The Emperor's Key

Chapter 4

The three champions got off the plane and after a long time they finally got out of Rome Airport.

'First things first, transport.' The tallest said.

'Oh, oh I'll get it.' said the shortest with fake enthusiasm.

'No scooters this time!'

'Trust me.' And the youngest scampered of laughing to himself.

'I am not so trusting as you Angel. Spike will try to humiliate and belittle you. A true leader would not allow that.'

'Illyria, please how could he?'

Three minutes later he did. He had bought a jet black super bike. That wasn't what made Angel wince. The black motorbike had two seats and a side car. The side car was neon pink. The front of the cool black bike had small letters stencilled in white "Spike-mobile".

The side car had flowers and "Angel" in pretty letters. For the first time ever Illyria laughed.

Not long after that they pulled up just outside the apartment complex. Angel got out with some relief and laid out the plan.

'That's your great idea! Watch from her balcony!?' Spike half shouted

'You got a better one?'

'No.'

'Good and you missed out the most important part.' The most important part was that instead of comfortably standing on said balcony Angel and Illyria stood on the one above. They each held one of Spike's legs, holding him upside down.

Spike signalled them to pull him back up. 'They're there, both of 'em's asleep.'

'Thank god!'

'Not really, they've got visitors. Eight very big visitors, each armed with some big nasty weapons and all of them wearing some sort of blue, grey armour.' Spike finished with a lame smile.

'Let me see' Angel whispered and after a moment he was the one hanging upside down. After an odd clicking sound one of Angels feet started to twitch.

Together Spike and Illyria looked down. Angel had three guns pointed at his head another two were held by a pair of blue/grey armoured men. The pair were on the balcony, aiming right for their heads.

Neither Spike or Illyria were afraid of guns after facing the forces of the senior partners. Unfortunately the size of the guns was a definite problem, Spike was fairly certain that he could fit his leg down the barrel and the blokes holding the guns weren't to be laughed at.

Big and burly they could have given Hamilton a run for his money. The armour was an odd mix of bulk and grace. Oversized shin pads dropped over their feet and raised knee guards overlapped the thinner thigh plates. A thick belt held different things for each of the warriors. Mostly they had a short sword, a pistol, and several grenades. Their giant chest plates followed the their ribs and actually went over the abdomen. Even bigger than the chest plate were the two shoulder pads, covering the upper arms. The lower arm guards were thinner but still very solid. Only one of them wore a helmet, it seemed to be made of two parts a cone shaped face plate and a head cover that came over their ears. 'Hello? Can we speak to Buffy?'

Dawn opened her eyes. While not really awake she still looked around at her room everything was in its place if a bit blurry. On her chair there sat a big black armoured man, after a moment she was able to dredge the memories of the last few hours out of her befuddled mind.

'Are you better now?' To Dawn it was as if he was talking to her very slowly and there were a lot of echoes for some reason. She nodded her head and the room span. She giggled a little.

'You are still feeling the effects of the drug. Three daemons have come they wish to see you.'

'Okay.' She said proudly before giggling like a four year old. He picked her up and carried her under his arm. To Dawn it was just like flying.

In the living room three people sat on their hands. Dawn didn't expect to see two of them ever again and she didn't recognise the third. 'Hello you two.' She waved.

She watched Spike, trying to remember something. But her thoughts just wouldn't cooperate. 'She's as stoned as a Japanese rock garden! What happened Bit?'

'I got broken, Ul-hic put something on my arm and then I got sleepy.' She chirped happily. Several of her new friends snickered at what she said, this made her laugh.

Nether Angel or Spike found it funny. 'What, how?' they asked almost as one.

Puling herself together she tried to focus on the two vampires. by god person.' She waved limply around 'Friends help, stop Buffy 'n' fixed arm.' Gulping she looked at the man carrying her. 'I can't think right.' she said with all seriousness before snorting with laughter.

He put her down and looked at the new guests. 'The painkiller I gave her also acts as a stimulant. However I was unsure of the amount I used. A strong depressant might neutralise the problem.'

Even in her befuddled state the smile on Spike's face was worrying. 'Bottle of Jack should do the trick.'

'Jack?'

'Don't you know mate? Jack Daniel's, whisky. Alcohol!'

'Yes. Good strong mead would do the trick.'

'Right then I'll get some.'

'Four, maybe five tankards worth should do it.'

'WHAT!'

'As I said I gave her too much of the painkiller.'

Dawn took that moment to speak 'Where Spike going?'

'To get a drink Little Bit. A lot really.'

Smiling she waved to the book shelf. 'Can I have some?'

'Sure thing Bit.' Spike went for the door.

'Wait,' Angel got up and rummaged amongst the books for a moment. Nestled at the back was a half empty rectangular bottle. 'Yours?'

Dawn smiled and nodded, and spent a few moments wondering why she felt like she made a mistake. When she put her mind back to its task she saw a medium sized glass half full with some of the golden brown liquid. Spike was looking at it like it was a cross and Angel's eyes threatened to come out of their sockets.

'Drink, as fast as you can. Understand?' The wolf skull asked.

'Yep.' Dawn opened her mouth and tilted her head back.

It was like someone lit a bonfire in her mouth that burnt down to her empty stomach. Gasping for air she tried to stand only to bang her head on the way back down. If the room was spinning before now it was moving like a ship in bad weather. Once again she was picked up and carried away, this time to the bathroom where she promptly fell asleep.

Dawn got up and looked in the mirror. Immediately she turned away. Washing her face and combing her hair she pieced together the last few hours that she was awake for. She looked at her arm, it was dressed in a tight splint and she still couldn't feel her fingers but that wasn't what was bugging her....

A split second later she barged out of the bathroom and slapped Spike as hard as she could with her good arm before hugging him. 'How long have you been back?' she howled at him.

'Eight or nine months.' He winced

Dawn punched him full in the face, dimly she was aware that all of the Space Wolves were pointing their guns at the three other guests. 'This is your fault!' she screeched at Angel 'And yours!' she slapped Spike again.

'Stop Dawnie. Let me explain, please.' And he did.

In his home the Immortal knelt in front of the insanely bright alter. Writhing cherubs and dancing daemons preformed perverted little dances to feed their god. 'Father the girl has not returned.'

'Is she so powerful that even you cannot control? I am disappointed.' The ethereal voice was hollow but echoed with the sound of uncounted lost souls.

'Nay Father, some force has taken to protecting her. For all my worth I have searched with my mind. I have sensed the spirit protecting her. It is powerful and it has summoned its own servants to the protection.' The Immortal glanced and noticed two of his slaves die due to excess.

'You have lordship of all the half breeds and creatures my son. Surely you can destroy whatever has been chosen to protect The Key.'

The Immortal knew what he had to do and fell face first to the ground. 'The power has called his protectors from our distant future. Oh Greatest One. It is the spirit of the Wolf itself that does hunt this time land! The foul magi-seers of the Eldar do guide him. And the False Emperor watches all!'

Instantly the daemons and cherubs died and the alter melted. The youngest of the Chaos Gods tore at the fabric of reality in a rage no man or daemon would dare imagine.

And there do I leave you. See you next chapter.