Letters 14
The graduating class off 99 threw off their dowdy red polyester gowns to reveal weaponry. Axe's, flamethrowers and crosses.
Larry grinned as he pulled his flamethrower up from around his neck and Harmony dragged her crossbow out with a proud grin at the ultimate fashion accessory.
Buffy started calling orders to her troop "Flame units!"
Those students who were of the fire group pointed their flames at the Mayor who hissed and swayed above them screaming loudly.
Xander turned to see a huge wave of Vampires standing behind them
"First wave!" he called and Willow turned with her unit of crossbows to attack the Mayor.
The Mayor turned on the students, incensed and retaliated by eating a latecomer.
Snyder stood on the podium wide eyed in shock "This…this is unacceptable."
The Mayor had frightened some of the students and they turned to run- straight into the newly arrived Vampire army.
"Arm bow men." Xander called and a bunch of students picked up bow and arrows and fired at the Vampires. The Vampires scoffed until the children lit the ends of the arrows and let loose the burning harpoons. The Vampires retreated.
"Fall back." Buffy screamed and the students followed her.
The students let fly with the fire arrows again and several more vampires got hit. They raced to leave only to find themselves confronted by another group of students led by Angel, flanked by Percy and Wesley.
The Vampires stood still for a moment and then grinned as a huge army of demons walked into the Campus.
"Looks like we outnumber you." One goaded to Angel.
The sounds of battle faded as the students realised that they were not only outnumbered but surrounded.
Buffy swallowed hard.
The new demons moved slightly to the side and a lone figure walked up the centre.
"Sorry mates." Spike drawled "We're on their side." He pointed to Angel and grinned at the caught Vampires.
Willow's heart expanded as she saw her love throw in his lot with the white hats.
"You see we don't want to be ruled by a snake and some of us like humans." his eyes found Willow.
the only sound for a moment was Snyder yelling "This is not orderly. This is not discipline, You're on my campus buddy!"
The Mayor seemed to have had about enough of him as the students had and rushed down.
"And when I say I want quiet, I want-" no one ever found out what he wanted as the Mayor ate him.
The sound of Principal being chewed spurred them all into action again.
Spike and his demons rushed the Vamps at the same time Angel and the students did.
"Hey dude, are we supposed to kill the demons too?" Percy asked Oz who just shrugged.
"I think they're on our side." Angel added as he punched a Vampire "It was Spike's doing. He always had strange ideas."
"Should have gone for the humus." Oz picked up his stake and carried on.
Buffy yelled for the students to fall back and then she turned to Willow "Go."
"Good luck." Willow said and ran down the steps to join the fight.
"Everybody, hand
to hand. Everyone! Lets go! Move! Move!"." Xander yelled
as he passed out stakes.
Willow trusted Buffy to finish off the Mayor and she darted down the steps staking
Vampires in her wake. She turned quickly feeling someone at her back.
"Spike!"
"Hey pet." He said with a flash of smirk as he decapitated a Vampire "What you thought I'd miss your big graduation. Like hell."
Willow turned so they were fighting back to back "Where did the demons come from?"
"As soon as I heard about the ascension, I started recruiting myself an army of demons who liked humans and wanted to help; that's what I've been doing since I left Dru."
"You did?"
"I couldn't let them hurt you, pet."
Willow swung her axe at a Vampire who ducked, she kicked it, knocking it back and she dusted it with her wooden heel- just like Buffy had told her.
"You recruited them- you did all this to save me?" She half turned to look at him as he tore the head off a Vamp.
Spike twisted to look at her, his forehead was covered in blood where a vamp had got lucky and hit him. He smiled rapaciously at her.
"Of course." He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his arms. He ducked his head and ravaged her mouth with his lips.
She pulled back to breath and had to dodge a swinging sword.
"Fight now, kiss later."
Spike bowed in a flourish as he staked another Vampire "Your wish is my command."
Willow watched as the tide started to turn and the Vamp dust exploded like the fourth of July fireworks.
Suddenly a loud boom struck the air and they all turned as the high school exploded. Spike jumped on top of Willow protecting her from flying debris as each section of the school burst into flames and fury.
The graduating class of Sunnydale high, stood up as they watched the school be torn apart and they collectively smiled and turned to the remaining Vampires with renewed vigour.
The darkened streets were filled with fire engines trying desperately to put out the flames of the high school and hoards of police men asking each student what had happened. Ironically enough the students all replied the same
"Gangs on PCP and exploded gas pipes."
Stretchers carried out those wounded and moaning- some louder than others.
Buffy just searched the crowds for that elusive someone.
Xander walked by her side "We got off pretty cheap… considering." He knew she wasn't paying him any attention as she absent-mindedly replied
"Seems like we did."
Xander sighed "He made it through the fight. Guess maybe he took off ater."
Buffy just nodded and looked away. Xander went to catch his girlfriend who was asking a cute fireman who to sue about her ruined Prada heels.
Giles walked up
to her and lay a hand on her shoulder "Are you all right?"
Buffy couldn't even begin to answer that right now "I'm tired."
Giles smiled affectionately at her "I should imagine so. It's been
quite a couple of days."
Buffy just sighed "I haven't processed everything yet. My brain isn't
really functioning on the higher levels. It's pretty much; fire bad; tree
pretty."
Buffy thanked him, her heart hurting as she tried not to cry.
Giles put his glasses on and reached into his pocket to pull out her charred diploma "I ah… I managed to ferret this out of the wreckage. Now, it may not interest you, but I'd say you earned it."
Buffy took it
without much interest.
Giles wanted to say something to take that look off her face but wasn't sure
what, he looked around "There is a certain dramatic irony that's attached
to all this. A Synchronicity that borders on… on predestination, one
might say."
Buffy smiled at him "Fire bad; tree pretty."
Giles chuckled and apologised. He walked away to see Wesley.
Buffy watched him go for a second and then spun around. Angel stood beside a fire truck looking at her.
For a heartbeat they stared at each other remembering the words and feelings and then he slowly turned and walked away.
Buffy felt a hand on her shoulder and something touch her palm and she turned to see Willow holding her hand in silent commiseration.
She gave a brave smile and they walked over to the stone steps in front of the school where the others were waiting.
Oz, Xander and Cordelia watched the fire and shared a grin.
"Well, that's the most fun you can have without having any fun." Cordelia said, laying her head on Xander's shoulder.
"Oh don't tell me that wasn't fun!" Spike came up and slipped his am around Willow's waist.
"Argh Spike!" Xander yelled and pointed to him.
"Mine." Willow tightened her hold on Spike's arm and he ducked his head to kiss her lips.
"Argh Spike!" Xander yelled again "Willow!"
Spike raised an eyebrow "And you had a crush on that?"
"Chill Xander." Buffy said wearily "Spike helped us. He loves Willow."
"He does?" Xander looked faint.
"He does." Spike maintained and pulled her impossibly closer.
"How'd you end up with such a hottie?" Cordelia asked jealously.
"Well she's not a bitch for one." Spike remarked to her and she coloured.
"You're dating Spike? How could you be dating Spike?" Xander gaped.
"I just pretty much am." Willow shrugged unwilling to explain herself.
"Are you sure you're not Vamp Willow?"
"Vamp Willow?" Spike's tone was curious
Willow blushed, "Long story."
"How can my best friend be dating a demon and I not know?"
"You and the head cheerleader were too busy playing to care." Spike mouthed off and was satisfied at the horrified look on Xander's face.
"I was…we were…" he paused and stared at her as if he was searching for something "Are you happy Wills?"
Willow looked up into Spike's ice blue eyes "Yeah."
Xander swallowed "Then I guess that's enough."
"Guys, I think we've done pretty much all we can. You guys want to take off?" Buffy asked.
Oz came up to her and lay his hand on her arm "You okay?"
"Yeah… I'm okay. - I could use a little sleep though."
Willow nodded and
agreed emphatically "Yeah."
Spike raised an eyebrow again "Alright, straight to bed with you when we get
home."
Willow blushed and Xander yelped
"Gyah!"
Buffy chuckled
and leaned on Oz "If someone could just wake me when it's time to go to
college, that'd be great." Willow smiled at her for taking off the heat.
"Guys take a moment to deal with this: - we survived." Oz added as he put his
arm around Buffy, Xander nodded his eyes still on Willow and Spike.
Buffy yawned "It was a hell of a battle!"
Oz shook his head "Not the battle, high school."
They all looked
quietly at the school and listened to the crickets chirping.
"We're taking a moment," Oz paused as Spike whispered in Willow's ear making
her giggle. They stood up to leave "and we're done."
Xander got up and walked off next to Cordelia, he looked at Willow and smiled "Well, School's done."
"That it is, pet." Spike nudged Willow with his hips "So what do you want to do now?"