Ezekiel

Disclaimer: Do not own Buffy.

Ezekiel sat up from his bed a few mornings after he met Edana. He stood up and walked over to the table and grabbed a can of beer from it. He opened it up, and allowed it to roll down his throat. He sighed to himself once more, walking over to his balcony as he did so. He looked down at the street below, drinking his beer, losing himself, if not for a moment.

He heard a scuffle going on below. He looked down to see a man in a suit getting mugged by a skinhead. Sighing once again, he walked inside and grabbed a beer bottle. He then walked back to the balcony, took aim, and threw it into the skinhead. He slumped down to the ground, unconscious. The suit looked up at Ezekiel.

"You did that all by yourself," said Ezekiel.

The man nodded, then ran out the alley. Ezekiel groaned aloud to himself, then walked back inside the room. It was noon on a Saturday. He wondered what he should do. He groaned as he heard a knocking on his door. He walked over and opened it, revealing someone he never thought he'd see again.

"Father Albany," said Ezekiel in amazement.

"Hello, Ezekiel," said the Father.

"Come in, come in," said Ezekiel as he made room for Father Albany to come inside.

"I didn't even know you were still alive," said Ezekiel.

"Well, I am," said Father Albany, "And I can tell that nothing they taught you about maintaining a habitat stuck."

Ezekiel blushed slightly at his apartment, which was a miniature junkyard. He grinned, then pulled out a chair for Father Albany to sit.

"So, how are you adjusting to life away from the Vatican," askedEzekiel's recruiter.

"It's hard," said Ezekiel, "But, in the little time I've been here, I've made good friends."

"And even better enemies," said the Father, "I heard of how you took out that Master Vampire. Do you know who he was?"

Ezekiel nodded.

"He was Luke," continued the Father, "Of Spain. He was turned before Columbus sailed on the high seas. He was also meant to serve in the Master's court."

"Who the Hell is the Master? Sorry, Father."

"Quite alright, Ezekiel. The Master, as he is called, is an extremely powerful vampire on the Hellmouth which has actually just been proven to be in Sunnydale. The Master tried to open this Hellmouth and was…trapped by a mystical field which kept him from leaving. The only way he could get out was to use a vampire and have that vampire drink until he had enough energy to break free from his prison."

"And Luke was the vessel?"

"Very good. However, since Luke did not show up, the Master was forced to use a different vampire, one who was turned recently who had befriended the Slayer."

"And who is the Slayer this time?"

"One Buffy Summers. She slayed Lothos."

"I've heard of that dirt-bag. He's not that tough."

"He's Dracula Level, Ezekiel."

"Yeah, and I've taken on a Streghe before. They make DL vamps look like Watchers."

"But, you didn't kill it."

"Actually, I did. How do you think I got this apartment? This one right here has the best position for surveying the city. All I have to do is jump across to the fire escape and run up to the top of that building. From there, I got a near perfect view of everything for nearly five miles. The Streghe took over the apartment after it ate the poor bastard's (sorry) kid."

"What exactly is a Streghe, Warrior?"

"A Streghe is basically a mutated vampire. Don't believe what those books say about them. They get that way by…drinking the blood of a Grox'Lar beast. They eat children."

"Foul creatures. Anyway, this vampire was Jesse McNally, at least I think that's his name. The Slayer managed to slay him before he could release the Master. But, now the Master is struggling in his fight against her and her friends."

"A Slayer with friends. Never heard that one before. Who are they?"

"Her Watcher, Rupert Giles, and her schoolmates: Willow Rosenberg and another that we don't know the name of. Right now, they're trying to combat against the Master. However, he is enraged at you. He feels that if Luke had been the vessel, as planned, then he would be free right now. He's sent out an order to every single vampire who'll hear it to get you."

"They're after me anyway for what I did to Luke, and they're after my friends for helping me. We're no worse off than before."

"Maybe."

"How do you know all this?"

"Our seers in the Vatican saw it. And I wanted to come and check up on you, so…"

"I appreciate the warning, Father Albany. However, I think I got this under control."

"Very well then, Ezekiel. May the Lord bless you in the times to come."

"Same to you," Like it matters

"Hey, Zeke," said Adil as he and Edana walked inside Ezekiel's apartment later that day, "There's a bash going on tonight. At Josh Reiben's place."

"He's invited everyone at school," said Edana, "And, from what I've heard, his house is big enough to keep everyone comfortable and his land is big enough to entertain all of LA!"

"Josh Reiben," asked Ezekiel, "Isn't he that stuck up rich bastard from Miami?"

"Yeah," said Adil, "Prick's got a major attitude problem, but he's bribed the Commissioner, dude! We've got a whole night of beer ahead!"

"Doesn't he have a sister," asked Ezekiel.

"Oh, yeah, bro," said Adil with a grin on his face, "Monica! Zeke, that girl makes a succubus cry!"

Ezekiel had no choice but to grin at that image. As the two males let their minds wander, Edana began to feel uncomfortable. She felt that she and Ezekiel were beginning to forge a relationship, though she doubted it would become anything other than friendship. She sighed as the two continued their fantasies. Edana had never seen Monica before, so she had no idea why they'd fantasize about her. She figured that, just by their expressions, she would too if she'd seen her. She politely coughed, and that brought them out of their stupor.

"Get your mind out the gutter, boys," she said with a smile, "You're blocking my view."

"So," said Ezekiel as he tried to regain his composure, "Why is Reiben throwing this party?"

"Eh, his dad just closed some kind of deal or something," said Adil, "Who cares! Beer, girls, and more beer! That's what we need, man!"

"Adil, get your mind out of the gutter," scolded the mage for a second time.

"Can't, I'm being shoved into it," said Adil with a grin, "So, what do you say, Zeke?"

"Eh, why not? Maybe I'll get lucky with a certain pyromaniac I know."

Edana blushed.

Detective Daniel Cohen frowned over all the reports coming in of 'drownings.' People were beginning to drop dead because they're choking on their beers or on their whiskey or, in some cases, on their lovers. God only knew what the Hell was happening around Paradise.

"Miguel," called Daniel, "Hand me a useful file. I'm sick of reading about all these people who drown on their own drink or date."

"Sorry, boss," said Detective Miguel O'Hare as he came to the office, "I wish I could say anything along those lines, but, even our resident vigilante is taking a rest."

"OK, so answer me this: why is everyone drowning now?"

"Well, I have noticed a bunch of beauties coming into town. Maybe that has something to do with it."

"Right. Beautiful, young women come into town and everyone starts drowning to death? It's more likely that Jimmy Hoffa will come sauntering into the office and ask where he can file a missing person's report."

"Alright, alright. I know I'm acting stupid, but there's no reason to point it out to me. Hey, speaking of young and beautiful women, how is that fiancée of yours?"

"How did you know I had a fiancée? I only proposed last night."

"Hey, it's me! I got friends all over the grapevine. So, who is she?"

"Rebecca Marti."

"That real estate agent that's on all the commercials?"

"Yep."

"You lucky son of a bitch! How the Hell did you land her?"

"I didn't. She asked me out when I first moved here, and I accepted. We've been going out ever since…six years."

"Sounds like a good amount of time. I don't ever plan on getting married."

"Eh, to each his own."

Joshua and Monica Reiben sat down at the desk. They stared across at the man before them, a tall pale man dressed in a dark business suit with graying dark hair and a goatee. He was smiling at them.

"You've read the contract," he said, "You know the terms for your desires. Are you willing to accept them?"

"Yes," answered the two teens.

"Excellent," said the man, "Sign here."

The man sat back in the chair as the two teenagers signed the document that would end all his troubles…and so many more in the future.

Ezekiel grabbed his leather jacket as he walked out the door of his apartment. He raced down the stairs and told Whitney that he'd be back…whenever. He walked out into the horrible city air and saw a site that would forever be scorched upon his brain.

Edana and Adil were there, in Adil's red '67 Camaro. Adil was dressed in a pair of dark green pants, a gray shirt, and his red leather jacket. Edana was the one who looked spectacular. She had dyed her hair black and was dressed in black leather pants and tank top. She had on a fair amount of makeup, not too much nor too little, and had on ruby red lipstick. Ezekiel could not resist the pull which her body had upon his eyes, and he allowed them to wander for a quick moment before he surveyed his own outfit. He wore a pair of black jeans and a red T-shirt, along with his brown leather jacket.

He stopped thinking when he saw Edana wave her arms at him.

"Are you coming," she called, a smile on her face.

"Yeah," said Ezekiel as he jumped into the back of the car.

Edana smiled and got out and sat in the back with him. Ezekiel grinned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Adil looked at the through his rear view mirror, wondering what he was going to do with them. They'd flirt and they'd play around, but they'd never go out. Oh, well. He wasn't them. He grinned and took off down the street.

"How many people do you think are coming," asked Ezekiel.

"If it's as good as I've heard, nearly every single person in school," said Edana, "I even heard that a few cops are taking the night off to go. It's that good."

"Hope nothing bad happens," said Adil.

"Don't say that," said Edana, "If you do, then something bad probably will happen."

Ezekiel felt himself get pushed off the dance floor inside the Reiben's mansion. The party was in full swing by now, with nearly seven hundred guests all around the house and inside the grounds. Ezekiel had been dancing inside their ballroom, but…things were rapidly getting out of hand. He moved over to the bar, grabbed himself a beer, then started sipping.

Edana moved her body to the music, swaying her hips alongside all those around her. She looked around, wondering where Ezekiel was. She felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned around with a smile on her face and looked into the face of a handsome, blonde male.

"Hey, Josh," she said, "Nice party."

"Thanks," he said in his snooty voice, "It took a while to arrange, but, it worked out."

Edana nodded and smiled at him, then was about to go back to dancing. However, he had something else to say.

"Would you like to come up to my room," he asked.

Edana had received these kind of invitations before, but…it wasn't her habit to just sleep around with anything with legs. While it may be a habit of a man she wanted to be with, it was one that she could most certainly break.

She turned around to face him and make a scene, just for the fun of it, but received a shock when he blew a powder into her face.

Adil limboed his way underneath the bar, amazing everyone around. Mainly because the bar was only a foot off the ground and Adil had just managed to get underneath it without falling. He stood up as his body cleared the bar, then felt his back get slapped by the two girls holding the bar. He flashed them a smile, then walked over to the table and grabbed his drink. He felt someone tap his shoulder and he turned to see who it was.

Ezekiel went into the empty hallway, momentarily escaping the music which shook him to his very spine. He leaned against the wall and sipped on his beer, but looked up when he heard someone else enter the hall. He turned to see a beautiful girl with black hair, dressed in tight, black robes that barely reached the floor. He immediately became enchanted by her beauty.

"Hi, there," she said in a lustful voice which sent shivers down his spine.

"Hello," he said, barely keeping his voice from squeaking.

"My name's Eliza," she said to him, "Would you enjoy some…company?"

The man known as Devon Warl watched from the office as his servants entered the household. He had been initially worried that there would be too many guests for them to handle, but…he had thousands of these beautiful demons underneath his whim, ready and willing to do his bidding.

It had been easy to seduce those two brats into allowing his servants the ability to enter their house. They were just like they would be in the later days: greedy and full of lust.

Ezekiel felt her lips lightly brush against his own, teasing him. He answered her by thrusting his own lips upon hers, eliciting a moan of pleasure from Eliza as he entered her mouth. She gently began to pull his shirt off as they fell down onto the bed. He momentarily took his lips away from hers and aided her in pulling his shirt off. Once it was off, he felt her run her hands over his bare back. He laid down gentle kisses upon her shoulders as he tugged at her clothing, but when she reached for his left shoulder, he felt her recoil against his branding.

"What," he asked.

He looked into her eyes. She seemed as though she had just woken up from a dream, a terrible dream at that.

"Are you alright," he asked again.

She looked at him with wide eyes, then focused. She jerked him around so that she had his back facing her. She touched and prodded his band, then turned him around again so that she was facing him.

"You have a branding," she said, "A holy one, at that. Who are you?"

"My name is Ezekiel," he answered, wondering just what exactly this creature was.

"Ezekiel," she whispered, "He speaks of you often. He despises you."

"Who?"

"You have to help me. You have to help me stop this before something horrible happens."

"What are you talking about?"

"Alright, I'm going to see if I can shorten this. I am a Black Lady, a special race of a combination of succubus and vampire. There is also the Red Ladies around. We were put underneath a compulsion spell by a powerful Warlock by the name of Devon Warl. He knows you...somehow."

"What is he planning? And why are you telling me this?"

"Because, your brand freed me and because you are Ezekiel. He is planning on using both Red and Black Ladies to kill everyone here. I do not know why."

"Don't you need invitations before you enter a house?"

"Yes. That's why he made a deal with the two teenagers. He offered them immortality through magic and the satisfaction of their lustful needs on anyone they wish."

"Basically, live forever and get screwed. Two things every horny teenager wants. Alright, so, why exactly is this warlock using you…Ladies?"

"He enslaved us. He has thousands, maybe more. Every person here is being seduced by us so that no one can possibly be saved. By now, some are already dead. We cover it up by drowning their lungs afterwards. It's the way we've done so for years. You have to help me. If we work together, we can save both the children and my kind."

"Why do you care about children?"

"It's only a myth that we devour children. We prefer ripe men or women. Aside from that, we have not killed in over six hundred years. We've left that up to our soulless cousins."

"…Alright."

Without a word, Ezekiel grabbed his shirt and put it back on, then put his leather jacket back on and drew out a silver dagger.

"I want you to go around and start knocking every person out. I'm going to take care of this."

"Thank you," said Eliza, "It's been so long since I've been able to truly see. Thank you."

"…If you kill anyone who doesn't need it, nothing will defend you or your kind from me."

Ezekiel stalked the halls, looking for anything that could tell him where the two Reibens were. As he walked along the halls, he noticed a familiar lock of black hair. He grinned slight at his friend, Adil's, position with the Red Lady who had selected him. He filed that away for later use against his friend, then sent a well aimed kick at the Lady's temple. She fell down to the floor in a heap.

Adil looked up at him, a mixture of shock and anger on his face.

"What did you do that for," asked Adil.

"She was going to kill you," said Ezekiel.

"…Succubus?"

"And part vampire."

"All I needed to hear."

Adil gingerly stood up, stretching his limbs. Then, he pulled his pants back up.

"What do we do," he asked.

"Knock every pale Lady dressed in either Black or Red cloth out," said Ezekiel.

"Done," said Adil as he walked the other way.

"Do you know where the Reiben's office is," called Ezekiel.

"Down the way you're going," called back Adil.

Ezekiel opened the office door and looked inside. The large room held an impressive desk which looked to be an antique. There was a man sitting in the chair behind the desk dressed in a suit.

"Warl," he whispered to himself.

Sighing, he thought of the best course of action. If he charged in there, the Warlock would probably just kill him on the spot. No, he'd have to rely on stealth. Sighing lowly, he closed the door, then walked down the hallway. He leaned up against the door nearest on the office side. Inside, he heard two voices moaning. Neither of them were male. That meant that it could be one of the Ladies. Bracing himself for an interesting sight, he opened the door. Lying in bed together were Monica Reiben and another woman he had never seen before, but it was obvious that she wasn't a Lady.

Warl had guaranteed immortality, as well as sex. This must be her chosen partner. Sighing at the sufferings of humanity, the Warrior walked over to their bed. When he left, no noise followed him.

He walked down the hall to the next room, and again he heard moaning. This time, one voice was male and the other female. He once again braced himself and opened the door, revealing a sight he would never soon forget: Edana, lying naked upon the bed, with Joshua in his boxers preparing to pour himself into her.

He charged forward and slammed his fist into Josh's throat, easily knocking him out. Edana looked up at him, her eyes glazed over from whatever spell he had on her. Ezekiel grabbed her hand and placed it underneath his shirt and onto his brand. Instantly, Edana convulsed and slumped against his form. He was all-of-a-sudden reminded of the fact that she had not one stitch of clothing on. Sighing, he gently wrapped her inside of the blanket and laid her on the floor. Heleft the room, but not without insuring that Joshua would not take advantage of her later that evening.

Ezekiel leaned against the door, listening for any sign. Suddenly, he heard someone come up behind him. He sharply turned around, his dagger at the ready. Instead of an enemy, he came face-to-face with Edana. She looked horrifying, though it was understandable.

"Edana," he said, grasping her in a hug, "It's alright."

"What did he do," she sobbed into him.

"He didn't do it," he whispered to her, alleviating her of her fears.

"Listen," he said, "He used magic from a Warlock to try. The Warlock is behind this door. If you go through the side entrance in the room right there, you can get the drop on him while I keep him distracted. Come in when I shout 'flame,' got it?"

"…Yes," she said, fear within her eyes, though it was easily overpowered by her anger.

Ezekiel hugged her once more in hopes of comforting her, then leaned against the door as she walked down to the room. Once she entered it and closed the door, Ezekiel slammed through the door and confronted the Warlock. The suited man turned around slowly, then smiled as he faced him.

"Ezekiel," he smiled, "It is so good to see you once more."

Ezekiel charged forward, praying that his brand would ward off some magic from the powerful warlock. He threw his blade the rest of the way, but the Warlock laughed and simply dodged it. He then raised his hand and Ezekiel felt his body stiffen against an unimaginable pressure, then he felt the wall as he was thrown into it.

"Poor Ezekiel," Warl mocked, "Even now, when you have not yet truly been discovered, you still believe that your little brand will keep you safe."

"Who are you," growled Ezekiel.

"My name is Devon Warl," said the Warlock, "And I suppose the next question is 'why am I doing this?' Well, let me answer it the best I can. I can see the future. I saw myself about twenty years from now, running for the presidency. After I won it, I used my magic to gain control over nearly every single politician in the U.S. United, as they say. Then, certain…groups were forged to put a stop to me. I was impeached…then, I summoned up an army of demons to fight against them.

"You, along with several other beings of power, Ezekiel, met me in battle in secret, in the Bad Lands, specifically. I saw myself, dying upon your sword. So, since I already had magic powers, I decided to…change it before it can happen. See, nearly every member of the groups and the army founded against me, they were taught in either one of two high schools: Sunnydale High School and Paradise High School. So, I decided to eliminate the threat before it can take hold."

"Are you done with your monologue yet," asked Ezekiel in boredom.

Warl's face became a mask of anger. The Warlock focused all his energies against Ezekiel's mark. Ezekiel cried out as his very soul was torn by the Warlock's magic.

"DAMN YOU TO THE LAKE OF FLAME," shouted the pain filled hunter.

Edana charged in from the other door, her arms alit with fire. She thrust her flames at Warl, who had yet to notice her present. Ezekiel fell to the floor as Warl lost his focus trying to calm the flames down against his skin, though Edana kept her hold on it. Ezekiel reached into his pocket and withdrew a silver blade, then took aim, and felt his wrist twist as he sent it into the Warlock's neck, ending the life of the mage who had seen the future.

Ezekiel sat inside his chair in his apartment that night. Adil had taken Edana home so that she could recuperate, and so that she wouldn't kill Joshua before Adil himself got the chance. Well, he'd have to take a ticket. By the time Ezekiel was done with him, he wouldn't even be able to get ready to fuck. Interestingly enough Adil, in spite of what happened to them, cherished his memory of his time with the Red Lady.

Ezekiel had no choice but to smile at that. However, his mind was plagued with thoughts of what Warl had said. Warl had been a Warlock who had seen the future and would become President. In some ways, that made sense. However, what he had said bothered him. In Warl's future, Ezekiel was to lead an army against him. Now that that threat had been eliminated, that also left room for a new and worse one to take place. He wondered what sort of threat would take its place. He also compared it to what he knew of the End of Days. A few things matched up, but, in the true End of Days, the whole world would be ruled, not just a country.

He looked up as he heard someone knock upon his door. He stood up, hearing a distinct crack within his knees, and walked over to the door. Standing there, in her décor which so elegantly matched the time of day, was Eliza.

"Hey," she said, "I just came to…offer you thanks. From all the Ladies."

"You're all welcome," offered Ezekiel.

"If ever you need me," she said, placing both her arms against his chest, "Just give me a call."

"I don't have your number," smiled Ezekiel as Eliza placed both her hands underneath his shirt.

"I'll give it to you," she said, "After I make good on that offer of company."

Ezekiel smiled to himself as he made room for Eliza to enter his apartment, then closed the door.