CHAPTER FOUR
It was the last week of school and the Pod Squad was gathered in the Quad for lunch. Michael was sitting on the grass, leaning against a big tree. Maria lay on the grass with her head in Michael's lap while he played with her hair. Max and Kyle were discussing football, although Max seemed to be more interested at pretending not to stare at Liz. Isabel, Liz and Maria were talking about the upcoming end-of-school party that Lisa Desuza was throwing, although Liz seemed to be more interested in pretending not to stare at Max.
Michael just sat there and observed his circle of friends. They were an unlikely group. A jock, a dork, a spaz, a brain, a princess and a loner. Two geeks, two loud mouths and two popular people, all joined by one secret…one betrayal. Three from perfect and three from broken homes with a strong connection that is only broken by death.
'We're like a gang' he thought grimly, 'the only way to leave is in a body bag.'
Maria rolled over and looked at him, "Nice analogy, Spaceboy," she said.
The others just looked at her in confusion.
"What analogy?"
"If you want to know you should have been listening."
"But Michael didn't say anything," Isabel said.
"Yeah he did, he said we're like a gang…"
"No, he was just sitting there," Isabel said.
"I'm pretty sure I heard him," she said.
"How are we like a gang?" Liz asked.
"The only way to leave is in a body bag," Maria and Michael said.
"Oh."
"Michael, are you sure you spoke?" Isabel asked not letting it go.
"Not really, I know I was thinking about it, I don't really remember saying it though."
"Okay, we'll just chalk it up to Deluca-Guerin- post-hot-alien-nookie weirdness," Kyle said. Michael and Maria looked at each other and shrugged. Just then, the warning bell rang. Max and Liz got up immediately and went off to class like the good little students they were while the rest of the school lingered for a while before the real bell rang.
"So, do you guys want to meet in at the Crashdown after closing today?" Isabel asked.
"Uh, um, we can't we kinda had plans," Maria said.
"Oh," she said disappointed, "see you then." She headed out in the direction of the school and went to class.
"I wish I could tell them," Maria said quietly.
"Are you ready to tell them?" Michael asked.
"No. I know they'll want to help and…I don't want them to get hurt," she said leaning against his chest.
"They'll know soon enough with your big mouth," he whispered playfully. She turned around and smacked him on the arm. Then leaned back on his chest. He placed a kiss on her forehead.
Class forgotten, or rather ignored, they went to the parking lot and headed over to Buffy's.
It was seven o'clock on Friday night when Liz, Isabel and Maria were in Liz's room getting ready for the party. They had all been looking forward to going all week. It was a break from the gloom and doom of being in the Pod Squad.
Isabel sat at the vanity, fixing her hair with her special 'technique'.
"What do you think of this?" Her long blond her was pulled up into a bun, long tendrils hung about her face.
"Too dressy," Maria said. Isabel passed her hand over her head and it fell back down, straight. She stared at the mirror, then crimped her hair. She grunted in displeasure and returned her hair to its original, natural style. Maria walked up behind her and put her hands up on her head.
"How about glitter," she said. Her hands began to glow and Isabel's hair shone with the sparkly goodness of glitter.
"Better…wait, how'd you do that?"
"Do what?…Oh my God!"
"What's up, you guys?" Liz asked as she walked into the bedroom from the adjoining bathroom. She wore a light blue halter-top and a pair of tight black jeans.
"Maria…"
"I did something Czechoslovakian." She walked over to Liz and put her hands on her top making it glittery.
"Oh my God! H-how did this happen?"
"I don't know, we'll discuss it later. Now, let's just get ready for the party."
The three girls got ready and then sat on Liz's bed talking.
"So, how're things going with Max?" Isabel asked.
"They're okay. I really think that things are going to be okay."
'Good. Now maybe you two'll stop nagging me and Michael for advice,' Maria thought to herself.
'They're back together? Thank god! Now I won't have to change my phone number,' Michael's voice said in her head.
'Hey, Spaceboy. When are you guys getting here?'
'We're almost there so get ready for your big entrance.'
'Okay, see ya'
"Maria? Earth to Maria!" Isabel was saying, waving her hand in Maria's face. She had been calling her for the past five minutes.
"Huh? What?"
"You zoned out on us," Liz said, "it's like you weren't even here."
"I, uh, was talking to Michael," then to avoid comment she added, "they're almost here, get a move on!"
"Oh my god! I'm not even done with my hair!"
"Come here," said Isabel. She turned to Maria, "we are so gonna talk about this later."
Maria groaned in protest. Isabel waved her hand over Liz's hair and styled it instantly. Just then, the doorbell rang and they could hear Mrs. Parker let the boys in. They sauntered out to the living room to meet their guys. Jaws dropped to signify the beginning of the evening.
They went out into the dark, cool night and headed over to the school year's last hoorah. Michael and Max took Maria and Liz in the Evans' new Jeep Wrangler and Kyle took Isabel in his Mustang.
When they got there the party was already in full swing. The music was loud and the alcoholically impaired were puking on the front lawn. Colored lights flashed from within the reasonably packed house. Only the fact that the house was huge made the large mass of cars that surrounded the tri- block area an unsurprising feat considering this was only a house party.
As soon as they got inside, Kyle headed for the keg, Isabel found some groupies, Max and Liz found a corner to stare at each other in and Maria dragged Michael to the dance floor.
They sat in the living room discussing their new additions. Buffy sat in an armchair across from Giles who was in a chair across the room. Willow and Tara shared the overstuffed sofa while Xander and Anya lay on the floor. Dawn and Spike were in the TV Room playing video games.
"I think they're doing quite well," said Giles.
"Yeah, it's unreal how strong Maria is."
"I know," Buffy said, "Michael is as strong as I am, maybe even a little stronger."
"Does anyone else find that guy weird?" Xander asked.
"And intimidating," Tara added. The others shrugged.
"They seem to be stronger together than apart," said Giles, referring to the day before. It was the one day of the week that Maria and Michael's shifts at the Crashdown weren't together. They had come to training alone.
Michael could barely hit the punching bag. He usually used Buffy's bag since he was stronger than the regular humans were. The bag usually swung back and forth wildly as soon as he got started. The bag barely even moved. It didn't even dent with the impact. Maria, on the other hand, was extra strong. She destroyed her punching bag with two punches and a kick. Due to her earlier display of extraordinary strength, they had a special punching bag made for her. They had filled the middle with cement and padded around it with foam to make it heavier. They also cemented it to the roof. The combination proved to be an effective work out for Maria, but that day, she pummeled it without even breaking a sweat. After the five minutes of exercise, she blacked out and didn't awaken until two hours later when Michael showed up.
"They do seem more…balanced when they are together, though that could have been a fluke," said Buffy.
"Possibly, but if not, it could be extremely dangerous."
"We'll have to discuss it with them."
Just then, the phone rang. Buffy jumped up to answer it.
"Giles. It's for you. It's Wesley."
By eleven o'clock, the Pod Squad was tired of pretending to be happy. Kyle was drunk, and Max, Liz and Isabel were bored. Michael and Maria seemed to be the only ones having a good time, which was unusual because Michael hated social events. He and Maria spent three hours dancing, which was also strange considering Michael hated to dance.
The six of them walked to where their cars were parked, three blocks away. Suddenly, a group of vampires jumped out of a dark alleyway. They were surrounded by ten vampires that were currently licking their chops and snarling at them.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here," the leader said.
"Mmmm. Dinner," another said. They licked their lips greedily at the four scared teenagers. Max glanced at Liz and Isabel. They were terrified. He turned to Kyle who was now sober from his terror. At last his eyes landed on Michael and Maria, who didn't look at all surprised.
"I'm sorry, you're not my type," Michael said sarcastically, "I like my dates alive."
"Likewise," Maria taunted, as she discreetly pulled a stake out of her purse.
"Ooh, feisty dinner. A lot of fun to eat," the leader said as he advanced on his prey.
"Dumb vampires," Maria commented as she staked the nearest vampire.
"How very common," Michael finished, staking another. They snarled and launched themselves on Michael and Maria, the others momentarily forgotten.
The others stood in shock at the scene that was unfolding before them. Maria kicked a huge vampire across the alleyway while staking a little one. Michael staked two vampires and kicked another. After about five minutes of fighting, Michael and Maria joined hands and walked away from the dust covered alley. Max, Liz, Isabel and Kyle stared after them in stunned silence before following them.
"We have to tell them now," Michael stated.
"I know," she answered, "that was a close one."
"Did you see the look on Maxwell's face?" Michael asked amused.
"Priceless," she smiled, "I wish we had a camera."
"I thought Liz's jaw was gonna fall off."
Maria chuckled. "This is gonna be a long night."
They leaned against the jeep and waited on their still stunned, explanation- expecting friends. When the others finally made it over, they all got into their respective cars and by silent agreement, headed over to Michael's apartment.
Silently, they all filed in to Michael's apartment. Michael and Maria stood by the counter. Max, Liz and Isabel sat on the couch and Kyle sat on the recliner. They all stared at each other until Max broke the silence.
"What's going on?"
Maria shifted uncomfortably. Michael stood there with a stoic expression on his face.
"Um, those were vampires," Maria said. They looked at her as if she were crazy.
"It's true. Vampires and demons exist," Michael said.
"Okay, so…how did you know how to fight them?" Isabel asked still not fully believing.
"Because… I'm the vampire slayer," Maria said.
"And that is…?"
"I'm destined to fight vampires and demons for the side of good," Maria said, "There's a whole prophesy thing but I don't remember it."
"And what does Michael have to do with it?"
"He's my boyfriend and he was there when we first got attacked. He comes with me to train and he helps keep Buffy on her toes."
"Who's Buffy?"
"She's another slayer."
"How many slayers are there?" asked Liz.
"Originally? One. Right now? Three." Michael answered.
"Okay, explain."
"Actually, Giles is better at this than I am, but okay," Maria said, "In every generation they choose this one girl to be a slayer and then when she dies, another one is called."
"This system worked until Buffy drowned a few years ago and was brought back to life through CPR."
"Since she was officially dead for like, two minutes, another one was called and that made two."
"Then that one went evil, tried to kill Buffy, went to jail, yada yada…"
"And then Buffy had to fight this god. She was like, way powerful."
"She died again and this time, her friends raised her from the dead with a spell."
"That's when I was called."
"What's that make kiddies? Three."
"Okay. What are you guys on?" Kyle asked.
"Guess we're goin' to see Giles," Maria said looking from one disbelieving face to another.
The ride to Giles' was quiet to say the least. No one knew what to make of this newfound knowledge. Aliens were hard enough to swallow…but demons? It was way too unreal for them.
The house at least was impressive. It was very inviting and warm looking on the outside. They sort of half-expected a dark gothic creepy old house. Michael and Maria walked right up the front steps, opened the door and went in like they owned the place. A short brunette with blue eyes greeted them with a hug and regarded the new guests warmly before motioning for them to follow her into the living room.
As they walked into the living room the girl announced their arrival to seven other people.
"Hey Maria, Michael. What's up?" a short blond asked them.
"These are our friends," Maria said, "Max, Liz, Isabel and Kyle, meet Buffy, Willow, Xander, Dawn, Tara, Giles, Anya and Spike."
"Guys, this is where we go every afternoon."
"Hi," the Scooby Gang chorused warmly.
"Hey," the Pod squad said.
"Okay Giles, do your thing," Maria said.
"What thing?"
"Tell them about demons and stuff. They don't believe us."
"Um, okay. Buffy can fill you in. I need to have a word with you."
"Okay," they said as they walked off with Giles.
"Okay, what's going on?" Michael asked as he closed the door to Giles' office behind him.
"We have a bit of a problem."
"What is it?" Maria asked.
"You are aware that I am Buffy's watcher," they nodded and he continued, "Well, Faith had a watcher also, his name is Wesley. He works in LA with Angel."
"So?"
"About a year ago, he and Angel acquired a scroll of prophecies, real prophesies; a Nyazian Scroll. He has been in the process of translating it for that time," Giles started pacing in front of them, unconsciously cleaning his glass and replacing it on his face repeatedly. "Recently he has translated one of the scripts. It speaks of something arising which results in the end of the world. Now, due to the varying languages the scroll is written in, he cannot be sure as to what it is."
"So…we have to go back to LA to help him fight of this thing," Michael stated.
"Yes."
"So, when do we leave?" Maria asked.
"Tomorrow morning. The council has provided us with enough money to get plane tickets out. We have a 2 am flight. You will need to get permission from your parents, though."
"That's easy, my Mom's out of town for a week and a half."
"And you Michael?"
"Easier. No parents."
"Oh yes well. Be ready tomorrow by midnight. We will be over to pick you up then."
"Cool. We'll be over at Michael's."
"I also wanted to tell you that when we get to LA, you two are not to separate if we are to fight. It seems that you cannot fight when you are not in close proximity to each other," said Giles, "When you are apart, Michael becomes weak and Maria loses energy. We are not sure why this is, but this connection may prove to be very dangerous. We must keep you two together until we figure out how to fix this."
"Fine by me," they said in unison.
"Very well."
They walked back to the living room and were greeted by four stunned faces and seven amused ones.
"B-but it is scientifically impossible," Liz was saying.
"Hey Guerin, this another one of your elaborate jokes? 'Cause it's not funny man," said Kyle.
"I think you better show 'em Spike," Dawn said. Spike vamped out and fake- attacked Max.
He jumped and almost fell over the coffee table. Michael snickered.
'I gotta find a new name for him, fearless leader won't cut it anymore,' he thought to Maria. Maria laughed at the comment and the look on Max's face.
Isabel looked at Spike with curiosity. She reached up and lightly touched his forehead. She jumped slightly as he changed back beneath her fingers.
"Tres cool."
"Wait a minute. He's a vampire? I thought that you were supposed to kill them," asked Max.
"There was this government project called the Initiative. They captured demons and vampires and sort of tested on them," Buffy said. The aliens involuntarily cringed, "they put a chip in his head, so he can't hurt any living thing."
"I can still pummel demons, thank you very much," Spike said, "The Big Bad isn't completely out of business."
The new comers nodded in false comprehension. It would take a while for this new information to sink in. Their understanding of the situation was not as natural as that of Michael and Maria. With them, it was like just awakening old knowledge.
Sensing that their guests were about to go on overload and that the Scooby Gang needed to talk, Dawn took the others to the TV room for drinks and video games. She at least would get some opponents that she could have a decent game with. Spike, Michael and Maria always beat her because they were unnaturally good at strategising and, well, the others either tried to let her win or just sucked at video games.
Max, Liz and Kyle settled on the couch, glasses of coke in hand, while Isabel, who was less shocked, played Mortal Kombat with Dawn.
"So, do we like, have to train now too?" Isabel asked.
"If you want. If you're gonna be hanging around the slayer it would be helpful."
"So, what's Sunnydale like?"
"It sits on a Hellmouth. It's about the size of Roswell and we have twelve cemeteries. The place is overrun with demons and vampires. The death rate of that place used to be sky high until Buffy moved to town…well, it's still high, but not as high now."
"So, how old are you Dawn?"
"Fifteen. I'll be sixteen next month."
"You ever had to go into battle?"
"Yeah, well. There was this god named Glory. She got banished from her dimension and couldn't get back without this mystical key."
"So what happened?" asked Isabel, intrigued.
"Well, these priest guys made the key into human form and sent it to the Slayer to protect."
"You're the key," Isabel stated.
"Yeah, when Glory found out, she kidnapped me and tried to use me to open the gateway between the worlds. Buffy killed her, but not before she cut me and opened the portal. The only way to stop it was to stop the blood flow," Dawn said, getting slightly tearful, "Buffy…she sacrificed herself."
"And then you resurrected her."
"Yes."
"Wow," was all Isabel could say. Dawn used the distraction to pummel Isabel's character.
"HA! I win, I win!" Dawn chanted. Isabel smiled up at her.
"That was so not fair. I say rematch."
"Okay, but I've been learning from Michael and nobody beats him. Not even Spike."
"We'll see about that."
The two spent the next half-hour playing their game. Max, Liz and Kyle still sat on the couch quietly consumed in their own thoughts. Dawn was content at finally finding a good game buddy and Isabel was glad to be free of thoughts of Alex and Tess for at least one night.
Michael and Maria walked in soon after and explained the situation in LA to the rest of the Pod Squad. After a few minutes of discussion, it was decided that they all would go tomorrow to help with the prophecy. They were all to meet the next morning for basic training before they headed out to the city of Angels. Afterwards, they said their good-byes and went home to sleep. They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow.
It was the last week of school and the Pod Squad was gathered in the Quad for lunch. Michael was sitting on the grass, leaning against a big tree. Maria lay on the grass with her head in Michael's lap while he played with her hair. Max and Kyle were discussing football, although Max seemed to be more interested at pretending not to stare at Liz. Isabel, Liz and Maria were talking about the upcoming end-of-school party that Lisa Desuza was throwing, although Liz seemed to be more interested in pretending not to stare at Max.
Michael just sat there and observed his circle of friends. They were an unlikely group. A jock, a dork, a spaz, a brain, a princess and a loner. Two geeks, two loud mouths and two popular people, all joined by one secret…one betrayal. Three from perfect and three from broken homes with a strong connection that is only broken by death.
'We're like a gang' he thought grimly, 'the only way to leave is in a body bag.'
Maria rolled over and looked at him, "Nice analogy, Spaceboy," she said.
The others just looked at her in confusion.
"What analogy?"
"If you want to know you should have been listening."
"But Michael didn't say anything," Isabel said.
"Yeah he did, he said we're like a gang…"
"No, he was just sitting there," Isabel said.
"I'm pretty sure I heard him," she said.
"How are we like a gang?" Liz asked.
"The only way to leave is in a body bag," Maria and Michael said.
"Oh."
"Michael, are you sure you spoke?" Isabel asked not letting it go.
"Not really, I know I was thinking about it, I don't really remember saying it though."
"Okay, we'll just chalk it up to Deluca-Guerin- post-hot-alien-nookie weirdness," Kyle said. Michael and Maria looked at each other and shrugged. Just then, the warning bell rang. Max and Liz got up immediately and went off to class like the good little students they were while the rest of the school lingered for a while before the real bell rang.
"So, do you guys want to meet in at the Crashdown after closing today?" Isabel asked.
"Uh, um, we can't we kinda had plans," Maria said.
"Oh," she said disappointed, "see you then." She headed out in the direction of the school and went to class.
"I wish I could tell them," Maria said quietly.
"Are you ready to tell them?" Michael asked.
"No. I know they'll want to help and…I don't want them to get hurt," she said leaning against his chest.
"They'll know soon enough with your big mouth," he whispered playfully. She turned around and smacked him on the arm. Then leaned back on his chest. He placed a kiss on her forehead.
Class forgotten, or rather ignored, they went to the parking lot and headed over to Buffy's.
It was seven o'clock on Friday night when Liz, Isabel and Maria were in Liz's room getting ready for the party. They had all been looking forward to going all week. It was a break from the gloom and doom of being in the Pod Squad.
Isabel sat at the vanity, fixing her hair with her special 'technique'.
"What do you think of this?" Her long blond her was pulled up into a bun, long tendrils hung about her face.
"Too dressy," Maria said. Isabel passed her hand over her head and it fell back down, straight. She stared at the mirror, then crimped her hair. She grunted in displeasure and returned her hair to its original, natural style. Maria walked up behind her and put her hands up on her head.
"How about glitter," she said. Her hands began to glow and Isabel's hair shone with the sparkly goodness of glitter.
"Better…wait, how'd you do that?"
"Do what?…Oh my God!"
"What's up, you guys?" Liz asked as she walked into the bedroom from the adjoining bathroom. She wore a light blue halter-top and a pair of tight black jeans.
"Maria…"
"I did something Czechoslovakian." She walked over to Liz and put her hands on her top making it glittery.
"Oh my God! H-how did this happen?"
"I don't know, we'll discuss it later. Now, let's just get ready for the party."
The three girls got ready and then sat on Liz's bed talking.
"So, how're things going with Max?" Isabel asked.
"They're okay. I really think that things are going to be okay."
'Good. Now maybe you two'll stop nagging me and Michael for advice,' Maria thought to herself.
'They're back together? Thank god! Now I won't have to change my phone number,' Michael's voice said in her head.
'Hey, Spaceboy. When are you guys getting here?'
'We're almost there so get ready for your big entrance.'
'Okay, see ya'
"Maria? Earth to Maria!" Isabel was saying, waving her hand in Maria's face. She had been calling her for the past five minutes.
"Huh? What?"
"You zoned out on us," Liz said, "it's like you weren't even here."
"I, uh, was talking to Michael," then to avoid comment she added, "they're almost here, get a move on!"
"Oh my god! I'm not even done with my hair!"
"Come here," said Isabel. She turned to Maria, "we are so gonna talk about this later."
Maria groaned in protest. Isabel waved her hand over Liz's hair and styled it instantly. Just then, the doorbell rang and they could hear Mrs. Parker let the boys in. They sauntered out to the living room to meet their guys. Jaws dropped to signify the beginning of the evening.
They went out into the dark, cool night and headed over to the school year's last hoorah. Michael and Max took Maria and Liz in the Evans' new Jeep Wrangler and Kyle took Isabel in his Mustang.
When they got there the party was already in full swing. The music was loud and the alcoholically impaired were puking on the front lawn. Colored lights flashed from within the reasonably packed house. Only the fact that the house was huge made the large mass of cars that surrounded the tri- block area an unsurprising feat considering this was only a house party.
As soon as they got inside, Kyle headed for the keg, Isabel found some groupies, Max and Liz found a corner to stare at each other in and Maria dragged Michael to the dance floor.
They sat in the living room discussing their new additions. Buffy sat in an armchair across from Giles who was in a chair across the room. Willow and Tara shared the overstuffed sofa while Xander and Anya lay on the floor. Dawn and Spike were in the TV Room playing video games.
"I think they're doing quite well," said Giles.
"Yeah, it's unreal how strong Maria is."
"I know," Buffy said, "Michael is as strong as I am, maybe even a little stronger."
"Does anyone else find that guy weird?" Xander asked.
"And intimidating," Tara added. The others shrugged.
"They seem to be stronger together than apart," said Giles, referring to the day before. It was the one day of the week that Maria and Michael's shifts at the Crashdown weren't together. They had come to training alone.
Michael could barely hit the punching bag. He usually used Buffy's bag since he was stronger than the regular humans were. The bag usually swung back and forth wildly as soon as he got started. The bag barely even moved. It didn't even dent with the impact. Maria, on the other hand, was extra strong. She destroyed her punching bag with two punches and a kick. Due to her earlier display of extraordinary strength, they had a special punching bag made for her. They had filled the middle with cement and padded around it with foam to make it heavier. They also cemented it to the roof. The combination proved to be an effective work out for Maria, but that day, she pummeled it without even breaking a sweat. After the five minutes of exercise, she blacked out and didn't awaken until two hours later when Michael showed up.
"They do seem more…balanced when they are together, though that could have been a fluke," said Buffy.
"Possibly, but if not, it could be extremely dangerous."
"We'll have to discuss it with them."
Just then, the phone rang. Buffy jumped up to answer it.
"Giles. It's for you. It's Wesley."
By eleven o'clock, the Pod Squad was tired of pretending to be happy. Kyle was drunk, and Max, Liz and Isabel were bored. Michael and Maria seemed to be the only ones having a good time, which was unusual because Michael hated social events. He and Maria spent three hours dancing, which was also strange considering Michael hated to dance.
The six of them walked to where their cars were parked, three blocks away. Suddenly, a group of vampires jumped out of a dark alleyway. They were surrounded by ten vampires that were currently licking their chops and snarling at them.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here," the leader said.
"Mmmm. Dinner," another said. They licked their lips greedily at the four scared teenagers. Max glanced at Liz and Isabel. They were terrified. He turned to Kyle who was now sober from his terror. At last his eyes landed on Michael and Maria, who didn't look at all surprised.
"I'm sorry, you're not my type," Michael said sarcastically, "I like my dates alive."
"Likewise," Maria taunted, as she discreetly pulled a stake out of her purse.
"Ooh, feisty dinner. A lot of fun to eat," the leader said as he advanced on his prey.
"Dumb vampires," Maria commented as she staked the nearest vampire.
"How very common," Michael finished, staking another. They snarled and launched themselves on Michael and Maria, the others momentarily forgotten.
The others stood in shock at the scene that was unfolding before them. Maria kicked a huge vampire across the alleyway while staking a little one. Michael staked two vampires and kicked another. After about five minutes of fighting, Michael and Maria joined hands and walked away from the dust covered alley. Max, Liz, Isabel and Kyle stared after them in stunned silence before following them.
"We have to tell them now," Michael stated.
"I know," she answered, "that was a close one."
"Did you see the look on Maxwell's face?" Michael asked amused.
"Priceless," she smiled, "I wish we had a camera."
"I thought Liz's jaw was gonna fall off."
Maria chuckled. "This is gonna be a long night."
They leaned against the jeep and waited on their still stunned, explanation- expecting friends. When the others finally made it over, they all got into their respective cars and by silent agreement, headed over to Michael's apartment.
Silently, they all filed in to Michael's apartment. Michael and Maria stood by the counter. Max, Liz and Isabel sat on the couch and Kyle sat on the recliner. They all stared at each other until Max broke the silence.
"What's going on?"
Maria shifted uncomfortably. Michael stood there with a stoic expression on his face.
"Um, those were vampires," Maria said. They looked at her as if she were crazy.
"It's true. Vampires and demons exist," Michael said.
"Okay, so…how did you know how to fight them?" Isabel asked still not fully believing.
"Because… I'm the vampire slayer," Maria said.
"And that is…?"
"I'm destined to fight vampires and demons for the side of good," Maria said, "There's a whole prophesy thing but I don't remember it."
"And what does Michael have to do with it?"
"He's my boyfriend and he was there when we first got attacked. He comes with me to train and he helps keep Buffy on her toes."
"Who's Buffy?"
"She's another slayer."
"How many slayers are there?" asked Liz.
"Originally? One. Right now? Three." Michael answered.
"Okay, explain."
"Actually, Giles is better at this than I am, but okay," Maria said, "In every generation they choose this one girl to be a slayer and then when she dies, another one is called."
"This system worked until Buffy drowned a few years ago and was brought back to life through CPR."
"Since she was officially dead for like, two minutes, another one was called and that made two."
"Then that one went evil, tried to kill Buffy, went to jail, yada yada…"
"And then Buffy had to fight this god. She was like, way powerful."
"She died again and this time, her friends raised her from the dead with a spell."
"That's when I was called."
"What's that make kiddies? Three."
"Okay. What are you guys on?" Kyle asked.
"Guess we're goin' to see Giles," Maria said looking from one disbelieving face to another.
The ride to Giles' was quiet to say the least. No one knew what to make of this newfound knowledge. Aliens were hard enough to swallow…but demons? It was way too unreal for them.
The house at least was impressive. It was very inviting and warm looking on the outside. They sort of half-expected a dark gothic creepy old house. Michael and Maria walked right up the front steps, opened the door and went in like they owned the place. A short brunette with blue eyes greeted them with a hug and regarded the new guests warmly before motioning for them to follow her into the living room.
As they walked into the living room the girl announced their arrival to seven other people.
"Hey Maria, Michael. What's up?" a short blond asked them.
"These are our friends," Maria said, "Max, Liz, Isabel and Kyle, meet Buffy, Willow, Xander, Dawn, Tara, Giles, Anya and Spike."
"Guys, this is where we go every afternoon."
"Hi," the Scooby Gang chorused warmly.
"Hey," the Pod squad said.
"Okay Giles, do your thing," Maria said.
"What thing?"
"Tell them about demons and stuff. They don't believe us."
"Um, okay. Buffy can fill you in. I need to have a word with you."
"Okay," they said as they walked off with Giles.
"Okay, what's going on?" Michael asked as he closed the door to Giles' office behind him.
"We have a bit of a problem."
"What is it?" Maria asked.
"You are aware that I am Buffy's watcher," they nodded and he continued, "Well, Faith had a watcher also, his name is Wesley. He works in LA with Angel."
"So?"
"About a year ago, he and Angel acquired a scroll of prophecies, real prophesies; a Nyazian Scroll. He has been in the process of translating it for that time," Giles started pacing in front of them, unconsciously cleaning his glass and replacing it on his face repeatedly. "Recently he has translated one of the scripts. It speaks of something arising which results in the end of the world. Now, due to the varying languages the scroll is written in, he cannot be sure as to what it is."
"So…we have to go back to LA to help him fight of this thing," Michael stated.
"Yes."
"So, when do we leave?" Maria asked.
"Tomorrow morning. The council has provided us with enough money to get plane tickets out. We have a 2 am flight. You will need to get permission from your parents, though."
"That's easy, my Mom's out of town for a week and a half."
"And you Michael?"
"Easier. No parents."
"Oh yes well. Be ready tomorrow by midnight. We will be over to pick you up then."
"Cool. We'll be over at Michael's."
"I also wanted to tell you that when we get to LA, you two are not to separate if we are to fight. It seems that you cannot fight when you are not in close proximity to each other," said Giles, "When you are apart, Michael becomes weak and Maria loses energy. We are not sure why this is, but this connection may prove to be very dangerous. We must keep you two together until we figure out how to fix this."
"Fine by me," they said in unison.
"Very well."
They walked back to the living room and were greeted by four stunned faces and seven amused ones.
"B-but it is scientifically impossible," Liz was saying.
"Hey Guerin, this another one of your elaborate jokes? 'Cause it's not funny man," said Kyle.
"I think you better show 'em Spike," Dawn said. Spike vamped out and fake- attacked Max.
He jumped and almost fell over the coffee table. Michael snickered.
'I gotta find a new name for him, fearless leader won't cut it anymore,' he thought to Maria. Maria laughed at the comment and the look on Max's face.
Isabel looked at Spike with curiosity. She reached up and lightly touched his forehead. She jumped slightly as he changed back beneath her fingers.
"Tres cool."
"Wait a minute. He's a vampire? I thought that you were supposed to kill them," asked Max.
"There was this government project called the Initiative. They captured demons and vampires and sort of tested on them," Buffy said. The aliens involuntarily cringed, "they put a chip in his head, so he can't hurt any living thing."
"I can still pummel demons, thank you very much," Spike said, "The Big Bad isn't completely out of business."
The new comers nodded in false comprehension. It would take a while for this new information to sink in. Their understanding of the situation was not as natural as that of Michael and Maria. With them, it was like just awakening old knowledge.
Sensing that their guests were about to go on overload and that the Scooby Gang needed to talk, Dawn took the others to the TV room for drinks and video games. She at least would get some opponents that she could have a decent game with. Spike, Michael and Maria always beat her because they were unnaturally good at strategising and, well, the others either tried to let her win or just sucked at video games.
Max, Liz and Kyle settled on the couch, glasses of coke in hand, while Isabel, who was less shocked, played Mortal Kombat with Dawn.
"So, do we like, have to train now too?" Isabel asked.
"If you want. If you're gonna be hanging around the slayer it would be helpful."
"So, what's Sunnydale like?"
"It sits on a Hellmouth. It's about the size of Roswell and we have twelve cemeteries. The place is overrun with demons and vampires. The death rate of that place used to be sky high until Buffy moved to town…well, it's still high, but not as high now."
"So, how old are you Dawn?"
"Fifteen. I'll be sixteen next month."
"You ever had to go into battle?"
"Yeah, well. There was this god named Glory. She got banished from her dimension and couldn't get back without this mystical key."
"So what happened?" asked Isabel, intrigued.
"Well, these priest guys made the key into human form and sent it to the Slayer to protect."
"You're the key," Isabel stated.
"Yeah, when Glory found out, she kidnapped me and tried to use me to open the gateway between the worlds. Buffy killed her, but not before she cut me and opened the portal. The only way to stop it was to stop the blood flow," Dawn said, getting slightly tearful, "Buffy…she sacrificed herself."
"And then you resurrected her."
"Yes."
"Wow," was all Isabel could say. Dawn used the distraction to pummel Isabel's character.
"HA! I win, I win!" Dawn chanted. Isabel smiled up at her.
"That was so not fair. I say rematch."
"Okay, but I've been learning from Michael and nobody beats him. Not even Spike."
"We'll see about that."
The two spent the next half-hour playing their game. Max, Liz and Kyle still sat on the couch quietly consumed in their own thoughts. Dawn was content at finally finding a good game buddy and Isabel was glad to be free of thoughts of Alex and Tess for at least one night.
Michael and Maria walked in soon after and explained the situation in LA to the rest of the Pod Squad. After a few minutes of discussion, it was decided that they all would go tomorrow to help with the prophecy. They were all to meet the next morning for basic training before they headed out to the city of Angels. Afterwards, they said their good-byes and went home to sleep. They had a long day ahead of them tomorrow.
