CHANCE
NOTE: I own none of the Scooby gang because they belong to mean old Joss.
A/N: This story is almost done and I know we're all going to miss it. I liked the reviews I've gotten and I'd love to have more before this is over. Thanks.
Warning: This chapter has silly villain goodness. In fact I think there is silly all around. You'll see and don't say that I didn't WARN you.
CHAPTER 19
Autumn and Connor tugged at the bars of the prison cell when they became restless, attempting to just yank them off. Dawn watched them, thinking that it was hopeless. Maggie did large multiplication problems in her head just to take some of the stress off her.
With a sudden rush of energy and power a portal opened up in what looked to be a very large basement throwing out Angel, Buffy, Spike, Giles, Wesley, Xander, Willow, Fred, Gunn, and Jeff, all of them falling to the floor with a thud.
"Gee, wasn't that fun?" Buffy commented dryly as everyone stood.
"Hey, Willow, where are we?" Angel asked the witch.
She shrugged. "I'm not sure but..." Willow glanced around. "It has a major creepy factor."
"Look let's just divide up and try to find them kids," Gunn said, still holding his axe.
Buffy turned to Angel. "You good to go?"
He nodded his reply.
Spike starred at Buffy strangely. "You're going with him?"
"What?" Buffy was caught off guard by the question then realized. "Yeah, I mean, you know, what does it matter?"
Spike turned away from her, a glare on his face.
Gunn wrapped an arm around Fred's waist. "Got my buddy."
Fred giggled girlishly.
Willow looked at Wesley. "Pals?"
Wesley smiled at her. "It'd be an honor," he replied diplomatically.
When the pairings were made it went as follows: Buffy with Angel, Fred with Gunn, Willow with Wesley, Spike with Giles, much to Spike's dismay, and Jeff with Xander. After the pairing each team went off in a separate direction.
Buffy turned to Angel again when she was sure the others were far out of earshot. "I'm sorry about that... back there with Spike."
"It's OK," Angel shrugged.
They let a few moments of silence pass by.
"I guess you're really worried about Connor," Buffy started up again.
"Worried I'm going to strangle him," Angel replied darkly.
Buffy smiled softly. "Yeah, he and Autumn jumping into that hole, not so much with the smart."
"Yeah," Angel agreed softly. He looked at Buffy. "It's, uh, been a while since we talked. What have you been up to?"
"You know, the usual. Running, brooding, killing others like yourself."
Angel nodded approvingly. "Good to know and... brooding is fun."
"Oh, big fun," Buffy concurred humorously. "Who needs Disney Land when you can sit at home and, well, brood."
"Exactly."
Out of nowhere they both busted up with laughter.
"I forgot what it's like to hold a conversation with you," Angel said to the slayer when his laughs finally quieted.
"Fascinating much?"
"I was leaning more towards wacky." Buffy starred at him peculiarly. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt your feelings?"
"No." Buffy smiled brightly. "You said wacky."
They laughed again, continuing to talk. To Buffy Angel seemed to have changed. Before he left Sunnydale he didn't seem quite as loose or ebullient. Yet, even though he was still the broody bat she'd always know, Buffy liked the new Angel. Angel's feelings were mutual towards Buffy. She wasn't like the childish imp he had left behind, however she was still Buffy, fresh and alive. Angel extended his arm out to her, slowly putting it around her shoulders. Buffy didn't resist the small display of fondness. In fact it was rather endearing.
Willow and Wesley had taken darker halls than the others and it soon became harder to see. With a few recited words what looked like a small ball of light appeared in Willow's hand, hovering above her palm. Wesley looked at her, a little admiration in his eyes.
"I see you've become quite the Wicca," he noted.
Willow nodded. "Yeah. And for once I didn't make it rain by accident. At least I hope 'cause, you know, we're indoors and it's... hard to tell."
Wesley chuckled a little. "You haven't changed," he said to her.
Willow started to smile but her face fell. "Oh. That's not good is it?" Wesley chuckled again and told her it was a good thing. Willow beamed. "So what do you think of Autumn? I mean she looks like a really smart kid."
"Yes," Wesley agreed dryly. "More like smart-alecky kid. She was a fool to do what she did."
"Yeah, jumping into big, scary holes. I don't know her that well but I have to say it wasn't her brightest moment. But, Wesley?" Wesley looked at her. "You gotta admit it, it was kind of brave. Kind of shows that she's really becoming a slayer."
Wesley thought about it. She did have a point even though he was furious with the little red haired child. "I never thought getting back into it would be this hard."
"What? Becoming a watcher again? Was it easy with Faith or Buffy?" Wesley shook his head a little. "Then maybe it's not supposed to be easy."
Wesley nodded slowly, understanding then sniggered. "You must admit, though, Willow. Neither Faith nor Buffy were fiery red heads."
Willow slapped his arm playfully. "Hey! We are not all bad, Mister. Even if I did try to, um, destroy the world."
Wesley released another laugh.
"What was that?" Fred gasped, clinging to Gunn's arm.
Gunn and Fred's area was also dark, just not as dark as where Willow and Wesley were. Fred had been grabbing hold of Gunn at every little squeak or crack she heard.
Gunn put his axe in his other hand then slipped his free one around Fred. "Probably just the floor boards, babe."
Fred sighed a little. "I guess you're right. I mean it could just be a rat or—"
"Rat?" Gunn exclaimed, interrupting her. "Ain't nobody say nothin' about no rat. Where you see a rat?"
"Oh, Charles, I'm sorry," Fred apologized. "I just... I didn't mean it was a rat type rat. I mean as in uh, low down dirty rat. Like in those gangster movies."
Gunn sighed with relief. "I knew that." He smiled at her and pulled her into a kiss.
Fred pulled back after a few seconds. "We have to find Autumn," she reminded him.
"And Connor," Gunn told her.
"Huh? Oh, right, Connor. Of course. You know I love that kid," Fred said as they started to walk again. "It's just that to get on Connor's good side you have to offer him a large plate of cookies and promise not to tell his father when he "accidentally" switches his blood with cranberry juice."
"And with Autumn?"
"Autumn's a sweetie. I mean before when she and Connor had that fight I know she didn't mean to hurt him. She just doesn't look like the violent type. Well, I guess she has to be if she's a slayer. I guess that's how slayers work anyway." Gunn suddenly kissed her again. "Um, would that be your way of telling me to shut it?"
The black man nodded. "Would you mind."
Fred smiled and quieted down.
Giles and Spike's area had more light too it, even though it was mostly dim. Spike's patience slowly decreased as Giles kept calling Maggie's name, as if the girl would magically appear before him if he called her name a certain number of times.
"Give it up, man," Spike finally snapped. "The chit isn't just going to hear her name and come running."
"This is entirely my fault," Giles said. "Her parents let her come with me for a reason, thinking that I could keep her safe."
"Well, they were off." Giles looked at him. "Oh, I'm sorry, were you expecting compassion? My mistake."
Giles asked, "Are you trying to say something, Spike?"
"You didn't pick Goldilocks's future. You're not the one
that sent a big beastie after her. Besides from what I can she the chit can
stand on her own two feet."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means cut the blasted apron strings a little. She's fifteen, not five," Spike said. "And, yes, even though she is a bit batty up there the girl has a good head on her shoulders. Too bad you never see that."
Giles silence. Was this Spike, making sense?
Xander and Jeff's area had the most light of all. The two of them found themselves heading up a thin flight of stairs. Xander had found out that Autumn's brother wasn't exactly the best debater when it came to superheroes.
"I guess all of this is freaking you out," Xander said to Jeff.
Jeff looked at him. "What?"
"Well, you know, your little sister being kidnapped by the ultimate boogie man and all."
Jeff shrugged. "Autumn can take care of herself. Besides nothing freaks me out. I'm big with the open-minded stuff. In fact I almost took on a Harry Potter craft thing with my friends but they backed out at the last minute."
"Hold on," said Xander. "You mean none of this freaks you? Not the slayer thing, the magic stuff, nothing?"
Jeff shook his head. "Nope. I always knew this stuff was out there. Well, not this stuff but... stuff. I might be a kid but I'm a seventeen-year-old kid. I've been around."
"Yeah, probably toured the world on your bike."
Jeff rolled his eyes as they reached the top of the stairs.
Autumn looked up from where she sat next to Dawn. "I hear something."
"Don't tell me that woman's back," Connor groaned.
Xander and Jeff approached the bars then.
"Xander!" Maggie shot up from the floor with a smile. "We're saved! Emancipation at last!"
Autumn rolled her eyes amused then turned to her brother and Xander. "Just in time, even though you took your good sweet time."
"Jeff!" Dawn beamed, rushing over towards the prison bars. "Hey. I can't believe you came."
"I wouldn't let you down," Jeff told her sweetly.
Autumn felt like gagging. "Oh, how cute. Can we get out of here now?"
"Hang on." Xander looked around for a way to release the young prisoners until he noticed it. Xander unlocked the bars and slid the door open. "There you go."
"I-It opens for the outside without a key?" Maggie asked in disbelief. "It opens from the outside?" She collapsed to her knees, ready to cry. "How the bloody, freaking heck is that possible?"
Dawn shrugged. "Well, Mal is a blonde, can't be that bright.'
Maggie stood and glared at her. "I beg your pardon?" she said, folding her arms, her British accent very heavy.
Dawn couldn't believe what she had said. "Uh, I... I mean. You know. Not all blondes are bad. Just evil, loopy blondes who doors open from the outside."
Autumn groaned. "I don't believe this!" She turned to Jeff. "Not only is our father having an affair but he's having one with a total moron who is set out to kill us."
Jeff looked at her strangely. "What are you talking about?"
"Dad's, uh, hoochie. She's this Malfoy chic," Autumn explained.
Jeff's eyes widened. "I didn't even see that coming."
"Ironic twists," said Xander. "Those are always fun."
"Is my dad here?" Connor asked, who had been completely silent.
"Yeah," Jeff told Connor. "And I think he plans on kicking your ass." He turned to Autumn. "And somebody needs to kick yours."
Autumn rolled her eyes and flipped her hair. "Oh, please."
"Where are they, anyway?" Maggie asked.
Downstairs, in the largest room of the fortress, Malfoy sat in what looked like a cheap throne, while her companion, Duello rubbed her shoulders a little. Mal looked up at the tall man, both of them appearing to be quite young, yet centuries old. Duello was the only member of Mal's former clan that had stuck by her.
Mal smiled in delight as the ridhor demon squished across the large floor. "Oh, I have to have another one! I adore these ridhor demons."
"They make me nauseas," Duello said, going around and kneeling down to her to meet her eyes. "I still can't believe that little girl that thing captured was really Tucker's daughter."
"I knew it all along," Mal beamed arrogantly. "The man was a fool."
Duello looked at her strangely. "If you knew it all along why didn't you just ice out the old man and take his daughter right then and there?"
Mal was caught off guard by the question and squirmed in the chair. "You know... I, um, had a plan going."
"You didn't even know she was the slayer at first, did you?"
Mal pouted. "OK, I had no idea who Tucker's kids were. So what?"
"I knew it." Duello stood again. "It was just you looking for cheap sex."
"Hey!" Mal snapped. "It wasn't that cheap."
Duello rolled his eyes and leaned against her chair.
Malfoy's side double doors suddenly opened automatically, revealing Xander, Autumn, Jeff, Maggie, Connor, and Dawn. Mal leapt out of her seat as if she was outraged.
"What the hell?" she exclaimed. "How did they get out?"
Duello sighed annoyed. "Haven't we talked about this, Mal? You said you were getting new locks for the cells."
Mal looked completely bewildered. "Um, doesn't sound like something I'd say."
Dawn glanced around. "Exactly how did we make it here?"
Xander shrugged. "That's just a big ol' puzzle."
"You are not getting away," Mal stated.
"Oh, that is such a cheap villain line," Maggie said, sounding quite American.
Mal looked outraged. "Ridhors, come to me," she seemed as if she chanted it instead of saying it.
Gaps in the floor stretched open, revealing nearly a dozen more of the ridhor demons.
"See now that's just gross," Autumn commented. "Do these things wash or did they just wiggle out of the ground? I don't get it."
All of a sudden the rest of Mal's double doors opened and the pairings of Angel, Buffy, Fred, Gunn, Willow, Wesley, Giles, and Spike all stood at opposite ends of the room at the double doors.
Duello groaned soundly. "Damn these doors! You could have at least gotten childproof locks. I'm pretty sure they were included in the mortgage!"
"Shut up!" Mal snapped at him. "You haven't even paid rent in like two or three decades."
"See now I'm just confused," Gunn said.
"How did we all make it here at the same time?" Buffy asked.
"Luck of the Irish," Angel told her with a smirk.
Buffy look confused. "See now that doesn't even make any kind of—"
"Shut up already!" Mal cried, nearly throwing a tantrum. "Ridhor, do my bedding and crush these mortals. But spare the children... for now."
The ridhor, without a second's hesitation, shot back and forth across the room like large mosquitoes, taking all of them by surprise as the ridhor usually dragged along like snails. Gunn announced that it was time for the big fight scene and they all sprung into action.
All of the ridhor were strong but none of them showed a form of intelligence, which caused the good guys to have somewhat of an upper hand. Autumn looked over to see one ridhor slammed Jeff hard into a wall. As the red head rushed towards him another of the demon's grabbed her by the wrist.
Autumn easily took her wrist back and swung several punches towards the ridhor's head, her hands covered in its disgusting blood. It suddenly grabbed her again and started to drag her off, Autumn struggling the entire time.
Dawn and Maggie were having the same problem as they were bullied into a wall near Jeff by two of the ridhors. The two of them, along with Jeff were snatched up and carried towards the duo of Malfoy and Duello. Even Connor, who was fighting like an animal against the two of the demons. One took hold of his arms and the other grabbed his legs taking him to Mal and Duello.
"Finally, the little darlings are all here," Mal squealed then frown at each child. "Now I can kill them slowly and painfully." She turned to Duello. "You know what to do."
Duello pressed down hard on Mal's throne, causing five medical tables to slow emerge from the floor circling the throne. The ridhor, with a lot of struggles from the kids, managed to strap all for teenagers to the tables. The adults down below were oblivious to it all, too busy having battles of their own.
Autumn fought against the straps that held her. "Let me go!" she shouted. "We're kids!"
"Kids who easily bleed," Dawn added.
Duello approached then, carrying a broad sword.
Maggie paled. "No! You don't want my blood. It's high in sugar!"
Connor just kept struggling, not bothering to plea like the others.
Jeff grunted. "What am I doing here?" he grumbled to himself.
Mal got ready to approach each child starting with Connor. "The child of miracles, ironic, isn't it?" Connor glared. Mal moved on to Dawn. "The key. You should be honored. Without your blood there wouldn't be a way to spread my future clan around to other realms."
"You want a key?" Dawn asked crossly. "Why don't you get one with chocolate filling?"
Mal ignored her then went towards Maggie. "You know I think it's best that you're going to die. The whole sensing evil thing is really inconvenient for me."
"Could I at least get my last Hershey bar?" Maggie pleaded softly.
Mal considered it. "No," she replied bluntly then went towards Autumn. "The slayer. How can someone with such strength be so powerless?"
Autumn felt a fiery anger boiling up inside of her. She wanted more than anything to bust the straps that held her with every ounce of her strength and pound Mal's face into the ground.
"I swear," Autumn hissed. "You are not going to get away with this."
Mal smirked. "Girlie, I already have." She looked at Jeff. "And, finally, the... the..." Mal thought for a minute. "What are you?"
"No real clue," Jeff told her. "Mind loosening these fastenings a little?"
Mal panicked then turned to Duello. "Something is wrong," she told him, making him approach her. "This child isn't the fifth."
Duello looked at Jeff. "He isn't?"
"No!" Mal snapped outraged. "There is another out there." She whined, "Where is it? I want that kid!"
"I hate to interrupted..." The two of them looked over at Autumn. "But I have an overpowering urge to kick some serious ass." She suddenly broke the straps that were on her legs and chest and leapt up from the table. "Who's with me?"
Connor did the same as Autumn and quickly stood in a fighting position. "I am!"
Dawn managed to slither out from under the straps, compliments of her thin form. "Ready for anything."
"Why didn't I think of that?" Maggie asked herself, seeing how Dawn escaped the straps. Maggie also slid out and hugged herself. "I'm still in one piece!"
"Good for you!" They all looked over at Jeff. "Now get me out of here."
"Oh, sorry." Autumn went over to her brother and snapped his straps in half. "There you go. Never say I never did anything for you."
"I do not believe this!" Mal pointed at the tables. "Re-strap yourselves now," she ordered lamely.
Autumn got into her face then. "Or in the alternative...?" She suddenly swung off and decked Malfoy in the face, immediately knocking her down. "How about we don't?"
Duello swung his sword at her. Autumn grabbed hold of the sharp end, twirling it around and taking it as her own, which took Duello by complete surprise. Autumn took the flat end of the blade and clouted him with it, allowing him to join his partner in crime on the floor.
"Wow," Maggie smiled at her friend's actions. "Autumn don't play." Dawn and Jeff looked at her like she was crazy. "What? I heard it on a commercial."
Dawn looked down at the fight going on below. "Come on!"
Without hesitation Dawn, Jeff, Maggie, and Connor went down to join the adults in the fight against the ridhor. Autumn watched Mal stand up, the teenaged girl smirking proudly.
"Had enough, Blondie?" Autumn asked cockily.
Mal swung a punch at Autumn's jaw, which she barely felt. Autumn landed a hard kick to Mal's lower abdomen, only making her angrier. The fight was on between those two as they began to go blow for blow. Autumn slid to the floor and kicked Mal in the ankles, making her trip and crash on her back.
"How you like them apples?" Autumn taunted, standing up.
Duello snuck up behind and grabbed Autumn by the waist. "I was about to ask you the same thing," he whispered into her ear.
With one quick kick to his leg Autumn was released. She grabbed Duello's sword again and held up to his throat, telling him to back off. Autumn suddenly felt a hard punch to the back of her head, catching her off guard, and making her fall into one of the medical tables. Malfoy grabbed the sword away from the red haired girl and held it to her neck.
"I think I've had about enough of you," Mal said though clenched teeth.
Buffy, finally noticing what was going on after taking down a ridhor, rushed up to the scene. She grabbed Mal's shoulder, twirling her around.
"You know it's gonna be really hard to unleash a clan without teen slayer here," Buffy pointed out. She immediately decked Mal in the face, making her fall once more.
Autumn smiled appreciatively. "Whoa. Thanks, Buffy."
Buffy shrugged. "Slayers gotta stick together I guess."
Duello started to attack again.
"No!" Mal suddenly exclaimed. Duello looked to see what she saw. The ridhor were all being destroyed, even the original one. "No!" Mal screamed out again.
"Looks like the big bad beasties have been beaten," Autumn said cleverly.
Buffy smirked. "Trying saying that three times fast."
"My babies," Mal whimpered. Anger formed over her face. "All right. That's it!"
Her rage somehow caused large sparks of lighting to shoot out of her eyes. Soon the bolts of energy shot out from every part of her body as if she were self-destructing. Buffy and Autumn ran down to the others.
"I'd say it's time to go," Buffy said coolly.
"Ditto that," Autumn agreed.
"I'll get us out of here," Willow said, trying to remain calm. "Circle me like the last time."
The large group did so as Mal's rage continued, lighting flashing everywhere. Willow quickly recited the necessary spell and they were all soon swallowed up into another hole, gone and safe.
A/N: Wow. This chapter defines long. I know a lot of you probably hate this fight scene and I don't blame you. I'm sorry but I'm terrible at describing fights. They're just too hard. I know the villains were very lame I think that's what I was going for with those two. Now it's 5: 30 in the morning. I'm probably going to miss a lot of good cartoons so you guys have to be super nice and review. Plus you can't be too mean because I stayed up all night writing this chapter for you guys. So be nice reviewers, not mean reviewers. Well, good night.