Some Kind of Wonderful:11
A/N: Hi all. 43 reviews. Amazing! THANK YOU. I'm glad you all are enjoying this story. It's been a delight to write and I'm grateful for your support. So I have a dilemma. I love this whole theory of Btvs and my Spuffy. I love Wolfe and I like all of my evil villains. Here's the thing I've got more in mind for everyone here. So what I'm trying to ask is do you want more? Would you like a third in this series? Or do you want this to be the end? Have a nice long epilogue and be done with it? Review or e-mail me I just need to know before I post the 12th chapter, because it will be the epilogue and or a continuation of the series leading into the next part of this series. So feel free to review or e-mail me your decisions. My e-mail addy is Skyz20000@aol.com Enjoy. Skyz.
Disclaimer: Joss owns Btvs.
~*~*~
Chapter 11:
Spike stumbled as he ran, the earth shaking beneath his feet.
His eyes widened in horror as he had a good idea what it meant.
The hellmouth had been opened.
Swearing loudly, he gained his feet and neared the mansion. He could hear the sounds of swords crashing against each other as it drifted through the air.
When he burst into the main room of the mansion, his immediate reaction was to jump in and help.
"Get my mom," Buffy yelled as she caught sight of him from the corner of her eye.
Spike hesitated.
He wasn't going to let her do this by herself. But her mum...
*I'll be fine. I can handle him.*
Spike jerked into action moving for Joyce's prone figure.
Angelus let out a roar as Buffy's blade sliced into his forearm.
"You gonna leave her here all alone boy?" Angelus asked as he thrust his sword forward.
It took all of Spike's energy not to react and pounce on Angelus as he lifted Joyce up into his arms.
*Spike...please get some help for her!*
Spike nodded and hugged Joyce closer and headed out of the mansion.
Angelus's voice followed him.
"I'll kill her boy. Make her bleed and you will never forgive yourself. You-"
The ground shook again and Spike was gone.
"Gonna kill me huh?" Buffy asked blocking his next blow.
"Gonna bleed you dry," Angelus answered.
And on it went.
~*~*~
Giles moved slowly down the hall, Xander trailing behind him.
"So we're just going to take a peek right?" Xander asked nervously.
Giles ignored him.
"Cuz even though the ground has been shaking, it could be a regular earth quake," he rambled on.
"Do be quiet."
"So, we look and go hide again. Because really what can we do? Buffy- "
"Shut up," Giles hissed.
Xander clamped his mouth shut and bumped into Giles as he stopped abruptly.
"Wh-"
"Spells. A spell has been cast here. A protection spell. We can't get past...yet."
Giles dropped to his knees and began going through his bag.
"Here," he said tossing a bag of herbs at Xander, he then began lighting candles.
"Is this going to work? I'm--you're no witch-I mean uh...wizard. Do you..." Xander trailed off as Giles looked up the glint in his eyes causing him to stop talking all together.
Giles's eyes glinted dangerously as he realized what Xander had said.
"You're right," he muttered.
Xander looked uncertain.
"Bloody hell," Giles growled, quickly he rolled up his shirtsleeves. Revealed the tattoo that had been his curse and blessing the minute he'd gotten it.
As he was now they would all surely perish. As of now, as far as he was concerned he was the only hope left.
He began to recite the words that would seal his fate.
Xander cast a worried look at the invisible barrier as the ground shook again. He returned his gaze to Giles in time to see his tattoo light up and a surge of energy pass through Giles.
"What...? What happened?" Xander demanded.
Giles glanced up at Xander his eyes completely black.
Xander took a stumbling step back as Giles rose, little bolts of electricity crackling around him.
"Move," Giles ordered.
Xander hopped sideways as Giles lifted his hands and a ball of blue fire appeared between them.
"Gi-"Xander began.
Xander broke off as Giles threw the ball at the wall where it seemed to...be soaked up by the walls. Xander watched in awe and terror as they could clearly see it racing along the wall towards the library.
"What the hell was that? What's wrong with your eyes?" Xander asked hesitantly. He trusted Giles...but this new Giles was creepy to put it mildly.
"I've no time to explain, but trust me Xander, this is the only way." Giles muttered. "We must-"he broke off as a wave of blue light exploded lighting the hall with an eerie light.
Giles's head shot backwards as he realized what was happening.
"Come, the spell has been broken," he ordered as he ran down the hall.
~*~*~
Wolfe thrust Mornay from him and charged at Rufus as the ground shook and a crack began to form in the carpeted floor.
Rufus stood still as Wolfe bounced off the protective shell he'd erected.
"I'm glad to see you could join us," Rufus said.
"Whatever this ritual is you'll need my blood. How are you going to get it? Come on and-"
"Wolfe! Come with me," Mornay yelled grabbing at Wolfe's elbow trying to drag him away.
"Let go of me!"
The blue light when it exploded blinded all of them for a brief moment.
Wolfe stumbled. Mornay tugged him to his feet. When the light dimmed, Giles stepped into the room chanting.
"Too late Ripper," Rufus snarled as he stepped out of his protective circle and lifted his arms wide.
"I beseech thy Lord Miti of the seventh realm of hell. I beseech thy. I have come bearing gifts. Three fresh young victims to sacrifice at your feet! I beseech thy," Rufus screamed.
Everyone stared in horror as the ground opened up and-
"We're too late," Xander, whispered.
~*~*~
Buffy kicked Angelus in the stomach sending him into a nearby wall.
"You know...that was the hellmouth opening," Angelus stated regaining his feet.
Buffy ignored him as she sliced at his head.
"Which means your boy is gonna be dead soon! As much fun, as this is I'd like to be the one to do in your spawn. Catch me if you can," Angelus growled.
He whirled and raced out of the mansion.
Buffy clenched her fists, muttering to herself.
She had to save Wolfe. She'd have to deal with Angelus later. She forced her thoughts from drifting to her mother.
Grasping her sword, she raced off towards the school.
~*~*~
Spike raced along the empty streets, making his way towards the hospital. He had to hurry he had to-
He fell Joyce falling from his arms as he was swiped from behind.
He hit his head and blinked back the lights that exploded before his eyes.
"Wh--Joyce," he muttered crawling towards her.
His thoughts were muddled and his vision was blurry as he felt like he'd been skinned inside out.
His head tilted to the side as he heard whatever had done this come at him again. He rolled, hissing as claws ripped another piece out of him.
He lifted his eyes and they widened in shock at what he saw. It was ridiculous, unfathomable; it should have been funny except....it was very real and very deadly.
Spike scrambled to his feet, grabbed Joyce and began to run.
"Damn, damn," he chanted as he threw a look over his shoulder.
Shook his head again in disbelief.
The dragon-A dragon! Was still on his tail and Spike had to find a way to get rid of it and save Joyce.
He was afraid he wouldn't be able to do either.
~*~*~
Rufus stood in the middle of chaos.
Creatures like those that they had never seen came crawling, flying, slithering, and any way possible out of the mouth of hell.
Xander stared in shock as what he could have sworn was a dragon soared out of the hellmouth and went straight through a window into the night.
Grabbing two swords from his bag, he ran to Willow and Oz and began chopping at their binds.
When they were free he handed a sword to Oz.
"We've gotta keep these things from Giles. I think he's going to-"
"The girl," Willow cried out as Rufus lifted the unconscious girl screaming his chant and tossed her into the hellmouth.
"Willow....go help Giles. Oz and I will try and keep these things off you guys," Xander ordered.
Willow nodded and followed Xander as he made a path to Giles.
"Aw man," Xander moaned as he hacked his way towards Giles. "We're gonna die!"
~*~*~
Wolfe kept an eye on the four Scoobies as he fought. Demons who were exiled to the seventh realm were anxious to get out. Wolfe was determined to stop them.
Brute strength worked the best as he tore at limbs, anything he could get a hold of, to get them to stop.
What he had not counted on was Mornay.
She continually got in his way.
Finally, he'd had enough.
He jerked her to him growling into her face his eyes glowing bright green.
"You stupid little fool! Keep this up and I'll be wearin' your guts for garters," he spat as he flung her aside right into the path of an oncoming demon.
She cried out in pain as its teeth sunk into her shoulder.
"His blood has yet to have been spilled," Martha's scream had Rufus moving. Grabbing his book, he made his way through the chaos untouched.
Protected by an unseen force.
He would do the deed himself.
~*~*~
Buffy raced down the halls of Sunnydale High only to come upon Angelus.
Her eyes narrowed and she swept a leg underneath his feet and watched him tumble to the ground.
"About you killing my son...so not gonna happen," she said as she thrust her sword down.
Angelus rolled, missing the blade that would have struck his dead heart.
He kicked out sending Buffy's sword flying.
"Well...well...well, all alone. No weapon. No help. What's a Slayer to do?"
Buffy grinned.
"Well, let's see....what can I do?" she asked cocking her head as she flew forward a blur of fists and feet.
"This work for you?" Buffy asked.
Angelus let her lead him into a corner.
"That's it," he whispered as he caught her fist.
Crushed it under the weight of his own.
Buffy screamed as she felt the bones break.
"You've really no idea what you're dealing with do you?" he asked as he shoved her to the ground.
He straddled her.
"Who it is you're dealing with? I'm not Angel....I don't love you-"
Buffy bucked underneath him, raising her uninjured hand and slamming it into the side of his head.
Angelus's eyes rolled back in his head and he wavered.
Buffy gritted her teeth as she thrust him off her.
"I get it," she spat. "I understand perfectly who I'm dealing with here. A disgusting, evil, creature that I'm going to kill very soon."
She gathered her sword and let him circle her as she rolled to her feet swinging at his legs.
He jumped back with a laugh.
There was no more talking.
~*~*~
Giles' low voice mingled with the softer feminine voice of Willow's.
Willow had no idea what was going on with Giles. His eyes were black and obviously, something wasn't right.
She'd had no idea he'd even known how to do magic! Much less how to close a hellmouth. To say she was shocked would be an understatement.
This new Giles scared her to death. And with that, hope flared. They might make it out alive!
Oz wiped at his brow with a bloodied hand.
He was tiring and he could tell Xander was tiring as well. They couldn't handle much more.
His eyes scanned the room, settled on Wolfe, or rather whom he assumed was Wolfe. He was currently fighting off five demons of various sizes and- Mornay!
Oz's eyes widened as he remembered Buffy's words.
She wanted Wolfe brought home unharmed.
Gritting his teeth, he straightened and with a new resolve, fought even harder.
Xander swung his sword with wild abandon, hacking away.
Keeping one eye on the opened hellmouth.
He did not want to fall into it and burn to death, more importantly he didn't want the flames that were licking at the mouth to touch him.
So he fought with little skill but with ferocious intensity that slayed many a demon.
His arms were beginning to ache; lifting the sword had become a challenge. His breath came in ragged gasps and he was bloody and bruised.
He didn't know how much longer he could do this.
But he hoped he didn't stop before Giles managed to close the hellmouth.
~*~*~
Spike zigzagged his way down the street, his ears alert for any noise.
Any sign of the dragon.
He'd been dodging that damn thing since he'd left the mansion!
The more he ran the angrier he became.
Why was he running? Sure, it was a dragon that spewed flames from its mouth and it could kill him in the blink of an eye! So what? That didn't mean he had to run from it. Let it chase him away.
Growling he halted. Glanced around as he realized he was in the warehouse district down near the docks.
He headed impatiently towards a nearby building and kicking in the boarded up door he hurried inside.
His eyes dropped to Joyce and he could barely hear her faltering heart beat. He knew if they went back out the dragon would get them both.
It had taken a peculiar interest in him and he couldn't afford to go to the hospital with it trailing his every step. Have it kill others.
He dropped a second before a wave of flames exploded where his head had been a second earlier.
He swore, glanced at Joyce and tried to think hard about all the myths he'd heard in regards to dragons.
How to kill one.
He had no time for this; he thought furiously as he settled Joyce in a secluded area of the warehouse and crawled back towards the door.
Jumping to his feet, he let out a roar and raced from the building. If he couldn't save Joyce, he was sure he could send some one to her as soon as he took care of this dragon.
~*~*~
Wolfe let out a choked yell as he felt claws rip across his face.
He reached out, blindly jerking the demon's head straight off.
He used it to block another blow from a different demon.
He blinked his eyes rapidly to dispel the sweat that continued to drip into his eyes. He spotted Rufus coming straight at him.
"Wolfe come on," Mornay's voice drifted to him.
He barely heard her as he flung her off him.
He tossed his sword aside as he moved to meet Rufus halfway.
It was time to finish this.
This man had to be stopped and Wolfe was the only one who could do it.
Rufus met Wolfe with a grin on his lips and an axe ready to strike.
He swung as Wolfe breezed past.
Rufus growled as he missed and Wolfe stood before him.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Rufus stated calmly.
"Either way I'm dead so really no to both."
"It doesn't really matter," Rufus murmured as he swung at Wolfe's head.
Wolfe flew back a good three feet before he landed.
He was on his feet in a flash, he threw himself at Rufus and they tumbled to the ground.
Wolfe gave it his all as he punched him repeatedly.
"You know...you can't touch me. This...is all wor-"
"Don't you ever shut up? I've heard enough," Wolfe growled as he gripped Rufus's head and began to twist.
He grunted in pain as he was hit from behind, rolling over he blinked in confusion. Martha Travers stood over him the hilt of a sword raised.
"Listen, this is between me and Rufus here. You need to-"
"Martha," Rufus yelled as Mornay flew out of nowhere knocking Martha down to the ground.
Rufus scrambled, and Wolfe scurried to stop him. Gripping Rufus by the ankle Wolfe dragged him back towards him.
"Not so fast," he growled.
~*~*~
#BUFFY!#
Spike dodged another wave of fire.
He knew absolutely he had no way of actually killing this bloody thing! But if he didn't he wouldn't be able to save Joyce like Buffy wanted.
Joyce was his first priority.
#How do I fight this? I've got no weapons,# he asked sending her a mental picture as the dragon swooped down low.
Spike scrambled back, stumbling back into the building.
~*~*~
Buffy stumbled as her vision was blurred by an image of Spike facing off with a dragon.
She could hear his voice in her head and she was distracted enough for Angelus to knock her to her knees, her sword flying from her grasp.
*I DON'T KNOW HOW TO KILL A DRAGON!*
#Blow it up maybe?#
Angelus bore down, swinging wildly.
Buffy rolled, grabbed her sword and jumped to her feet in time to block his next swing.
"You wouldn't by chance know how to kill a dragon would you?" Buffy asked conversationally as her left fist came up smashing his nose. She ignored the pain that shot through her broken fist.
Angelus gasped, backing away.
She followed him, their swords locked and she hit him again.
"I'll take that as a no," she muttered.
*I don't know...Spike please save my mom. Just...Please!*
~*~*~
Spike grabbed Joyce, glanced back and then ran as fast as he could.
He had to get Joyce away before-
He flew through the air as a rush of air lifted him off his feet.
He rolled covering Joyce as the warehouse exploded in flames an unearthly scream piercing the air.
Grinning, he laughed, scooped Joyce up and threw a look over his shoulder.
#Blowin' it up worked luv. I'm on my way to the infirmary with your mum.#
~*~*~
Giles lifted his head raised his arms.
"By the powers I beseech have this seventh realm of hell be closed by the blood of he who opened it. I beseech the powers have this seventh realm of hell be closed by the blood of he who opened it," Giles chanted.
Wolfe struggled with Rufus.
Mornay tossed Martha aside and raced to assist Wolfe.
Willow chanted along with Giles staring wide-eyed at the fights going on before her eyes.
Xander gritted his teeth fighting on. Swinging, chopping.
Oz flicked the sweat out of his eyes as he rolled around with a slimy demon who bucked and wormed around as Oz tried to get a good enough grip to kill it.
Spike felt it.
Could almost taste it.
God he was so close!
Just two more miles and he'd be there.
Joyce was still alive, hanging in there. He could hear her heart feel the blood flowing sluggishly.
"Aw, please, c'mon," he screamed as he pushed his body.
But you can't out run the sun.
She could feel his anguish. Sense his fear.
Feel the slowly rising sun.
*Save her Spike!*
Grappling Wolfe got a hold Rufus's robes.
Rufus sputtered as he felt his spell induced strength leaving him.
His hand fumbled to his neck.
"Here," he gasped out as he shoved Wolfe away with the last of his strength.
Wolfe clung to him still.
Spike's eyes landed on an abandoned building nearby and ran for it, feeling the first sting of the rising sun.
Kicking in the door he ran to the farthest corner shrouded in darkness and dropped to his knees. Cradling Joyce's head in his lap, he shook his head to clear it.
He closed his eyes and when he opened them, they glowed yellow.
He tilted her head back revealing her neck and lowered his head baring his fangs.
"Take this here," Rufus yelled scrambling backwards, thrusting his hand out.
Wolfe ignored Rufus and lunged.
Rufus dodged, slipped and reached out gripping Wolfe's shirt as he fell.
Buffy kicked Angelus in the head, followed it up with a fist to the gut.
Turning slightly she cut across his face with her blade slicing the lower half of his face.
She shoved him and watched in satisfaction as he fell to his knees.
She turned her back on him.
Spike's fangs ripped into Joyce's throat and he drank.
And hoped he was doing what Buffy wanted.
Wolfe yelled as he fell with Rufus into the hellmouth.
He flailed, his hand going out catching the edge of the hole, just barely.
He gripped it hard.
He felt the tug of Rufus as he clung to his legs, the heat as it ate away at him, the screams that came from beneath them.
Wolfe looked down and resisted the urge to kick Rufus off, send him to hell.
"Give me your hand," Wolfe ordered ignoring the pain.
Rufus swung a little, thrusting his hand up.
Wolfe caught it.
"You think...this is the end?" Angelus's voice came from behind her. "That my legacy won't last? I killed your mommy! I'm going to kill you and who's going to care? All that will be left will be me. And when it's all said and done I'll have gotten the boy too!"
Spike choked as he swallowed too quickly, gagged and hurriedly tore at his wrist.
He opened it up and placed it at Joyce's mouth.
"Drink," he whispered harshly.
Buffy turned and swung her sword in a sweeping arch.
Wolfe fumbled with Rufus's hand clenched it so tight he heard bones break.
Felt the crystal Rufus had been clutching shatter.
"Oopps," Wolfe moaned as Rufus let out a scream of horror and pain as his hand slipped from Wolfe's grasp.
Buffy watched in horror as Angelus's eyes began to glow and his head fell forward.
"B...Buffy?" he gasped out in confusion.
"A...Angel?" she choked out, tried to stop the blade.
Couldn't.
She screamed as his head fell forward, his dust floating gently to the ground.
She dropped to her knees.
"No," she screamed, her sword dropping to the ground with a clang.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed.
"I beseech the Powers-"
"Wolfe's in the hellmouth Giles," Willow interrupted Giles mid chant.
"Oz! You must help Wolfe," Giles yelled.
Buffy looked up as she heard running feet fly by.
She glimpsed a flash of black hair, heard the whispered words:
"Your boy's as good as dead."
Wolfe glanced down at the falling form of Rufus.
Looked up.
Into the furious, grief stricken blue of Martha Travers eyes.
"You," she hissed as she lifted her sword. "I'll kill you," she screamed as she brought the sword down.
Wolfe clenched his jaw shut and swallowed the scream that threatened to erupt as pain surged through him as the sword tore through his hand.
His grip loosened and he let go.
Spike let out a choked laugh of relief and giddiness as Joyce slowly began to drink.
"There...that's good," he murmured encouragingly. "That's good pet."
Wolfe opened his eyes as he felt a hand grip his and he was pulled out of the hellmouth.
"I beseech the powers have this seventh realm of hell be closed by the blood of he who opened it," Giles screamed.
The ground shook and with it, a flash of light flooded the room.
The hellmouth was sealed.
Giles slumped to the ground unconscious.
Willow hurried to him.
Oz and Xander looked around at the battlefield that had been their school library littered with dead or dying demons.
Then looked at each other.
Grinned.
"We did good," Xander, mused.
"Yeah," Oz agreed.
Wolfe lay sprawled out in the middle of the destroyed room. Lying on various body parts, soaked in blood.
He rolled his head to the side.
Gazed at his mom.
"Hey mom," he rasped out with a wide grin.
Buffy rolled her head far enough so she could look at her son.
Met his eyes.
Blinked away tears.
Smiled a heartbreakingly sad smile.
"Hey Wolfe."
~*~*~
Elias looked at Mornay as she sat slumped a defeated look about her.
He narrowed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
"What am I going to do with you Mornay? You failed me," he muttered as he paced the room.
Mornay glanced up a petulant look on her face.
"Well...one out of three isn't bad. I mean Angelus is dead. And hey, Rufus is too! And let's not forget Delos Elias! I did almost what you asked for," she snapped.
Elias scowled.
"Not even almost! I asked you to get rid of William, Angelus, and the Slayer! I wanted you to bring the boy to me! The only thing you accomplished was letting the Slayer reconnect with William and he killed Delos! You my girl have done nothing right! Making deals with the Slayer, playing people against one another! If you're going to do that, at least do it right and don't get caught! What do you have to say for yourself?"
Mornay glanced up and met his furious gaze with her own deadly brown.
"I want to know why you didn't trust me enough to let me do this on my own."
"What are you talking about?" he asked impatiently. "I gave you our best and they ended up dead, which should have been incentive to get back here where you belong and let me handle the Slayer!"
"So you make a deal with Angelus behind my back and ruin all of my plans?! I almost had the Slayer Elias. I would have had Spike as well. You never gave me the chance."
They were silent as each pondered their own thoughts.
"I can get the boy," she suddenly said.
Elias glanced at her in surprise.
"What?" he asked.
"I can get Wolfe. He has a demon," she muttered grimly.
Elias looked shocked at her words.
"He has a demon?" he gasped out.
"Yes," she answered.
"Do you know what this means?" he demanded. "What he could be?"
"Absolutely Elias! That is why I was trying to get him out of there in time but he was by far too strong for me. He has a demon and it is attracted to me. I can use that."
Elias stopped his pacing to stare off into space a brief second before he grinned and glanced at Mornay.
"Well I'll be! This is wonderful! New plan of attack. We want the boy alive. We need him alive and we shall get him. Mornay I will trust you with this, fail me again and I will be forced to make an example out of you."
Mornay grinned as she sat forward.
"I won't. I know what I'm doing and what I'll have to do in order to win him over."
~*~*~
Martha Travers stared out the window of her limo as it raced down the highway leaving behind Sunnydale and Rufus.
Her eyes were cold and flat as she thought of her husband.
Dead by the hands of such a child!
Anger blazed through her and she knew she would make him pay! Make him feel her pain and enjoy every minute of it.
First, she had to get Rufus back.
She had a plan on just how to do that.
Picking up her cell, she dialed a number.
"I'd like to speak to Mayor Wilkins please....Martha Travers newly appointed Head of the Council," she murmured coolly.
~*~*~
A/N: Remember to tell me what you want please. The end or another story. I would love to know and I will do what you guys want. Just let me know my e- mail address is Skyz20000@aol.com Put in regards to SKW sequel and I'll read it.
A/N: Hi all. 43 reviews. Amazing! THANK YOU. I'm glad you all are enjoying this story. It's been a delight to write and I'm grateful for your support. So I have a dilemma. I love this whole theory of Btvs and my Spuffy. I love Wolfe and I like all of my evil villains. Here's the thing I've got more in mind for everyone here. So what I'm trying to ask is do you want more? Would you like a third in this series? Or do you want this to be the end? Have a nice long epilogue and be done with it? Review or e-mail me I just need to know before I post the 12th chapter, because it will be the epilogue and or a continuation of the series leading into the next part of this series. So feel free to review or e-mail me your decisions. My e-mail addy is Skyz20000@aol.com Enjoy. Skyz.
Disclaimer: Joss owns Btvs.
~*~*~
Chapter 11:
Spike stumbled as he ran, the earth shaking beneath his feet.
His eyes widened in horror as he had a good idea what it meant.
The hellmouth had been opened.
Swearing loudly, he gained his feet and neared the mansion. He could hear the sounds of swords crashing against each other as it drifted through the air.
When he burst into the main room of the mansion, his immediate reaction was to jump in and help.
"Get my mom," Buffy yelled as she caught sight of him from the corner of her eye.
Spike hesitated.
He wasn't going to let her do this by herself. But her mum...
*I'll be fine. I can handle him.*
Spike jerked into action moving for Joyce's prone figure.
Angelus let out a roar as Buffy's blade sliced into his forearm.
"You gonna leave her here all alone boy?" Angelus asked as he thrust his sword forward.
It took all of Spike's energy not to react and pounce on Angelus as he lifted Joyce up into his arms.
*Spike...please get some help for her!*
Spike nodded and hugged Joyce closer and headed out of the mansion.
Angelus's voice followed him.
"I'll kill her boy. Make her bleed and you will never forgive yourself. You-"
The ground shook again and Spike was gone.
"Gonna kill me huh?" Buffy asked blocking his next blow.
"Gonna bleed you dry," Angelus answered.
And on it went.
~*~*~
Giles moved slowly down the hall, Xander trailing behind him.
"So we're just going to take a peek right?" Xander asked nervously.
Giles ignored him.
"Cuz even though the ground has been shaking, it could be a regular earth quake," he rambled on.
"Do be quiet."
"So, we look and go hide again. Because really what can we do? Buffy- "
"Shut up," Giles hissed.
Xander clamped his mouth shut and bumped into Giles as he stopped abruptly.
"Wh-"
"Spells. A spell has been cast here. A protection spell. We can't get past...yet."
Giles dropped to his knees and began going through his bag.
"Here," he said tossing a bag of herbs at Xander, he then began lighting candles.
"Is this going to work? I'm--you're no witch-I mean uh...wizard. Do you..." Xander trailed off as Giles looked up the glint in his eyes causing him to stop talking all together.
Giles's eyes glinted dangerously as he realized what Xander had said.
"You're right," he muttered.
Xander looked uncertain.
"Bloody hell," Giles growled, quickly he rolled up his shirtsleeves. Revealed the tattoo that had been his curse and blessing the minute he'd gotten it.
As he was now they would all surely perish. As of now, as far as he was concerned he was the only hope left.
He began to recite the words that would seal his fate.
Xander cast a worried look at the invisible barrier as the ground shook again. He returned his gaze to Giles in time to see his tattoo light up and a surge of energy pass through Giles.
"What...? What happened?" Xander demanded.
Giles glanced up at Xander his eyes completely black.
Xander took a stumbling step back as Giles rose, little bolts of electricity crackling around him.
"Move," Giles ordered.
Xander hopped sideways as Giles lifted his hands and a ball of blue fire appeared between them.
"Gi-"Xander began.
Xander broke off as Giles threw the ball at the wall where it seemed to...be soaked up by the walls. Xander watched in awe and terror as they could clearly see it racing along the wall towards the library.
"What the hell was that? What's wrong with your eyes?" Xander asked hesitantly. He trusted Giles...but this new Giles was creepy to put it mildly.
"I've no time to explain, but trust me Xander, this is the only way." Giles muttered. "We must-"he broke off as a wave of blue light exploded lighting the hall with an eerie light.
Giles's head shot backwards as he realized what was happening.
"Come, the spell has been broken," he ordered as he ran down the hall.
~*~*~
Wolfe thrust Mornay from him and charged at Rufus as the ground shook and a crack began to form in the carpeted floor.
Rufus stood still as Wolfe bounced off the protective shell he'd erected.
"I'm glad to see you could join us," Rufus said.
"Whatever this ritual is you'll need my blood. How are you going to get it? Come on and-"
"Wolfe! Come with me," Mornay yelled grabbing at Wolfe's elbow trying to drag him away.
"Let go of me!"
The blue light when it exploded blinded all of them for a brief moment.
Wolfe stumbled. Mornay tugged him to his feet. When the light dimmed, Giles stepped into the room chanting.
"Too late Ripper," Rufus snarled as he stepped out of his protective circle and lifted his arms wide.
"I beseech thy Lord Miti of the seventh realm of hell. I beseech thy. I have come bearing gifts. Three fresh young victims to sacrifice at your feet! I beseech thy," Rufus screamed.
Everyone stared in horror as the ground opened up and-
"We're too late," Xander, whispered.
~*~*~
Buffy kicked Angelus in the stomach sending him into a nearby wall.
"You know...that was the hellmouth opening," Angelus stated regaining his feet.
Buffy ignored him as she sliced at his head.
"Which means your boy is gonna be dead soon! As much fun, as this is I'd like to be the one to do in your spawn. Catch me if you can," Angelus growled.
He whirled and raced out of the mansion.
Buffy clenched her fists, muttering to herself.
She had to save Wolfe. She'd have to deal with Angelus later. She forced her thoughts from drifting to her mother.
Grasping her sword, she raced off towards the school.
~*~*~
Spike raced along the empty streets, making his way towards the hospital. He had to hurry he had to-
He fell Joyce falling from his arms as he was swiped from behind.
He hit his head and blinked back the lights that exploded before his eyes.
"Wh--Joyce," he muttered crawling towards her.
His thoughts were muddled and his vision was blurry as he felt like he'd been skinned inside out.
His head tilted to the side as he heard whatever had done this come at him again. He rolled, hissing as claws ripped another piece out of him.
He lifted his eyes and they widened in shock at what he saw. It was ridiculous, unfathomable; it should have been funny except....it was very real and very deadly.
Spike scrambled to his feet, grabbed Joyce and began to run.
"Damn, damn," he chanted as he threw a look over his shoulder.
Shook his head again in disbelief.
The dragon-A dragon! Was still on his tail and Spike had to find a way to get rid of it and save Joyce.
He was afraid he wouldn't be able to do either.
~*~*~
Rufus stood in the middle of chaos.
Creatures like those that they had never seen came crawling, flying, slithering, and any way possible out of the mouth of hell.
Xander stared in shock as what he could have sworn was a dragon soared out of the hellmouth and went straight through a window into the night.
Grabbing two swords from his bag, he ran to Willow and Oz and began chopping at their binds.
When they were free he handed a sword to Oz.
"We've gotta keep these things from Giles. I think he's going to-"
"The girl," Willow cried out as Rufus lifted the unconscious girl screaming his chant and tossed her into the hellmouth.
"Willow....go help Giles. Oz and I will try and keep these things off you guys," Xander ordered.
Willow nodded and followed Xander as he made a path to Giles.
"Aw man," Xander moaned as he hacked his way towards Giles. "We're gonna die!"
~*~*~
Wolfe kept an eye on the four Scoobies as he fought. Demons who were exiled to the seventh realm were anxious to get out. Wolfe was determined to stop them.
Brute strength worked the best as he tore at limbs, anything he could get a hold of, to get them to stop.
What he had not counted on was Mornay.
She continually got in his way.
Finally, he'd had enough.
He jerked her to him growling into her face his eyes glowing bright green.
"You stupid little fool! Keep this up and I'll be wearin' your guts for garters," he spat as he flung her aside right into the path of an oncoming demon.
She cried out in pain as its teeth sunk into her shoulder.
"His blood has yet to have been spilled," Martha's scream had Rufus moving. Grabbing his book, he made his way through the chaos untouched.
Protected by an unseen force.
He would do the deed himself.
~*~*~
Buffy raced down the halls of Sunnydale High only to come upon Angelus.
Her eyes narrowed and she swept a leg underneath his feet and watched him tumble to the ground.
"About you killing my son...so not gonna happen," she said as she thrust her sword down.
Angelus rolled, missing the blade that would have struck his dead heart.
He kicked out sending Buffy's sword flying.
"Well...well...well, all alone. No weapon. No help. What's a Slayer to do?"
Buffy grinned.
"Well, let's see....what can I do?" she asked cocking her head as she flew forward a blur of fists and feet.
"This work for you?" Buffy asked.
Angelus let her lead him into a corner.
"That's it," he whispered as he caught her fist.
Crushed it under the weight of his own.
Buffy screamed as she felt the bones break.
"You've really no idea what you're dealing with do you?" he asked as he shoved her to the ground.
He straddled her.
"Who it is you're dealing with? I'm not Angel....I don't love you-"
Buffy bucked underneath him, raising her uninjured hand and slamming it into the side of his head.
Angelus's eyes rolled back in his head and he wavered.
Buffy gritted her teeth as she thrust him off her.
"I get it," she spat. "I understand perfectly who I'm dealing with here. A disgusting, evil, creature that I'm going to kill very soon."
She gathered her sword and let him circle her as she rolled to her feet swinging at his legs.
He jumped back with a laugh.
There was no more talking.
~*~*~
Giles' low voice mingled with the softer feminine voice of Willow's.
Willow had no idea what was going on with Giles. His eyes were black and obviously, something wasn't right.
She'd had no idea he'd even known how to do magic! Much less how to close a hellmouth. To say she was shocked would be an understatement.
This new Giles scared her to death. And with that, hope flared. They might make it out alive!
Oz wiped at his brow with a bloodied hand.
He was tiring and he could tell Xander was tiring as well. They couldn't handle much more.
His eyes scanned the room, settled on Wolfe, or rather whom he assumed was Wolfe. He was currently fighting off five demons of various sizes and- Mornay!
Oz's eyes widened as he remembered Buffy's words.
She wanted Wolfe brought home unharmed.
Gritting his teeth, he straightened and with a new resolve, fought even harder.
Xander swung his sword with wild abandon, hacking away.
Keeping one eye on the opened hellmouth.
He did not want to fall into it and burn to death, more importantly he didn't want the flames that were licking at the mouth to touch him.
So he fought with little skill but with ferocious intensity that slayed many a demon.
His arms were beginning to ache; lifting the sword had become a challenge. His breath came in ragged gasps and he was bloody and bruised.
He didn't know how much longer he could do this.
But he hoped he didn't stop before Giles managed to close the hellmouth.
~*~*~
Spike zigzagged his way down the street, his ears alert for any noise.
Any sign of the dragon.
He'd been dodging that damn thing since he'd left the mansion!
The more he ran the angrier he became.
Why was he running? Sure, it was a dragon that spewed flames from its mouth and it could kill him in the blink of an eye! So what? That didn't mean he had to run from it. Let it chase him away.
Growling he halted. Glanced around as he realized he was in the warehouse district down near the docks.
He headed impatiently towards a nearby building and kicking in the boarded up door he hurried inside.
His eyes dropped to Joyce and he could barely hear her faltering heart beat. He knew if they went back out the dragon would get them both.
It had taken a peculiar interest in him and he couldn't afford to go to the hospital with it trailing his every step. Have it kill others.
He dropped a second before a wave of flames exploded where his head had been a second earlier.
He swore, glanced at Joyce and tried to think hard about all the myths he'd heard in regards to dragons.
How to kill one.
He had no time for this; he thought furiously as he settled Joyce in a secluded area of the warehouse and crawled back towards the door.
Jumping to his feet, he let out a roar and raced from the building. If he couldn't save Joyce, he was sure he could send some one to her as soon as he took care of this dragon.
~*~*~
Wolfe let out a choked yell as he felt claws rip across his face.
He reached out, blindly jerking the demon's head straight off.
He used it to block another blow from a different demon.
He blinked his eyes rapidly to dispel the sweat that continued to drip into his eyes. He spotted Rufus coming straight at him.
"Wolfe come on," Mornay's voice drifted to him.
He barely heard her as he flung her off him.
He tossed his sword aside as he moved to meet Rufus halfway.
It was time to finish this.
This man had to be stopped and Wolfe was the only one who could do it.
Rufus met Wolfe with a grin on his lips and an axe ready to strike.
He swung as Wolfe breezed past.
Rufus growled as he missed and Wolfe stood before him.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Rufus stated calmly.
"Either way I'm dead so really no to both."
"It doesn't really matter," Rufus murmured as he swung at Wolfe's head.
Wolfe flew back a good three feet before he landed.
He was on his feet in a flash, he threw himself at Rufus and they tumbled to the ground.
Wolfe gave it his all as he punched him repeatedly.
"You know...you can't touch me. This...is all wor-"
"Don't you ever shut up? I've heard enough," Wolfe growled as he gripped Rufus's head and began to twist.
He grunted in pain as he was hit from behind, rolling over he blinked in confusion. Martha Travers stood over him the hilt of a sword raised.
"Listen, this is between me and Rufus here. You need to-"
"Martha," Rufus yelled as Mornay flew out of nowhere knocking Martha down to the ground.
Rufus scrambled, and Wolfe scurried to stop him. Gripping Rufus by the ankle Wolfe dragged him back towards him.
"Not so fast," he growled.
~*~*~
#BUFFY!#
Spike dodged another wave of fire.
He knew absolutely he had no way of actually killing this bloody thing! But if he didn't he wouldn't be able to save Joyce like Buffy wanted.
Joyce was his first priority.
#How do I fight this? I've got no weapons,# he asked sending her a mental picture as the dragon swooped down low.
Spike scrambled back, stumbling back into the building.
~*~*~
Buffy stumbled as her vision was blurred by an image of Spike facing off with a dragon.
She could hear his voice in her head and she was distracted enough for Angelus to knock her to her knees, her sword flying from her grasp.
*I DON'T KNOW HOW TO KILL A DRAGON!*
#Blow it up maybe?#
Angelus bore down, swinging wildly.
Buffy rolled, grabbed her sword and jumped to her feet in time to block his next swing.
"You wouldn't by chance know how to kill a dragon would you?" Buffy asked conversationally as her left fist came up smashing his nose. She ignored the pain that shot through her broken fist.
Angelus gasped, backing away.
She followed him, their swords locked and she hit him again.
"I'll take that as a no," she muttered.
*I don't know...Spike please save my mom. Just...Please!*
~*~*~
Spike grabbed Joyce, glanced back and then ran as fast as he could.
He had to get Joyce away before-
He flew through the air as a rush of air lifted him off his feet.
He rolled covering Joyce as the warehouse exploded in flames an unearthly scream piercing the air.
Grinning, he laughed, scooped Joyce up and threw a look over his shoulder.
#Blowin' it up worked luv. I'm on my way to the infirmary with your mum.#
~*~*~
Giles lifted his head raised his arms.
"By the powers I beseech have this seventh realm of hell be closed by the blood of he who opened it. I beseech the powers have this seventh realm of hell be closed by the blood of he who opened it," Giles chanted.
Wolfe struggled with Rufus.
Mornay tossed Martha aside and raced to assist Wolfe.
Willow chanted along with Giles staring wide-eyed at the fights going on before her eyes.
Xander gritted his teeth fighting on. Swinging, chopping.
Oz flicked the sweat out of his eyes as he rolled around with a slimy demon who bucked and wormed around as Oz tried to get a good enough grip to kill it.
Spike felt it.
Could almost taste it.
God he was so close!
Just two more miles and he'd be there.
Joyce was still alive, hanging in there. He could hear her heart feel the blood flowing sluggishly.
"Aw, please, c'mon," he screamed as he pushed his body.
But you can't out run the sun.
She could feel his anguish. Sense his fear.
Feel the slowly rising sun.
*Save her Spike!*
Grappling Wolfe got a hold Rufus's robes.
Rufus sputtered as he felt his spell induced strength leaving him.
His hand fumbled to his neck.
"Here," he gasped out as he shoved Wolfe away with the last of his strength.
Wolfe clung to him still.
Spike's eyes landed on an abandoned building nearby and ran for it, feeling the first sting of the rising sun.
Kicking in the door he ran to the farthest corner shrouded in darkness and dropped to his knees. Cradling Joyce's head in his lap, he shook his head to clear it.
He closed his eyes and when he opened them, they glowed yellow.
He tilted her head back revealing her neck and lowered his head baring his fangs.
"Take this here," Rufus yelled scrambling backwards, thrusting his hand out.
Wolfe ignored Rufus and lunged.
Rufus dodged, slipped and reached out gripping Wolfe's shirt as he fell.
Buffy kicked Angelus in the head, followed it up with a fist to the gut.
Turning slightly she cut across his face with her blade slicing the lower half of his face.
She shoved him and watched in satisfaction as he fell to his knees.
She turned her back on him.
Spike's fangs ripped into Joyce's throat and he drank.
And hoped he was doing what Buffy wanted.
Wolfe yelled as he fell with Rufus into the hellmouth.
He flailed, his hand going out catching the edge of the hole, just barely.
He gripped it hard.
He felt the tug of Rufus as he clung to his legs, the heat as it ate away at him, the screams that came from beneath them.
Wolfe looked down and resisted the urge to kick Rufus off, send him to hell.
"Give me your hand," Wolfe ordered ignoring the pain.
Rufus swung a little, thrusting his hand up.
Wolfe caught it.
"You think...this is the end?" Angelus's voice came from behind her. "That my legacy won't last? I killed your mommy! I'm going to kill you and who's going to care? All that will be left will be me. And when it's all said and done I'll have gotten the boy too!"
Spike choked as he swallowed too quickly, gagged and hurriedly tore at his wrist.
He opened it up and placed it at Joyce's mouth.
"Drink," he whispered harshly.
Buffy turned and swung her sword in a sweeping arch.
Wolfe fumbled with Rufus's hand clenched it so tight he heard bones break.
Felt the crystal Rufus had been clutching shatter.
"Oopps," Wolfe moaned as Rufus let out a scream of horror and pain as his hand slipped from Wolfe's grasp.
Buffy watched in horror as Angelus's eyes began to glow and his head fell forward.
"B...Buffy?" he gasped out in confusion.
"A...Angel?" she choked out, tried to stop the blade.
Couldn't.
She screamed as his head fell forward, his dust floating gently to the ground.
She dropped to her knees.
"No," she screamed, her sword dropping to the ground with a clang.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed.
"I beseech the Powers-"
"Wolfe's in the hellmouth Giles," Willow interrupted Giles mid chant.
"Oz! You must help Wolfe," Giles yelled.
Buffy looked up as she heard running feet fly by.
She glimpsed a flash of black hair, heard the whispered words:
"Your boy's as good as dead."
Wolfe glanced down at the falling form of Rufus.
Looked up.
Into the furious, grief stricken blue of Martha Travers eyes.
"You," she hissed as she lifted her sword. "I'll kill you," she screamed as she brought the sword down.
Wolfe clenched his jaw shut and swallowed the scream that threatened to erupt as pain surged through him as the sword tore through his hand.
His grip loosened and he let go.
Spike let out a choked laugh of relief and giddiness as Joyce slowly began to drink.
"There...that's good," he murmured encouragingly. "That's good pet."
Wolfe opened his eyes as he felt a hand grip his and he was pulled out of the hellmouth.
"I beseech the powers have this seventh realm of hell be closed by the blood of he who opened it," Giles screamed.
The ground shook and with it, a flash of light flooded the room.
The hellmouth was sealed.
Giles slumped to the ground unconscious.
Willow hurried to him.
Oz and Xander looked around at the battlefield that had been their school library littered with dead or dying demons.
Then looked at each other.
Grinned.
"We did good," Xander, mused.
"Yeah," Oz agreed.
Wolfe lay sprawled out in the middle of the destroyed room. Lying on various body parts, soaked in blood.
He rolled his head to the side.
Gazed at his mom.
"Hey mom," he rasped out with a wide grin.
Buffy rolled her head far enough so she could look at her son.
Met his eyes.
Blinked away tears.
Smiled a heartbreakingly sad smile.
"Hey Wolfe."
~*~*~
Elias looked at Mornay as she sat slumped a defeated look about her.
He narrowed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
"What am I going to do with you Mornay? You failed me," he muttered as he paced the room.
Mornay glanced up a petulant look on her face.
"Well...one out of three isn't bad. I mean Angelus is dead. And hey, Rufus is too! And let's not forget Delos Elias! I did almost what you asked for," she snapped.
Elias scowled.
"Not even almost! I asked you to get rid of William, Angelus, and the Slayer! I wanted you to bring the boy to me! The only thing you accomplished was letting the Slayer reconnect with William and he killed Delos! You my girl have done nothing right! Making deals with the Slayer, playing people against one another! If you're going to do that, at least do it right and don't get caught! What do you have to say for yourself?"
Mornay glanced up and met his furious gaze with her own deadly brown.
"I want to know why you didn't trust me enough to let me do this on my own."
"What are you talking about?" he asked impatiently. "I gave you our best and they ended up dead, which should have been incentive to get back here where you belong and let me handle the Slayer!"
"So you make a deal with Angelus behind my back and ruin all of my plans?! I almost had the Slayer Elias. I would have had Spike as well. You never gave me the chance."
They were silent as each pondered their own thoughts.
"I can get the boy," she suddenly said.
Elias glanced at her in surprise.
"What?" he asked.
"I can get Wolfe. He has a demon," she muttered grimly.
Elias looked shocked at her words.
"He has a demon?" he gasped out.
"Yes," she answered.
"Do you know what this means?" he demanded. "What he could be?"
"Absolutely Elias! That is why I was trying to get him out of there in time but he was by far too strong for me. He has a demon and it is attracted to me. I can use that."
Elias stopped his pacing to stare off into space a brief second before he grinned and glanced at Mornay.
"Well I'll be! This is wonderful! New plan of attack. We want the boy alive. We need him alive and we shall get him. Mornay I will trust you with this, fail me again and I will be forced to make an example out of you."
Mornay grinned as she sat forward.
"I won't. I know what I'm doing and what I'll have to do in order to win him over."
~*~*~
Martha Travers stared out the window of her limo as it raced down the highway leaving behind Sunnydale and Rufus.
Her eyes were cold and flat as she thought of her husband.
Dead by the hands of such a child!
Anger blazed through her and she knew she would make him pay! Make him feel her pain and enjoy every minute of it.
First, she had to get Rufus back.
She had a plan on just how to do that.
Picking up her cell, she dialed a number.
"I'd like to speak to Mayor Wilkins please....Martha Travers newly appointed Head of the Council," she murmured coolly.
~*~*~
A/N: Remember to tell me what you want please. The end or another story. I would love to know and I will do what you guys want. Just let me know my e- mail address is Skyz20000@aol.com Put in regards to SKW sequel and I'll read it.