Part Three: Abandon all hope ye who enter here.

Awareness came slowly to Xander. At first he felt slightly confused when he found he couldn't move. That feeling gave way to panic as the memories of the last two days began to return.

Pushing down his panic, Xander forced himself to lay still. He could hear voices, if they thought he was still asleep he may pick out something useful.

"So Mark, what do you think they will name this one?" said one vaguely familiar voice.

"Don't know, probably something stupid like Deathtouch, or Wither, or something like that. Heck I think those science boys enjoy making the stupidest name they can for these animals, Dave," said another voice, presumably Mark.

"What do you think, boy?" asked Dave. Xander let time pass, hoping to find out who the first person was, when he was punched in the stomach. The blow drove the wind from this body and forced his eyes open in shock.

"I asked you a question, boy," said Dave. "Unless your mutie powers turned your brain to dust, I expect an answer."

"Don't be too hard on him. The dumb animal probably thought his sleeping act was fooling us." said Mark with a sneer in his voice.

"Dumb animal is right, Mark," replied Dave. "Lets get something straight, you mutant piece of trash. We are professionals. This means that we are better than you in every way, even with your powers. We capture freaks like you on a regular basis and if you give us a hard time we will let the docs dissect you alive."

"No more time for talking, we're here. Get the pole so we can get him into processing." said Mark as the van pulled to a stop. Dave left while Mark pointed a gun at Xander. "This is how it's going to work, mutie, so listen because I'm only going to tell you once. Dave is going to open the door and prepare you for transport. If you give us any trouble I will shoot you and then drag you down a flight of stairs face first as an added punishment. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." wheezed Xander. He still hadn't recovered from the blow, and it didn't look like things would improve.

"Good," said Mark just as Dave opened the back doors. Mark and Dave didn't have to exchange a single word as Mark exited the van. Both knew that Dave would shoot Xander if he tried anything. Soon Xander felt something attach to his hand shackles. "Go where the tug directs you to go," said Mark from behind Xander.

Soon Xander was being led down a blank hall. After a while Xander realized that while he felt tugs from behind him Mark and Dave's footsteps were a ways behind him.

"I guess you were serious about that pole remark weren't you," said Xander. He kept his tone light, hoping to get some information that he could use later.

"It's good for speedsters and teleporters. Either the freak brings along the person holding the pole or the freak leaves a large chunk of them selves behind," said Mark.

Not really helpful, but Xander could tell from Marks tone that he wouldn't say anything else. Xander allowed himself to be led the rest of the way in silence. Mark and Dave were always behind him, so even if he wanted to try something they were always out or reach and sight. After a few minutes of this, Xander was forced to a wall with a speaker in it.

"Abilities shown so far?" came a cold, detached voice from the speaker.

"We saw him turn two people into dust." said Mark.

"Information entered. Subject is now designated Ash."

"My name is Xander." said Xander. He knew it was stupid as soon as he had said it, but this was beginning to sound too much like what happened to Buffy when she was in that hell dimension.

"Guard," said the voice. Next thing Xander knew he was on the floor with a blinding pain in his head, and Mark standing over him pointing a gun at him. "Your past life is irrelevant, you are now Ash. Failure to respond to this or response to another designate will be severely punished. You will now proceed to decontamination and then to cell number 485."

The less said about decontamination the better, but Xander survived it to be half led half dragged into his cell. Looking around, the first thing Xander noticed was the figure in the shadows; not too surprising considering that in Sunnydale you always have to notice the figure in the shadows first, or you die. Deciding that it would probably be a good idea to be nice to the other inmates, Xander decided to introduce himself. "Hey roomy, names Xander, what's yours?"

Leaning into the light Xander was shocked by what he saw. The man's pupils were bright red, almost glowing, while the rest of his eyes were pitch black. "Call me Gambit," said the man with a slight Cajun accent. "On behalf of the dammed, welcome t' Hell."