouse on Elm Avenue. It's where she does spells and stuff. And you have to kill her with something powerful, like a grenade or something." Buffy waited for him to look at her in disbelief, but nothing happened. But she did she Jamal's wink and his grin.
Thorn's voice didn't change. "And what exactly are her and the other one here for?"
"To kill Myron."
Thorn threw up his hands in frustration and let Riley take over. "Right, well, that's what she told us but I don't believe that. She's probably here to kill him but not for the right reasons. Our intelligence tells us that she's some type of Hell God here to strike humankind down." He glanced back at Jamal. "Which means you all were fooled and you get to watch this one die right in front of you. And then we'll kill the vamp." Riley pointed to the guards. "Take a group of thirty or so and go to this warehouse--if Geia's there blow the place but if not, come back here at once. And make sure all the men are well-armed. It's a Hell God, not your average run-of-the-mill vampire."
Anya had been wanting to say something, to ask about Xander and finally saw her chance as the guards were leaving. "Where's Xander? What did you do with him?"
Thorn gave her a pitying look from his desk. "The dark haired boy? We left him at the house. Knocked unconscious, the poor boy, but not dead. Not yet."
Everyone jumped as Anya began to struggle against her bonds, making her chair screech across the floor. "You....terrible person! Xander's not dead and I know it! BASTARDS!"
Thorn rolled his eyes in disgust and got up from his chair. "Take care of this, Finn. Do it right and you'll be looking at a promotion."
Riley saluted him and waited until he left to pick up Jamal's battle axe. "Quite the weaponry you pack. This thing must do a lot of damage. I'm gonna find out how much in a minute but first...." He turned to Buffy. "Where exactly did you send those soldiers?"
Buffy looked him straight in the eye. "I sent them to an old warehouse."
Riley smirked at that. "No shit, honey. But is Geia really there?"
The sixty-five million dollar question, she thought. With a glance at Jamal, she kept up the lie. "Yeah. She said she was going there this morning cause the warehouse is close to the Hellmouth and that's where she needed to do this spell to find Myron. Some kind of detector spell."
"Well, you see, Captain Thorn believed you, but I don't. He's thick enough to believe most things. You weren't a good liar when we dated, and I can see right through you now." He walked a few steps toward her, brandishing the axe. "Was it as good for you as it was for me, Buffy? I hope so. But back to this little matter at hand....where is Geia really? Cause for every lie you tell me, I take a hack at my dear friend here." Seeing the horror on her face gave him more strength to continue. "Don't worry about those soldiers. They're good, but they're expendable. If Geia's there, they'll kill her but if not, they'll come back alive."
Buffy looked to Jamal again to get some kind of idea of what to do, but he wasn't looking back. His eyes were focusing on the ceiling and it appeared that he wasn't even paying attention to what was going on. Riley saw this and went over to him. "Something interesting on the stainless steel ceiling?"
Jamal looked back down at the smirk on his face. "Actually no. I just like the sleek look."
Riley's eyes bulged in anger and he struck Jamal across the cheek. But it left no mark and Jamal didn't even flinch. "What the hell...."
Jamal grinned arrogantly. "And what kind of demon am I, Riley Finn? An upcoming Hell God, or just some pathetic minion of Geia's? You're the expert, you tell me."
"Go to Hell," Riley whispered as he swung the axe at Jamal's head.
The decapitated body hung limp in the chains as Jamal's head dropped to the ground and rolled a few feet toward Giles. Cries of shock and horror bounced off the walls, and Dawn had her eyes closed, tears rolling down her face.
Riley turned around and faltered slightly at the sight of the horrified faces staring at him, but he held up the axe to look at the blood stains on the axe head.
But no blood stains. Riley whipped back around and found no body either. Even the head had disappeared.
"Aw, what's the matter my friend? Lose a dead angel?"
Davis' hands wrapped around Riley's neck as he slammed his adversary into the nearest wall. Jamal's axe clattered to the floor, and Xander, who stepped up behind Davis, picked it up. "Hey Jamal, I've got your axe here," he yelled out the door. Xander turned and saw his friends tied up and his blood boiled. "Son of a-"
"Don't Xander. There's no need for more violence. Not now." Xander nodded, bent down to kiss Anya, and then left the room. Davis turned his head to look at the captives. "It's okay, I'm a friend. Another one of the ten, Geia called my apprentice and I here a few days ago." He pressed Riley against the wall harder as he gasped for breath. "Did you really think you'd kill him? Please....you mortals and your big guns and your confidence." He grinned at the others. "No offense."
But Riley was forgotten as the door was slammed open and Thorn stumbled in, with the help from a pair of hands. Jamal came in behind Thorn, who was followed by Xander, and smiled apologetically. "Sorry guys. Anya broke her dagonsphere, which brought the others here, but I had to fake them out until then." He went over to Dawn first and untied her. "I'm sorry you had to see that Dawn. I'm not dead, I swear."
Dawn smiled through her tears at him, seeing Xander rush over to untie Anya and cradle her against him while speaking to the others. "I'm okay. But can we get everyone untied first? And then you can tell me how you did that."
Jamal handed her a small knife. "Think you can handle this without chopping something off?" She nodded and he patted her shoulder. "Alright, go get everyone out of those ropes."
Jamal went over to where Davis had cornered Riley and Thorn. "I tried to tell them that we're better than them but they didn't listen. But where's Geia and Jasmina?"
Davis tilted his head backwards. "Out there having a few rounds of soldier boy round-up. They'll be done in a few minutes from the way it sounds out there."
"Let me at them, Jamal. I want his head for what he's done."
Jamal spun around to see a very pissed-off and vamped out Angel. "Woah, Angel. No, I can't let you do that. Maybe once Geia gets done with them you can play, but not now." He lowered his voice. "Not in front of Dawn and her mom. They don't need to see anything like that now."
"Fine, but I want a piece of them."
Thorn had the gall to speak up. "Want a piece of me, vampire? Want to suck my blood? Go ahead, do it. It just proves us right about demons- doesn't matter if you have a soul or if you're befriended by the Slayer and her little friends....you're still Evil."
Jamal put a hand on Angel's heaving shoulder to stop him. "Don't. He lives in a nasty, miserable world where every demon is Evil and where his little Initiative operation is the only hope mankind has." He leaned down to get eye-to-eye with Thorn and Riley. "And just to let you know....you're pathetic mortals who carry guns in replace of bravery and courage. It doesn't take guns or technology to protect human kind. It takes the heart of a warrior, a person who looks out for the well-being of others, who has their heart on their sleeve, and someone who doesn't kill out of spite or anger.....they kill to protect and to right wrongs, not because of some vendetta or at the orders of a crazy-ass idiot like yourself." He turned and smiled at Buffy. "She knows what I'm talking about."
Jasmina came in the room, a big smile on her face. "Hey Davis, how come we can't train like that everyday? That was the most fun I've had in a long time."
Davis walked over to her. "Fun huh? Where's Geia?"
"Right here." She looked over to her friends. "Is everyone alright?"
Giles spoke up for everyone. "We're fine, Geia. Is everything alright out there?"
"Uh huh. Almost one hundred Initiative soldiers tied up and accounted for." She looked to Jamal and Jasmina. "Take care of their wounds and make sure no one decides to be rash and go at Riley or Thorn." She looked sternly at Xander. "Go with them. I don't want you to see this either."
"But, Geia, I-"
Jamal tugged on his arm. "C'mon man. It's not gonna be pretty."
The apprentices did what they were told, taking the mortals, including a hesitant Xander, into another room and leaving Angel there at his request and with his promise that he wouldn't attack either of the captives. Davis held Angel off to the side to give Geia some space. "I think you're about see quite a show, Angel. She's pissed beyond belief, and she's crazy enough to do some serious shit if I let her."
Angel looked confused, his now human features questioning. "She can't kill them, can she?"
"The funny thing is she can. Riley 'killed' Jamal, therefore sentencing these two to death by our laws, even though killing humans is looked down upon. But in this case, Geia can certainly get by. Even though Jamal is alive, so to speak, Riley did attempt to kill him. It's kind of like handing out sentence to someone who committed attempted murder....except the criminal in this case pays with blood. It seems brutal, but it's our duty. Plus they messed with Geia's apprentice.....bad idea. Every Master loves their apprentice and protects them with everything they have, but, another analogy for you, it's like having your child messed with. And Geia's one nasty momma when it comes to Jamal." He put a hand on the vampire's shoulder. "She'll let you take a few good ones at them before she does anything too extreme. You can have your justice in more ways than one and still have her." Angel's look of surprise was met with a coy wink from Davis.
Geia was pacing in front of Thorn and Riley, her hands pulling at her hair as if she had a lot on her mind. "Okay....let's figure this out. You kidnap six mortals and a vampire, all of whom happen to be close friends of mine, leaving behind one whom you leave for dead. You bring them here because you believe that Jamal and I are the bad guys, which is the most absurd assumption you could have made....all just because you didn't like the fact that we were in your territory and you decided to mark us as the enemy. You threaten to stake Angel and kill Dawn if someone doesn't tell you where I am, and then when Buffy does tell you, you send thirty soldiers to their death."
Geia saw Thorn's look of confusion and Riley's look of pure fear. "Oh yeah. That place she sent your boys....it was 555-Myron. Myron's party house speaking, you bastards. He's probably strung them all up, tortured them to death, and knows where you are know and is coming to destroy this complex. I wouldn't put it past him." She grinned at them, a terrible, "I'm feeding you your own shit" type of grin. "You threaten a friendly vampire and a mortal with death unless someone talks....can anyone say KGB? And THEN, on top of all this shit, you decapitate my apprentice." She leaned closer to them so they could hear her.
"You don't mess with my apprentice. The kind of hatred I'm feeling right now is a mix between the kind when a parent hates the person who messed with their child and the kind when a friend wants to rip someone's throat out for screwing with their best friend. It's not a pretty thing, but it feels damn good. And this mixed hatred is telling me I need to do something with the two of you."
She motioned to Davis, who came over with Angel. "This is Davis, a friend of mine. And this is Angel. I think you and Mr. Finn have already been introduced." Geia paused and whispered something to Angel, whose face vamped out after she was done. "See, now you have a couple of choices here, gentlemen. I can follow the rules Davis and I are sworn by and kill you-"
"Kill us! We killed no one."
Davis' hand contacted with Thorn's jaw after his outburst. "None of that now, or I'll have to introduce you to my blade."
Geia rocked back and forth on her heels as if at complete ease. "He means that Thorn, so don't get any ideas. Like I was saying, I can either kill you for killing my apprentice or you can have another fate. Angel here will help with that, being a vampire and all."
Riley's hands clenched into fists as his anger reached a new height. "So we can either die like this or get turned into vampires to meet with a stake? Just who do you think you are?" His voice lowered to a dangerous growl. "We...did...nothing...wrong."
Geia giggled at that. "You did nothing wrong, huh? If I were a lawyer I'd have to charge you with six counts of kidnapping, one count of attempted murder, and about a thousand counts of PURE STUPIDITY! Look around you, Finn. You hunt and kill demons for a job and you can't even distinguish whether Jamal and I are demons? You're witch hunters. You want to kill the bad guys but wind up fighting the good guys and destroying what chance you had at an alliance. I don't trust either one of you or your organization, but we're not the bad guys. Just pray that Myron doesn't send you the remains of the soldiers that went to his place. He's twisted enough to do something like that to get a stir out of you so that you can condemn more people to a cruel and slow death."
The smirk still wasn't gone from Riley's face, but some of the arrogance was. "So what are you...angels or something?"
"Angel, you're my angel..."
Geia stifled a laugh at Davis' attempt to sing. "Um, actually, yes we are. Sent by God to serve a higher calling and protect human kind, even scum like you."
That shut Riley up, not expecting her response. But Thorn was still concerned about one thing. "So you're not going to kill us?"
"I'm not sure yet, but you're be the only ones if I do. I'm going to let your men out there go with a warning...they step foot in Sunnydale again, I'll make sure they're transported somewhere else. And it won't be a vacation on the Caribbean either." Geia shot a look to Davis and Angel and left the room.
Giles opened the door at Geia's request. "Everyone alright in here?"
Willow decided to speak up. "Yeah, I guess so, but I don't think I'll ever forget that...you know, Riley cutting Jamal's head off." She cocked her head curiously. "How did he do that anyways?"
Geia smiled as she bent down to see to a cut on Dawn's arm. "A little magic trick every apprentice is taught when they begin they're training. Think of it like an optical illusion if that makes it easier to understand." She put her hand on Dawn's shoulder. "You're not going to be scarred for life or anything?" she joked.
Dawn smiled back shyly. "Nah, I'll be fine." Joyce pulled Dawn to her and looked at Geia with admiration.
"Thank you for protecting my daughters. I wouldn't ever forgive myself if anything happened to them."
Geia winked at Buffy. "Neither would I, Mrs. Summers." She looked at Jasmina. "Go with your Master. He's getting ready to leave and we need both of you if this is going to work." Jasmina nodded and headed off to where Davis was. "And Jamal, I need you to get everyone back to the house. Make sure you activate the protection spell again, and use this when you do." Geia handed Jamal a small vial of a blue liquid.
Buffy started to get up and walk away but stopped and turned around. "What about Riley and Thorn? Did you...did you kill them, Geia?"
"Not yet. I'm still debating it." Her eyes narrowed as she studied the Slayer. "But your real worry is Spike. That's one of the many reasons I called Davis and Jasmina here. Remember, Myron's never seen them before and we do have that little thing that makes us tainted..." She smiled when she saw Buffy's eyes light up with realization. "They'll get him out, don't worry. In and out. I trust Davis in his decision making and Jasmina is as strong of an apprentice as Jamal. They'll be fine and so will Spike."
Buffy walked out of the room more relieved than she had been all day, and confident that Spike would come back to her...them.
Geia went back where Riley and Thorn were after releasing the Initiative soldiers with a severe warning about their fate if they ever came back to Sunnydale. Davis stopped her just inside the door. "We'll get Spike out, don't you worry. Myron won't know what hit him."
"Just be careful, Davis. I don't want to have to go out and find something that will make me upset."
Davis hugged her and gave her a stern look. "Right....translation, don't get killed, again. No problem, Geia."
She punched his arm and he winced. "Sorry, but you had that coming, you smartass."
He saluted and stepped out of the room. "We'll be back in a few hours. If not, don't come after us. I don't want you caught in the crossfire."
Angel was motioning to her to come in, so she winked at Davis and walked over to the vampire. "So what do you want to do with them?"
Angel took an unneeded breath and grabbed Geia's hand. "You're the holy one here."
"Do you want to take a few swings at them?"
He noticed she wasn't looking at him, and he didn't hesitate to answer. "No, I don't. They're not worth my energy."
This time she did look at him, and her eyes were shining. "I knew you'd say that." She dropped his hand and pulled the two to their feet roughly. "I'm going to let you two go. But you're going to leave Sunnydale tomorrow morning or I will come and hunt you down and do you in properly like I should have already done." She didn't say anything else until she drug both of them out of the complex into the cool night air. "Now off you go."
Riley rubbed his wrists and glared at her. "With no guns or any kind of weapon?"
"Yes sir, you're going without because I'm sure a resourceful soldier like yourself can find some shelter until morning. If either one of you are here after nine tomorrow, I will come and kill you." She and Angel walked away, hand in hand, leaving the two men behind.
"Can I go with you, Riley? I don't want to be out here alone."
Riley grimaced at Thorn's pleading face. "I always knew you were a rat- face bastard who wouldn't be able to carry out half the commands you gave. You're on your own, old man."
The next morning, a jogger found Thorn's body. The medical examiner's report said the cause of death was excessive loss of blood, with the only puncture wounds being two small holes in the side of the victim's neck. The case would never be solved. ----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*---------- *----------*----------*---------- Once Angel and Geia were back at the house, everyone had fallen asleep except for Jamal, Buffy, and Giles, who were keeping guard.
Buffy could see the anxiety on Geia's face in the dim living room. "It's only been an hour, Geia. I'm sure they're fine."
"I certainly hope so."
"These are the new ones you picked up?"
Mary nodded. "Yes master. They're very fit and looking forward to the end of the world."
Myron paced back and forth in front of Davis and Jasmina, cleverly disguised as two people who fit the term "All-American" to perfection. "Excellent. They reek of Evil intentions." He led Jasmina over to a couch and winked. "You wait here, beautiful. I want to show your friend my captive and I'll be back to have some fun."
Jasmina giggled like a true blonde. "Okay, you all-powerful Evil Lord of Darkness."
Myron smiled at Davis as they walked back to the cavern. "She's a pretty thing. Where'd you find her?"
Davis grinned back nastily. "Once I was turned, she was the first I got to. She had been my crush in high school and I couldn't resist the temptation."
"I like you, Davis. Stick around and do what I say and you'll find yourself in a good position when this pitiful world meets its end." They entered the cavern and Davis adjusted his eyes to the darkness. He saw a huddled figure in a large metal cage and his heart went out to the vampire.
Myron stopped in front of the cage and rattled the bars. "Wakey wakey, my vampire friend. I've brought someone to see you." He leaned close to Davis and whispered, "He won't eat anything I give him, so see if he'll take something from you, being another vampire and all. He's getting weak and I need him strong for the ritual."
Davis nodded and waited until Myron walked away before speaking. "Spike, you must trust me."
"Bloody hell if I will. You're working for tall, dark, and ugly there. Must think I'm some kind of wanker or something." His voice was raspy and low.
Davis shed his disguise for a moment. "I'm a friend, Geia called my apprentice and myself here to help stop Myron." He put his hand between the bars. "Please come with me. Jasmina, my apprentice, will distract Myron while we get out of here."
He didn't know what it was, but Spike could tell Davis wasn't fooling him. "Fine." His hand grasped Davis', and he was pulled through the bars. Spike looked back at the cage, amazed. "How the 'ell did you do that?"
Davis winked at him. "I'll tell you once we escape." He transformed again and they took the back hallway that Geia and Jamal had used when they had rescued Spike and Buffy earlier. Looking down from the balcony, they could see Myron cuddling up to Jasmina, whose face showed pure digust despite her fake smile. "We leave on Jasmina's signal."
Jasmina took a deep breath and purred into Myron's ear. "You got anyone to eat around here? I'm starving and I haven't eaten a fresh kill in a few days."
"No problem, honey. Be right back."
Jasmina watched Myron walk away before calling the two guards on duty over to her. "Could you go see what Davis is up to? I bet he's hungry too."
Enchanted by her beauty, the two Zalkanas did as they were bidden. Davis caught the signal and he and Spike jumped from the balcony. "Get him out of here," Davis whispered forcefully.
Jasmina grabbed Spike's hand and they ran out the tunnel and back to Geia's house as fast as possible.
Davis laid the dagonsphere on the couch and waited for Myron to return. "Hey, Myron. Where's Jasmina?"
Myron shrugged. "Must have gone to get into something more comfortable. What a gorgeous vampire she is. Is she any good?"
Davis started to answer, but a blue light appeared, hovering around Myron. "He's one of them!" Emily yelled.
Myron was daunted for a moment before her words sank in. "Guards!" But he was a moment too late.
Davis was gone, and Myron sat down on the couch, stunned. "HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN? I WAS TRICKED AGAIN!" He saw the dagonsphere and picked it up, not knowing what it was.
Davis stood on the sidewalk, a block away, and watched the explosion. "That will keep him busy for a while."
Author's Note: Chapter 13 baby! I have survived writer's block, my brother interrupting me at every turn, writer's block, my cat typing on the keyboard for me, my computer being stupid, writer's block....you get the idea. These next five chapters are where everything, and I do mean everything, comes together, and finally you get the entire picture. So, they take longer to write and edit, so please be patient. There will be another chapter after the next five, making this story 18 chapters or 17 chapters and an epilogue. I'm thinking of a sequel to this, and I also have an idea for a completely different Buffy story. I've fallen in love with Geia and Jamal, and I don't think that I can let them go just yet. *SIGH* Peace out--and please pray that I can score Aerosmith tickets cause my mom's a fan club member! I could die a happy person after seeing one of their concerts :)
Chapter 13--The Countdown Begins (Day 1)
"When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle." *Edmund Burke* Thoughts on the Cause of Present Discontents, 1770
Dawn broke the next day, revealing a sleepy little village. The townspeople were simple folk, doing things the same way every time, never breaking tradition. They even fought demons the same way their ancestors had; with pikes and homemade bows and arrows. Simple they might be, but not ignorant.
Word never spread past their village about the evils that lived nearby, kidnapping children and attacking anyone who came close enough. No one in the "civilized" cities in Libya would want to know, probably not care, and very possibly wouldn't even believe it. Cuni demons were ferocious, territorial demons. Much like a pack of wild dogs, these demons traveled together, lived in a class structure, with the head of the pack being the strongest male demon. They may lack the cunning and stealth of a pack of dogs, but their ferocity was not even comparable.
"They'll be alright while we're gone, Master. We've given them enough knowledge and supplies to take care of themselves for a week or so."
Davis smiled at his young apprentice. "I suppose so, but I'll still worry about them. If the Cuni get wind of the fact that we're gone, they'll attack the entire village." He turned to Jasmina, the sunlight reflecting off his black eyes. "But Geia needs us more than anything; between protecting a village of sacred people and helping to save the world from turning into Hell, I'm afraid our choice is only one."
Jasmina nodded and rose as a villager came over to her. "We wish you well," he said in his native tongue.
"And we wish the same upon you and the dear people of this village. We will return after we help an old friend," she replied. She watched the villager walk away, and a fleeting thought passed through her mind. If there is a world to return to....
"Now Jasmina, we know that Myron will be defeated. I don't think we are the only ones who Geia has called for assistance. Such negative thoughts are useless and should not take up your mind." He watched as Jasmina bowed her head in reprimand, the sunlight striking her classic Indian features. "Come, we have a long way to go before we reach Geia. She is in the United States, a small town in California called Sunnydale."
Jasmina's eyes grew large. "The only active Hellmouth? Master, if Myron is there...."
Davis began to walk, his arm around her. "I know, I know. He is more than likely feeding off of the Evil power that is centered there, and the way Geia explained what was going on, he already has one souled vampire to preform the ritual. He needs one more, and he isn't one to do more than necessary if there is another one around. She has a plan to get this vampire, Spike, away from Myron, but she needs our help." Davis stopped and looked at his apprentice sternly. "If the signs are right and the prophecy comes true, we must do all we can to assist Geia. It is my personal belief that she is the ultimate Master, but this has yet to be seen."
The villagers watched as their protectors walked away, disappearing into the trees. ----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*---------- *----------*----------*----------- A few hours later, the residents of Sunnydale woke up in hope of witnessing that same breathtaking sunrise, but were greeted with dark storm clouds and a cold, bitter wind. Those who chose to walk to their destination instead of drive walked quickly, something unknown, unseen, making them look over their shoulders.
Geia was also out walking the streets and she felt the fear of the people who passed by her. Human instinct was one of the most accurate and perceptive parts of the human mind, and the people of Sunnydale had seen enough supernatural activity and occurrences to know that something wasn't right.
Out of pure restlessness, Geia had left the house and began walking. She must have been a sight to the mortals--her in all black, with her black duster flapping behind her. She didn't know where she was going. Her mind was working overtime, so many thoughts and worries crossing it that she felt completely lost. But lost was the one thing she couldn't be. Everything depended on what she did--she had the weight of the world to grapple with.
More like the fate of the world. She'd do whatever it took to stop Myron, and if she was right, it would take every ounce of ability and power she had. Jamal was far enough along to take the tests to become a Master-he was growing more powerful everyday. His only weakness was his judgement. He was on occasion rash and impulsive, but this was minor. He had the strength, agility, power, and speed to pass the tests, and his mind was well-developed.
As she approached the house, her mind dwelled on her apprentice. He would do just fine in the tests. He knew that he could pass them but had been waiting until this crisis was resolved to take them. Like any good apprentice, he had respect for what his Master thought and usually followed orders. He'd be just fine.
Even if he had to take the tests without her looking on.
Just as Geia's hand reached the doorknob, her "sixth sense" kicked in. Jumping backwards, a net just narrowly missed her feet. Fuming with rage and panic, Geia kicked in the door to find an unconscious form in the middle of the living room floor. Or what used to be the living room. There had obviously been a struggle. So much for this being a safe house.
Geia ran over to the unconscious figure, who was face down on the scuffed wood floor. What she saw outraged her.
Xander's face was bruised and bloodied, his clothing ripped. He had bruises on his forearms, as if someone had grabbed him, and there were rope burns on his wrists. Tied up and beaten, she thought. Not a demons' style. This stunk of mortals...the Initiative were the only ones capable of such destruction.
Geia started to gently shake Xander, hoping he hadn't been given a concussion. "Xander, please wake up...Xander please...." After a few minutes of pleading with his prone body, Geia gave in. She placed her hands on either side of his face, giving him enough energy from her own body to wake him up and give him some strength back.
A few seconds later, Xander sat straight up, eyes wide and alarmed. He saw Geia right beside him and gave her an accusing look. "You...you left us. They came in, took everyone...even Jamal."
Geia's head snapped up to look at him. "Shit. How could Jamal let himself be taken?" But as soon as she spoke, Geia realized what Jamal had done. "He made sure he was taken so he could protect the others. Initiative bastards....."
"At least we agree on one thing." Xander stood up on his own, now strong enough to function normally. "But this is still your fault. I thought you were all-powerful and seey. You could have stopped this."
Geia spun around to face him. "Know what? You're right. I could have stopped this. But that would have meant killing human beings--I'm not permitted to do that unless they threaten others. They took everyone else, but they're all alive. If they had killed someone, that would be different." She paused, her eyes pleading with him to see who the enemy really was. "But I'm only one. And we, you and I, have the advantage. They left you to die, whether here or out there while searching for everyone, and they don't know what Jamal and I are. That's quite a big advantage, Xander, and I'm offering you the opportunity to get revenge on our favorite soldier boys." She went over to the wall where the hidden weapons closet was, activated it, and pulled out a crossbow. "Here's your chance."
Xander hesitated for a few seconds before he took the crossbow and notched an arrow. "I'm with you, all holy one. What's next?"
Geia's eyes roamed over the destruction the Initiative left behind. "We kick some ass, Xander." She laughed softly. "My Master told me that the one thing that drove most Tainted Ones was anger and want of revenge when those they care about are threatened and harmed. I didn't know what to make of that when he told me because I had never experienced such feelings." Her eyes locked with his and she smiled. "Now I do. And to think I doubted my Master. He was absolutely right. Bastards won't know what hit them."
Just as Geia opened the front door, two familiar and very welcome figures were coming up the porch steps.
Davis held him arms out to embrace Geia as a confused Xander looked on. "Geia, my dear, it is so good to see you," Davis said as he studied her. Jasmina stepped up behind her Master and Davis smiled at her. "You remember my apprentice Jasmina?"
Geia embraced her warmly. "I do." She turned to Xander to explain. "These are two of my comrades, Xander. Davis is a Master like myself, Jasmina his apprentice. I sent a call out for help a few days ago." She turned back to Davis. "This is Xander, a mortal friend and ally of mine and the Slayer. I had everyone here under watch, but the Intiative broke in and took all of them. Jamal is also with them, but allowed himself to get captured to protect the others."
Davis heard the anger in her voice and he reached for his weapon as his own outrage built. "Need some assistance? The Intiative is a group of foolhardy humans who have no idea when it comes to dealing with demons. I'd love to have a reason to take their operation out."
He got a Cheshire cat grin in response as she looked for Xander's nod of approval before answering. "So you want to join my little raiding party? If Xander's okay with it....then I certainly would love to have you join us. All the more power, plus it'll be good to work with some old comrades." She watched as Davis held his own sword up to check the blade. It was as powerful a blade as hers, but not as ornately decorated. It was the kind of sword the ultimate Master's right hand would have, if such a thing existed. Jasmina carried the battle axe that was the symbol of apprentice status, just like Jamal, but she had "customized" hers with a longer and thicker handle to make the weapon easier to swing.
Xander saw their weapons and looked at his own. "Uh, Geia, I only have four extra arrows. What if I run out?"
Geia smiled at him. "You can never run out of arrows with that crossbow. It's enchanted so that it can't be destroyed and can shoot up to five arrows at one time. But if you want a different weapon-"
"No, this is great." He grinned. "Should put a label on this thing--'Can and will cause mass destruction and kick some serious ass.' " He cocked the trigger on the bow and started off down the steps. "So much for being everyone's butt monkey." ----------*-----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*--------- -*----------*----------*----------
"You bastard, how could you?"
Riley tightened the ropes around her as he answered. "I have my orders. We have to take the enemy and anyone associated with the enemy. You got involved with that girl and him," he gestured to Jamal, "and now I don't have a choice. I'm sorry Buffy."
Buffy looked pleadingly toward Jamal, who was chained by his arms to the ceiling of one of the underground interrogation rooms of the new Initiative complex. The walls were stainless steel, to prevent any capturee from climbing the walls and finding a way out. A desk sat at one end of the room, probably Captain Thorn's by the looks of it. There were two guards posted at every door, and the looked on indifferently. Riley appeared to be the only other soldier in the room, but he was also armed. Buffy's eyes ran over the others, all tied up like she, with the exception of Jamal. They chained him up to beat him, right in front of everyone in hopes of someone talking, she realized. Don't they know those chains can't hold him there for long?
Jamal was also taking in his surroundings. Everyone seemed to be conscious and not too seriously injured--they hadn't touched any of the women (good thing for them), but Giles and Angel had a few obvious bruises, with Giles sporting a black eye from when he tried to stop the attack. Angel was struggling against his bonds, his face still in full-vamp mode despite the gag in his mouth. Jamal clenched his arm muscles to test the strength of the chains that held him up. Solid iron with some kind of steel reinforcement, his test told him. Wouldn't be too hard to burn right through them, but then he would be putting the others in danger. He knew Geia was on her way with a few comrades-in-arms, so until then he had to stay where he was and deal with what he was given. He searched the room with penetrating brown eyes for his battle axe and saw it lying on Thorn's desk. He'd like to see the big-shot wield it. Even though his weapon wasn't as strongly enchanted as Geia's, she had helped him put a spell on it to prevent it from being used against humans and friendly demons. Plus, as an added bonus with the enchantment, it would feel about one hundred pounds heavier if Thorn or anyone else touched, and Jamal figured it probably took at least two men to put it on the desk to begin with.
But Jamal could only watch, feigning helplessness, as Dawn and Joyce grew frightened when Captain Thorn and four Intitative soldiers came in the room, while Willow and Buffy looked on in complete rage. The witch's eyes were black, meaning she was either getting ready to do something stupid in an escape attempt, or the words she was muttering were part of a protection spell. Anya could only look on in horror. But Dawn and Joyce....they were innocents in the whole thing, having no idea what a danger Myron, Captain Thorn, or the entire situation was to the human race and the world. This battle was no longer as individual as it had seemed; it was mankind against Evil, and the sides were pretty evenly matched.
Captain Thorn made his way over to Jamal. The smirk on his face made Jamal ready to free himself then and take the bastard, but he was bound by Sacred Rule that no human is to be killed unless they kill first....human or Tainted One. It seemed an absurd rule when put into perspective, but at the same time, Tanited Ones couldn't be given free reign when it came to humans. His race tended to be bull-headed and strongly passionate about certain things, and humans were always a controversial subject.
"So, my dear friend, looks like you've gotten yourself and your friends into some trouble here." Thorn leaned closer and grinned at the contempt on Jamal's face. "I'll cut to the chase. Give me the girl, Geia or whatever her name is, and your surrender and your friends go free."
Jamal sent Buffy a reassuring look before turning his hatred-filled eyes to Thorn. He had never hated a human being before, and it felt....good. It fueled his soul and inflamed his body. "What in hell makes you think I'm gonna lead you to Geia? Actually, no, nevermind that question." He took a deep breath before saying clearly, "What makes you think that you can even get close to her? She's indestructible."
Jamal had hoped that his bluff would throw Thorn off, but Thorn, despite the anger in his eyes, smiled disarmingly. "Indestructible? Really! I didn't know there were demons who were indestructible. I've learned from my experience that every demon can be killed."
Riley took the cue and roughly pulled Angel to his feet after untying him. Thorn brought the vampire in front of Jamal and placed a stake at his heart. "Take vampires for instance. A little wooden stake to the heart and they just go poof! Their remains are enough to fill an ashtray."
For the first time, Jamal became worried as he looked at Angel's calm face. Calm and somehow, he was looking reassured. What did Angel know that he didn't?
When Jamal didn't answer, Thorn got in his face. "So, what is your choice, my demon friend? Some helpful informatioin or your vampire friend here?"
With a wink and a nod from Angel, Jamal put on a bravado and grinned coyly. "Go ahead. I never really liked the guy anyway. Dust him."
Thorn moved to do exactly what Jamal told him, but stopped with the stake just a few centimeters from Angel's heart. "Wait a second....you're faking me out, aren't you? You know something...." He pushed Angel over to Riley to be tied back up. "How about if we deal a little more my friend." Thorn untied Dawn and pressed a knife to her throat. "Now I know she's mortal and can be killed just as easily."
"Thorn, I swear, you son of a bitch if you hurt her you will deal with me."
Thorn turned to see an enraged Buffy pressing against the ropes around her. "Well well. Our little Slayer's decided to speak up. Anything of interest you have to tell me?"
"Don't touch her and I'll tell her everything you want to know."
All eyes turned to Buffy and Dawn mouthed the word 'no' at her sister, but Buffy's head hung in defeat. Riley pulled Dawn away and watched his boss stomp over to his ex.
Thorn leaned down and whispered menacingly, "Where is Geia and how do you kill her?"
Buffy sighed loudly. "She's at an abandoned warehouse on Elm Avenue. It's where she does spells and stuff. And you have to kill her with something powerful, like a grenade or something." Buffy waited for him to look at her in disbelief, but nothing happened. But she did she Jamal's wink and his grin.
Thorn's voice didn't change. "And what exactly are her and the other one here for?"
"To kill Myron."
Thorn threw up his hands in frustration and let Riley take over. "Right, well, that's what she told us but I don't believe that. She's probably here to kill him but not for the right reasons. Our intelligence tells us that she's some type of Hell God here to strike humankind down." He glanced back at Jamal. "Which means you all were fooled and you get to watch this one die right in front of you. And then we'll kill the vamp." Riley pointed to the guards. "Take a group of thirty or so and go to this warehouse--if Geia's there blow the place but if not, come back here at once. And make sure all the men are well-armed. It's a Hell God, not your average run-of-the-mill vampire."
Anya had been wanting to say something, to ask about Xander and finally saw her chance as the guards were leaving. "Where's Xander? What did you do with him?"
Thorn gave her a pitying look from his desk. "The dark haired boy? We left him at the house. Knocked unconscious, the poor boy, but not dead. Not yet."
Everyone jumped as Anya began to struggle against her bonds, making her chair screech across the floor. "You....terrible person! Xander's not dead and I know it! BASTARDS!"
Thorn rolled his eyes in disgust and got up from his chair. "Take care of this, Finn. Do it right and you'll be looking at a promotion."
Riley saluted him and waited until he left to pick up Jamal's battle axe. "Quite the weaponry you pack. This thing must do a lot of damage. I'm gonna find out how much in a minute but first...." He turned to Buffy. "Where exactly did you send those soldiers?"
Buffy looked him straight in the eye. "I sent them to an old warehouse."
Riley smirked at that. "No shit, honey. But is Geia really there?"
The sixty-five million dollar question, she thought. With a glance at Jamal, she kept up the lie. "Yeah. She said she was going there this morning cause the warehouse is close to the Hellmouth and that's where she needed to do this spell to find Myron. Some kind of detector spell."
"Well, you see, Captain Thorn believed you, but I don't. He's thick enough to believe most things. You weren't a good liar when we dated, and I can see right through you now." He walked a few steps toward her, brandishing the axe. "Was it as good for you as it was for me, Buffy? I hope so. But back to this little matter at hand....where is Geia really? Cause for every lie you tell me, I take a hack at my dear friend here." Seeing the horror on her face gave him more strength to continue. "Don't worry about those soldiers. They're good, but they're expendable. If Geia's there, they'll kill her but if not, they'll come back alive."
Buffy looked to Jamal again to get some kind of idea of what to do, but he wasn't looking back. His eyes were focusing on the ceiling and it appeared that he wasn't even paying attention to what was going on. Riley saw this and went over to him. "Something interesting on the stainless steel ceiling?"
Jamal looked back down at the smirk on his face. "Actually no. I just like the sleek look."
Riley's eyes bulged in anger and he struck Jamal across the cheek. But it left no mark and Jamal didn't even flinch. "What the hell...."
Jamal grinned arrogantly. "And what kind of demon am I, Riley Finn? An upcoming Hell God, or just some pathetic minion of Geia's? You're the expert, you tell me."
"Go to Hell," Riley whispered as he swung the axe at Jamal's head.
The decapitated body hung limp in the chains as Jamal's head dropped to the ground and rolled a few feet toward Giles. Cries of shock and horror bounced off the walls, and Dawn had her eyes closed, tears rolling down her face.
Riley turned around and faltered slightly at the sight of the horrified faces staring at him, but he held up the axe to look at the blood stains on the axe head.
But no blood stains. Riley whipped back around and found no body either. Even the head had disappeared.
"Aw, what's the matter my friend? Lose a dead angel?"
Davis' hands wrapped around Riley's neck as he slammed his adversary into the nearest wall. Jamal's axe clattered to the floor, and Xander, who stepped up behind Davis, picked it up. "Hey Jamal, I've got your axe here," he yelled out the door. Xander turned and saw his friends tied up and his blood boiled. "Son of a-"
"Don't Xander. There's no need for more violence. Not now." Xander nodded, bent down to kiss Anya, and then left the room. Davis turned his head to look at the captives. "It's okay, I'm a friend. Another one of the ten, Geia called my apprentice and I here a few days ago." He pressed Riley against the wall harder as he gasped for breath. "Did you really think you'd kill him? Please....you mortals and your big guns and your confidence." He grinned at the others. "No offense."
But Riley was forgotten as the door was slammed open and Thorn stumbled in, with the help from a pair of hands. Jamal came in behind Thorn, who was followed by Xander, and smiled apologetically. "Sorry guys. Anya broke her dagonsphere, which brought the others here, but I had to fake them out until then." He went over to Dawn first and untied her. "I'm sorry you had to see that Dawn. I'm not dead, I swear."
Dawn smiled through her tears at him, seeing Xander rush over to untie Anya and cradle her against him while speaking to the others. "I'm okay. But can we get everyone untied first? And then you can tell me how you did that."
Jamal handed her a small knife. "Think you can handle this without chopping something off?" She nodded and he patted her shoulder. "Alright, go get everyone out of those ropes."
Jamal went over to where Davis had cornered Riley and Thorn. "I tried to tell them that we're better than them but they didn't listen. But where's Geia and Jasmina?"
Davis tilted his head backwards. "Out there having a few rounds of soldier boy round-up. They'll be done in a few minutes from the way it sounds out there."
"Let me at them, Jamal. I want his head for what he's done."
Jamal spun around to see a very pissed-off and vamped out Angel. "Woah, Angel. No, I can't let you do that. Maybe once Geia gets done with them you can play, but not now." He lowered his voice. "Not in front of Dawn and her mom. They don't need to see anything like that now."
"Fine, but I want a piece of them."
Thorn had the gall to speak up. "Want a piece of me, vampire? Want to suck my blood? Go ahead, do it. It just proves us right about demons- doesn't matter if you have a soul or if you're befriended by the Slayer and her little friends....you're still Evil."
Jamal put a hand on Angel's heaving shoulder to stop him. "Don't. He lives in a nasty, miserable world where every demon is Evil and where his little Initiative operation is the only hope mankind has." He leaned down to get eye-to-eye with Thorn and Riley. "And just to let you know....you're pathetic mortals who carry guns in replace of bravery and courage. It doesn't take guns or technology to protect human kind. It takes the heart of a warrior, a person who looks out for the well-being of others, who has their heart on their sleeve, and someone who doesn't kill out of spite or anger.....they kill to protect and to right wrongs, not because of some vendetta or at the orders of a crazy-ass idiot like yourself." He turned and smiled at Buffy. "She knows what I'm talking about."
Jasmina came in the room, a big smile on her face. "Hey Davis, how come we can't train like that everyday? That was the most fun I've had in a long time."
Davis walked over to her. "Fun huh? Where's Geia?"
"Right here." She looked over to her friends. "Is everyone alright?"
Giles spoke up for everyone. "We're fine, Geia. Is everything alright out there?"
"Uh huh. Almost one hundred Initiative soldiers tied up and accounted for." She looked to Jamal and Jasmina. "Take care of their wounds and make sure no one decides to be rash and go at Riley or Thorn." She looked sternly at Xander. "Go with them. I don't want you to see this either."
"But, Geia, I-"
Jamal tugged on his arm. "C'mon man. It's not gonna be pretty."
The apprentices did what they were told, taking the mortals, including a hesitant Xander, into another room and leaving Angel there at his request and with his promise that he wouldn't attack either of the captives. Davis held Angel off to the side to give Geia some space. "I think you're about see quite a show, Angel. She's pissed beyond belief, and she's crazy enough to do some serious shit if I let her."
Angel looked confused, his now human features questioning. "She can't kill them, can she?"
"The funny thing is she can. Riley 'killed' Jamal, therefore sentencing these two to death by our laws, even though killing humans is looked down upon. But in this case, Geia can certainly get by. Even though Jamal is alive, so to speak, Riley did attempt to kill him. It's kind of like handing out sentence to someone who committed attempted murder....except the criminal in this case pays with blood. It seems brutal, but it's our duty. Plus they messed with Geia's apprentice.....bad idea. Every Master loves their apprentice and protects them with everything they have, but, another analogy for you, it's like having your child messed with. And Geia's one nasty momma when it comes to Jamal." He put a hand on the vampire's shoulder. "She'll let you take a few good ones at them before she does anything too extreme. You can have your justice in more ways than one and still have her." Angel's look of surprise was met with a coy wink from Davis.
Geia was pacing in front of Thorn and Riley, her hands pulling at her hair as if she had a lot on her mind. "Okay....let's figure this out. You kidnap six mortals and a vampire, all of whom happen to be close friends of mine, leaving behind one whom you leave for dead. You bring them here because you believe that Jamal and I are the bad guys, which is the most absurd assumption you could have made....all just because you didn't like the fact that we were in your territory and you decided to mark us as the enemy. You threaten to stake Angel and kill Dawn if someone doesn't tell you where I am, and then when Buffy does tell you, you send thirty soldiers to their death."
Geia saw Thorn's look of confusion and Riley's look of pure fear. "Oh yeah. That place she sent your boys....it was 555-Myron. Myron's party house speaking, you bastards. He's probably strung them all up, tortured them to death, and knows where you are know and is coming to destroy this complex. I wouldn't put it past him." She grinned at them, a terrible, "I'm feeding you your own shit" type of grin. "You threaten a friendly vampire and a mortal with death unless someone talks....can anyone say KGB? And THEN, on top of all this shit, you decapitate my apprentice." She leaned closer to them so they could hear her.
"You don't mess with my apprentice. The kind of hatred I'm feeling right now is a mix between the kind when a parent hates the person who messed with their child and the kind when a friend wants to rip someone's throat out for screwing with their best friend. It's not a pretty thing, but it feels damn good. And this mixed hatred is telling me I need to do something with the two of you."
She motioned to Davis, who came over with Angel. "This is Davis, a friend of mine. And this is Angel. I think you and Mr. Finn have already been introduced." Geia paused and whispered something to Angel, whose face vamped out after she was done. "See, now you have a couple of choices here, gentlemen. I can follow the rules Davis and I are sworn by and kill you-"
"Kill us! We killed no one."
Davis' hand contacted with Thorn's jaw after his outburst. "None of that now, or I'll have to introduce you to my blade."
Geia rocked back and forth on her heels as if at complete ease. "He means that Thorn, so don't get any ideas. Like I was saying, I can either kill you for killing my apprentice or you can have another fate. Angel here will help with that, being a vampire and all."
Riley's hands clenched into fists as his anger reached a new height. "So we can either die like this or get turned into vampires to meet with a stake? Just who do you think you are?" His voice lowered to a dangerous growl. "We...did...nothing...wrong."
Geia giggled at that. "You did nothing wrong, huh? If I were a lawyer I'd have to charge you with six counts of kidnapping, one count of attempted murder, and about a thousand counts of PURE STUPIDITY! Look around you, Finn. You hunt and kill demons for a job and you can't even distinguish whether Jamal and I are demons? You're witch hunters. You want to kill the bad guys but wind up fighting the good guys and destroying what chance you had at an alliance. I don't trust either one of you or your organization, but we're not the bad guys. Just pray that Myron doesn't send you the remains of the soldiers that went to his place. He's twisted enough to do something like that to get a stir out of you so that you can condemn more people to a cruel and slow death."
The smirk still wasn't gone from Riley's face, but some of the arrogance was. "So what are you...angels or something?"
"Angel, you're my angel..."
Geia stifled a laugh at Davis' attempt to sing. "Um, actually, yes we are. Sent by God to serve a higher calling and protect human kind, even scum like you."
That shut Riley up, not expecting her response. But Thorn was still concerned about one thing. "So you're not going to kill us?"
"I'm not sure yet, but you're be the only ones if I do. I'm going to let your men out there go with a warning...they step foot in Sunnydale again, I'll make sure they're transported somewhere else. And it won't be a vacation on the Caribbean either." Geia shot a look to Davis and Angel and left the room.
Giles opened the door at Geia's request. "Everyone alright in here?"
Willow decided to speak up. "Yeah, I guess so, but I don't think I'll ever forget that...you know, Riley cutting Jamal's head off." She cocked her head curiously. "How did he do that anyways?"
Geia smiled as she bent down to see to a cut on Dawn's arm. "A little magic trick every apprentice is taught when they begin they're training. Think of it like an optical illusion if that makes it easier to understand." She put her hand on Dawn's shoulder. "You're not going to be scarred for life or anything?" she joked.
Dawn smiled back shyly. "Nah, I'll be fine." Joyce pulled Dawn to her and looked at Geia with admiration.
"Thank you for protecting my daughters. I wouldn't ever forgive myself if anything happened to them."
Geia winked at Buffy. "Neither would I, Mrs. Summers." She looked at Jasmina. "Go with your Master. He's getting ready to leave and we need both of you if this is going to work." Jasmina nodded and headed off to where Davis was. "And Jamal, I need you to get everyone back to the house. Make sure you activate the protection spell again, and use this when you do." Geia handed Jamal a small vial of a blue liquid.
Buffy started to get up and walk away but stopped and turned around. "What about Riley and Thorn? Did you...did you kill them, Geia?"
"Not yet. I'm still debating it." Her eyes narrowed as she studied the Slayer. "But your real worry is Spike. That's one of the many reasons I called Davis and Jasmina here. Remember, Myron's never seen them before and we do have that little thing that makes us tainted..." She smiled when she saw Buffy's eyes light up with realization. "They'll get him out, don't worry. In and out. I trust Davis in his decision making and Jasmina is as strong of an apprentice as Jamal. They'll be fine and so will Spike."
Buffy walked out of the room more relieved than she had been all day, and confident that Spike would come back to her...them.
Geia went back where Riley and Thorn were after releasing the Initiative soldiers with a severe warning about their fate if they ever came back to Sunnydale. Davis stopped her just inside the door. "We'll get Spike out, don't you worry. Myron won't know what hit him."
"Just be careful, Davis. I don't want to have to go out and find something that will make me upset."
Davis hugged her and gave her a stern look. "Right....translation, don't get killed, again. No problem, Geia."
She punched his arm and he winced. "Sorry, but you had that coming, you smartass."
He saluted and stepped out of the room. "We'll be back in a few hours. If not, don't come after us. I don't want you caught in the crossfire."
Angel was motioning to her to come in, so she winked at Davis and walked over to the vampire. "So what do you want to do with them?"
Angel took an unneeded breath and grabbed Geia's hand. "You're the holy one here."
"Do you want to take a few swings at them?"
He noticed she wasn't looking at him, and he didn't hesitate to answer. "No, I don't. They're not worth my energy."
This time she did look at him, and her eyes were shining. "I knew you'd say that." She dropped his hand and pulled the two to their feet roughly. "I'm going to let you two go. But you're going to leave Sunnydale tomorrow morning or I will come and hunt you down and do you in properly like I should have already done." She didn't say anything else until she drug both of them out of the complex into the cool night air. "Now off you go."
Riley rubbed his wrists and glared at her. "With no guns or any kind of weapon?"
"Yes sir, you're going without because I'm sure a resourceful soldier like yourself can find some shelter until morning. If either one of you are here after nine tomorrow, I will come and kill you." She and Angel walked away, hand in hand, leaving the two men behind.
"Can I go with you, Riley? I don't want to be out here alone."
Riley grimaced at Thorn's pleading face. "I always knew you were a rat- face bastard who wouldn't be able to carry out half the commands you gave. You're on your own, old man."
The next morning, a jogger found Thorn's body. The medical examiner's report said the cause of death was excessive loss of blood, with the only puncture wounds being two small holes in the side of the victim's neck. The case would never be solved. ----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*----------*---------- *----------*----------*---------- Once Angel and Geia were back at the house, everyone had fallen asleep except for Jamal, Buffy, and Giles, who were keeping guard.
Buffy could see the anxiety on Geia's face in the dim living room. "It's only been an hour, Geia. I'm sure they're fine."
"I certainly hope so."
"These are the new ones you picked up?"
Mary nodded. "Yes master. They're very fit and looking forward to the end of the world."
Myron paced back and forth in front of Davis and Jasmina, cleverly disguised as two people who fit the term "All-American" to perfection. "Excellent. They reek of Evil intentions." He led Jasmina over to a couch and winked. "You wait here, beautiful. I want to show your friend my captive and I'll be back to have some fun."
Jasmina giggled like a true blonde. "Okay, you all-powerful Evil Lord of Darkness."
Myron smiled at Davis as they walked back to the cavern. "She's a pretty thing. Where'd you find her?"
Davis grinned back nastily. "Once I was turned, she was the first I got to. She had been my crush in high school and I couldn't resist the temptation."
"I like you, Davis. Stick around and do what I say and you'll find yourself in a good position when this pitiful world meets its end." They entered the cavern and Davis adjusted his eyes to the darkness. He saw a huddled figure in a large metal cage and his heart went out to the vampire.
Myron stopped in front of the cage and rattled the bars. "Wakey wakey, my vampire friend. I've brought someone to see you." He leaned close to Davis and whispered, "He won't eat anything I give him, so see if he'll take something from you, being another vampire and all. He's getting weak and I need him strong for the ritual."
Davis nodded and waited until Myron walked away before speaking. "Spike, you must trust me."
"Bloody hell if I will. You're working for tall, dark, and ugly there. Must think I'm some kind of wanker or something." His voice was raspy and low.
Davis shed his disguise for a moment. "I'm a friend, Geia called my apprentice and myself here to help stop Myron." He put his hand between the bars. "Please come with me. Jasmina, my apprentice, will distract Myron while we get out of here."
He didn't know what it was, but Spike could tell Davis wasn't fooling him. "Fine." His hand grasped Davis', and he was pulled through the bars. Spike looked back at the cage, amazed. "How the 'ell did you do that?"
Davis winked at him. "I'll tell you once we escape." He transformed again and they took the back hallway that Geia and Jamal had used when they had rescued Spike and Buffy earlier. Looking down from the balcony, they could see Myron cuddling up to Jasmina, whose face showed pure digust despite her fake smile. "We leave on Jasmina's signal."
Jasmina took a deep breath and purred into Myron's ear. "You got anyone to eat around here? I'm starving and I haven't eaten a fresh kill in a few days."
"No problem, honey. Be right back."
Jasmina watched Myron walk away before calling the two guards on duty over to her. "Could you go see what Davis is up to? I bet he's hungry too."
Enchanted by her beauty, the two Zalkanas did as they were bidden. Davis caught the signal and he and Spike jumped from the balcony. "Get him out of here," Davis whispered forcefully.
Jasmina grabbed Spike's hand and they ran out the tunnel and back to Geia's house as fast as possible.
Davis laid the dagonsphere on the couch and waited for Myron to return. "Hey, Myron. Where's Jasmina?"
Myron shrugged. "Must have gone to get into something more comfortable. What a gorgeous vampire she is. Is she any good?"
Davis started to answer, but a blue light appeared, hovering around Myron. "He's one of them!" Emily yelled.
Myron was daunted for a moment before her words sank in. "Guards!" But he was a moment too late.
Davis was gone, and Myron sat down on the couch, stunned. "HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN? I WAS TRICKED AGAIN!" He saw the dagonsphere and picked it up, not knowing what it was.
Davis stood on the sidewalk, a block away, and watched the explosion. "That will keep him busy for a while."