Shadows of sins Past by Zauriel Angelus
Disclaimer:Buffy and all related characters belong to Joss Whedon &
Co. Zauriel and his friends belong to me.so does this particular
story.hope u let me tell it.please...????????
rating:pg...i think
previouslys: the hell mouth is gonna open .Faith lost her memory. we
have a new slayer and a Highlander joins the game.
Author's notes:I thought about posting 'Beloved Friend' first but
decided to post this instead since it has been quite some time since
the last part.Plus more want this one out. So sorry about being so very late RL
got in the way of things. Here's Shadows. Thanks to all who gave their
feedback and comments. enjoy !!!!!!!
Dedicated to: Lori who without her this story would've been dead long
ago and my little Dreamer whose wishes brightened the world I have.
=denotes thoughts
part 6-
"Hello Sunnydale...."
Zauriel cast his eyes upon the empty streets he walked. Sunrise was due in half an hour but there was close to no sign of activity. Crumpled newspapers and a decent amount of trash littered , scattering across the town. It was still dark and the guardian had journeyed rather aimlessly , scoping out what Sunnydale had in store , meandering through the town as quickly as he could.
it's too quiet... "funny...I can't believe I miss the 'lovely' smell of a fish market in the morning."
Finishing reconnaissance had never unsettled him before but somehow this normal looking town just set off alarms in the back of his head.
strange....
*RELEASE*
There was something unnatural about it and as weird as it was , it felt very familiar at the same time.
*RELEASE*
very strange indeed.....
........*RELEASE*........
It wasn't a good feeling.
And he knew it.
.......*RAGE OF DEATH*......
What in the world did I throw myself into now ? I know next to nothing about where I am or why. Always wanted to go to California but this isn't quite how I pictured it. I'm in America for crying out loud and this place doesn't even have a decent seven eleven store
....... *RAGE OF FIRE*.........
The guardian sighed inwardly. He was physically exhausted and frustration was starting to take over. Plus he could really use a softee to cheer himself up at the moment. Ice cream can never fail.
........*BURN OF WIND*.......
"Shops aren't opened yet...guess more supplies will have to wait then. All I need now is some information."
........* DAMNED DESIRE*........
Taking a deep breath Zauriel carried his legs and forced himself to move again. Whether he liked it or not there were some things he still had to do.
........ *SPEAK YOUR WRATH*.......
"I wonder where I can find a library around herAarghhhhhhh!!!!!!!"
.........*RELEASE*........
Zauriel dropped to his knees as his head burned with sudden acute pain. An overwhelming sea of light flooded his mind , feeding him with visions. The guardian opened his eyes and where there was once normal buldings and deserted streets , now stood a field of fire.
A battlefield .
The guardian held his breath as he watched the scene before him in disbelief. Never had he seen anything like it in his entire life. The land stretched as far as his eyes could see. Mountains reached for the heavens as the skies glared below with blood red eyes. There were hundreds , perhaps even thousands upon the land. Demon and man fought savagely ,wielding all kinds of weaponry. Swords were clashing with shields and axes. Spears were thrown and arrows were fired. Men and women all from different races and faces stood together and faced down demons of all shapes and sizes. The harsh earth echoed the symphony of chaos as the war went on , welcoming the spill of blood that warmed the nightmare.
He saw pain and suffering. Witnessed courage and strength. He heard the cries that reached his heart. He felt the fire of their convictions. The ocean of human voices said the same thing. Shouting into the air as they fought with an unending determination. Zauriel knew not the language they spoke but somehow understood all the same.
"Protect !!! Defend !!! Protect !!! Defend !!! "
In moments the land erupted with fire and light as Zauriel finally realized what was happening. He was the audience to an ancient battle and these moments that he re-lived were the very last of his kind.
The last of the Guardians
A crack of thunder shot through the sky and rain began pouring down. Zauriel blinked as the coldness drenched him and when he opened his eyes again , the Guardians were gone and the buildings and streets were back.
The rain fell down even harder , soaking him till he was numb. The young Guardian released the breath he held and gazed at the world before him. where exactly the hell am I ?
" hello Sunnydale....."
A shadow in the darkness grinned as the guardian caught his breath. The spell cast had yielded some surprisingly interesting results.
a great discovery has been made
*RELEASE*
---------------------------------------------------------
From across town , a vampire stood outside the Summers residence , looking in through the window of the slayer's bedroom. He could see Buffy Summers sleeping peacefully with someone closely by her side.
He could see the gentle caress of his fingers as they trailed her cheek. He could see his hand running softly through her golden hair. He could see the curl of her lips as they formed a smile. He could see the contentment . He could see the longing. He could feel the emotion. The vampire recognized the young man watching over her. He knew how much he loved her. Knew how much he cared. He knew how much the young man hated him and he knew how much the slayer loved them both. Watching the sight before him , the vampire smiled.
It was a genuine smile.
Not one born out of contempt.
Not born from jealousy.
Nor was it born of bitterness.
It was a genuine smile and coming from Angel , that said a lot.
her white knight....
Angel was glad. He was actually glad. The vampire had long fought by the slayer's side so she would not have to fight alone against the legions of evil. He even loved her and believed that with the warmth of his unbeating heart , she would never be. He knew how strong she was but feared her strength might not be enough . Only now has he realized how wrong he was. Buffy was never alone to begin with. Someone was always there for her and will always be. One who would be strong when she couldn't be for herself.
Angel now knew who he was and it wasn't him.
Droplets of rain started to fall and soon it poured down heavily. Even then the vampire kept the smile he wore . The rain even seemed to cleanse him of his fear and pain , washing it away. He strangely felt reborn as it continued to soak him. Angel turned without waving farewell and started his way back to the mansion.
"Thank you Xander...."
---------------------------------------------
Rain....
It is raining...
Little drops of water are falling from the sky....
It is pouring
Rain...
She remembers not her name
She remembers not the face that she sees in the mirror.
She remembers not her past.
She remembers not her life.
But rain...
She remembers rain.
The door opens and she enters the outside world .
She smiles.
Her very first.
Somehow that means more than she herself can fathom.
She remembers not her past
She remembers not her life.
But she is not sad.
She dances ...
Twirls and laughs away...
Leaving confusion...
Leaving reality...
Leaving all pain...
Here in the rain...
She is happy...
She is free...
exactly where she wants to be.
-----------------------------------------------------
"Something tells me I'm not gonna like it here."
Zauriel cast another gaze upon the town so aptly named as Sunnydale. What a big joke that was. The whole town was shrouded in darkness , a foreboding sense of dread looming wickedly in its very midst. Being a guardian and seeing all that he had just made it all the more obvious. Sunny was most definitely what this town is not . With the black skies pouring down the way it was doing now , it was hard not to agree.
" I hate being wet..."
The guardian looked down at himself and sighed. He was beyond wet. He was practically drenched and after having one heck of a headache just a while ago , it didn't brighten his day at all. Carrying a plastic bag full of food or what passed as food in this town , in one hand , he walked as the rain continued to fall and it didn't seem to show any signs of stopping but then again the rain never mattered to him anyway. The rain couldn't wash the curse that hung over his head. He would never be really human. He would never be normal. Ordinary was all he had been before and now he wished so much that he would be that again.
Zauriel drifted away deeper into his thoughts as he remembered the laughter of his little sister. How they would play all day in the park near his home. How they would watch the sunset fall. The most beautiful and brilliant sunsets could always be seen from their favourite picnic spot. Mother would interrupt the moment ever so perfectly when she called for them to get home before dusk. They would always stall a few minutes before coming up back to the flat. Mom would always raise hell about it , shouting and screaming at the top of her voice but he and his sister knew it was all worth it. How he loved those days. How he missed them so much. His home , his life ......
they're all gone now....best not to think more about the past guardian, you still have a job to do
Then there was the girl to think about. He knew he was purposely sent here to protect her. She must've been very important somehow if a guardian was chosen for that job. No doubt about that. Whoever or whatever it was that wanted him as bodyguard for the girl , he was sure the gig wasn't going to be simple. These kind of things have a tendency to be a lot bigger and complex than they seem to be.
Zauriel was worried . What if he couldn't handle the task set forth ? Was he prepared for what's to come ? He felt the fate of the world rested on his shoulder and if it really did , the world just might be in serious trouble.
how do I wind up smackdown in the middle of this shit ?he thought , shaking his head as he wondered.
The guardian continued walking and was only a hundred meters away from his new place when his ears heard something. huh...? It sounded like.....
"giggling..."
The guardian tensed for a moment and turned to search with his eyes for its source . He didn't think anyone or anything would find him and the girl so soon but he was ready to take them on no matter who they were . Keeping his guard up , Zauriel waited for the right moment to pounce. When he finally where it was coming from he could only stare.
"Is she dancing...?"
maybe that shot to the head did more damage than I thought
Sure enough the girl before him was swinging and swaying to some sensual rhythm of nature , moving gracefully to an unheard beat. She twirled , spun and sashayed , laughing to her heart's content. She was dancing in the rain barefoot and she didn't care. The dark haired slayer was obviously enjoying herself.
Wow...oh wait...what are you doing ? you're staring ? stop it!! stop staring now !!! shut your mouth !!! you're acting like you never seen a girl in your entire life !!! are you even listening to me ??? Whoa.....
He was lost with her every turn . With every laugh . With every breath she took. She was happier than anyone he had ever seen when she seemingly had no reason to be. She was smiling . She was happy. That mere fact astounded the guardian. Her beautiful face seemed to change and for a moment Zauriel thought he was seeing *her , smiling her wonderfully gorgeous smile at him once more , bringing him to remember both intense sadness and joy.
"I'll be damned...Firdaus you're a goner...." the guardian muttered , captivated by the look in her eyes
The guardian glanced annoyedly towards the heavens and chuckled.
Is that your idea of a sign Big Guy ? he shook his head and approached her .Let's go say hi.
"Livin' la vida loca ?"
"huh..?"
She turned her eyes and met the guardian's rather pleasant gaze , a little startled of his sudden presence but kept her cool and calm exterior intact
"I thought I told you to stay inside." Zauriel intended to sound angry but his amusement was fairly obvious with the little smile he wore.
" I'm sorry. I was bored ." came her non-apologetic reply as she continued to savour the moment , still moving in rhythm. At the guardian's raised eyebrow , she suddenly perked up and turned to face with him .
"Wanna share a shower with me ? I could use a partner ." she eagerly asked.
"Do you always do this ?"
" the disobeying or the sweeping you off your feet ?"
" both and neither. I was actually more interested about your dancing in the rain."
"I dunno....but I loved it...."
Zauriel saw her demeanor soften a bit and carefully chose his words , preferring not to upset her.
"I'm sure you did. Come let's get inside before you catch a cold..." He was about to move but stopped himself when he noticed her not following . She was unusually quiet as well .
"kiddo..?" a puzzled guardian prompted.
The slayer stood still for a moment , a little unsure of herself. Zauriel not quite certain with how to react , took hold of her hand , squeezing it gently in comfort.
"you ok ?" he asked.
She blinked a couple of times before meeting his questioning eyes as the guardian braced himself for whatever she was going to say. Zauriel didn't know what to expect but patiently waited all the same for her to speak.
" I need a name."
" You have a name. You just ... don't remember it."
" I've thought about it. The whole memory loss thing. " she continued ." I want to get my memory back but I won't kid myself. I might never recover it. This could be permanent. The funny thing about it is I don't quite seem bothered about that. What if it isn't such a bad thing y'know ? What if I was meant to like start over like this. Another chance.. a new leaf."
"I'm confused ... you don't want to know your past ?"
"I do but I'm afraid of it as well. I dunno why I feel that why. I mean I want to fix these freaking holes in my head. There's a ton of questions that I want answered."
"but ... ?"
" I'm afraid once I get the answers it will take away what I have now. A certain ... peace. I might be wrong but I don't think I've ever felt peace in a while. I like peace."
" I think I understand that but what's with having a new name ?" he asked again.
" You have to call me something else besides kiddo. I enjoy that term of affection but I feel I need a name. Just in case I don't find out my old one y'see ?"
"Have you thought of any ?"
"nothing I like. I was hoping you suggest something better than Buffy." she explained.
" Buffy ?"
" There's also Betty and Willow but scratch them both."
"Why me ? How come I have to name you?"
"Do you see anyone else around here ? Besides I think its kinda fitting. You found me and gave me my life. You're like my... owner or mother. You have to name me."
"I'm your mom ?" Zauriel looked at her incredulously.
"Its symbolic. I trust you Z. Its weird really but I just do. Of course you're not out to kill me which is another reason. You saved my ass too. My turn to ask. You're gonna have to solidify my trust by answering this. Think you can ?"
"What's the question ?"
"I wanna know your name. Your real name. Can you tell me that ?"
"You wanna know my name ?"
"yeah . I want you to trust me too."
The guardian thought about it for a moment and finally complied.
" Zauriel is the name I go by now. It is my given name." He started.
"So Z is short for Zauriel then. Cool . Your real name ?"
The guardian chuckled "I'm getting there kid. My real name... My name is Firdaus." he said with a little difficulty.
"Firdaus ..." she repeated. "never heard a name like that before."
"Yeah I pretty much guessed that. Your pronunciation of it is perfect too. Not many people get it right on the first saying."
"really ?"
"yeah ... Firdaus ...Its Arabic. means heaven." He explained.
"wow... great name." she smiled. "I mean that."
The guardian smiled as well a little spellbound by her own.
"I'd rather you call me Z though. I'm more comfortable with that." He stated.
The raven haired slayer nodded and was about to speak till she noticed something.
"Hey look the rain's all gone." She looked around her.
" Yeah. I see the sun coming up." He gestured behind her.
"Sunrise ... That is something... Awesome ..."
The guardian also noticed something else. He was still holding her hand. Zauriel looked at the girl in front of him and an idea materialized .
"I think I might have the perfect name."
" Shoot ."
" Selena ..."
" Selena ? like catwoman ?" She lit up asking.
" It basically means the sun , happiness ... light ."
She smiled that amazing smile and immediately Zauriel knew she loved it.
"I kinda like it."
"beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He offered. "oh I also think you'd look great in a leather catsuit."
"I bet I do." She giggled looking awfully cute when she did so.
" C.mon Lina , let's get inside and eat some breakfast. Mind me calling you that ?"
"Lina would love breakfast. She's practically starving."
"Let's eat then." Zauriel chuckled as he led her back into the house.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Sunnydale High School library
8.45 am.
"Giles wake up."
"oh...what time is it ?" a dreary watcher grumbled , struggling to open his eyes.
Rupert Giles took a glance at the watch on his wrist and removed himself from the face of the book he slept in. Definitely not the most comfortable of naps to have in. He sat quickly sat himself up , stretching his arms out as he did so.
"I actually fell asleep didn't I ? W-Why are you here Willow ?" he asked .
"You called me to meet here you remember ?" she replied.
"Oh ... right. I've been up all night ... or at least I was." He said as he composed himself , reaching for one of the books on the table.
"Research ?" Willow asked.
"I've been looking for the right binding spell." He answered .
"what are we binding ?"
"The hellmouth ... "
"oh ... say that again please."
"The hellmouth is going to open tomorrow possibly even sooner." He explained rather calmly.
"Tomorrow's the night of the full moon. Oh ... Oz !!!" Willow realized
"I took account of that. Best to keep him somewhere um ...away from the library. We on the other hand will be er ... here to close the hellmouth. I theorize that while we can't stop the Sisterhood of Jhe from opening it , we can close it right after. We just need a sp-pell strong enough to do that. So far I haven't found a suitable candidate yet . However that's not my biggest concern at the moment."
" I hate it when you say that." She commented as she sat down to look over some of the books.
" I'm more worried about what will happen once the hellmouth opens. There's no telling what will come from beneath us. If we are not equipped to deal with the menace , it wouldn't matter if we have the right spell or not." He said seriously.
" I'll get to the research. Maybe get Oz and Xander to help out later as well. What about the council ?Do they know about this ? What do you think is gonna pop out from the icky hole of death Giles?"
" I have informed them of it and they're searching their resources as well. They should get in touch with me on their progress soon . Even then our chances of finding a spell are better here as I have a more extensive collection of spell books than the council itself. As for what is coming , I expect us to encounter some sort of hellbeast. If-if we manage to survive its onslaught for the time needed to cast the spell , we might be able to accomplish the task." Giles slumped against his seat before continuing " So-so far ..um I honestly have no idea how we're gonna do that . We have to nonetheless. It's imperative that we do . Oh ... There's also something else I have to tell you."
Willow's curiosity picked up at that. " Go ahead Giles." Giving him her full attention.
" I've stopped our search for Faith. Another slayer has been called and is already enroute here. She will arrive with her watcher soon enough. They er ... will help us in our endeavor here though somehow I can't help the feeling that having them coming here is just more bad news . In no means does that imply that we are giving up on Faith. Till we have irrefutable evidence that she is dead , I-I believe there is still hope ."
" I believe that too." Willow started and then began in her own speech. " Giles I know you're trying to keep a stiff upper lip , being all British and strong for us . I also know you're human. Don't think I can't see what you're doing. What happened to Faith and Buffy was not your fault. You had no way of knowing this would happen. You did all you could do. Don't shoulder all the blame. You may think of them as your sole responsibility but feeling responsible for what you're not will only makes things worse. We're going to make it through this . All of us together. That's what we need to be right now."
The watcher became quiet after her accurate synopsis of his state and smiled for once , surprised and grateful that one of his children was right. Willow understood him a lot more than he did himself and thanked her for it.
"You're welcome, Giles." She acknowledged modestly before he could express it verbally.
"How is Buffy ?" the watcher asked.
"Xander is taking care of her. You wanna check on them ?"
" Later. Let them have some ...um ... peace and rest for the time being."
" I'll call Oz then and we'll start the reading."
" Good idea. " the watcher agreed.
--------------------------------
Somewhere in Los Angeles , California
" May I ask where we are going to Mr Zabuto ?" Wesley asked the watcher walking in front of him
" Where are we going Grandfather ?" Maria asked as well as they entered a dark alley. The place looked like a big dump and the smell of it was even worse. It proved difficult to breathe the air.
"Good question." Zabuto stopped and turned to look at his friend beside him. "Where are we going Connor ?" the large African watcher inquired curiously. "I'd like to know as well."
"We're going to meet someone I know." Connor smiled as he answered.
"Does he live in trash ?" the young slayer asked sarcastically. She was seriously reconsidering the whole chosen one gig. It was undeniably a great responsibility to be bestowed upon but having to wade around in disgusting rubbish almost knee deep just didn't seem right. great honor my ass...
"Something like that. Whether we like it or not , we need his help." Connor responded as he continued on his way .
"I'm worried about losing our possessions in the car. You were sure they're safe there ?" Wesley interjected.
Maria had to roll her eyes at the one. Connor and Zabuto merely snickered.
"They'll be fine Wesley." Connor assured. "We weren't carrying much. Besides this part of town really frowns upon it. Stealing isn't healthy here."
"What do you mean ?" Wesley asked.
"Wait ! do you smell something ?" Connor suddenly stopped. something's wrong
" Trash ? I've been breathing through my mouth to avoid the unbearable stench." Wesley supplied.
"Me too." The slayer agreed.
"No . He's right. It smells like ... burning."
"oh no... the church !!!" Connor realized.
A loud explosion roared suddenly into the air , causing all of them to jump in shock. The ground rumbled as well as they heard the crackling of thunder nearby. Streaks of lightning flashed and illuminated the alley nearby as the sounds of glass shattering made their cue. The wind howled as if in agony blowing shriveled newspapers and rubbish all over the place as the sound of the blaze became louder.
" James !!!"
The Highlander started running and rushed towards the other alley , quickly unsheathing the long katana hidden in his coat. He gripped onto to it . ready to face whoever it was that was responsible for all of this. The slayer and two watchers followed his lead and ran as well.
A group of men emerged from the nearby alley and Connor immediately pursued them. Two of them looked very pale in complexion. They had yellow beady eyes and their faces seemed deformed like that of an animal. When he looked at their teeth , the word 'fangs' came instantly to mind.
vampires
Another was a red headed female clad in brown leather and carried a nasty looking double edged sword with her. Her blue eyes were stunningly cold as she stared at Connor , licking her devil red lips in anticipation. A black man , unshaven and in his late twenties brandished a silver Colt .38 in his right hand while holding a wicked knife that Rambo would be proud of. The last man was bald , circular glasses decorating his eyes . He was the smallest of the bunch , wearing a bright yellow suit made all the more complete with a Mickey mouse tie and a sick smile adoring his round face. He had a terrified little blond girl standing beside him . She was crying and clutched to her teddy bear like a lifeline.
Connor fiercely charged the vampires first with his sword. He spun forward with a slice to the chest , thrusting it swiftly into its chest before efficiently bringing the blade head high and chopping his head off , rendering it into floating dust before it could even blink. Maria struck the other vampire with a jump kick. A smashing knee to the groin and two quick hard jabs to head later stunned it enough and she went for the to stake the heart only to find herself flying off to the cold wall with a wave of the bald man's hand.
"Maria !!!"
Wesley abandoned the bottle of holy water he was still trying to open and dived towards the slayer as shots rang out in deafening succession , braving the graze of speeding bullets without thinking. Zabuto shoulder charged both the black and bald men dwonand splashed holy water into the face of the last vampire who was immediately staked. The red head rammed her boot into Zabuto's face soon after , sending him reeling to the littered ground. She raised her sword to strike the fallen watcher but another blade swung to his defence and the meeting of sharp metal clashed spectacularly, sparks igniting with impact.
"Who are you ?!!!" Connor demanded as his katana held off her swift slashes.
"We are those who wish to control our own fate Highlander !!!" She responded with a dangerously deceptive slice attempted for his head that Connor ducked and parried away.
The Highlander let momentum carry him and extended the katana downward , taking two glancing attacks at her head before instantly shifting the blade wide in a crescent arc that drove her back. That move left her lower body defenseless and Connor pounced on it hungrily , delivering a kick to the knee that left her off-balance as another swift slice to her leg caused her to stumble forward in pain.
The sword was a deadly extension of himself. A third hand that moved to his every wish , a hand that is right now ,very capable of viciously hacking the head off her neck. Her sword was tested and her grip loosened with his continued probes , a clever play of the blade bringing her sword away from the reach of her fingers. When his blood requested for a kill , his mind hesitated and commanded the hand to stop . He chose mercy and snapped her neck with a thunderous kick where she fell into filthy trash without so much as a sound.
Connor breathed in the air of violence and turned his head around in disgust. It was then that he heard a little click close to his face. He saw the silver Colt pointed inches away from his head and heard nothing else as the monotone cry of a bullet sprayed his brains upon the graffitti walls.
--------------------------------
end part 6.
that was it. Did it end with a bang ? those who read and liked it please tell me what ya think k ? Thanks. I love feedback and all comments are welcome.'Beloved Friend' will come out in a day or two.
peace I'm outta here.
Till next time I remain.....