ETERNAL NO LONGER
Part II
"Quentin Travers."
Several people in the room blinked, hard, but it was Duncan who responded, "Quentin Travers? The Watcher who got you sacked? I wanted to meet that damned fool when I brought Alyssa to the Council. . .but I was told that he was called away unexpectedly. . .now I know why. He knew that I was coming, and didn't want to risk my detecting him."
Giles nodded grimly and replied, "He must have bided his time until she began to feel comfortable, then arranged the ambush." He turned to MacLeod and commented, "Duncan. . .the Council should be informed immediately of Travers' true identity and his treachery. . .we're not exactly on friendly terms right now, but if he still has access to the inner circle of the Council. . ."
MacLeod nodded and replied, "Of course, Rupert," and went over to the phone, dialing the number while shaking his head at the idiocy of an organization that refused to take the phone calls of a man of the quality of Rupert Giles.
While MacLeod spoke to the sleepy Watcher at the other end of the line, Buffy turned to Methos and asked, "I understand why Duncan would come to give me the news. . .but why did he need to drag the rest of you along? No offense, I'm glad to meet you, but Sunnydale isn't exactly a fun place to visit."
Methos nodded and replied, "Duncan was telling the truth when he said we needed your help, Buffy, but that's not all there is to it." He frowned, and a distant look appeared in his eyes as he elaborated, "Buffy, in your line of work, you encounter prophesies on a regular basis involving the activities of demons and how you, as the Slayer, interact with them." Buffy nodded, as did her friends in the room, and Methos continued, "Immortals also have their own lore, going back as far if not farther than that of the Slayers. Some of the prophecies are millennia old, and have still not come to pass. One of those prophecies involves the fate of the Immortal Slayer, and the implications of that fate on the future of the Slayer herself."
Methos paused at this point, and Buffy prodded him, "Go on, Methos, what does the prophecy say?"
Methos looked at her and stated bluntly, "It says that the Immortal who takes the Quickening of the Immortal Slayer will seek to end the line of Slayers forever."
Everyone in the room except Duncan, who was occupied with his conversation, stared at Methos as he finished the sentence. Xander blinked and asked, "Wait a minute. . .how could he do that? When one Slayer dies, another is called. . .until Alyssa died, there were three. I don't get it."
Methos nodded and replied, "Ordinarily, that would be true, Xander. . .but Daniels. . .or Travers, as he's calling himself now, has taken in the Quickening of the Immortal Slayer, which will greatly enhance his own combat abilities. Also, in theory it could give him the ability of absorbing the life forces of other Slayers that he kills, as the energies that give Slayers their powers are somewhat akin to those that power Immortals, and the absorption of Alyssa's mingled energies will create a bridge that will give him that versatility. If he succeeds in killing both living Slayers. . .the wording of the prophesy suggests that there will be no more. . .that Travers will have absorbed that thing that causes the next Slayer to be activated upon a Slayer's death into himself."
Buffy went pale, then whispered, "So you're not here to get my help. . .you think he's coming here, and you're trying to protect me."
Methos smiled reassuringly and replied, "For both reasons, Buffy. . .Duncan and I have been deputized by the Arbiter to exact justice from Travers for violating the Law of Single Combat, meaning we can combine forces to take his head. . .but with his stolen power he may be too much for us. . .it may take a Slayer to defeat him. On the other hand, we've seen he will resort to treachery, and you will need extra backup until he is dead, and believe me, we're glad to provide it."
Buffy smiled grimly and responded, "Then under the circumstances, I'm glad to have it." Abruptly, her eyes widened and she exclaimed, "Omigod, Giles. . .Faith!"
Amanda raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who's Faith?"
"My evil little sister," replied Buffy bluntly, pacing restlessly around the room as she turned to Amanda and briefly explained the origin of the two Slayer phenomenon, and the events surrounding Faith's presence in Sunnydale. She turned to Methos and commented, "She's a sitting duck. . .we've got to get her out of the hospital and to somewhere safe."
"She's safe in the short run, anyway." Duncan had concluded his call and walked back to the others in time to hear Buffy's comments. Seeing her questioning look, Duncan explained, "Coma is almost unheard of among Immortals, due to our healing abilities, but it has been known to happen. . .and from one of those cases it is known that an Immortal who takes the Quickening of another Immortal in a coma will suffer extreme mental trauma. . .the one who did it went mad and went on a killing spree in Central Europe until he could be brought down. . .I doubt that Travers would take such a risk." He frowned and continued, "On the other hand, he wouldn't be beyond killing her and waiting for the next Slayer to arise. . .it would be best to get her out of there. . .I have some connections in Los Angeles that could get her into a clinic with armed guards. . .at least we would be forewarned if he tried something."
The phone rang again, and Giles went to answer it as Buffy smiled and replied, "Thanks, Duncan. . .I've still got issues with Faith, but no one deserves to be slaughtered like that. . .and I definitely don't want her death to lead to that bastard becoming even more powerful."
Duncan nodded, then everyone turned as Giles raised his voice to the caller: "Are you sure? Of course, I'm sorry, that was a foolish question. . .thank you. . .could you please call back if you hear anything more? Thank you." He hung up the receiver, and his next words sent a chill down Buffy's spine:
"We have a problem."
SUNNYDALE GENERAL HOSPITAL: ONE HOUR BEFORE
Faith's eyes snapped open, and she quickly surveyed her surroundings. She was in a dark hospital room, hooked up to an IV and various monitors. Quickly, she got out of bed, disconnecting various leads and tubes, and she looked around the room for more substantial clothing than what she was wearing, finding none, much to her annoyance. Her eyes fell on a television in a corner, and she turned it on. The set came to life, and displayed a news desk with a well-groomed man sitting behind it. Faith didn't hear what he was saying, as she was too busy staring at the date displayed at the bottom of the screen: November 8, 1999. *Oh God. . .I've been out for five months. . .what in the hell is going on? *
She crept up to the door of the room and peeked outside: the corridor was empty. She slipped out and began looking around for clothing or anything else that might be useful. She broke into a closet and found some jeans and a T-shirt that a hospital worker had left: they would have to do. She dressed quickly, surprised at how good she felt. . .her last memories had been of Buffy stabbing her, and the long fall off the roof. . .followed by those horrible dreams. She shuddered, then left the closet, heading for the exit.
As she approached the exit door, a security guard came from a side passage and called out, "Hey! I don't recognize you. . .do you have clearance to be in this area?"
The guard saw the innocuous looking young woman give him a "Who, me?" look as he walked over. He scowled at her, waiting for a response. Looking puzzled, she frowned at him and commented, "Damn. . .I could swear that I had that clearance here. . .oh, here it is." The guard saw the blur of a fist, then blessedly crashed into darkness, sparing him the pain of the broken jaw he had just suffered until he woke up three hours later.
Faith shook her head at the crumpled figure. * Some people never learn. * She turned her back on the guard and departed through the exit, whistling a happy tune.
RUPERT GILES' APARTMENT: ONE HOUR LATER
Buffy swore at hearing Giles' recounting of the news from the hospital and commented, "We've got to find her. . .she'll be a sitting duck if Travers goes after her." She frowned and commented, "I don't believe in coincidences, Giles. . .not when they're this convenient. Could Travers have done something to get Faith to wake up?"
Giles frowned and replied, "We know that medical science was helpless to get Faith out of that coma. . .she either would have or wouldn't have on her own. That would presumably leave magic, and I can't think of a spell that would. . ." His eyes widened, and he muttered, "That couldn't be it, could it?"
Buffy rolled her eyes and snapped, "What, Giles? Don't get cryptic on us now!"
Giles turned to Buffy, sighed and responded, "There is a spell that can be used to heal almost any injury-even mortal ones-as long as the subject is not already dead. This spell has been known for a long time to the Council, and Travers undoubtedly has access to it. However, there are two problems that make its use unlikely in this case. First, the spell is ineffective when used by a human caster against a Slayer: the reason is unknown, but scholars have speculated it has to do with the different natures of Slayer's life force as compared to normal humans." Giles paused, then concluded, "The other reason is that performing the spell invariably is instantly fatal to the caster."
"Fatal how, Rupert?" MacLeod's voice was ominously calm as he asked the apparently innocent question.
"The caster's heart explodes. . ." Giles' voice trailed off as he realized what MacLeod was getting at.
"I had that happen once," remarked Methos, looking back at the rest of them with a quirky expression that masked his deep concern. "Some clever alchemist shot me with an arrow covered with a poison of his own invention. . .caused my adrenal glands to run out of control until. . .well, no need to go into details. . .suffice it to say that it was VERY painful. . .but I was up and about again in ten minutes. . .and presumably, Travers would be too."
"There still remains the first problem." Giles sounded shaken, but visibly took comfort in the prospect of Faith's sudden recovery not having been the result of Travers being yet another step ahead of them.
"He's not human, Giles. . .and he's already absorbed the Quickening of the Immortal Slayer." MacLeod's voice was grim as he dashed the Watcher's hopes. "My guess is that he could have cast the spell even if he had been simply another Immortal, given the strength of our life-force . . .adding the essence of a Slayer almost certainly would have clinched it. Faith's on the loose . . .and Travers is the one who set it into motion. He almost certainly has people out looking for her."
"Then we've got to find her before they do." Buffy was conscious of having used the same words when they went to save Alyssa from the Mayor ten months before . . .and as the occupants of the room split up to search for the fugitive Slayer, she desperately hoped that the result would be more successful than the last effort.
. . .to be continued
As before, comments are welcome and desired.
Part II
"Quentin Travers."
Several people in the room blinked, hard, but it was Duncan who responded, "Quentin Travers? The Watcher who got you sacked? I wanted to meet that damned fool when I brought Alyssa to the Council. . .but I was told that he was called away unexpectedly. . .now I know why. He knew that I was coming, and didn't want to risk my detecting him."
Giles nodded grimly and replied, "He must have bided his time until she began to feel comfortable, then arranged the ambush." He turned to MacLeod and commented, "Duncan. . .the Council should be informed immediately of Travers' true identity and his treachery. . .we're not exactly on friendly terms right now, but if he still has access to the inner circle of the Council. . ."
MacLeod nodded and replied, "Of course, Rupert," and went over to the phone, dialing the number while shaking his head at the idiocy of an organization that refused to take the phone calls of a man of the quality of Rupert Giles.
While MacLeod spoke to the sleepy Watcher at the other end of the line, Buffy turned to Methos and asked, "I understand why Duncan would come to give me the news. . .but why did he need to drag the rest of you along? No offense, I'm glad to meet you, but Sunnydale isn't exactly a fun place to visit."
Methos nodded and replied, "Duncan was telling the truth when he said we needed your help, Buffy, but that's not all there is to it." He frowned, and a distant look appeared in his eyes as he elaborated, "Buffy, in your line of work, you encounter prophesies on a regular basis involving the activities of demons and how you, as the Slayer, interact with them." Buffy nodded, as did her friends in the room, and Methos continued, "Immortals also have their own lore, going back as far if not farther than that of the Slayers. Some of the prophecies are millennia old, and have still not come to pass. One of those prophecies involves the fate of the Immortal Slayer, and the implications of that fate on the future of the Slayer herself."
Methos paused at this point, and Buffy prodded him, "Go on, Methos, what does the prophecy say?"
Methos looked at her and stated bluntly, "It says that the Immortal who takes the Quickening of the Immortal Slayer will seek to end the line of Slayers forever."
Everyone in the room except Duncan, who was occupied with his conversation, stared at Methos as he finished the sentence. Xander blinked and asked, "Wait a minute. . .how could he do that? When one Slayer dies, another is called. . .until Alyssa died, there were three. I don't get it."
Methos nodded and replied, "Ordinarily, that would be true, Xander. . .but Daniels. . .or Travers, as he's calling himself now, has taken in the Quickening of the Immortal Slayer, which will greatly enhance his own combat abilities. Also, in theory it could give him the ability of absorbing the life forces of other Slayers that he kills, as the energies that give Slayers their powers are somewhat akin to those that power Immortals, and the absorption of Alyssa's mingled energies will create a bridge that will give him that versatility. If he succeeds in killing both living Slayers. . .the wording of the prophesy suggests that there will be no more. . .that Travers will have absorbed that thing that causes the next Slayer to be activated upon a Slayer's death into himself."
Buffy went pale, then whispered, "So you're not here to get my help. . .you think he's coming here, and you're trying to protect me."
Methos smiled reassuringly and replied, "For both reasons, Buffy. . .Duncan and I have been deputized by the Arbiter to exact justice from Travers for violating the Law of Single Combat, meaning we can combine forces to take his head. . .but with his stolen power he may be too much for us. . .it may take a Slayer to defeat him. On the other hand, we've seen he will resort to treachery, and you will need extra backup until he is dead, and believe me, we're glad to provide it."
Buffy smiled grimly and responded, "Then under the circumstances, I'm glad to have it." Abruptly, her eyes widened and she exclaimed, "Omigod, Giles. . .Faith!"
Amanda raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who's Faith?"
"My evil little sister," replied Buffy bluntly, pacing restlessly around the room as she turned to Amanda and briefly explained the origin of the two Slayer phenomenon, and the events surrounding Faith's presence in Sunnydale. She turned to Methos and commented, "She's a sitting duck. . .we've got to get her out of the hospital and to somewhere safe."
"She's safe in the short run, anyway." Duncan had concluded his call and walked back to the others in time to hear Buffy's comments. Seeing her questioning look, Duncan explained, "Coma is almost unheard of among Immortals, due to our healing abilities, but it has been known to happen. . .and from one of those cases it is known that an Immortal who takes the Quickening of another Immortal in a coma will suffer extreme mental trauma. . .the one who did it went mad and went on a killing spree in Central Europe until he could be brought down. . .I doubt that Travers would take such a risk." He frowned and continued, "On the other hand, he wouldn't be beyond killing her and waiting for the next Slayer to arise. . .it would be best to get her out of there. . .I have some connections in Los Angeles that could get her into a clinic with armed guards. . .at least we would be forewarned if he tried something."
The phone rang again, and Giles went to answer it as Buffy smiled and replied, "Thanks, Duncan. . .I've still got issues with Faith, but no one deserves to be slaughtered like that. . .and I definitely don't want her death to lead to that bastard becoming even more powerful."
Duncan nodded, then everyone turned as Giles raised his voice to the caller: "Are you sure? Of course, I'm sorry, that was a foolish question. . .thank you. . .could you please call back if you hear anything more? Thank you." He hung up the receiver, and his next words sent a chill down Buffy's spine:
"We have a problem."
SUNNYDALE GENERAL HOSPITAL: ONE HOUR BEFORE
Faith's eyes snapped open, and she quickly surveyed her surroundings. She was in a dark hospital room, hooked up to an IV and various monitors. Quickly, she got out of bed, disconnecting various leads and tubes, and she looked around the room for more substantial clothing than what she was wearing, finding none, much to her annoyance. Her eyes fell on a television in a corner, and she turned it on. The set came to life, and displayed a news desk with a well-groomed man sitting behind it. Faith didn't hear what he was saying, as she was too busy staring at the date displayed at the bottom of the screen: November 8, 1999. *Oh God. . .I've been out for five months. . .what in the hell is going on? *
She crept up to the door of the room and peeked outside: the corridor was empty. She slipped out and began looking around for clothing or anything else that might be useful. She broke into a closet and found some jeans and a T-shirt that a hospital worker had left: they would have to do. She dressed quickly, surprised at how good she felt. . .her last memories had been of Buffy stabbing her, and the long fall off the roof. . .followed by those horrible dreams. She shuddered, then left the closet, heading for the exit.
As she approached the exit door, a security guard came from a side passage and called out, "Hey! I don't recognize you. . .do you have clearance to be in this area?"
The guard saw the innocuous looking young woman give him a "Who, me?" look as he walked over. He scowled at her, waiting for a response. Looking puzzled, she frowned at him and commented, "Damn. . .I could swear that I had that clearance here. . .oh, here it is." The guard saw the blur of a fist, then blessedly crashed into darkness, sparing him the pain of the broken jaw he had just suffered until he woke up three hours later.
Faith shook her head at the crumpled figure. * Some people never learn. * She turned her back on the guard and departed through the exit, whistling a happy tune.
RUPERT GILES' APARTMENT: ONE HOUR LATER
Buffy swore at hearing Giles' recounting of the news from the hospital and commented, "We've got to find her. . .she'll be a sitting duck if Travers goes after her." She frowned and commented, "I don't believe in coincidences, Giles. . .not when they're this convenient. Could Travers have done something to get Faith to wake up?"
Giles frowned and replied, "We know that medical science was helpless to get Faith out of that coma. . .she either would have or wouldn't have on her own. That would presumably leave magic, and I can't think of a spell that would. . ." His eyes widened, and he muttered, "That couldn't be it, could it?"
Buffy rolled her eyes and snapped, "What, Giles? Don't get cryptic on us now!"
Giles turned to Buffy, sighed and responded, "There is a spell that can be used to heal almost any injury-even mortal ones-as long as the subject is not already dead. This spell has been known for a long time to the Council, and Travers undoubtedly has access to it. However, there are two problems that make its use unlikely in this case. First, the spell is ineffective when used by a human caster against a Slayer: the reason is unknown, but scholars have speculated it has to do with the different natures of Slayer's life force as compared to normal humans." Giles paused, then concluded, "The other reason is that performing the spell invariably is instantly fatal to the caster."
"Fatal how, Rupert?" MacLeod's voice was ominously calm as he asked the apparently innocent question.
"The caster's heart explodes. . ." Giles' voice trailed off as he realized what MacLeod was getting at.
"I had that happen once," remarked Methos, looking back at the rest of them with a quirky expression that masked his deep concern. "Some clever alchemist shot me with an arrow covered with a poison of his own invention. . .caused my adrenal glands to run out of control until. . .well, no need to go into details. . .suffice it to say that it was VERY painful. . .but I was up and about again in ten minutes. . .and presumably, Travers would be too."
"There still remains the first problem." Giles sounded shaken, but visibly took comfort in the prospect of Faith's sudden recovery not having been the result of Travers being yet another step ahead of them.
"He's not human, Giles. . .and he's already absorbed the Quickening of the Immortal Slayer." MacLeod's voice was grim as he dashed the Watcher's hopes. "My guess is that he could have cast the spell even if he had been simply another Immortal, given the strength of our life-force . . .adding the essence of a Slayer almost certainly would have clinched it. Faith's on the loose . . .and Travers is the one who set it into motion. He almost certainly has people out looking for her."
"Then we've got to find her before they do." Buffy was conscious of having used the same words when they went to save Alyssa from the Mayor ten months before . . .and as the occupants of the room split up to search for the fugitive Slayer, she desperately hoped that the result would be more successful than the last effort.
. . .to be continued
As before, comments are welcome and desired.