Ch 3

A fight to the death

The other vampires eye Xander as he carries Cordelia's lifeless body to the sunken church.

"Well well well, what do we have here?" Spike asks.

Xander lays Cordelia down on his bed.

"Replacing Willow so soon?" Spike laughs, "So, do you plan to kill the slayers friends or drag them all down here one by one?" He says sarcastically.

Xander glares at angrily at Spike, "This is different."

"How so mate?"

"Cordelia and I were together before I turned," He says as he looks her over, asleep on his bed. "Thought it was time I showed her a better life style." Xander grins.

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Buffy enters the library. "I heard you were confronted by Spike, Is everyone alright?"

"Yes luckily we had just finished performing the protection spell as he arrived." Giles says as he straightens his glasses. "Has Angel succeeded in making anymore contact with spike?"

"Not that I know of. Angel keeps saying that spike is bad news and not to mess with him, but I can't just stand around while he tries to make a meal out of my friends."

"If anyone knows spike better it should be Angel." Jenny says.

"Maybe your right," Buffy says. "But that does not mean I am going to run away if I see him." She says angrily as she exits the library.

Jenny walks over to Giles, "I worry about her Rupert. She lacks discipline. An attitude like that is going to get her killed."

Giles looks at Jenny, surprised by her statement. "You're right." He then quickly walks over to the phone.

"Who are you calling?"

"I'm contacting the watcher of Kendra, she holds the discipline Buffy lacks. She was able to help us with Luke, maybe she help us with Spike." Giles says hesitantly.

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Angel spots Buffy just as she leaves the school. "Buffy." He calls out to her as runs to catch up with her. "I was looking for you. I heard what happened."

"So what brilliant plan do you have now!" Buffy says bitterly.

"What?"

"I'm tired of waiting! We need to make our move and stop waiting for them to attack first!" Buffy says with frustration and anger.

"I told you to let me handle this." Angel says.

"I don't see you doing anything about it!" Buffy says.

Angel looks at her angrily. "This is way out of your league Buffy, if you want to be the third tally mark on his list of dead slayers, you just go right ahead." He then turns and walks off, disappearing into the shadows.

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The next morning after classes ended, Amy enters the library. "Giles?" she calls out.

The librarian walks out from behind a bookshelf, "Over here, just straightening up a few things. Is there something that I can help you with?"

Amy looks at him a bit concerned. "Cordelia never showed for class today. With everything that has happened, I'm worried."

Giles looks over at her shocked, "First thing is first, we mustn't jump to conclusions. More than likely Cordelia just decided to take the day off from school. Can't say I don't blame her."

"You're right." Amy smiles.

Just then Kendra walks into the room. "I got yer mezzage." She says with a strong accent.

"I'm glad you could come, sorry to call you on such short notice."

"Where is Buffy, I tinks she is losing all her slayer duties if she needs help again. She's gettin' sloppier in her strategy."

Giles nods, "She does lack discipline, that is why I was hoping you could help."

"Zis Spike has killed two prior slayers."

"Yes, that's why extra caution is crucial." Giles warns

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Cordelia moans as she begins to wake. As she opens her eyes she is startled by her surroundings, not knowing where she is. Xander enters with a grin on his face, dragging a terrified teenage girl. "Nice to see you're finally awake."

Cordelia grabs her stomach as she moves to the edge of the bed. "Oh." She grumbles in pain.

"I thought you would be hungry, here." Xander then pushes the girl toward Cordelia.

A smile spreads as Cordelia hungrily grabs the girl and bites down. Xander smiles as he watches her. The girl drops lifelessly to the floor as Cordelia stands up, whipping the blood dripping from her mouth, she then walks thankfully over to Xander.

"That was tasty," Cordelia smiles as she begins kissing him. "But I don't see how you expect me to live in this dump!" she gripes.

Xander frowns at the complaint. "You know of a better place?" Xander snaps.

An evil grin spreads across Cordelia's face. "Yes."

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As night falls Xander gathers up his men and makes his way toward the surface. Drusilla coos with excitement as the group approaches the Bronze.

"Cover all exits!" Xander orders the vampires reach the outside of the building. "No one is to leave alive!"

Cordelia wraps her arms around Xander as he barks orders. "Mmm, I just love it when you take charge."

Xander and Cordelia enter while other vampires follow behind and begin to flood the room. Spike and Drusilla stand at their side. "I got to hand it to ya mate, this was a great idea. what other place would have so many delicious people." Spike laughs as he puts his game face on.

"Well, I can't take all the credit." Xander says as he looks at Cordelia.

Terror fills the crowd as the vampires begin grabbing people one by one, attacking the crowd unremittingly. Xander vamps out and yells out to the crowd, "Escape is impossible, death is inevitable!" he grins.

Angel looks on in horror from outside as he watches the gang of vampires take over the bronze within minutes. Knowing he is out numbered, Angel runs to find Buffy.

Terror and screams echo the nightclub as vampires are seen attacking and feeding off of club goers, most only teenagers. Xander looks angrily as he watches someone attempt to escape through a window. Quickly Xander grabs the boy by the jacket, pulling him back in. Xander then grabs the boys head and snaps his neck.

Drusilla claps animatedly as she watched the chaos ensue.

Spike joins in on the action by feeding off a young girl, no older than 16. Spike passes the teen over to Drusilla to allow her a taste as well.

Dead bodies scatter the ground as the chaos finally winds to a end. Cordelia walks gracefully over to Xander, "I told you this would be a good place to live." She smiles.

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Angel slams the library doors open, "Buffy needs to get to the bronze quick, they are attacking the bronze!"

Giles looks at Angel in shock, "Oh, god."

"Where's Buffy?" Angel asks glancing around.

"I haven't seen her." Giles responds.

Just then Kendra steps out from Giles office holding a crossbow. "I will take care of zis."

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By the time Angel and Kendra make it to the bronze it is evident they are too late. The two look on through a window as they watch the vampires roam through the bronze, clearing out dead bodies. "There is nothing we can do here, we betta leave before they spot us." Kendra says.

By the time Angel and Kendra return to the library the whole group manages to sow, waiting.

"So nice of you to show." Kendra says sarcastically as she looks at Buffy.

Buffy ignors the statement. "So, what's the plan, we attack?"

"Tis too late, all are dead." Kendra remarks as she sets the crossbow on the table.

"What?!" Buffy asks in shock.

Angel explains, "By the time we got there, everyone was dead. Spike and his men killed everyone inside."

Buffy looks down at the ground as her mouth opens with shock.

"I suggest we plan an attack. Two slayer tis betta than one." Kendra replies.

"No, that's probably what they want you to do. Taking over the bronze is too bold of a move without expecting company." Giles replies.

"Why not attack at sunrise?" Amy suggests. Right then the lights go out. A gasps lets out as the room instantaneously becomes pitch black.

Giles quickly stands up, "Don't worry, I'm sure it's just a short. I'll check the circuit breaker.

"I'll come with you." Jenny calls out as she attempts to follow Giles out of the library.

Amy pulls out a few candles, traditionally used for spells and places them on the table. The flame flickers as she lights them one by one with a match.

"I'm sorry about how I acted yesterday. I was way out of line." Buffy says in a sincere tone to Angel.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, I love you." Angel replies.

"Aww, isn't that sweet." Spike says.

Buffy and Kendra quickly snap to attention as they watch spike and his men stand outside of the library doors. "What do you want spike!" Buffy yells.

"Meet at the bronze, at midnight."

"And why should we!" Angel growls.

"This is why," spike steps aside as Xander and another vampire show Jenny and Giles. Giles attempts to yell out "Don't do it." But his words just come out as muffled his mouth is covered by the vampire's hand. Buffy begins to walks forward,

"Nah uh," spike says as he pulls out a dagger and holds it to Giles throat. "Midnight or else!" spike reminds her as he and his men leave with the two.

"Looks like we don't 'ave a choice now." Kendra says after the vampires leave.

"I don't like this, not one bit." Angel says as he crosses his arms.

Buffy marches over to the weapons closet and begin packing her backpack with an ax, stakes, a cross and a small bottle of holy water. "If we plan to go on a suicide mission, we might as well be prepared." Buffy says.

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At the bronze Jenny and Giles sit tied to chairs. "Why does this seem all so familiar?" Jenny says sarcastically. "Why do I always end up the bait?"

"Well, at least we are together this time." Giles forces a smile.

"I love you Rupert." Jenny says softly.

Giles looks over at her surprised; the first time he heard those words from her mouth. Giles echoes, "I love you."

Xander walks over to the two, breaking the moment. "Shut up already! You two are getting on my nerves! Keep it up and I'll be forced to slash out your voice boxes!"

Cordelia walks over to Xander and kisses him on the cheek. "Calm down, soon we will be able to celebrate." She smiles as she shows her true vamp self in front of Jenny and Giles.

The two look on in shock. "It can't be." Giles says softly as he looks on at Cordelia. He then shakes his head as he looks down at the ground in disbelieve.

Cordelia kneels down in front of Giles, "Oh, it can be, and guess what?" she says in a perky voice. "You get to be here when all the fun begins and watch all everyone die." She laughs. "What kind of old man is friends with teenagers anyways."

Xander places his arm around Cordelia's waist. "Come on baby, it is almost time."

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Approximately 30 minutes till midnight, Buffy and Angel reach the outside of the bronze. The building seems surprisingly quiet, as if deserted. That is, until they look through the window and see Jenny and Giles tied to chairs, with gags and blindfolds on sitting in the dark.

"There they are." Buffy whispers.

Angel looks around cautiously. "I don't like this, where are all the guards? This doesn't feel right."

"I know, but at least we have Kendra as our backup plan." It is then that the two hear a rustling sound behind them. Angel and Buffy turn to see Amy and oz.

"What are you doing here?" Buffy whispers angrily. "I thought I told you to stay behind."

"Hey Giles and Jenny are our friends too and we want to help." Amy says defensively.

"Plus, with all those vampires, you guys are going to need all the help you can get." Oz looks side to side a bit surprised. "Hey, shouldn't someone be guarding the outside?"

Buffy sighs with frustration, "Yes, more than likely it's a trap and we are all going to die." She says sarcastically. "But we don't have time to argue, here." Buffy then hands Oz and Amy a stake. "Better now then never." She says as she motions to everyone that they are going to enter the bronze.

The four cautiously make their way into the building. Buffy takes off her backpack and sets it down next to her as she kneels down and quickly begins to untie Giles while Angel untied Jenny.

"It was stupid of you to come!" Giles says angrily to the group as he rubs his wrists where the ropes rubbed up against them.

"We got to get out of here quickly." Jenny says as Angel finishes untying her.

Just then the lights flicker on, Amy lets out a gasp as she turns around to see a whole group of vampires walk into the room, including Spike and Xander. "Looks to me we our guests are trying to leave early. That seems rather rude." Spike laughs.

Angel looks at spike angrily, "I gave you a chance to leave town, now we have no choice." He snarls.

You've got that wrong mate. You are the one that will be dust." Spike smiles as he puts his game face on and signals for his men to attack.