ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER CHAPTER GLAD YOU ALL SEEM TO BE ENJOYING MY LITTLE FIC. PLEASE CONTINUE TO R & R ANY CONSTRUCTIVE CRITIQUE IS APPRECIATED

TITLE: THE END OF ALL THINGS

AUTHOR: AVES

DISCLAIMER:JOSS OWNS IT BUT WE KEEP IT LIVING.


CHAPTER 13
MASTER PLAN

"So that's the plan?" Angel asked Giles who had just finished explaining his findings to the vampire.

"Yes, after studying Wesley's research I can be certain that is what the Senior Partners are attempting."

Angel stood up and stared our the window of his office. He watched all those in the lobby, most were talking laughing, trying not to think about what was coming. He watched his son for a moment who was talking and obviously flirting with Dawn. He turned back to the group in the meeting which includedBuffy, Cordelia, and Giles. "I know who the symbol of love is."

"What?" the others all asked in unison.

"How did you find that out?" Cordelia asked.

Angel gazed downward and sighed, "Darla told me."

"Isn't she dead?" Buffy asked not hiding her displeasure at the mention of Darla's name.

Angel flashed Buffy a look catching her tone, then he continued, "I passed out when Lorne rescued me from Drusilla. I had a dream, vision, hallucination, it was something. Anyway, I saw Wesley, Gunn, Fred, even Doyle, and finally Darla. They all told me the battle wasn't over, basically gave me a pep talk, and Darla said it was our love for Connor that would help save the world."

"How did you get Connor is the third champion out of that?" Buffy asked.

Angel looked out at his son again as he answered, "Cordelia said the third champion would be a symbol of sacrificial love. Darla killed herself so Connor could have life. I gave him up so Holtz wouldn't kill him, and I changed reality so he could have a normal life. It's not about who has sacrifice the most. It's about who has had the most sacrificed for them."

"So now we know who the third champion is," Cordelia said. "That means the revealing hasbegun. The end is near."


"I hope you have a real good reason for interrupting my treat Hammy." Angelus growled. "She had one of her best screams going when you called."

Hamilton winced at being called "Hammy". He was hating Angelus more and more by the second. "I thought you and Drusilla should see the fruits of our labor."

"The only fruits I'm interested in are the peaches of that blonde I was feasting on before I was so rudely disturbed," the vampire replied.

Hamilton cleared his throat clearly annoyed. "Yes, well I am sure she is nicely bound and gagged, so she well still be there when we are done."

Angelus smirked, "Bound yes, gagged no, I like to hear them scream."

"How charming," Hamilton replies sarcastically.

"Has great-granpa come back?" Drusilla moaned.

"What are you babbling about now Dru?" Angelus asked.

Hamilton gaveAngelus his own smirk, obviously loving the fact the arrogant vampire was in the dark. "Allow me to introduce the product of our resurrection ceremony," he began. "You see according to the ancient prophecies of a Sumerian king three beings connected by blood would lead our charge. Angelus, you and Drusilla were obvious as two of the three, but the third well that was more difficult." Hamilton made a motion to the corner of the room and a tall figure whose face was hidden by its robes moved behind him. "Our general had to be willing so that eliminated Spike."

"Bad Spikey," Drusilla hissed. "Mommy is going to have to give him a spanking."

Hamilton frowned at Dru but continued, "Darla's sickengly unselfish dying act made her unqualified as well, so that left just one choice. Hamilton turned to the figure behind him, "Show them if you would." The being removed its hood to reveal a hideously pale face with lines that revealed how anceint the being was. Angelus had trouble hiding his surprise at the revelation. Hamilton enjoyed the vampire's shocked expression. "I am sure no introductions are needed, but just to be sure meet the leader of our Sunnydale force, one of your kind's first I believe. You know him as The Master."

The creature smiled revealing his fangs, "Hello my children," he said to Angelus and Drusilla. "I am back and together we shall raise hell again."


Marcus sat against the wall in the training room. His eyes were closed as he meditated. A lot of thoughts were going through his mind. The battle, the appearance of Lorne, who he believed was the demon who helped his mother escape Pylea, whether he should approach the demon, also his home in the mountains, how he missed it, and his new allies, one inparticular.

"Hey there, is this a private brooding session or can anyone join?" he heard what was becoming a very welcome voice say.

The warrior opened his eyes to see Faith standing in front of him. "I was just thinking about all that is in front of us." he responded.

Faith smiled and sat next to him, "You spend too much time thinking about the future and you'll miss what's going on now."

Marcus gave her a curious look. "You don't worry about anything do you Faith?"

The slayer shrugged. "I try not to. I wasted a lot of my life fighting on the wrong side. I've done a lot of things I regret, but one thing that's always worked for me has been live in the time your in. I know we got something heavy on the way, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was scared, but until we start fighting I'm not going to spend a lot of time dwelling on it."

Marcus sighed, "I envy you Faith. I always look ahead. That's what happens when your life is supposedly defined by one moment."

Faith gave the warrior a smile, "Wow I thought I had you figured out, but man was I wrong."

"What do you mean?" Marcus asked.

"I thought you were just some guy with a big sword and a big ego," Faith said.

"And what do you think of me now?" he asked.

The slayer looked him over, "You're just like the rest of us. Fighting a battle that seems hopeless, but you do it anyway because you know there is hope."

Marcus smiled at the slayer, "I think you might be the only one who understands me."

Faith returned the smile, "Hey maybe when this is over you and I might get to understand each other some more."

"I'd like that," the warrior replied.

Faith looked away from Marcus and saw Willow trying to get her attention, "Looks like Willow needs me," she sighed.

Marcus took her hand, "I have truly enjoyed our talk Faith. I look forward to fighting by your side." Faith leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Later handsome we'll talk again soon," Faith left him to go see what Willow wanted. "This better be good Red."

The witch chuckled, "Looks like you and the new guy are getting along."

"Don't start," Faith growled. "What's up?"

"We've got a briefing in an hour," Willow said her tone now serious. "Looks like we're going to move out soon."

"Finally," Faith replied. "I'll start spreading the word, party's about to begin."


Hamilton was once again fighting the urge to throttle Angelus who literally on the floor laughing. "That's your big plan?" the vampire howled. "You did up this fossil to lead your army? Oh that's rich. This guy wasted away underground for decades and when he did get out the Slayer dusted him."

"You are still as arrogant and pompus as ever aren't you Angelus," The Master spat.

"What do you know Gramps?" Angelus snapped back. "Where have you been? Rotting away in Hell?"

The Master smiled evily at his grandchilde. "As opposed to being buried in the shell of a humanity whipped vampire tortured by his own soul?"

Angelus lunged at The Master but was stopped my Hamilton, "Enough! This bickering is pointless. The Senior Partners are on a timetable. Once we know who their third champion is we can begin. All our forces are now revealed. We just need to know the major players in thier game."

"Isn't it obvious?" Angelus smirked.

"What do you mean?" Hamilton asked.

"Oh come on Hammy," the vampire taunted. "Use that brain, I know you can."

Hamilton's arm moved in a blur and grabbed Angelus by the throat. "I am running of patience vampire! Tell me what you know, now!"

Angelus coughed out a laugh, "You have to say please."

"Tell me or I snap your neck in half!" Hamilton screamed.

"How will your bosses feel about that?" Angelus said really enjoying the fact Hamilton's face was turning about six shades of red. The lawyer gave the vampire's neck one last squeeze before releasing his grip. Angelus stepped back and looked and Hamilton with a smirk that made him want to punch the vampire even more.

"Very well Angelus," Hamilton said through gritted teeth. "Please tell me what you know."

The vampire began to walk around the room that smirk plastered on his face. "Think about it Hammy my boy, the three champions represent the three things I really despise the most, good, forgiveness, and love. The power of good, your baby brother," Angelus paused, relishing the look on Hamilton's face at the mention of his brother. "Forgiveness is my wimpy-ass alter ego Angel, and the symbol of sacrificial love? Well, who has had more sacrificed for him than my son. Darla killed herself, and my worse side change reality for him. I think that's enough sacrifice to not only make me want to vomit but to make Connor your third guy."

"Little brother wants to spoil our fun," Drusilla whined.

"Do not worry my dear," Hamilton said. He looked over to The Master. "Are you ready to make your return announcement?"

The Master smiled baring his teeth, "I would be delighted."

"What you two babbling about?" Angelus demanded.

"The revealing my dear boy," The Master answered.

"Yes," Hamilton said. "Once both sides know who they will be fighting the end shall begin. Come, gather our armies, we must go see some old friends."


COMING UP NEXT CHAPTER

Buffy sees the face of her worst nightmare come back to life, and the Senior Partners' forces make their full prescence known. All in Chapter 14 of The End of All Things. The Revealing