******
3 hours later
******
"Do we have a deal?"
Treachery comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. Right now treachery resembled the leather-clad vampire known as JuniorK. She stood on the roof of the hotel that both teams were staying in, now looking out at the night sky. "Why should I trust you?"
He stepped from the shadows, but never joined her side. "The war will soon be over. B/S has ended and there is no promise that B/X will ever begin. Both sides have amassed fortunes and followers. I will not give up the Empire I created simply because Joss and the gang decided to screw us both. Decisive decisions must be made."
'I can't help but to agree with that,' the ageless vampire thought to herself as a light breeze caressed her cool skin. "Love's Bitch's needs new leadership. Velvet is to caught up in her war with you. She can't see the future. But I can."
"Then make the right decision," Ozmandayus spoke as he stepped forward, now behind her. "I want nothing more to do with you or your kind. The war ends when the treaty is signed. The only thing left is power. Xander and Spike have become insignificant in comparison to the big picture."
"And what exactly is this big picture you speak of?" JuniorK snarled, turning to face the Emperor. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down at her with a piercing stare. "I do what you say and then you turn on me. Then I'll be the one who ends up dead."
"If I wanted you dead you would be on your way off this roof as we speak. Trust me, I mean you no harm."
"Who says you won't turn to one of my sired one day, asking them to betray me."
"I can't say that. What I offer is the chance for you to control Love's Bitches yourself. To mold them into what they need to be when Buffy is no longer on the air. The money and the fanfic, the websites, all the merchandise, not to mention the FX reruns. That's going to be big business. Your team needs new leadership." He saw his words grab hold of her, interest sparked anew. Just as he had planned it. "You won't have to deal with Team BXXX anymore. We're getting out of the shipping business altogether. This is all about money, plain and simple."
A devilish grin crossed her beautiful features. "You are quite the talker, aren't you?"
"I come bearing only the truth."
"You want all vampires dead, just like Xander does. If you could kill all of us with a single button press, you would."
"I have never stated otherwise."
"You're a vile, lying, manipulator."
"And you're a soulless demon."
She wanted to kill him. Wanted to sate herself on his blood and brag to the entire world about it. He stood just two feet in front of her with his hands behind his back, looking as smug as ever. She did not fear him, having slain many in her day. But his words offered her something even his blood could not.
Revenge.
Revenge on the one who keeps her on a leash. Revenge on her master. The student could now become the teacher. And once the deed was done all power would come to her as second in command.
"Wait until 11:30 PM. The security code for our floor is G7655QU. I'll make sure the floor is empty when you arrive."
"Do not double cross me," Ozmandayus warned softly, betraying nothing more that deadly intent. JuniorK simply nodded, then side stepped him and walked away. "We need a diversion. Something to keep everyone occupied."
She stopped before reaching the door. "Things could get messy. Both sides may take casualties."
"Sometimes sacrifices must be made."
******
2 hours later Lower Level Bar
******
He stared at the ice cubes in his drink, needing to focus on something, anything other than the fact that he was surrounded by vampires drinking blood all around him. "This is pure torture." Behind him sat no less than nine tables, with at least five Love's Bitches at each. Normally this would have turned into a blood bath, complete with shipper insults.
But things have changed.
Sitting next to UHC at the bar, Darth TC couldn't help but to agree. "There has to be nearly 50 Love's Bitches in here tonight. It's like a demon convention." His hand ever so often caressed the handle of his Soul Sword, ever ready for the war that has gone on for far too long.
Monica kept her eyes on one table in particular, no doubt knowing they are as displeased by Team BXXX's presence as they are about Love's Bitches'. "One more night and then we are done with them. Just keep telling yourself that while knocking back your drinks."
"Easier said then done." Church landed back against the bar counter, looking out of the luxurious bar area of the Grand Hilton. Extravagant was the understatement of the day. EMCEE wanted everything to be the best of the best and it was.
But even the signing of this treaty to end the shipper wars could not dampen the years of conflict between both sides. The arguments, the fights, over and over again until there was nothing left. That would not be forgotten with the signing of one piece of paper.
"Can I have 4 Blood Rums," Lanna ordered as she moved in-between TC and Monica at the bar. Dressed in leather from head to toe, she as possessed a dark sexuality that was hard to resist. "How are my favorite Team BXXX'rs doing this evening?"
"Fine until about two seconds ago," Monica dead panned without a hint of a smile. She and Lanna had been enemies for years. To many redemption arguments have fueled a solid hate between the ladies.
With an expression of pure attitude, Lanna ignored her, now eyeing the two male B/X'ers with anything but malice. "You both know we are not enemies anymore. Perhaps we should try to get along a little better." Her tone of voice turned honey sweet as she tucked a lock of red hair behind her ear. "Maybe go somewhere quiet. I'm not sleeping with Velvet tonight, but I wouldn't mind some company. Lets see if all that intensity you to put into your hatred of my kind can be redirected into a more pleasurable act."
UHC shook his head, smirk firmly planted on his face. "Sorry, necrophelia isn't my cup of tea. The only thing I like cold is my beer."
"Your loss, baby" Lanna shrugged, turning her attention now to TC. "How about you? Let's see what we can do with that Soul Sword of yours," she finished with a wink, licking her lips. The High Lord stared at her for a second, his face not betraying his thoughts. That moment's contemplation caused Monica to rise from her chair, toss a twenty at the bartender and headed straight for the elevator. Lanna looked on with a smile. "So, what is it gonna be?"
"Monica, wait..." TC paid her no mind, side stepping her to follow Monica. UHC and Lanna looked on, both a bit confused at what just happened.
Lanna turned her attention back to UHC, now leaning over into his face "It's just you and me now."
"No, not really."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"In my jacket I have enough explosives to kill everyone in this ballroom. If one of your Bitches so much as looks at my neck too hard this place is going to resemble one large ash tray."
"Poor deluded Xander fans," Lanna teased as she walked around the General of Team BXXX. "Always preparing for a party you're never going to get invited to. Much like B/X, I'm afraid." Her drink arrived and she ordered a waiter to deliver them to her table. "Love's Bitches outnumber you 5 to 1, Church. Rest assured if you killed everyone one of us in this room there would still be more than enough of my kind left over to dominate the BTVS universe. If we can conquer B/A, we most assuredly can defeat a second rate, piss poor ship like yours. Especially one that never happened. Half of the Team BXXX Troops aren't even B/X'ers, just Spike haters." Her hand extended, caressing the side of his face. "Tomorrow this silly war ends. And relics of the old order, like yourself, will be forgotten. You're a dinosaur, a warrior with no war left to fight. How pathetic is that?"
"The treaty won't last," Church fired back, looking into her eyes with disdain. "There are rumors of a B/X/S triangle next season. If that happens this treaty will be a joke at best, much like Spike's redemption. You B/S'ers are running scared. Check the message boards. You're cattle and you know the slaughter is coming" He watched her face darken for am moment, confirming the truth of his words. "You can see the writing on the wall, can't you? Or is VelvetBlood's little sex toy that dense?"
"With the wave of my hand I can have you killed."
"Go for it."
"I'm going to send you to hell."
"Perhaps. But I'll drag you along with me." His finger tapped against a small lever on the cufflink of his jacket.
"Count on it."
"You surely can try." Church finished his drink and settled up with the bartender. "I'm going to call it a night, Lanna. I sincerely hope you accidentally drink a glass of holy water. Goodnight."
Lanna watched him walk away, wishing she could order his death. But Velvet wanted the treaty to go through, and a fight the night before the signing would just about kill it.
Just at that moment Junior K tapped her on the shoulder. Stunned by what she was told, Lanna called forth all of the Love's Bitches vampires to her side, detailing exactly what she expected them to do. Anger clouded her eyes as she walked through the ballroom now, hate emanating from her with every measured step.
As the vampires fanned out to all available elevators, JuniorK smiled to herself, having set in motion a chain of events that know one could predict it's outcome.
TBC
3 hours later
******
"Do we have a deal?"
Treachery comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. Right now treachery resembled the leather-clad vampire known as JuniorK. She stood on the roof of the hotel that both teams were staying in, now looking out at the night sky. "Why should I trust you?"
He stepped from the shadows, but never joined her side. "The war will soon be over. B/S has ended and there is no promise that B/X will ever begin. Both sides have amassed fortunes and followers. I will not give up the Empire I created simply because Joss and the gang decided to screw us both. Decisive decisions must be made."
'I can't help but to agree with that,' the ageless vampire thought to herself as a light breeze caressed her cool skin. "Love's Bitch's needs new leadership. Velvet is to caught up in her war with you. She can't see the future. But I can."
"Then make the right decision," Ozmandayus spoke as he stepped forward, now behind her. "I want nothing more to do with you or your kind. The war ends when the treaty is signed. The only thing left is power. Xander and Spike have become insignificant in comparison to the big picture."
"And what exactly is this big picture you speak of?" JuniorK snarled, turning to face the Emperor. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down at her with a piercing stare. "I do what you say and then you turn on me. Then I'll be the one who ends up dead."
"If I wanted you dead you would be on your way off this roof as we speak. Trust me, I mean you no harm."
"Who says you won't turn to one of my sired one day, asking them to betray me."
"I can't say that. What I offer is the chance for you to control Love's Bitches yourself. To mold them into what they need to be when Buffy is no longer on the air. The money and the fanfic, the websites, all the merchandise, not to mention the FX reruns. That's going to be big business. Your team needs new leadership." He saw his words grab hold of her, interest sparked anew. Just as he had planned it. "You won't have to deal with Team BXXX anymore. We're getting out of the shipping business altogether. This is all about money, plain and simple."
A devilish grin crossed her beautiful features. "You are quite the talker, aren't you?"
"I come bearing only the truth."
"You want all vampires dead, just like Xander does. If you could kill all of us with a single button press, you would."
"I have never stated otherwise."
"You're a vile, lying, manipulator."
"And you're a soulless demon."
She wanted to kill him. Wanted to sate herself on his blood and brag to the entire world about it. He stood just two feet in front of her with his hands behind his back, looking as smug as ever. She did not fear him, having slain many in her day. But his words offered her something even his blood could not.
Revenge.
Revenge on the one who keeps her on a leash. Revenge on her master. The student could now become the teacher. And once the deed was done all power would come to her as second in command.
"Wait until 11:30 PM. The security code for our floor is G7655QU. I'll make sure the floor is empty when you arrive."
"Do not double cross me," Ozmandayus warned softly, betraying nothing more that deadly intent. JuniorK simply nodded, then side stepped him and walked away. "We need a diversion. Something to keep everyone occupied."
She stopped before reaching the door. "Things could get messy. Both sides may take casualties."
"Sometimes sacrifices must be made."
******
2 hours later Lower Level Bar
******
He stared at the ice cubes in his drink, needing to focus on something, anything other than the fact that he was surrounded by vampires drinking blood all around him. "This is pure torture." Behind him sat no less than nine tables, with at least five Love's Bitches at each. Normally this would have turned into a blood bath, complete with shipper insults.
But things have changed.
Sitting next to UHC at the bar, Darth TC couldn't help but to agree. "There has to be nearly 50 Love's Bitches in here tonight. It's like a demon convention." His hand ever so often caressed the handle of his Soul Sword, ever ready for the war that has gone on for far too long.
Monica kept her eyes on one table in particular, no doubt knowing they are as displeased by Team BXXX's presence as they are about Love's Bitches'. "One more night and then we are done with them. Just keep telling yourself that while knocking back your drinks."
"Easier said then done." Church landed back against the bar counter, looking out of the luxurious bar area of the Grand Hilton. Extravagant was the understatement of the day. EMCEE wanted everything to be the best of the best and it was.
But even the signing of this treaty to end the shipper wars could not dampen the years of conflict between both sides. The arguments, the fights, over and over again until there was nothing left. That would not be forgotten with the signing of one piece of paper.
"Can I have 4 Blood Rums," Lanna ordered as she moved in-between TC and Monica at the bar. Dressed in leather from head to toe, she as possessed a dark sexuality that was hard to resist. "How are my favorite Team BXXX'rs doing this evening?"
"Fine until about two seconds ago," Monica dead panned without a hint of a smile. She and Lanna had been enemies for years. To many redemption arguments have fueled a solid hate between the ladies.
With an expression of pure attitude, Lanna ignored her, now eyeing the two male B/X'ers with anything but malice. "You both know we are not enemies anymore. Perhaps we should try to get along a little better." Her tone of voice turned honey sweet as she tucked a lock of red hair behind her ear. "Maybe go somewhere quiet. I'm not sleeping with Velvet tonight, but I wouldn't mind some company. Lets see if all that intensity you to put into your hatred of my kind can be redirected into a more pleasurable act."
UHC shook his head, smirk firmly planted on his face. "Sorry, necrophelia isn't my cup of tea. The only thing I like cold is my beer."
"Your loss, baby" Lanna shrugged, turning her attention now to TC. "How about you? Let's see what we can do with that Soul Sword of yours," she finished with a wink, licking her lips. The High Lord stared at her for a second, his face not betraying his thoughts. That moment's contemplation caused Monica to rise from her chair, toss a twenty at the bartender and headed straight for the elevator. Lanna looked on with a smile. "So, what is it gonna be?"
"Monica, wait..." TC paid her no mind, side stepping her to follow Monica. UHC and Lanna looked on, both a bit confused at what just happened.
Lanna turned her attention back to UHC, now leaning over into his face "It's just you and me now."
"No, not really."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"In my jacket I have enough explosives to kill everyone in this ballroom. If one of your Bitches so much as looks at my neck too hard this place is going to resemble one large ash tray."
"Poor deluded Xander fans," Lanna teased as she walked around the General of Team BXXX. "Always preparing for a party you're never going to get invited to. Much like B/X, I'm afraid." Her drink arrived and she ordered a waiter to deliver them to her table. "Love's Bitches outnumber you 5 to 1, Church. Rest assured if you killed everyone one of us in this room there would still be more than enough of my kind left over to dominate the BTVS universe. If we can conquer B/A, we most assuredly can defeat a second rate, piss poor ship like yours. Especially one that never happened. Half of the Team BXXX Troops aren't even B/X'ers, just Spike haters." Her hand extended, caressing the side of his face. "Tomorrow this silly war ends. And relics of the old order, like yourself, will be forgotten. You're a dinosaur, a warrior with no war left to fight. How pathetic is that?"
"The treaty won't last," Church fired back, looking into her eyes with disdain. "There are rumors of a B/X/S triangle next season. If that happens this treaty will be a joke at best, much like Spike's redemption. You B/S'ers are running scared. Check the message boards. You're cattle and you know the slaughter is coming" He watched her face darken for am moment, confirming the truth of his words. "You can see the writing on the wall, can't you? Or is VelvetBlood's little sex toy that dense?"
"With the wave of my hand I can have you killed."
"Go for it."
"I'm going to send you to hell."
"Perhaps. But I'll drag you along with me." His finger tapped against a small lever on the cufflink of his jacket.
"Count on it."
"You surely can try." Church finished his drink and settled up with the bartender. "I'm going to call it a night, Lanna. I sincerely hope you accidentally drink a glass of holy water. Goodnight."
Lanna watched him walk away, wishing she could order his death. But Velvet wanted the treaty to go through, and a fight the night before the signing would just about kill it.
Just at that moment Junior K tapped her on the shoulder. Stunned by what she was told, Lanna called forth all of the Love's Bitches vampires to her side, detailing exactly what she expected them to do. Anger clouded her eyes as she walked through the ballroom now, hate emanating from her with every measured step.
As the vampires fanned out to all available elevators, JuniorK smiled to herself, having set in motion a chain of events that know one could predict it's outcome.
TBC