A/N: SORRY ITS BEEN A FEW DAYS FROM MY LAST UPDATE. CRAZY TIMES AT WORK, AND SUCH. HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER. READ AND REVIEW AS ALWAYS AND THANKS.

TITLE: THE END OF ALL THINGS

AUTHOR: AVES

DISCLAIMER: THE USUAL STUFF


CHAPTER 22
BLOOD RIVALS

Spike's team was already back in L.A. when Faith's group arrived. The Slayer looked around and saw that many of the girls that had went with Spike had not returned.

"Bastards were waiting on us," Spike explained.

"You did your best I'm sure," Marcus said trying to assure him.

"How many came back?" Faith asked trying to hold back her emotions.

"Twenty," Spike replied grimly. "We lost fifty-five, not including Blue."

"They killed Illyria?" Faith asked shocked that anything could kill the strange blue woman.

"I don't know what happened to her," Spike replied. "She fell in the Hellmouth with the beastie that blew it open and then she floated out, screamed, and disappeared up that freaky red beam that is now here, which by the way does anyone know how in the Hell that has happened?"

"The Senior Partners have raised something here in Los Angeles that is drawing the energy from the Hellmouth," Giles explained. "We believe they were planning to use that energy to remake the world into their perfect home."

"Great demonic redecorating," Spike quipped.

"So we stopped them from opening the one in Mexico," Faith began.

"and Buffy has stopped the demons in Sunnydale," Willow interrupted.

"How is she?" Angel asked, "and Connor?"

"Buffy has a minor injury to her leg," Willow replied. "Connor's fine he killed the big creature that was going to open the Hellmouth."

Angel closed his eyes in relief for a moment, but then went right back to business. "How long till you beam them back?"

"I'm not," Willow replied. "Buffy's team is riding back with Riley's force. They are flying back in copters. They should be here in an hour maybe a little longer. That'll give me some time to recharge. All this transporting and telepathy has got me pooped."

Angel looked over his available forces then addressed them all. "Those earthquakes are becoming more violent. We don't wait. We go to the Wolfram and Hart site now. We've got to try to do something. Willow, tell Buffy to meet us there. We've got to end this soon before the entire planet explodes."


A very angry and bruised Hamilton dug himself from the ruins of the Hyperion. "This whole apocalypse is truly starting to annoy me," he thought. He walked through the debris of the destroyed hotel and was about to plan his next move when the pain hit. He screamed grabbing his head, and falling on his knees as the Senior Partners violated his mind.

"We warned you not to fail us Hamilton," they growled. The words felt like knives in Hamilton's head.

"Please, my lords, give me one more chance," the lawyer pleaded.

"You are fortunate we do not wish to waste any of our time on you," they replied. "Angel and his forces are making their way to us. Return here. You shall have one last chance to redeem yourself. Do not waste it."

"Yes my masters," Hamilton said as they left his mind. The lawyer rose to his feet and turned to the few demons that had survived the Hyperion's collapse. "We go back," he said. "There is still blood to spill."


Buffy stood with Riley, his wife Sam, Xander, and Conner just outside the crater that used to be Sunnydale. Slayers and soldiers tended to their wounds and regrouped while Buffy finished a telepathic conversation with Willow. "All right Willow we'll see you there." She turned to Riley and Sam. "Sure you don't mind us hitching a ride?"

"Not at all," responded Sam. "We've got orders to do whatever it takes to stop this. Our best chance is to get you to Los Angeles."

"How did you find out about this anyway?" Xander asked.

One of our psychics picked up on the mental traffic between your groups and Willow," Riley explained. "He was who let Willow know we were on the way. Our team was in the California mountains tracking down a nasty demon nest, so we loaded up and moved out. I wish we could have helped out your other teams, but at least we got to you in time." A trooper walked up to Riley and saluted.

"Copters are prepped and ready Captain Finn."

"Excellent corporal," Riley responded. "Round up the troops, we've got a world to save."


Angelus and Drusilla stood before the Senior Partners. Drusilla stood in awe of the strange beings but Angelus was far from impressed. He looked bored as they berated him. "You failed us Angelus," they hissed.

"Ask me if I care," the vampire responded.

"Your toungewill bring you much misfortune vampire. Do not forget, you would still be buried in Angel's shell if not for us."

"And what?" Angelus said, "You want a thank you?"

"Be nice to the funny men Daddy," Drusilla whispered.

"Oh shut up Drusilla," Angelus snapped. "All I have heard from these freaks is empty promises. I'll have my own realm to rule. I'll have Buffy. Hell will be unleashed on the Earth, blah, blah, blah. I've heard it all before. I tried it with Acathla, The Master tried it, The First tried it, and now you guys. What makes you think you can do what the others couldn't?"

"Because we have had our hand in halting many of those past events," they replied.

"What?" Angelus shouted. "How is that possible?"

The three beings seemed to smile at the vampire's surprise. "We have had our hand in the prevention of many so-called apocalypses. It was we who allowed the being called Whistler to lure your ensouled self to Sunnydale. He believed he was serving the Powers That Be, but it was our design to have Angel stop Acathla. The method was altered when you were unleashed but the Slayer still accomplished our goal. It was also we who allowed Angel to come into possesion of the amulet used to defeat the First."

Angelus stared at the Senior Partners his anger obvious. "Look I really don't care what you used my pansy ass alter ego for but what gave you the right to stop my plan to raise Acathla.!"

"This world is ours vampire," they all shouted in a voice that made the walls of the chamber shake. "This is our time. Our apocalypse. You can either stay with us or be obliterated with the rest of the fools left on this mudball."

Angelus smirked as he responded to them. "Well that sounds great and all, but only one Hellmouth has been opened, and I don't see little Dawn in the house, so what's the big bad Senior Partners got left."

The three beings all seemed to chuckle at once. "Do you not feel it vampire? The pain of this poor world. It is at a crossroads. We do not have enough power to recreate it as our home but the Hellmouth is causing chaos. The Earth will soon die. Fight for us and you will still get your realm to rule and you will still get the Slayer as a prize."

Angelus stared at The Senior Partners for a moment and then shrugged. "Hell why not, it's not like I got anything better to do. Might as well have some fun."

"Excellent," the Partners responded."Prepare to defend the temple. All we need is a little time and this pitiful realm and its insects shall be put out of thier misery."


Marcus peered over Angel's shoulder looking at the structure that stood in the place of the Wolfram and Hart office. They were observing from a small alley remaining in the dark out of sight. "Any ideas on what that is?" Angel asked him.

"A very big black building." the warrior said.

"You're a lot of help," Angel said sarcastically.

"Well whatever it is," Marcus began. "They are devoting a lot of forces to guard it. What do you think, two, three thousand?"

"At least," Angel replied. "They obviously don't want us getting in there."

"Which means we have to get in there," Marcus interjected.

Angel turned and looked at the warrior. "You think that's were the Senior Partners are?"

Marcus was about to answer when another earthquake hit causing both of them to nearly fall . "Whatever we are going to do we had better do it fast," Marcus replied. "These quake are becoming worse. Let's get back and prep the troops. There's a war to win."


Spike sat on the ground across from Faith who was examining the gash on her arm. The vampire lit a cigarette and took a drag. "So what are you going to do after the big battle?" he asked.

"Don't know for sure," Faith said with a shrug. "Might see the world, take a break from slaying for awhile."

"That be a trip for two?" Spike asked with a grin on his face.

"Why, you offering to be my escort?" Faith responded.

Spike chuckled, "Tempting but no, besides I doubt sword-boy would appreciate that. I see him as the jealous type."

"Geez, does everyone know?" Faith sighed.

"Kind of obvious pet," Spike said with a laugh. "Have you ever seen how the two of you look at each other?"

"You know it's wierd," Faith said unable to hide the smile on her face. "He turned me down last night, or night before, damn I'm losing track, anyway I really didn't mind. We just stayed together, and I think that was the closest I've ever felt to someone. Weird huh?"

"Not at all," Spike replied his mind drifting back to a similar night he had shared with Buffy just a few days before their battle with The First. Faith noticed the sudden far off look in his eyes.

"Hey you ok?" she asked.

Spike shook the memory from his mind and saw Angel and Marcus returning. "Looks like Peaches and your boyfriend are back. Let's go see what they found out."


"Seems like I've been doing a lot of this lately," Angel said to Marcus as they faced what was left of their forces.

"Mission briefings?" Marcus asked.

"No," Angel replied grimly. "Sending people to their deaths."

Marcus placed a hand on his shoulder. "The fact that warriors under your charge have gone to their deaths is not a bad reflection on you. All those who are here know the risks, as did those in the past. The fact that they knew the risk and still followed you shows what a great leader you truly are."

Angel gave the warrior a small smile. "Thanks."

"Anytime," the warrior replied as he took a step back allowing Angel to address their group.

Angel took a moment and looked over the forces that compiled Earth's last hope, "The plan is real simple," Angel told them. "You are mainly a diversion. Marcus and I will use the underground tunnels to enter the building while you fight the demon army. Reinforcements are on the way but we can't wait. Spike, do you still remember the layout of the tunnels?"

"Yea," the blonde vampire replied.

"Good," Angel said. "When Connor gets here I want you to help him get inside." Angel looked over the team once more. "Any questions?" No one said a word and Angel gave them a big smile. "Good, let's move out. It's time to be heroes."


The huge temple-like structure towered over the other buildings in Los Angeles. The blood red beam of energy that orginated thousands of miles away came to an end at the structure's apex. Two of the thousands of demons charged with defending the structure were staring at the beam. "I heard it comes from the Hellmouth in Cleveland," one said in a language foreign to any human tounge.

"Yes," the other hissed. "I heard the explosion was quite spectacular." The other demon was about to respond when it felt a sharp pain in its side. It looked down and saw an arrow in its side. "What?" it groaned right before falling over.


"Attack!" Faith screamed leading the team into battle. Ten slayers along with Giles and Xander aided the attack raining arrows and crossbow bolts into the demon army, but the rest ran head long into the fray hoping they could last until reinforcements arrived. Faith was fluid in her movements claiming demon after demon with her blade. Spike was equally effective, mainly using his hands to break necks and shatter bones. Willow was using her magic to aid in the conflict. Attacks of fire were slowly whittling down the demon ranks as were confusion spells that caused some of the creatures to attack each other. The forces of good had taken advantage of the element of surprise and the demon army was being decimated. Faith blocked an attack from a demon and cut it in half with her sword. The slayer took a moment to look around the chaos. She couldn't be sure but she hoped the fact she couldn't find Angel or Marcus meant they were inside the structure. "Please baby be careful," she thought, right before joining the battle once more.
The tunnels that Angel and Marcus trodded through smelled as bad as the vampire remembered them. "You didn't tell me these tunnels were sewers," Marcus said obviously not caring for the smell either.

"Yea, what a wonderful smell I've discovered," Angel quipped. The two champions reached the end of the tunnel which was blocked by some sort of iron grating. "Blast, that's new," Angel said as he investigated for a way to get past the obstruction.

"Allow me," Marcus said. The warrior stood in front of the grating and drew his sword.He slashed with the double bladed weapon across the middle of the metal bars and had his weapon back in its scabbard just before the bars fell apart opening the passageway. Angel raised his eyebrows obviously impressed by the warrior's move.

"Is there anything you can't do?" Angel asked.

"I'm not a very good singer," Marcus said with a chuckle.

"Me either," Angel said with a smile, "Come on let's go."


"Angel and Marcus have entered the temple," The Senior Partners hissed.

"What?" Hamilton barked. "How is that possible? I had all our forces guarding the building."

"Looks like someone didn't have all thier bases covered," Angelus taunted.

"Don't you ever shut up?" Hamilton shouted.

"The vampire is correct," The Senior Partners growled. "You have allowed your fear to govern your decisions. You commit al your forces to one objective because you fear Angel and your brother somehow reaching you. Fortunately we have foreseen your weakness and have prepared." Twelve figures appeared in the center of the room. Each were shrouded in black robes and was armed with a long axe weapon.

"The elite guard," Hamilton whispered.

"Yes, our best warriors will succeed where you have failed," the Partners said. "Drusilla, take them and welcome our guests." The female vampire cackled gleefully and led the dark warriors out of the chamber. The Wolf, Ram, and Hart turned their attention back to Hamilton. "Be ready for if she fails it will be up to you to stop them. The third champion has yet to arrive. Make sure the other two are dead before he does."


"E.T.A twenty minutes Captain Finn!" the copter pilot yelled. Riley gave a gesture of acknowledgement and turned to Buffy who looked like she was going to erupt with tension.

"We'll get there," he told her.

"I hope its in time," she replied.

Riley sighed and looked around the copter. He stared at Connor a moment who was sitting off by himself. "So who is the kid anyway? Don't tell me Slayers come in male versions now."

"No," Buffy said, "He's Angel's son."

"What?" the soldier asked stunned by her statement. "How did that happen?"

"Long story," Buffy mumbled, "but he's one of the three champions that's supposed to win this war."

"Who are the other two?" Riley asked.

"Angel and some warrior named Marcus that showed up not long after all this started."

"I see," Riley said quietly as looked up to see his wife joining them.

"We're getting some wierd readings out of L.A." she said."It's some kind of energy output."

"It's coming from the Hellmouth in Cleveland," Buffy said.

"Well whatever it is, its causing violent seismic activity," Sam replied.

"The planet is dying," Connor said, his first words since boarding the copter.

"How do you know that?" Riley asked.

"I can feel it," he replied. "Don't ask me how but I can. If we don't hurry everything will be gone."


"So much for the element of surprise," Spike thought as he was surrounded by demons. The battle raged on and while the forces of good were still holding there own, the sheer numbers they were having to face was beginning to overwhelm. Spike was grabbed from behind by a hulking demon. The vampire's eyes went wide as another demon came at him with a spear. Spike put all the force he could into his legs kicking them up catching the demon in front of him with a foot to the face. Spike used his own momentum while falling back down to flip over the demon that was holding him. Spike grabbed its neck and snapped it. The vampire had no chance to celebrate his small victory as more attackers came at him and the fight for his survival continued.
Marcus and Angel continue to move through the lower level of the structure. They had yet to meet any resistance, but neither could shake the feeling they were being watched. "Are you not liking this anymore than I am?" Angel whispered.

"It does seem to be a little too quiet," Marcus agreed. The pair entered another room that seemed to be nothing more than a small hallway. "Another empty room," Marcus observed. Angel looked around and noticed something strange about the ceiling.

"Marcus, look out!" Angel shouted grabbing his ally and diving out of the room right before the entire room collapsed. Marcus picked himself off the floor coughing the dust out of his lungs.

"So much for too quiet," he quipped. He looked over at Angel who was already standing up prepared for whatever might be coming next. "Thanks," he said to the vampire.

"Don't mention it," Angel replied.

"Aw, the funny men's trap didn't work," a voice said from the darkness.

"Drusilla," Angel growled, "Great just what I need." Drusilla appeared with twelve beings each shrouded in black robes.

"The funny men don't like you," she said, "They want me to kill you."


Willow was starting to feel the effects of all the power she had been using. Her attack spells weren't packing the punch they had twenty minutes ago and her enemies were starting to notice. Many of the demons had not dared to come near her when she was at full power but now they began to gather around her. Her flame spell took out a few but now most of her efforts were going to reflection and defense. She was prepared to unleash one last burst of energy to repel the creatures circling her when she heard the sound of copters. She smirked at her enemies as she sensed a familiar presence coming. "Oh your asses are so kicked."
Buffy and Riley yelled orders at their repective units as the copters landed. Both Slayers and soldiers followed their commander's directions bringing much needed reinforcements to the weary warriors who had already been fighting. Faith seemed invigorated by the appearance of Buffy. She intensified her attacks slaying one demon after another. Spike moved back on the offensive as well literally snapping an opponent in half on his knee. He continued to fight while also searching for Connor. "Blast it kid where are you?" he thought. "I've got to get you inside before before your Daddy and Marcus go toe to toe with the big bad."
Angel and Marcus had their weapons drawn, ready for Drusilla and her companions to attack. "Any ideas?" Angel asked.

"Don't get killed?" Marcus replied.

"I think you're a bigger smart ass than Spike," Angel mumbled.

"I try," Marcus said with a tight smile as the dark warriors began their approach.

"Ready?" Angel asked.

"God be with us," Marcus whispered as they moved to meet their opponents. One of the dark warriors leaped at them but was engulfed by a sphere of blue lightning and was thrown down to the floor, burnt to a crisp. The remaining warriors paused a moment, looking around for the source of the attack. They started at the champions once more when the electricity hit them from all directions frying them all.

"Bad spirts, destroying our happy home!" Drusilla screamed as she ran off leaving the chamber. Angel and Marcus looked at each other, stunned.

"Did you do that?" Angel asked.

"I was about to ask you the same question." Marcus replied.

"Well, whatever it was I'm not about to complain about any help," Angel said. "Let's go, and hope that any more surprises will be good ones."


"No!" All three of the Senior Partners hissed. "Our home has been violated. A new prescence is aidingAngel and Marcus." They looked at Angelus and Hamilton who were still in the chamber. "Kill their champions! Go now!"
Connor fought through the chaos, trying to find a way inside the giant structure that he guessed held the Senior Partners. He felt a tug on his arm and he spun to attack but came face to face with Spike. "Whoa kid, it's me, I know a way in let's go."
Angel and Marcus had entered another chamber. "All these rooms are starting to look alike," Marcus said.

"I guess Hell focusing temples don't need interior decorating," Angel quipped.

"Right," Marcus groaned. "You sense anything?"

"No, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything," Angel replied. The vampire no sooner got the words out of his mouth when a huge stone slab dropped from the ceiling. The warriors jumped back in opposite directions and were seperated by the slab which stretched from wall to wall. "Perfect," Angel thought. "Marcus you all right?" He thought he heard a reply but the stone wall was too thick for the sound to reach even his hypersensitive hearing. Angel tried to focus his senses to pick up on Marcus but instead felt a more ominous prescense. A familiar dark one.

"What's the matter Angie-boy?" a voice said. "Afraid to be in the big dark building all by yourself?" Angel turned around to see his own face staring back at him.

"You know, I was kind of hoping this would happen," Angel said.

"Oh really?" Angelus replied. "Well this time there's no second rate slayer, no witch interfering and not battle for your soul in that empty sack you call your head. This time it's just you and me, and I after I dust you I'll finally be free."

"That's funny," Angel said. "I was thinking the exact same thing." The two vampires assumed a battle position, their weapons ready. The both smirked and spoke at once.

"I've been waiting a long time for this."


Marcus was hitting the stone wall in frustration when he sensed he had company. "Come out brother," he growled. "I know you are in here."

Hamilton came into view clapping slowly. "Very good little brother," He smiled as he saw Marcus had his sword ready. "I usually fight unarmed. I prefer to kill with my bare hands, much more personal that way."

Marcus smiled and threw down his weapon, "Fine with me."

Hamilton smirked and began to circle his opponent. "I'm going to enjoy killing you even more than I did our mother."

Marcus ignored the taunt and stared at his enemy. "Can we just do this? I have a world to save."

Hamilton made a face acting like the comment hurt him. "Oh what no sappy speech telling me I don't have to do this. No last ditch effort to turn your dear brother over to the side of good?"

"You mistake me for someone who actually cares about you," Marcus responded. "I'm not our mother. I don't want to save you Hamilton. I just want to kill you."


COMING NEXT CHAPTER

Connor joins the champions, Angel and Angelus fight to the end, brother battles brother,The champions'mysterious ally is revealed, and Spike faces his greatest battle.