Chapter 9 has arrived. Time to enter two more of the Buffy/Angel cast. I'm sorry if I didn't include your favourites but theirs a lot of Buffy characters out the, and I'm trying to keep it to the essential cast. Anyway time to continue:

Chapter 9: different paths.

Down town Heatherfield .Two figures make their way through a dark filthy alleyway each one tasting the air searching for a familiar scent they both knew all to well.

The pair stopped at a crossroad in the alley each tracing the scent down a different route.

"This way," Angel said looking over to Spike who gave him a confused look. "No its 'this way," He countered.

"Spike what are you talking about? Its obviously we should go down that alley," Angel asked annoyed pointing to his left to emphasize his point.

"Don't be such a bloody twit. If we go that way we'll probably hit a dead end!" Spike answered giving Angel a half amused half annoyed look.

"Fine you go that way and I'll go this way and we'll see which one finds Buffy first ok?"

"Fine by me," spike grinned has the two marched determinedly away from one another.

Spike: "Pratt!"

Angel: "Moron!"

Spike continued down his chosen path his nostrils following the scent he was sure belonged to Buffy. He stopped for a moment has a new smell became apparent. He should have sensed it earlier especially one so… unique. It was undeniably human but there was something different it didn't have the usual suburban element to its scent that all city dwellers human or demon shared. This person was from somewhere very foreign.

He stared up at the nearby rooftops his keen night vision noting a fast moving humanoid figure.

"All right what you say we end this little game of hide and seek?" He called out to the darkness he picked up a small stone and brought back his arm waiting for his chance. The shadow passed by once. Twice. Now! He through out the stone. It hit its target squarely in the stomach forcing it to land in the middle of the alleyway right in front of him.

"Well, Well, What do we have here?" Spike said looking at his prey. The person a teenage boy was clearly human and not vampire. Which was a little odd considering how fast he seemed able to move a moment ago. He was dressed in a brown trench coat of foreign Taylor ship had knee high boots grey pants and dull white shirt. "His head was covered by a mop of unruly shaggy brown hair and his cheeks sported unique green slashes.

"Nice coat," Spike commented. "Metamoorian if I'm not mistaken?" He inquired to the boy who was still recovering from Spikes attack. The boy swung a heavy punch into his attackers jaw knocking his head spinning. Spike slowly turned to face him. Caleb recoiled in shock has a pair of bright inhuman yellow eyes a twisted forehead and mouth with freshly sprouted fangs bore down on him.

"Now that's just plain impolite." Spike said. With a quick smile he launched his own attack only to watch his would be stalker back flip away dodging the attack.

"I don't know who you are but we don't take kindly to… whatever you are in this town," Caleb said has he landed a few feet away from his attacker his voice full of bravado and youthful arrogance.

"Is that right? Well I get that a lot most places I go," Spike shrugged.

The two began attacking each other. Whoever this guy was he was much stronger and quicker than any ordinary human. After the ballet of moves had carried on for a few minutes the two jumped away from each other.

"Not to bad mate," Spike complemented. Before he could say anymore Caleb charged at him again but Spike simply planted his fist in the side of Caleb head using his own momentum against him and knocking him unconscious.

"Well its bin fun mate but I'm afraid I'd best be off," Spike said leaving the unconscious rebel leader to his fate.

Angel went through the dark alleys searching for his target. His eyes shifted from left to right has, a shadow began moving along the wall. Has if it were made of the shadows themselves a large reptile snake like monster emerged.

"You must be Angelus?" The creature assumed. "I have come to deliver an invitation from my master lord Phobos. The creature hissed.

"Yeah I just go by Angel these days," He replied staring up unimpressed at the imposing monster.

He quickly began his assault leaping up and kicking the creature hard in its cheek.

"ARGH! You'll pay for that!" Cedric snarled has he tried to keep track of his prey.

"Really?" Angel answered looking bemused. "Cash or credit?"

Ignoring the vampyr's mocking Cedric swung his tail slamming him hard into a nearby wall. But he was quickly up again running up the back of his neck. Cedric grabbed and slammed him hard into a nearby wall but not before Angel managed to sharply dislocate his neck bone causing him to slump to the floor with a misaligned head!

A few seconds later the Cedric stood placing both hands on his head and with a sickening crunch snapped his neck back into its proper position. He slithered over to his prey and picked up the dead creature by its legs having it hang like a rag doll.

"My master will be most pleased you chose to accept his generous invitation," He informed the unconscious vampyr before making his way back to a portal and to prince Phobos. Only a few blocks away he discovered another surprise something very unexpected.

Chapter 10 will be on its way soon. That's when things should start getting more interesting but you'll probably guess what I've got in store after you've read it, ;)