A year and a half later
Buffy sat on the couch trying to make a Christmas shopping list. This Christmas was going to be different. She actually had some money to spare and she even had time to go shopping. Of course there were fewer people to buy presents for. Giles had gone back to England, Anya had left and the newest Slayer was gone to another town. No point in staying in Sunnydale once the Hellmouth closed for good. Just three people to buy for now; Willow, Xander, and Dawn.
Buffy had just had a good idea for Willow when the phone rang.
"Hello, Christmas Central."
"Buffy. Hi."
"Angel?"
"Yeah. Listen, I know it's almost Christmas but we've got a little situation."
Buffy sighed and closed her eyes. What was she thinking? She would never have a good Christmas. "What's the problem?"
"Cordy's had a vision. You were in it. And Wes has got this prophecy..."
"Let me guess. I'm in that too. What do I die again?"
"Uh, no. Actually you're not in it. Neither am I. I hate to ask Buffy, but..."
"I'll come. I just have to pack a few things and leave a message for Dawn and the others. I'll see you by tonight."
"Don't come to the hotel. Meet us at the airport. Terminal 1 information desk."
"The airport? What, is evil trying to get frequent flyer miles?"
"We're going to New York City. That's where it's happening."
"That's kinda cool I've always wanted to go to New York."
After hanging up Buffy sat on the couch staring straight ahead. Even now after the Hellmouth was closed she wasn't going to get any peace.
Buffy left the note for Dawn on the kitchen counter and threw her things into the car. It was a used car but still pretty good. She'd really felt like a grownup after buying it.
The drive to L.A. was uneventful, the highway clicking by under her wheels. She parked her car in the long- term lot at LAX and found her way to the Terminal 1 information desk.
Angel was already there along with Wesley, Cordelia and a guy with a hood over his head. Cordelia ran forward to meet her.
"It's good to see you Buffy. We've gotta get you checked in. Our flight leaves in less than half an hour."
Several security checks later they were seated on the plane, Cordelia next to Buffy and Angel between Wesley and the guy with the hood whose name was Lorne.
"Just tell me what's happening Cordelia," Buffy had had enough of the cryptic.
"Three days ago Wesley found this old scroll in a second hand shop. It has a prophecy, of course. It says When The Three have risen the Coming is at hand.' It didn't mean anything until yesterday when Angel fought this demon in Venice Beach. The vamp was nuts, he kept repeating The Three have come,' over and over again. Before he was dusted a train ticket stub from New York fell out of his pocket. Then yesterday I had this vision. You and Angel were in it, fighting in what looked like an empty lot. It was kinda blurry but I did see the Empire State Building in the background. So we decided we had to go to New York."
Buffy was silent for several moments. "Okay. I have two questions. One, did you dig up anymore info on The Three and two, whose the guy in the hood?"
Cordelia laughed. "That's Lorne. He's a demon actually. From a place called Pylea. He can read people if they sing. He'd cause comment if he didn't wear the hood. On the plane at least. In New York he'll blend right in.
"We don't know much about The Three. There doesn't seem to be any information about them in the usual places. We did find out that they're powerful and dangerous."
"Of course they are, they always are." Buffy leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Maybe she could get in a nap before they landed.
They managed to get a cab without too much trouble. It dropped them off at a hotel not far from Times Square. Buffy thought the hotel was a bit seedy but they couldn't afford to be somewhere where they would attract attention. After dropping off their bags they wnadered into Times Square. Buffy couldn't remember the last time she'd been around so many people. They flowed like a tide filling every available space.
Angel knew of a bar where they could get some information, for a price. It was a small, dark place filled with smoke, the floor sticky with spilt drinks. A weasely bartender, who looked a little like Willy, was dispensing drinks to a variety of beings. Silence descended on the bar as Buffy and her companions entered. Angel walked up to the bar and addressed the bartender.
"Hi there. We're from out of town and we need a little information."
"Tourist bureau around the corner pal. We've only got drinks here, no information."
Angel slid a pack of bills across the bar. "Are you sure?" he asked.
The bartender's eyes were glued to the cash. "Of course, we're friendly here in The Big Apple. What sort of information were you after?"
"We're looking for The Three."
If possible, the silence got even deeper. The bartender shook his head. "No. Don't know anything about that. But maybe you're looking for demons? There's supposed to be something big on."
Angel decided to let The Three go for a moment. "Where?"
"Abandoned warehouse, down on the docks in Brooklyn. Just over the Brooklyn Bridge."
Angel turned away leaving the bills on the bar. He herded his companions out the door and they all stood on the sidewalk.
"Why didn't you press him," demanded Buffy. "He knew something about The Three."
Angel nodded. "Yes, and he was scared. The whole bar reeked of fear. I don't think they would have told us anything without a fight. We're not ready for that. We can go check out this warehouse though."
Lorne had let down his hood but hardly anyone gave him a second glance. They rode the subway to Brooklyn and got out by the Brooklyn Bridge. The warehouses were silent in the darkness, the East River flowing smoothly by. Only one of them appeared abandoned its windows broken and a pile of trash by the entrance. Angel and Buffy decided to go in alone. They felt confident they could handle whatever was inside.
The warehouse seemed empty when they peered in the shattered windows. Angel found one that was clear and they slipped in to the darkness. They circled the empty space but there was no sign of demons or of anything else. They stood in the center of the room taking one last look around.
"I guess the information was wrong," said Angel.
A moment later a cage fell from the air above trapping them. The corners sank deep into the concrete floor and an eldritch light around the bars made it clear the cage was reinforced with magic. Cackling came from the shadows as the room slowly began to fill with demons.
The largest in the group stepped forward, apparently in charge. "Welcome to our humble home. We're sooo happy to have you. I wouldn't go shaking the bars. They'll just drain your strength. Of course come morning that won't matter." He gestured toward a large set of windows on the eastern wall of the warehouse. "Come sun up you'll be no more than a pile of ashes Angel, and the Slayer with you. You'll set her body aflame as you burn."
Buffy kicked the side of the cage and promptly fell to her knees as a wave of nausea passed through her.
The demon chief shook his head. "They never listen."
"So," said Angel. "Since we're going to die anyway why don't you tell us about the Three. Like, how do we kill em."
The demon threw back his head and laughed. "You want to kill the Three? Poor misguided fools. The Three are on your pitiful side. Over this past year they have cut a swath of light across our world but they will not have your help at the Coming."
Buffy and Angel exchanged a look. They hadn't heard anything over the past year. Who were the Three?
"So, what shall we do while we wait for the show? Game of cards? Or perhaps a round of kick the head?" the demon chief asked his minions.
The skylight exploded in shards of glass as three men dropped from overhead. They landed in a crouch then stood in one fluid movement. Two were dark haired and the third was blond.
The man in the center looked around at the assembled demons and said, "Hello boys. Wanna play?"
The demons broke and ran, including the leader. In less than a minute they were all gone.
The blond turned to his companions and said, "I guess our reputation precedes us."
The third man said, "Yeah. This is no fun at all."
Angel and Buffy stood in their cage, their mouths hanging open. Angel spoke first.
"Lindsey."
"Angel," said Lindsey.
"Spike," said Buffy.
"Buffy."
"I feel left out," said the third man. "If I may introduce myself, I'm Morgan. It's just a thrill to meet you both. I'm all aquiver. Perhaps I can contribute here."
Morgan stepped up to the cage and pulled a sword from the scabbard on his back. It was black, more like a hole in space than a piece of metal. He raised it in order to swing at the bars of the cage. "Step back please."
Angel jumped forward. "The cage is magic."
Morgan's eyes narrowed. "What is it about me that leads you to believe that I just fell off the turnip truck? Now step back. Unless you don't like your current shape."
Angel stepped back and Morgan swung the blade. It passed right through the bars with a sound like air being torn apart. The cage disintegrated leaving only a fine silver powder on the floor.
Morgan sheathed his sword and turned to his companions. "Shall we?"
They headed toward the door but Buffy and Angel got in their way.
Angel said, "We've got some questions for you."
Morgan sighed deeply. "I realize the two of you are used to being in charge but we are not part of your little group." He turned to Lindsey. "Feel any need to give him a seeing to?'
Lindsey shook his head. "Strangely enough, no I don't."
Morgan turned to Spike. "What about you? Feel the urge to kick the Slayers ass all the way down the street?"
Spike too shook his head. He looked Morgan in the eyes and said, "No. No urges whatsoever."
Morgan smiled and turned back to Buffy and Angel. "So we're outta here."
The three raised their hands up and stood in a circle, palm to palm. Buffy heard herself gasp as their eyes went black just like Willow's when she did powerful magic. A moment later they were gone.
Buffy and Angel looked at each other. Angel said, "I think we may have just met The Three."