Chapter Two
Everybody out of the water
Up on dry land
Take what you can
Cause you won't be here again
Everybody out of the water
~"Everybody Out of the Water" by The Wallflowers
The First stepped over the fallen bodies of his suppliants, his duster brushing across them. A growl rose deep in his throat when he realized Spike was gone. He looked at the real vampire in disgust as it go to its feet. So mush for the all-powerful vampire. Cold-cocked by a mere human.
It approached The First, waiting patiently for its order.
'Spike' looked at the creature, "What are you looking at?"
The vampire said nothing but continued to stand by, waiting.
'Spike' let out a noise that expressed his ever growing disgust. "So, let's see, not only can you fail, but so can everything else." He began to pace the room, stepping over the bodies he came across. "Why does it seem like everything is failing? You, my pathetic excuses for harbingers. Not to mention that worthless vampire. Can't anyone do anything right anymore?!" Suddenly, he stopped pacing, and a smirk appeared across his face. "Of course. How could I have forgotten...the ritual... That can't go wrong. It won't." He looked at 'Nosferatu,' "Don't worry, mate. You'll be reigning over them in no time." He laughed menacingly.
Logan City
near Brisbane, Australia
Young Tracey ran through the darkened streets of the usually quiet suburb of the larger Brisbane, occasionally looking back to see if her stalkers were still giving chase.
Fear had effectively paralyzed her vocal cords, not allowing her to scream for help from the many houses she past by. Even if she did somehow manage to get their attention, would they be able to help? Would her possible saviors be shot down by her unknown chasers?
Not wasting another minute thinking about the what-if's, Tracey looked back again. They were gone. What the hell?
Either way, she wasn't going to stop until she got home. She looked forward.
And slid to a halting stop.
Somehow, the mysterious hooded figures got in front of her. They stood deathly still, each brandishing a long-bladed knife.
Tracey spun around, intending to run back the way she came. But, there was even more. She managed to let out a small whimper when thoughts of her impending death sprang forth.
She was trapped.
The hooded figures approached her and Tracey dropped into a defensive stance her trainer, Yunalesca, taught her. If she absolutely had to, she'd fight.
She let out a kick at the nearest one, connecting with its stomach. He grunted and keeled forward. She slammed her fists into his back, sending him sprawling on the ground. She grabbed his knife and faced the rest. They went at her. In a blinded fury, Tracey somehow managed to kill or wound the majority of them. She was surprised at her ability, she had only begun training one year ago. Hardly enough time to make her ready to face such villains as these.
Realizing the rest had fled, Tracey let out a huge sigh. Slipping the bloodied knife in the waistband of her pants, she quickly made her way home, eager to tell Yunalesca what had happened.
Her watcher would no doubt be proud.
Sunnydale, California
The Marriott, Sunnydale's most expensive hotel, was completely booked by the Council. They went to the hotel after arriving in the city. So far, there had been no evidence that The First was trailing them. But everyone in the Council knew the relief would be short-lived. After all, The First Evil was everywhere. Now matter how long they ran, no matter how far, it was only a matter of time before The First found them. But the Council was determined it would not go down without a fight.
And that was the reason Quentin Travers ordered the destruction of the Watcher's Council Headquarters. It was a desperate measure, but, as the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures. Thousands of priceless books were lost; the Council took only those believed to be pertinent for the raging war coming. There was no room for all of them. It was a shame to watch all those irreplaceable books go up in a giant ball of flames. No telling what else could have been lost...
They arrived in Sunnydale with high hopes of joining the Slayer. With her by their side, there was a better chance the war would be won by those opposed to The First...
Quentin stood quietly, looking out the large window of his suite overlooking the city, sipping a cup of Earl Grey, trying to relax. Trying to convince himself it was not the end.
There was a quiet knock on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Lydia stepping in, closing it tightly behind her. "Sorry for disturbing you, but I just wanted to let you know that the rest have arrived. We are already to move as soon as you give the order, sir." There was a slight tremor in her voice; she was afraid.
Travers turned to look at her, nodding his head, "Good. Good. We'll wait till morning."
She nodded and hesitated, as if she couldn't decide whether to stay or go.
"Is there something else, Lydia?"
"I...It's just that...Are you sure the Slayer will be able to help us? Will she be able to take care of The First?"
Travers smiled slightly and placed his cup of tea on the desk next to the window. He approached her and, placing his hands upon her shoulders, said, "Lydia, dear, I know you're scared. And you have every right to be. But I assure you, I have every confidence that Miss Summers will succeed in her goal."
Lydia smiled and nodded, "You're right. Of course, you're right. I'm not sure where my mind was going."
"That's quite alright. And quite normal to feel so."
Lydia looked as though she felt ashamed of what she felt. "I'm sorry for disturbing you, sire."
"Oh, don't worry about it."
She nodded, "Goodnight, sir."
"Goodnight," he said as she shut the door.
Alone, Travers sighed and returned to the window and his cup of Earl Grey. If only it could be done as easily as it could be said...
Logan City
near Brisbane, Australia
Yunalesca was a relatively young woman, in her early-to-mid thirties. But, as of lately, she felt ancient. Especially tonight.
She sat by the blazing fireplace nervously wringing her hands. Tracey was late. She had been allowed to go to a dance club with the promise that she would be no later than one o'clock in the morning.
It was now two thirty.
A thousand what-ifs flew through her mind. The biggest being Tracey was killed by demons.
Oh, God, I'm sure a failure, Yunalesca thought, I can't even keep my Slayer-in-training alive long enough to go to a dance club and back again. What would the Council think? Giles? Would she have to call him back and tell him never mind, Tracey won't be coming?
Suddenly the door opened. Yunalesca was on her feet immediately to greet Tracey.
Tracey noticed her and sighed dramatically, "Yeah, I know. 'You're late, Tracey. You are not allowed to go out again until I feel you have learnt your lesson.'"
Yunalesca noticed the ragged and tired expression appearance of her slayer, "Dear Lord. Did something happen?"
"You could say that, yeah."
"Tracey, what happened?"
"Umm...I was attacked."
"Dear Lord. Are you alright?"
Tracey nodded, "Yeah." She pulled the knife out of her waistband. "Got a nice souvenir, though."
"May I?" Yunalesca asked.
"Sure," Tracey said, handing her Watcher the knife.
Yunalesca examined it. She had a feeling who it belonged to. "Your attackers. Can you describe them?"
"They had these robes and hoods. I didn't get a good look at their faces."
Yunalesca nodded. That was all she needed to know. "Tracey, I need you to pack a bag."
"What? What are you talking about?" Tracey asked, suddenly nervous.
"You're in grave danger if you stay her."
"But...where am I going?"
"Mr. Giles rang earlier while you out. He's gathering all of you."
"What do you mean 'all of you?'"
"There are more girls out there, like you. And, like you, they're all in danger."
"Where is he taking me?"
"Sunnydale, California."
"Are you going, too?" Tracey hated the fact that her voice sounded so weak and scared, like a little girl.
Yunalesca shook her head, "I'm sorry. But I must stay here."
"But, Yuna, I don't want to be alone," Tracey voiced her worst fear.
Yunalesca softened at Tracey's expression. "Oh, dearie, you won't be alone. There'll be others like you. And the Slayer."
"But I've never been away from Brisbane my entire life."
"You'll be fine."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Of course, Tracey. As soon as everything is through. You'll be home."
Tracey nodded. Suddenly, Yunalesca felt two arms encircling her neck. She was surprised by Tracey's display of emotion. Tracey usually kept to herself. She, of course, returned the hug with equal affection.
"When will he be here?" Tracey asked.
"He's going to meet you at the airport in Sunnydale. He's already booked you a flight. Which means we need to hurry if we're going to get there in time."
Moscow, Russia
A young girl, Tatiana, waved sadly goodbye to her Watcher as boarded the plane.
London, England
Two girls, Molly and Annabelle, with their Watchers studied the departures. Neither knew they would be headed to the same place. Neither knew their lives would become forever linked.
Chicago, Illinois
"Now, promise me you won't get into too much trouble," a middle-aged man with a British accent said.
The teenager he spoke to rolled her eyes, "Of course. I wouldn't dream of doing anything I wouldn't normally do."
"That's what I'm afraid of," the man replied.
She smirked, knowing he was kidding with her. The intercom announced the flight from Chicago to Sunnydale was now boarding.
The man picked up her carryon and handed it to her, "There's your flight, Kennedy."
"Yeah. Guess I'll see you in a few...weeks...months...however long."
He nodded, "Be careful. Please."
"I will." She gave him a quick hug before boarding the plane.
Sunnydale, California
Together, Spike and Buffy moved down the stairs. She stayed close by just in case he stumbled, his body still weak from the past week's events. She helped him get past the waiting Scoobies and to the sofa.
Once he was settled, she asked, "Are you hungry? Need me to get you any blood?"
"If it's no trouble."
"No trouble at all," Buffy said and quickly went to the kitchen to get some. She returned quickly and handed him the mug before taking a seat next to him. The Scoobies watched in silence as he downed the thick red liquid.
One he was finished, Buffy asked, "So, what happened?"
Spike shrugged, "Those nice chaps with the lovely hoods knocked me out and next thing, I find myself being strapped to a cross. And, of course, there was blinding pain." There was an instant of silence before he looked at Buffy, "The First?"
She nodded.
"That's what's been playing me?"
"Yeah."
"What the hell does it want?"
"We're still working on that."
He nodded.
"What the hell was that thing?" Xander asked, referring to 'Nosferatu.'
"I already told the Slayer that I don't have a single buggering clue. All I know is that Bu- I mean The First told me it was a real vampire. Whatever the hell that means."
No one seemed to notice Spike's near-slip when he mentioned The First. Well, Buffy did, but she decided to deal with it later. Not now. She wanted to be alone with him.
There was a knock on the door.
"Hmm, wonder who that could be at this time of day..." Buffy said as she got up to answer.
As she pulled the door back, she exclaimed in surprise, "Giles?" She noticed the group of girls behind him, "And...who are you?"
End Chapter Two
A/N: Hope I got that little bit about Logan City being a suburb of Brisbane....