Ian hurried over and began untying Giles and the others as Buffy and Angel continued to fight. Angel was holding his own against Mordecai. His vampire strength and constitution allowed him to stand against opponents that most humans weren't able to face. Even though Mordecai seemed to be stronger than Angel, Angel was a seasoned fighter. He kept pummeling Mordecai taking Mordecai's attacks in stride.
Buffy wasn't faring as well. Amanda was no ordinary vampire. She had killed nineteen Slayers. Her strength, speed, and agility were incredible. Buffy was steadily loosing against the she-vampire. Amanda had not escaped unscathed, however. Buffy was, after all, the Slayer. Not some mere human that.
Ian finally finished freeing the others and turned to face the fight. Angel was being forced back by Mordecai as the older vampire pummeled the hero mercilessly. Angel was defending against the attacks and was able to get in some effective hits of his own.
Ian looked around and saw a wooden stake lying on the floor. He rushed over and picked it up then turned to face Angel and Mordecai. Angel feigned to the right and quickly changed direction. As he moved to the left, Mordecai was carried forward by his momentum. Ian raised the stake.
"Angel," Ian called out.
Angel looked toward Ian for a moment. Ian tossed the stake to Angel. With his vampire speed and dexterity, Angel reached out and grabbed the stake in mid air. As Mordecai gained his feet Angel spun around completely driving the stake into Mordecai's chest. Mordecai winced in pain, not making a sound, and then suddenly exploded into dust.
Ian rushed over and stood next to Angel. Without asking, Ian reached over and pulled the stake out of Angel's hand. He turned to move toward Buffy and Amanda who were still fighting. As he took a step, Angel grabbed his arm, holding him back.
"No," said Angel. "This is her fight."
"That's Amanda Walken," Ian protested.
"I know," said Angel. "Buffy has to do this herself. Believe me, if you interfere she won't be happy."
Ian looked at Angel then over where Buffy and Amanda were fighting. He knew Angel was right. This was more than the Slayer facing another vampire. It was the Slayer facing her ultimate opponent. If Buffy were to remain the frightening force for good that the vampires feared, she would have to prove she could beat Amanda Walken on her own.
Amanda struck Buffy and sent Buffy reeling. Buffy rolled with the punch and was up on her feet in an instant. She struck out at Amanda, striking the she-vampire. Amanda weathered the attack and struck back once again. Buffy ducked and Amanda missed her. Buffy kicked Amanda along the side of the head and Amanda staggered back several steps.
Buffy was breathing hard and was sweating heavily. Amanda was barely winded. She smiled at Buffy and then moved toward Buffy. She struck Buffy several times sending the Slayer reeling. Buffy stood up. There was blood seeping from a cut on her lip. There were also several small bruises on her face. Against Angel's advice, Ian began to move forward.
"Stay back," said Buffy. "She's mine."
Angel pulled Ian back as the rest stood by watching the fight. They were all concerned for Buffy. She was loosing her fight against Amanda. Amanda struck Buffy again and Buffy fell to the floor. She appeared to be groggy. She raised herself up on arms and Amanda kicked her, knocking Buffy on her back.
Amanda kicked Buffy again and Buffy doubled over in pain. Amanda moved over and grabbed Buffy by the collar of her shirt. She pulled the Slayer partially off the floor and stood over her gloating. Angel and Ian both began to move forward.
"Don't," Amanda said, looking at them and holding one hand to Buffy's throat. Her long painted nails looked more like claws than nails. Angel and Ian stopped short. "She's going to die, you can't stop that. But her death can be quick and painless. Or I can slice her throat. Do you have any idea how long it takes to die that way? The agony the victim suffers as her life's blood spurts out. Save your friends. The Slayer is mine."
She looked down at Buffy and smiled.
"Now," said Amanda, "it's time you became number twenty. A nice even number. And rest assured. Eventually I'll get your friends, too. Not even the infamous Angelus will be able to stop me."
Amanda grabbed Buffy's head and forced it to the side exposing her neck. She lowered her head anticipating the bite that would end Buffy's life.