Suddenly one of the vampires behind Angel screamed out in agony, stiffened slightly, and then suddenly turned to dust. Everyone turned to see what was happening. They all turned to face the door Angel had just come through. A figure in the doorway lowered a crossbow and dropped it to the floor.
"Sorry I'm late," said Ian, the maintenance man Buffy had met at the school. "I had a little trouble finding the place. Guess my invitation got lost in the mail. Lucky I saw Angel sneaking in. That opening is pretty well hidden from view."
Another of the vampires behind Angel struck out at Ian. He easily sidestepped the vampire as he pulled a wooden stake out of his coat. Before anyone could react he had staked the vampire and it turned to dust. The third vampire looked around and decided it had had enough. It rushed past Ian and out the door as fast as it could move.
"Who are you?" demanded Amanda.
"Oh, just your typical party crasher," said Ian. "I just thought I'd stop by for a visit. I've been looking forward to it for such a long time."
"Stay out of this, Ian," said Buffy. "I don't know what your deal is but you have no idea what you're dealing with."
"Oh, I have an idea," said Ian. "Besides, I'm not that interested in her. She's all yours." He glared at Sebastian. "He's the one I want."
"Sebastian," said Amanda. "Finish this foolish human quickly. We have other matters to attend to."
"Gladly," said Sebastian, turning to face Ian.
"Well," Ian said to Angel, "looks like you get Mordecai. But Sebastian is all mine."
"You must have a death wish," said Angel.
"No," said Ian, glaring back at Sebastian, "just a thirst for vengeance." He moved into the room and stood in front of Sebastian. "You don't remember me, do you?"
"Should I?" questioned Sebastian.
"Chicago," said Ian, "1981. You murdered my sister."
"And now you've come looking for revenge," said Sebastian. "All you'll find here is your death, human."
"Well then," said Ian. "Shall we dance?"
Without warning Ian struck out hitting Sebastian in the face. The vampire went reeling back, a look of surprise on his face. This human was stronger than he imagined. Sebastian didn't hesitate. He launched himself at Ian and the two immediately began to fight in earnest.
Buffy took advantage of the momentary distraction and struck out at Amanda. Buffy struck Amanda several times while the she-vampire was busy watching the exchange between Ian and Sebastian. She was forced back on the defensive as Buffy continued to pummel her.
Mordecai had turned to help his brother. He reached out to grab Ian but before he could Angel rushed across the room. He grabbed Mordecai by the collar of his shirt and threw him across the room. Mordecai struck the back wall but was up on his feet in an instant. He turned to face Angel who moved to engage him again.
Ian and Sebastian were exchanging blows. Ian seemed to be weathering the blows nicely. Better than most humans would have. And his speed and dexterity were greater than most humans. He went down several times from Sebastian's blows but was immediately back on his feet attacking with full fury.
Amanda had recovered her senses and began her own attacks on Buffy. She was relentless. Buffy immediately realized what Giles and Angel had told her was true. Amanda was considerably stronger than your average vampire. And her attacks against Amanda were less than effective. Although she got in several good shots on the vampire, Amanda seemed to weather them without a problem, countering with attacks of her own.
Angel and Mordecai were exchanging blows and it was obvious they were pretty evenly matched. As the six thought, Giles and the other prisoners could do little else but watch. They were securely tied to the back wall and struggle as they might they weren't able to free themselves. They all watched as the opponents fought knowing that the winners would determine their fates.
Suddenly Sebastian struck Ian several times in succession sending the maintenance man to his knees. Ian fell to the floor and appeared to be dazed. Sebastian grabbed Ian by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up.
"Now you'll see what happens to people who mess with me," said Sebastian.
"Oh, but your forgetting one thing," said Ian.
"What's that?" asked Sebastian.
Ian raised his right hand and flexed his wrist. Suddenly a wooden stake sprung out from underneath the shirt covering his wrist
"You can't do anything if you're dead," said Ian as he thrust the stake into Sebastian's chest.
Taken totally by surprise Sebastian was unable to defend himself as Ian thrust the stake into Sebastian's chest impaling him in the heart. Sebastian screamed and then turned to dust. Ian dropped back to the floor of the mausoleum breathing heavily from the fight. It wasn't over yet. Sebastian was dead but there was still Mordecai and Amanda to deal with. The decision of this battle had yet to be made.