Chapter Thirty-Three
Buffy breathed quickly and moved herself to attack. She nodded to herself, and threw her body into the fold. She didn't think. It was like she was all animal, all warrior, all slayer. The Buffy that she showed on the outside went deep within her and a new Buffy emerged.
Faith swallowed her fear and jumped into the fray. She refused to loose herself; she refused to die. Faith fought with everything she had. She pushed back the thoughts that it wasn't enough and attacked. Words echoed in her mind. Her mother's words, her first watcher's words, Wesley's words, Buffy's words and finally Angel's words; Angel telling her that she was strong, that she could fight. He had always been there for her, even when she wasn't there for herself.
-
Angel tore into the school, knocking the jarred door onto the floor. He rushed past the burning remains of the lockers and desks. He ran through the school with a speed and agility he hadn't felt lately. He pulled the basement door open and rushed down the metal staircase.
Spike was less than a foot behind Angel. His leather duster flapped behind him as he ran. He bolted through the basement door and leapt down the first few stairs.
Giles and Wesley forged on; the girls battled the demons outside the school. Gunn, Connor and Rondell were caught in the parking lot by a pack of Turok-Han. Oz stayed close to Dawn. He wielded the long sword with precision. He knew in the back of his mind if things got worse, he would have to change into the wolf.
As demons fell, the fighters moved on, each inching closer and closer to the school doors, to the basement, to the Hellmouth below.
Willow braced herself and called on various spells to defeat the attacking demons. She felt herself weaken with each major spell. She braced herself for the moment her magick may fail.
Wesley battled fiercely, with Giles at his side. The two men moved together with hard faces and steady hands. Neither would risk losing his slayer tonight.
The group moved steadily to the school.
-
Angel leapt from the staircase and landed in the fight. Without thought, he bared his fangs and began fighting harder than he had ever fought before. Spinning kicks, punches, feet and hands, Angel threw everything he had at the demons.
Spike joined the fight. He could hear The First in his head, talking to him, bidding him to attack Buffy instead of the demons. Spike fought with every ounce of control he had. He pushed himself harder and harder, fighting only the demons in front of him.
-
Kennedy was the first to make it to the school. She forced herself through the wreckage and ran quickly to the basement door. She ran through the door and into the basement. The sight before her struck fear in her heart and mind. The room was covered in demons, most of them engaged in fighting Buffy and the others, a large group protected The First, while a group of Bringers stood to the side trying to restart their spell. Kennedy told herself they wouldn't succeed as she rushed the Bringers.
They were stronger than they looked.
Kennedy reeled from the first connecting blow. Blood poured from the gash in her head. She forged on. She threw herself back into the battle and fought the Bringers alone.
Amanda ran into the school. Kennedy was at least a minute ahead of her. She reached the basement door and ran to it. A Turok-Han attacked her from the side, pushing her from the door. Amanda looked at her attacker. Part of her froze. This was the one thing that had beaten Buffy in the beginning. Amanda closed her eyes. She pushed out with her legs and knocked the Turok-Han back. Amanda stood with determination in her eyes. Nothing was going to keep her from getting to her friends. She raised the battle-axe like a baseball bat and swung. She missed. The Turok-Han rushed her again, knocking her through a closed door. Amanda pressed her hand against her aching head; her hand was covered with her own blood. She stood shakily and pulled the battle-axe up again. She rushed the Turok- Han, forcing her body into his and knocking him off balance. She raised the axe above her head and swung down with all her might. The axe made a sickening noise as it hit the floor, taking off the monster's head with it. The Turok-Han turned to dust before her eyes. Amanda steadied herself and headed back to the basement door.
Rona gave the demons surrounding her everything she had. Three vampires surrounded her now. Vampires. Just plain old vampires. Rona quickly sliced her sword through the air, decapitating the first vampire. She leaned forward and kicked out with her leg. The second vampire lost his momentum and toppled back. Rona quickly spun and connected with the third vampire. His fist hit her face, sending her staggering back. Rona tossed her sword on the ground and opted for a wooden stake, she rushed the vampire, plunging the stake directly into his heart. The dust fell on her hands. Rona turned, searching for the final vampire. He pushed her from behind.
"Always wanted to taste a slayer." The vampire taunted.
Rona pushed herself up and thrust the stake into the vampire's heart. He crumbled on top of Rona. She pulled herself from the ground, collected her sword and ran down the hallway.
Vi finished her last attacker and quickly helped Molly with a large green demon. The two girls ran together, following Rona into the school.
Dawn was terrified. She used everything she had to fend off her attackers. Large and small, both demons and vampires attacked from every side. Oz threw his sword on the ground.
"Oz!" Dawn called, fearing he would be harmed.
Oz punched the demon in front of him with everything he could muster before dropping to the ground and painfully called the wolf forward. The sound of cloth ripping echoed through the battle as Oz changed into the werewolf. He threw himself back into the fight.
Dawn grabbed Oz's fallen sword and began attacking with a sword in each hand. The weight of the weapons made her swings wild and unfocused. But she was no longer going for the kill. Dawn's only thought was of getting to her sister before it was too late.
Gunn and Rondell fought together like old soldiers. Each anticipated the other's movement and attack. The two men fought as well trained dancers. Each went for maximum damage and death.
Connor broke off from his fight and raced to the school. His legs pounded against the wet grass as he leapt over a stone bench and into the courtyard. Connor rushed up the stairs and hurled himself full force into a Turok-Han. The demon slid across the floor. Connor didn't stop. He rushed to the basement door and ran down the stairs. He didn't stop to evaluate, he didn't stop to think, Connor simply threw himself into the battle and began helping where he could. He pulled two Bringers from Kennedy and plunged his stake into their stomach. He quickly dropped the bloody stake and drew a broadsword from his bag. He swung up with his weapon's bag and hit another Bringer in the face, sending him backwards and dazed. Kennedy jabbed a fallen blade into the Bringer's back and silently returned to the fight.
Demons poured into the basement. Buffy looked around. There was no telling where they were all coming from. She allowed herself a small smile as her friends rushed to her aide. Buffy worried that something bad would happen tonight. A thought pressed upon her. She worried about Dawn, about Angel, about her and Faith. But Buffy forged on. There wasn't room for emotion right now. Nothing could fuel the fire with in her. Her only target: stopping the Bringers. They wouldn't succeed in opening the Hellmouth.
Angel lifted the Turok-Han and threw him across the room, leaving another open for attack. He punched the second Turok-Han hard in the stomach, then pounded it to the floor, kicking it hard enough to send it across the room. The Turok-Han landed hard and rolled over onto it's back in obvious pain. Blood dripped from the Turok-Han's mouth. Angel slipped a dagger from inside his coat pocket and threw it hard, impaling the Turok-Han in the head. He instantly ran to the monster and tore the bloody knife from the Turok-Han's head. His fists moved in a blur as he continued to attack the weakened monster.
Faith spun quickly, jabbing her opponent with the broken half of her sword. The demon swung his fist toward her. Faith grabbed the demon's arm and kicked violently, causing the demon to fly up and back into a Bringer. Faith tossed the broken knife to the ground and attacked with only herself as a weapon. With a vicious cry of rage, Faith leapt up and uppercut the demon with everything she had, sending him back even further, away from the fallen Bringer. She followed with a roundhouse kick to the chest, knocking the demon to the floor.
Buffy leapt on top of the Turok-Han. She wasn't pulling punches, she wasn't afraid. Only one thought drove her, win or lose, she'd take out as many of these monsters as she could. She straddled the Turok-Han, landing blow after blow, it's head snapping from side to side from the force of her hands. Behind Buffy, a bringer shot out, landing a solid kick into her back and sending her flying off of the Turok-Han. The monster and the Bringer joined together to attack Buffy. The Bringer grabbed for her, plunging his knife deep into her stomach as the Turok-Han grabbed her from the floor by her hair. Buffy braced herself.
"No!" Dawn shouted, as she finally reached the basement. She looked to her sister as the Turok-Han bared his teeth.
Connor's head snapped to the side as Dawn's scream penetrated the atmosphere. He looked at the woman his father loved as she was dragged to her feet. Connor offered one last punch to the demon in front of him before turning and running to Buffy. Connor threw himself into the Turok- Han knocking him from Buffy.
Buffy landed on the ground with a harsh thud. She shot her leg up as hard as she could and kicked the Bringer in the knee. As the Bringer fell, she brought the heel of her foot down against his forehead. The wet crunch echoed in Buffy's ears. She lifted herself off of the ground and returned to the battle. The resolve in her eyes never wavered.
Buffy breathed quickly and moved herself to attack. She nodded to herself, and threw her body into the fold. She didn't think. It was like she was all animal, all warrior, all slayer. The Buffy that she showed on the outside went deep within her and a new Buffy emerged.
Faith swallowed her fear and jumped into the fray. She refused to loose herself; she refused to die. Faith fought with everything she had. She pushed back the thoughts that it wasn't enough and attacked. Words echoed in her mind. Her mother's words, her first watcher's words, Wesley's words, Buffy's words and finally Angel's words; Angel telling her that she was strong, that she could fight. He had always been there for her, even when she wasn't there for herself.
-
Angel tore into the school, knocking the jarred door onto the floor. He rushed past the burning remains of the lockers and desks. He ran through the school with a speed and agility he hadn't felt lately. He pulled the basement door open and rushed down the metal staircase.
Spike was less than a foot behind Angel. His leather duster flapped behind him as he ran. He bolted through the basement door and leapt down the first few stairs.
Giles and Wesley forged on; the girls battled the demons outside the school. Gunn, Connor and Rondell were caught in the parking lot by a pack of Turok-Han. Oz stayed close to Dawn. He wielded the long sword with precision. He knew in the back of his mind if things got worse, he would have to change into the wolf.
As demons fell, the fighters moved on, each inching closer and closer to the school doors, to the basement, to the Hellmouth below.
Willow braced herself and called on various spells to defeat the attacking demons. She felt herself weaken with each major spell. She braced herself for the moment her magick may fail.
Wesley battled fiercely, with Giles at his side. The two men moved together with hard faces and steady hands. Neither would risk losing his slayer tonight.
The group moved steadily to the school.
-
Angel leapt from the staircase and landed in the fight. Without thought, he bared his fangs and began fighting harder than he had ever fought before. Spinning kicks, punches, feet and hands, Angel threw everything he had at the demons.
Spike joined the fight. He could hear The First in his head, talking to him, bidding him to attack Buffy instead of the demons. Spike fought with every ounce of control he had. He pushed himself harder and harder, fighting only the demons in front of him.
-
Kennedy was the first to make it to the school. She forced herself through the wreckage and ran quickly to the basement door. She ran through the door and into the basement. The sight before her struck fear in her heart and mind. The room was covered in demons, most of them engaged in fighting Buffy and the others, a large group protected The First, while a group of Bringers stood to the side trying to restart their spell. Kennedy told herself they wouldn't succeed as she rushed the Bringers.
They were stronger than they looked.
Kennedy reeled from the first connecting blow. Blood poured from the gash in her head. She forged on. She threw herself back into the battle and fought the Bringers alone.
Amanda ran into the school. Kennedy was at least a minute ahead of her. She reached the basement door and ran to it. A Turok-Han attacked her from the side, pushing her from the door. Amanda looked at her attacker. Part of her froze. This was the one thing that had beaten Buffy in the beginning. Amanda closed her eyes. She pushed out with her legs and knocked the Turok-Han back. Amanda stood with determination in her eyes. Nothing was going to keep her from getting to her friends. She raised the battle-axe like a baseball bat and swung. She missed. The Turok-Han rushed her again, knocking her through a closed door. Amanda pressed her hand against her aching head; her hand was covered with her own blood. She stood shakily and pulled the battle-axe up again. She rushed the Turok- Han, forcing her body into his and knocking him off balance. She raised the axe above her head and swung down with all her might. The axe made a sickening noise as it hit the floor, taking off the monster's head with it. The Turok-Han turned to dust before her eyes. Amanda steadied herself and headed back to the basement door.
Rona gave the demons surrounding her everything she had. Three vampires surrounded her now. Vampires. Just plain old vampires. Rona quickly sliced her sword through the air, decapitating the first vampire. She leaned forward and kicked out with her leg. The second vampire lost his momentum and toppled back. Rona quickly spun and connected with the third vampire. His fist hit her face, sending her staggering back. Rona tossed her sword on the ground and opted for a wooden stake, she rushed the vampire, plunging the stake directly into his heart. The dust fell on her hands. Rona turned, searching for the final vampire. He pushed her from behind.
"Always wanted to taste a slayer." The vampire taunted.
Rona pushed herself up and thrust the stake into the vampire's heart. He crumbled on top of Rona. She pulled herself from the ground, collected her sword and ran down the hallway.
Vi finished her last attacker and quickly helped Molly with a large green demon. The two girls ran together, following Rona into the school.
Dawn was terrified. She used everything she had to fend off her attackers. Large and small, both demons and vampires attacked from every side. Oz threw his sword on the ground.
"Oz!" Dawn called, fearing he would be harmed.
Oz punched the demon in front of him with everything he could muster before dropping to the ground and painfully called the wolf forward. The sound of cloth ripping echoed through the battle as Oz changed into the werewolf. He threw himself back into the fight.
Dawn grabbed Oz's fallen sword and began attacking with a sword in each hand. The weight of the weapons made her swings wild and unfocused. But she was no longer going for the kill. Dawn's only thought was of getting to her sister before it was too late.
Gunn and Rondell fought together like old soldiers. Each anticipated the other's movement and attack. The two men fought as well trained dancers. Each went for maximum damage and death.
Connor broke off from his fight and raced to the school. His legs pounded against the wet grass as he leapt over a stone bench and into the courtyard. Connor rushed up the stairs and hurled himself full force into a Turok-Han. The demon slid across the floor. Connor didn't stop. He rushed to the basement door and ran down the stairs. He didn't stop to evaluate, he didn't stop to think, Connor simply threw himself into the battle and began helping where he could. He pulled two Bringers from Kennedy and plunged his stake into their stomach. He quickly dropped the bloody stake and drew a broadsword from his bag. He swung up with his weapon's bag and hit another Bringer in the face, sending him backwards and dazed. Kennedy jabbed a fallen blade into the Bringer's back and silently returned to the fight.
Demons poured into the basement. Buffy looked around. There was no telling where they were all coming from. She allowed herself a small smile as her friends rushed to her aide. Buffy worried that something bad would happen tonight. A thought pressed upon her. She worried about Dawn, about Angel, about her and Faith. But Buffy forged on. There wasn't room for emotion right now. Nothing could fuel the fire with in her. Her only target: stopping the Bringers. They wouldn't succeed in opening the Hellmouth.
Angel lifted the Turok-Han and threw him across the room, leaving another open for attack. He punched the second Turok-Han hard in the stomach, then pounded it to the floor, kicking it hard enough to send it across the room. The Turok-Han landed hard and rolled over onto it's back in obvious pain. Blood dripped from the Turok-Han's mouth. Angel slipped a dagger from inside his coat pocket and threw it hard, impaling the Turok-Han in the head. He instantly ran to the monster and tore the bloody knife from the Turok-Han's head. His fists moved in a blur as he continued to attack the weakened monster.
Faith spun quickly, jabbing her opponent with the broken half of her sword. The demon swung his fist toward her. Faith grabbed the demon's arm and kicked violently, causing the demon to fly up and back into a Bringer. Faith tossed the broken knife to the ground and attacked with only herself as a weapon. With a vicious cry of rage, Faith leapt up and uppercut the demon with everything she had, sending him back even further, away from the fallen Bringer. She followed with a roundhouse kick to the chest, knocking the demon to the floor.
Buffy leapt on top of the Turok-Han. She wasn't pulling punches, she wasn't afraid. Only one thought drove her, win or lose, she'd take out as many of these monsters as she could. She straddled the Turok-Han, landing blow after blow, it's head snapping from side to side from the force of her hands. Behind Buffy, a bringer shot out, landing a solid kick into her back and sending her flying off of the Turok-Han. The monster and the Bringer joined together to attack Buffy. The Bringer grabbed for her, plunging his knife deep into her stomach as the Turok-Han grabbed her from the floor by her hair. Buffy braced herself.
"No!" Dawn shouted, as she finally reached the basement. She looked to her sister as the Turok-Han bared his teeth.
Connor's head snapped to the side as Dawn's scream penetrated the atmosphere. He looked at the woman his father loved as she was dragged to her feet. Connor offered one last punch to the demon in front of him before turning and running to Buffy. Connor threw himself into the Turok- Han knocking him from Buffy.
Buffy landed on the ground with a harsh thud. She shot her leg up as hard as she could and kicked the Bringer in the knee. As the Bringer fell, she brought the heel of her foot down against his forehead. The wet crunch echoed in Buffy's ears. She lifted herself off of the ground and returned to the battle. The resolve in her eyes never wavered.
