Evil

Episode 17

Los Angeles, Angel Investigations:

            "It's coming," Cordelia said, "Up from the depths of the earth."

            "When?" Gunn questioned.

            "I'm not sure," she replied, "It will destroy the world."

            The wall of the apartment exploded. Fred, Gunn, Angel, and Cordelia dove for cover.

            "Angel!" someone shouted, "Your soul is mine!"

            "I'm no longer a demon; Angelus is gone!" he shouted back.

            "That's where you're wrong!" it shouted, "That medicine was only temporary. Its effect has worn off. I'm claiming your soul!"

            Angel's mouth pulled back to show fangs and his brow was pushed up.

            "It's so good to be Angelus again," he hissed.

            Angelus ran out through the hole in the wall and disappeared into the darkness.

            "What was that?" Fred asked.

Sunnydale, Californina:

            The telephone in the Summers house was ringing. It was only eight in the morning and everyone was asleep. No one seemed to even hear it ringing.

            Buffy opened her eyes. She didn't feel like getting up to answer the phone. She figured someone else would, but it kept ringing. Buffy slowly climbed out of bed and headed downstairs.

            She reached the phone and picked it up.

            "Hello."

            "Hello, is this Buffy?"

            "Yes, who's this?"

            "It's Cordelia."

            "Cordelia?"

            "Cordelia Chase. I went to high school with you."

            "Oh right. Sorry I just woke up."

            "It's ok."         

            "What do you need this early in the morning?"

            "Last night, something came for him."

            "Came for who?"

            "It came for Angel. It took his soul."

            "But Angel isn't a vampire anymore."

            "This thing said that the medicine's effects wore off and then it took his soul. He's Angelus again."         

            "Did he hurt any of you?"

            "No, he just disappeared into the darkness. He may have been heading towards Sunnydale because of the hellmouth and all."

            "Where are you calling from?"

            "Los Angeles."

            "That means he may be here by now."

            "Maybe."

            "When did he get his soul taken?"

            "Around ten last night."

            "Then he's here."

            "Also, we've been having some problems here."

            "What's that?"

            "Something big is coming. Something evil. It'll destroy the world."

            "You guys are a little behind over there. We've known for a couple months."

            "I didn't call to be insulted by you, Buffy. Goodbye."

            "Cordelia, I'm sorry. Thanks for informing about Angel. It was nice talking to you. Bye."

            Buffy hung up the phone. She was awake now, so she decided to eat breakfast.

            'I wish I had a normal job,' she thought to herself.

            "Oh well," she said aloud.

            She made breakfast and slowly everyone began waking up. She ended up eating breakfast with everyone.

            "I got a call that Angel lost his soul," Buffy told them, "He's Angelus again. His soul was taken by something. And he is most likely here."

            "But he's cured," Willow said.

            "It was only a temporary medicine. It wore off right when the thing showed up and took his soul," Buffy continued, "We have to find him tonight before he joins forces with the First."

Sunnydale High Basement, That Night:

            "Angelus," it spoke, "I have a proposition for you."

            "What are you?" Angelus questioned.

            "I am Malvagio," it replied.

            "Where are you?" he questioned.

             "I am trapped below the ground. My vessels are helping me to escape by killing these humans," it said

            "What's the proposition?" Angelus asked.

            "I want you to join me," it began, "Help me to destroy this world. Help me escape from this imprisonment below the earth."

            "And if I refuse?" Angelus asked.

            "Then you can terrorize the people on your own. I don't want to harm you because you may change your mind after I'm free and rule this world," it informed.

            "I'll consider," Angelus replied.

            With that, he left the basement and headed out into the high school's hallways. When he reached the front door, someone was standing in his way.

            "Move!" Angelus shouted.

            "Did you wonder why you were drawn here?" he asked.

            "Not really," Angelus replied.

            "It's all part of your destiny," the man said.

            "Who the hell are you?" Angelus shouted.

            "You don't recognize me?" he asked, "It's me, Whistler."

            "What do you want?" Angelus questioned angrily.

            "To inform you of your destiny."

            "What's my destiny?"

            "It is your destiny to stop Malvagio."

            "The slayer?"

            "You will team up with her to stop it. This wasn't supposed to happen. Your soul was never supposed to be taken away again," he told the vampire.

            "You are a fool, demon," Angelus hissed, "You think you are all high and mighty, telling people what to do. You're a sissy! If you want something done, handle it yourself!"

            Angelus shoved Whistler out of the way. He ran out the doors and down the street. He wanted out of Sunnydale.

Downtown, Sunnydale:

            "Where the hell could he be?" Buffy said to Spike.

            Her and Spike were downtown looking for Angelus. They had to get to him before the First did. She brought Spike just in case she couldn't take Angelus by herself.

            "If you were Angelus, where would you be, Spike?" Buffy asked.

            "Walking alone on the other side of the street," Spike said.

            "What?" she questioned.

            She looked across the street and there was Angelus walking down the sidewalk. Buffy cut across the street, Spike followed. She tackled him to the ground.           She caught him by surprise, which is shocking considering the fact that he's a vampire.

            "What do you want?" Angelus questioned.

            "I'm here to help you," she replied.

            "Do what?" he asked.

            "Become Angel again."

            "Angel is long gone. He'll never return."

            "We can help you, Angel," Buffy informed, "Willow can restore your soul again."

            "Forget it! I'm through with this place. This town annoys me and with you around, a vampire can't have any fun. I can't wait 'til the world goes to hell. So why don't you just take your pet and go home?"

            "Who are you calling pet, Angelus?" Spike shouted.

            "You're just a vampire with a soul. You're just a helpless little thing now. You can't live with yourself for all the horrible things you've ever done," Angelus said.

            "I will kill you!" Spike shouted in rage.

            His features changed and fangs appeared in his mouth. He tackled Angel. Both vampires crashed through an abandoned store window. Glass shattered everywhere as the two vampires continued to fight.

            Buffy jumped through the broken window and into the store. It was pitch black inside. She heard the fighting in the back and ran towards the noise. There was Spike and Angelus, beating each other badly. She walked towards them and threw them apart.

            "You two need to cool down!" Buffy shouted, throwing them in opposite directions.

            "What the hell!" Spike exclaimed, standing up and rubbing the back of his head, "I had him, Buffy."

            Angelus stood up and ran away. Buffy went to go after him, but knew it would be impossible to catch the vampire.

            "Spike, I know you won't feel remorse from killing a vampire," Buffy began, "But you don't have to start fights."

            He didn't respond because he knew she was right.

Willy's Bar:

            Buffy pushed the door to Willy's bar, open. Spike followed. She wanted information about where Angelus may be.

            "Willy!" Buffy shouted, coming up to the counter.

            "Oh, it's you," Willy said, coming out of the back, "I haven't seen you in a few years."

            "Can it!" she said, "I'm not here to socialize. I want info."

            "Who's the guy?" Willy asked.

            "Didn't I say I wasn't here to socialize!" she said, angrily.

            "Oh right. On what?" he replied.

            "Angelus."

            "Angel lost his soul again?"

            "Don't play dumb with me!" she shouted, reaching over the counter and grabbing Willy by the shirt, lifting him off the ground.

            "Calm down," he said, "What do you want to know?"

            She let go of Willy's shirt and he fell to the ground. He stood up, brushing himself off.

            "Where is he?"

            "Not sure."

            "Where the hell is Angelus?"

            "He's leaving town."

            "What?"

            "He's leaving because of something he learned of his destiny."

            "His destiny?"

            "Yeah, some guy named Whistler was in here earlier. He told…"

            Buffy interrupted, "Whistler is here?"

            "That's what he said his name was. Anyways, something about it is Angelus' destiny to help stop this new evil. Angelus left cuz he hates this town. Something about he can't have any fun with you around."

            "Thanks, Willy. Come on, Spike. Let's go."

            She headed for the door. On her way by, she grabbed Spike by the arm and dragged him up from the table. The two headed out onto the streets. Buffy knew she had to find Angelus before he left Sunnydale.

Outskirts of Sunnydale:

            Angelus stood in front of the sign welcoming drivers to Sunnydale. He had purchased a car off of another vampire. He was ready to leave, get away; go have some fun somewhere. He looked towards the lights of the homes and city. He knew he'd be back someday. He knew that it was only a matter of time before the First Evil had taken over the world. Then he'd have fun wherever he went.

            That's when he noticed headlights coming up the road. He wondered who else would be leaving Sunnydale this late at night. The car came up right next to his and stopped. The door opened and Buffy stepped out.

            "What the hell do you want?" Angelus asked, annoyed.

            "Don't leave."

            "Oh? The slayer is asking me, a vampire not to leave?"

            "I know about your destiny."

            "What do you know about my destiny?"

            "I was given some information by someone."

            "Damn that demon!"

            "Not Whistler, Willy. Whistler was in his bar and told Willy some things about you."

            "I should have killed Willy the Snitch a long time ago."

            "But you didn't, so too bad."

            "Leave me alone."

            "Angel, you need to stay. I believe that it may be your destiny to help me stop this evil. You may be the world's only hope."

            "Angel is not here! I am Angelus!"

            "I'm speaking to Angel. I know he is still in there. There has to be some part of Angel still inside."

            "There isn't!"

            "Listen, if there is any part of Angel still inside of you, then he'll hear this. Angel, the world needs you. You can help defeat this evil. You must stay. Don't try to escape your destiny, you can't."

            "Enough!"

            With that, Angelus opened the car door. He climbed in and turned the car on. He sped away from Buffy, Sunnydale, and his destiny.