Chapter 6: The Battle Begins

"Faye, are you ok?" asked Julia

"What happened?" asked Faye as she woke up

"You come here at almost 6 am, sneaking like a thief, Vicious thought you were one and hit you on the back with a vase." said Julia

"I'm really sorry, Faye. Forgive me." said Vicious taking her hand in his

"Of course I forgive you, Vicious. It was my fault. I think that thanks to my--"

"Your what?" asked Vicious

"Nothing."

"Well, I'm going. I have to go to work." said Vicious

"See you later hon." said Julia and gave him a quick peek on the lips. Once Vicious was gone.

"So, where the hell were you last night?!" yelled Julia

"Don't yell. My head hurts." said Faye

"I'm sorry, Faye. I was so worried. Now, answer my question." said Julia

"Ok. I went to The Pit. I ordered a tequila bottle, drank it all, till the last drop. I started dancing. Not a few minutes passed and, uh, Spike appeared. We danced, kissed, held each other. Then he took me out to his motorcycle. He stopped at a, um, hotel. I guessed it's where he lives."

"And?" asked Julia

"That's it." said Faye

"You had sex, didn't you?" smirked Julia

"Well, yes, we did. Any problem?" asked defensly Faye

"Well yes, there's a problem Faye Valentine." said Julia

"And it's ...?"

"Have you forgotten what happened with Gene?"

"Of course not, Julia. I was 17, I loved him and thougt he loved me." said Faye, her eyes watering

"Faye, you've been hurt. We've always helped each other. I don't want you to suffer again."

"I know. It just that last night, I wanted to forget everything and Spike helped me. He--" Faye was cut off by a blinding light surrendering them. When the light diminished she saw they were no longer in her house but in dark and unknown place.

"Welcome, my dear." a voice said

"Who's there? Show yourself." yelled Faye at that the source of the voice appeared. "You." whispered Faye recognizing the man from her dreams.

"I'm Mindbender. Pleased to have finally met you." he bowed

"What do you want?" asked Faye

"I want you by my side. For centuries I've searched for your powers, chosen one. When I knew you had them I wanted to kill you. But after seeing the beauty the you have, why kill you? I think it's better if you come to my side."

"What for?"

"For power!"

"And if I refuse?"

"You die."

"We'll see about that." said Faye but was stopped

"Wait Faye. He's more powerful than he seems, Faye." Santa Leopolda appeared beside him

"Leopolda, how are you?" asked Mindbender and he made some strings go toward her, but they did not touched her, for an invisible shield protected her. "What is the meaning of this?" then he looked toward Faye who was concentrating, hard.

"What happened?" asked Faye

"Seems you have discovered a power within you. If I´m not mistaken you have telekinesis, you can move things with you mind."

"Wow." was Faye´s only response

"You can not defeat her. She is a warrior."

"Well, maybe I can't, but I know someone who can." as he said this he moved aside letting a man from behind him appear

"Spike?" whispered Faye, her eyes widening. "Let him go."

"I'm afraid I can't do that. You see, he's been getting close to you, but I never he thought he'd get so close as to mark you as his."

"What do you mean?" asked Faye

"Your neck, bears his mark. I can feel Spike's escence coming strongly from you, specially from his mark. Now, answer me. Have you noticed you only see him at night?"

"Get to the point." said Faye through her teeth

"One of my minions turned him what he is now. He's mine, and what belongs to him, it's also mine."

"I belong to one. Now let him go." said Faye and she ran to him at full speed. She tried to punch him but a shield surrounded him, sending her flying to where she was. Quickly she used her power to levitate herself.

"Spike." one word from Mindbender and Spike started going toward Faye

"What happens now Leopolda?" asked Faye

"Now the battle beggins."

"Spike, I don't want to fight you." said Faye standing straight in front of him

"Just like you didn't want to have sex with me?" he mocked her

She didn't replied

"Come one. Take my hand." Spike extended his hand to her. "Join Mindbender. He's very powerful."

She didn't moved an inch.

"Faye, Mindbender is not very patient, neither am I. So take my fucking hand!" he nearly yelled

"I rather die, than to be a part of someone so hideous as he." she said looking at Mindbender, who's face was unreadable

"Pity. You are a unique woman. You managed to unleash my control, the beast in me in bed. No other woman ever did that. They were barely a one-night- stands. But if I must fight you, so be it. Be prepared Faye, for I intend to win, to death." Spike said

"So do I." at that he charged at her.

Faye tried to stop him, to use her power against him, but she couldn't. He kept runing at her. She prepared to hit him, after all she knew all kinds of martial arts. He send a punch to her face, but she ducked it and tried to kick him on the stomach. He stopped her leg and twisted it, but Faye twisted in the air making it impossible for him to break her leg.

"Impressive." said Spike, she was expresionless

Faye attacked him, trhowing punches after kicks. He managed to dodge some. Finally she kicked him in the face, making him go backwards. He wiped blood from his mouth. Out of no where two pair of swords appeared in front of each of them. Faye looked at Mindbender who nodded at her. Spike and Faye took the swords and charged at each other.

The sound of metal hiting metal was heard throughout that mysterious place. Spike tried to slash Faye's leg, but with her sword she blocked it. Acting quickly she kicked his abdomen. But Spike was more faster and slashed her left arm. He smiled, Faye acted like nothing happened.

Spike charged at her again. Blind with fury. Moving his sword everywhere, trying to kill her. Faye managed to block all of his attacks. She almost panicked. Then she saw an opportunity and managed to slash his torso. Spike stopped. He looked at his shirt's chest and saw blood. He ripped his shirt, revealing strong muscled chest. In his back, the black and red dragon, something was different about it. It's eyes looked as if they were alive. Spike looked more convinced that he'd win. He charged again against Faye, she blocked his attacks.

Santa Leopolda was watching emotionless. She could only watch as Faye fought for survival. Mindbender grinned, he noticed Faye was tired. His victory was near. Soon he'll have inmense power, he'll be powerfull enough to conquear all the Universe. But he didn't wanted it to be soon, he wanted it to be NOW. So he did what evil entities do, he cheated. He concentrated on Faye, looking directly at her and her thoughts and playing tricks on her.

Suddenly Faye stopped attacking she was disoriented. She saw visions of her past lovers, her broken heart, her rivers of tears, the death of her fianceé before her own eyes and her first abortion. That last one almost broke her, how she wanted that baby, a piece of her first love. But she had more power than that, she discovered she was psychic, like Mindbender, and blocked those thoughts. She turned her look toward him, she blocked him mentally and resumed her fight. With newfound strength she fought Spike. He was tired of this and intended on finishing this. He aimed for her heart with his sword. With all his might he launched forward and --

Faye gasped, her eyes widened at the contact of metal with skin. The sword pierced the heart, she knew, she saw and felt the blood pouring down her body. She backed away from him and sank to the floor. Faye looked at Leopolda, pleading her to help her, a second later she saw darkness.

A/N: I am so sorry for my delay. But I haven´t got the time, with the finishing things in school, church activities and work. And now we´ll have another delay for I do not know what to write for the next chapter. You could tell me what I could write. Stay for updates. Flames, reviews and pointers are welcomed.