Disclaimer: None of the characters in this chapter are mine of course nor am I affiliated with Fox, the WB, and Paramount and other agencies mentioned here.
Spike's Apartment
It was getting late, but the group was able to find some information. Gabriel had noted that Terrance, in the past, had found information on ancient holy weapons and amulets which could still be hidden around the Earth. Angel and Spike found some corroborating evidence of them too. The problem was getting the exact location of these items, so the group decided to split up. Since they were searching for holy weapons, Spike suggested checking out some missions and churches in the area. Gabriel noted a treasure hunter whom Terrance had met in the past that might be able to assist them. Angel and Spike left together for the missions, and Gabriel and Illyria, together, headed out to find the hunter. All agreed to return before dawn.
Spike mounted his motorcycle, and called out to Angel, "Let's go!"
"What's with you and motorcycles?"
"Are you getting on, or not?"
Angel angrily took his seat behind Spike. As they took off, Gabriel and Illyria leapt across buildings in the city.
From the memories, there were a few places which the hunter could've gone to: bars, clubs, diners, both catering to demons and humans. 'This human seemed to have led a very dark life,' Gabriel thought, 'There are very few memories of happiness, for they are all filled with sorrow and guilt.' Within several minutes, the two demons landed in an alley behind a nightclub. Gabriel peeked at the entrance.
"This would be one of the first places to look for this hunter. The club is a gathering place for mercenaries," Gabriel noted. He turned to Illyria, "We should change our appearance to avoid unnecessary confrontation."
Illyria nodded, and within moments her shape changed to that of Winifred. She wore a white shirt with blue jeans. The ice blue eye color was gone, and her hair turned brown. The change for Gabriel took seconds as well. His eyes returned to its original brown color, with his red-dark hair morphing back to black. A black turtle neck appeared with black jeans. If anything, Gabriel was practically camouflaged in the dark except for his face.
Gabriel turned to Illyria, and speaking with an English accent, said, "Alright let's go. Stay close with me Ill…no…what was your shell's name again?"
Illyria opened her eyes again, as she saw Wesley turning to her instead of Gabriel.
"Illyria?"
Closing and opening her eyes again, Illyria found Gabriel instead of Wesley. Confused and dazed, she slowly replied, "Winifred Burkle."
Gabriel examined her for a bit, and then shrugged. "Ok, for the time being, we'll address each other by our human names, Winifred."
"Fred," Illyria interrupted.
"Fred," Gabriel said, "you wish to be addressed Fred instead?" Seeing her nod, Gabriel continued, "Very well then, address me by Terrance then."
"If you ask me," Lorne chuckled, "we may get a case of identity crisis."
Terrance and Fred walked towards the nightclub's entrance. Some people took a look at the unusual couple, considering the fact that Fred, being 5'8, was taller than Terrance, who was 5'7. However, many shrugged it off, and went about their personal businesses. The bouncer at the entrance examined the two as they walked in.
"Careful," the bouncer said, "it can get rough in there."Terrance smiled, and continued walking into the club. It was heavily crowded with people dancing on the floor. Fred watched them with interest; how the males and females held each other intimately. I wish that was me and Wesley, Fred shook her head. That was not my voice, what is happening to me? Fred turned her attention back to Terrance as they made their way to the bar.
The bartender, a man in his thirties, looked up at the couple.
"Can I help you?"
Terrance paused for a second, "Uh I am looking for a man that goes by the name Hunter Gibson." The bartender pondered for a moment. "He has short brown hair, blue eyes, medium build, about five feet eleven."
The bartender continued thinking, and then snapped his fingers, "Ah sorry, a lot of guys come in and go."
Terrance sighed, "Do you know anyone we could ask?"
"Maybe," the bartender said nodding his head, "there is someone who might know." Searching through the crowds he pointed to a girl, a blonde haired teenager, at the other end of the club, "She might know."
Terrance nodded, and both he and Fred started walking through the crowded dance floor. A large, overly muscled man stopped the two on the way, his gaze fixed on Fred.
"Hey there, wanna have a dance babe? Ditch the nerd, and hitch up with a real man."Fred stopped, and simply replied, "Sorry, I'm kinda busy right now." She continued walking with Terrance, but the man again stood in their way. Frustrated, but wishing not to start a fight Terrance asked, "Excuse me sir, but could you please move out of the way?"
The man laughed, "What's a shrimp like you going to do with me?" Still laughing, the man threw a punch at Terrance, a slow one though…too slow. Terrance dodged the attack, and grabbed the man's hand.
"I was hoping it wouldn't resort to this," Terrance said as he started squeezing the man's fist. The hand bones cracked loudly, and the man screamed so he let him go. The man fell, quickly got up and ran out, cradling his broken hand with his other.
"Was that necessary, Terrance?" Fred asked.
"Necessary?" Terrance said, turning to Fred, grabbing her hand and continuing walking across. "I suppose so. We're now on our way aren't we?"
The two finally reached the blonde haired girl, who was flanked by several large men, no doubt her bodyguards. As Terrance and Fred stepped in front of the table the girl immediately looked up.
"Hi there! How can I help you?" The girl asked cheerfully, sipping from her soda through a straw. Two of the bodyguards took a step behind them, poised to strike at a moments notice.
Looking around him, Terrance spoke, "Yes, um, we're both looking for a man named…"
"Oh yes!" the girl interrupted, startling Terrance for a bit, "I forgot to introduce myself! Silly me! My name is Sarah."
Both Fred and Terrance looked at each other, and turned back to Sarah.
"I'm Terrance, and this is my friend Fred."
Sarah scanned the two of them. She had a strange look on her face.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Sarah asked, looking at Fred.
Terrance interrupted, "Uh yes. Um if you would please excuse me, but I'm looking for a man named Hunter. The man at the bar said you might know where he is."
Sarah stopped, putting her drink on the table and pointed at the chairs in front of Fred and Terrance. "Well sit down."
The two took seats at the table, and sat down.
"Hunter's dead," Sarah said, placing her hands on the table, still holding a cheerful face. "He was on another of his treasure hunts a few days ago, but was killed by those guardians that were defending it." She inched a bit closer to Fred and Terrance, "But what would you two be looking for him for?"
Terrance straightened himself, "I need some information regarding important ancient relics."
Sarah gave him an intrigued look, "Well I could help you, but then what would I get out of this? Do you have anything to offer to me?"Fred and Terrance looked at each other, they didn't bring anything at all, nor could they make something on such a short notice.
"Well, no," Terrance replied, "nothing."
"What about your spear?" Sarah asked.
Terrance froze, 'My spear? How does she know?'
"I carry nothing," Terrance lied, holding both arms in the air, revealing there was nothing to hide within his shirt. "What makes you think I carry something?"
Sarah laughed, "Such silly fools, don't you think so Jacob?" She turned to one of the bodyguards who simply nodded. Smiling, she explained, "I can see past your false images. I'm not fooled easily. You two apparently are very old demons, pure demons to be exact."
Fred quickly tried to cover up. "Nah, we're just a couple of normal people trying to survive in this world."
"Your imitation is almost near perfect, and would have fooled me if not for the auras you emit in your human forms." Sarah stated. "So tell me, what are two pure demons doing here? The old trying to take over the world?" Sarah took another sip of her drink and rolled her eyes, "People these days."
Realizing that they could no longer cover it, Terrance decided to just acknowledge it. "No, we are on a mission to help this world."
"How can I trust you?" Sarah asked.
"I'm…" Terrance said, thinking, "I'm not sure."
Sarah then picked up her drink again. "Well you already proved one point to me, but I'd like to test out one more thing."
Before Terrance could react two large hands grabbed his shoulder, and hurled him across the club onto the dance floor. People screamed, and got out of the way as Terrance looked back at his attackers. Vampires, eight of them, surrounded him and behind them was the same man whose hand he had broken.
"That's him!" The man yelled, "He broke my hand! Kill him! Make him hurt bad!"
The vampires smiled as they drew closer to Terrance, but then one of them stopped.
"Hey!" the vampire said, sniffing with his nose. "Something's not right here! This guy doesn't have a scent!"
"You sure?" another said, as he inched closer and sniffed. "You're right. He doesn't have a scent. It's like he's not even there."
"But we can see him!"
"What are you waiting for!? Kill him! I'm paying you good money!" The man screamed.
"Well let's find out then," the lead vampire said, and leapt at Terrance.
He moved quickly, and kicked the vampire hard in the stomach, so that he went flying into the wall. The second vampire rushed at him but was no match for Terrance's speed as he swung behind him and snapped his neck. Another was decapitated with just a single roundhouse kick. Yet another vampire grabbed a table, and successfully smashed it over Terrance's head, but was shocked when the man was still standing.
"This guy's not even human!"
"That is correct," Terrance said smiling. He picked up a piece of the wood from the table, and staked the vampire to dust. Then threw it at another, staking it in the process.
Now the remaining vampires panicked and started running. Terrance turned his gaze towards the man with the broken hand. Desperate, the man took out a knife, and held it to Fred's throat.
"One move and I'll slit her throat!"
"Unhand me you filth." Fred said in her voice once more Illyria's as she knocked the knife out of his hand, and punched him across the club, and out into the street through the door. People looked in amazement, and started clapping. Terrance wiped the dust off of his shirt, and walked towards the girls.
"Are you unhurt, Fred?" Terrance asked.
"No, I'm fine thank you. Hated that guy," Fred replied, giving an evil look."Good job!" Sarah said, getting both Terrance's and Fred's attention, "You proved that I can trust you fully."
"I assume you meant the fighting," Terrance replied. "But what was the first point we proved to you?"
Sarah smiled, "As I looked deep into you two I not only sensed your demon essences, but sensed your souls. Well at least what's left of them, at any rate. I examined them…they're good souls."
Both Terrance and Fred stopped, staring at Sarah.
"What?" Lorne said, giving the audience a mean look. "What are you all looking at me like that for? I'm telling you the truth boys and girls, it's how the story tells it."