A/N: Yay, new chapter! This one's a long one though so be warned. I just had so much to get out that I just kept on writing until everything I needed to put in was finished. Sorry if it gives you a headache.
To Caltimere: Billy Joel… hmm? Well, he and Elton John are all the same to me. Here's what's behind door number one coming right at ya!
To WW: ***nods*** Yes, Buffy did have her scythe (it's the one she got in Season 7, you know?) Did my name for if confuse you? Sorry 'bout that, but I wanted to give it a name. Going around calling it 'the scythe' sounded pretty boring.
To IJoL: You know, my friend brought this valid point up to me when I asked her to ready it. You guys make a good point, but I think you may just be diving into the concept just a little. I put it in there as slice at the old X-Men series since I consider Evo an AU series of X-Men. Basically, I don't think that in this universe of X-Men they'll ever meet Spider-man so why not give him a cameo in song?
To A Watcher: Did you ever notice how when you tell someone not to ask they ask anyway? Maybe we shouldn't say anything and just hope they get the message and don't ask?
To Will: ***sighs*** Yes, the quote of the week (that's what I call it since I post these chapters every week) isn't there. I was exhausted last week and my sister didn't make it any better with her let's-work-out-until-we-get-our-own-body-weight-in-sweat.
To wllw979: It's that like the best CD? I worship Al. My fav song is 'Angry White Boy Polka'. Someone understands!
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Chapter Nineteen- Bain the Hell Guardian"So do we just knock?" Buffy wondered out loud, "Say something like 'hi, Mr. Hellish Demon, mind if we come in and find a way out of your hell? By the way, we love how you decorated the place'?"
To answer, Colossus strode forward towards the door, turned metal, and punched the door down. Buffy looked at him in admiration.
"You're approach is so much better then mine." She said in a breathy sigh as they moved in. It was dark in the skull and Buffy couldn't see anything.
"Hello?" Buffy called, "Mr. Hellish Demon?"
From nowhere, light's flickered on. Buffy blinked and jumped backwards, crashing into Colossus who helped her regain her footing.
Out of nowhere, something flew at Buffy and had her crashing into the wall. A very heavy weight crashed down onto her petite body. She groaned under the weight of her attacker and tried to push him off, but she couldn't move.
Then her attacker was thrown backwards courtesy of Colossus. The metallic man pulled Buffy onto her feet once more and they both turned to the attacker that had also regained his footing.
The demon before was what you would call 'devil looking'. His skin was fiery red and he had a long, pointed tail. He head three horns jutting from his head as well as talons on his hands. His body was lean and his was very tall. Black, jagged wings stretched from his back. Enter Mr. Hellish Demon.
"What are you doing here, Livings?" The demon growled fiercely, "Why are you alive and in my hell?"
"Not like we want to be." Buffy murmured and said louder, "We didn't have a choice. A man named Jake-"
"Jake," The demon growled, "that little twerp has been bugging me about joining his army to conquer Earth. Said something about reviving Lord Deltoramina. If that's the real plan, then he's a fool."
"Glad not everyone's in the Jake Fan Club." Buffy drawled sarcastically, "What were you saying about this Lord Deltoramina character?"
"After the First's original reign on Earth disappeared, Deltoramina showed up and started to take over. It almost worked. It was a very profitable time." The demon explained and Buffy glared, "For me anyway. I had half-demons and mortals alike constantly showing up in my Hell. Deltoramina wasn't too fond of the half-breeds. Thought them to be 'inferior'. Killed almost all of them off. It was a massacre of every non-full blood demon. Then the Slayer of that generation came along and managed to imprison him in his own personal Hell. Then everything got real peaceful like."
"If it was such a profitable time, then why are you glad Deltoramina was gone?" Colossus asked suspiciously.
"Because that demon was too ambitious for anyone's sake. Earth would not have been enough for Deltoramina. Eventually he would have set his sights on the every demon world. We all would've been forced to be his slaves or be killed by him." the demon said heatedly.
"Well, now that we got that information. Who are you?" Buffy said, crouching into a fighting stance.
"I'm not going to fight you. Yet. I am called Bain and I control the sixth level of Hell." the demon explained. His eyes glittered dangerously.
"I'm sure you know who I am." Buffy said calmly.
"You are the Slayer." Bain said and Buffy nodded, "The minute I found this I knew who you were." From behind his back he pulled out Buffy's red and shiny scythe.
Buffy's eyes narrowed, "That's mine!"
"Yes. The Slayer's toy. I was but a youngling when this was made. It had the whole demon world in turmoil. They were afraid that if the Slayer was to ever get her hands on this all demons would be destroyed. It was a relief that she never did… until you. I've heard a great deal about you Buffy Summers of Sunnydale the Hellmouth. You have the whole demon world in a snit. You destroyed the Master, defeated Angelus, blew up the Mayor on Ascension Day, brought Glory the Helldog to her knees, and to top that all off you completely annihilated the First."
"That's just me. You're regular superhero." Buffy sighed, "We gonna fight now? You being a demon and me being a Slayer… kinda goes hand in hand don't ya think?"
"Do you want to leave my Hell?" When Buffy nodded, Bain answered, "Then yes we do have to fight. It is my duty as the guardian of this Hell to not allow anyone to leave. It is eternal punishment, you know. Eternal means forever."
"Of course." Buffy said and started to stride towards the demon when Colossus laid a heavy hand upon her shoulder. She looked up at the muscular-bound warrior.
"I will handle this." Colossus said and Buffy huffed.
"Okay, I can tell this is one of this big macho guy verse macho guy thing so go ahead. But I want my scythe back." Buffy snapped.
"You'll get it back if you're boyfriend here can beat me. You really going to put your trust in this guy?" Bain asked.
Buffy looked Colossus up and down. Colossus was staring at Bain, with a look of cold emotion on his face. He had warrior's blood in his veins and it shone in his eyes. Yes, this was a man to trust. Buffy could see that.
"Yeah." Buffy answered, "I am. Go get 'em, tiger." She hit Colossus lightly in the arm and backed away.
Bain place the scythe on the floor and crouched low, "I warn you now, youngling. I don't intend to go easy on you."
"Good." Colossus agreed and lunged.
Colossus used his metal body to try to pin Bain to the ground. But it turned out Bain was as equally powerful as Colossus and he shoved the metal man off. They both lunged to their feet and the brawl began.
It was an even match. Bain landed a punch, Colossus landed a punch. Colossus's ears were rings from a powerful blow to his head and Bain was grimacing from a punch in the stomach. With a furious howl, Bain threw his body at Colossus and the two men continued their fight on the ground.
Buffy watched this from afar, wincing every time Bain landed a punch. It was painful for her to watch Colossus take any hits and she didn't know why. Never before had simply watching someone get minor injuries bothered her so much. Even with Angel, she hadn't worried this much. No, this was just plain bothering her. She was seconds away from running in the join Colossus in the fight.
But then Colossus found an opening. He forced himself and the demon to roll over. Then he reached out and grabbed Bain's scaly arms. He locked those arms into a tight hold and held them even while Bain squirmed and kicked underneath him.
Colossus was seconds away from snapping the demons neck when he felt Buffy put her soft small hand on his shoulder. He looked up into her blue eyes.
"Let him go, Colossus." Buffy said calmly.
"Why?" He demanded.
"Because he's just doing his job. I can relate. Plus, he promised if we beat him he'd let us go. We beat him." Buffy explained and Colossus was compelled to let go. Bain rolled away from them and stood, gasping for breath.
"You're very strong." Bain said, rubbing his neck, "And a deal's a deal. I guess I have to tell you how to leave now."
"Guess you do." Buffy agreed.
"Fine. To leave this place you have to-" Bain broke off suddenly at the sound of explosions. He waved his hand and a window appeared off to the front of the room. He, Colossus, and Buffy rushed towards it.
Looking out the window, Buffy watched in horror as Furia walked towards Bain's house with her horde of vampires destroying everything along the way. Her big, red lips were pulled into an evil smirk.
"Furia and the Tora-Kone." Bain whispered.
"So that's what those things are called?" Buffy said to herself.
"They've come to take my hell!" Bain shouted in heated anger, "I'll die before I let that happen. I'm sorry Slayer but I don't have time to help you leave. As you can see, I've got other problems."
"Fine. We'll help you." When Colossus nodded in agreement, Buffy continued, "And when we're finished kicking this vengeance demon's ass, you can tell us how to leave. Deal?"
"Deal." Bain agreed and moved to the back of the room. There he withdrew two swords. He threw one to Colossus, who caught the hilt. It was a beautiful sword, delicately crafted. The hilt was black and felt coiled. The sides of the hilt curved around the metal of the sword. The metal itself sound bright with power. It glittered in the light as Colossus twirled it around. He noticed that the sword seemed made for him.
Bain smirked knowingly at Colossus before picking up Buffy's scythe and throwing it to her. The Slayer caught it without looking and twirled it around her fingertips. Relieved to have it back.
"I believe you're going to need that, Slayer." Bain said, looking out the window once more.
Furia approached the skull which the Bain the Sixth Hell Guardian lived. Her eyes glittered with battle rage. She could almost taste the blood and the carnage. She was so pleased Jake had chosen her to take over the Sixth Hell. Bain was well known as a ferocious fighter.
As they reached the skull, the door opened and out stepped Bain as well as the Slayer and the mutant. Furia bared her teeth. So they survived their fall? What lucky little birds, she thought.
Buffy growled deep within her throat at Furia's vicious smile. What she wouldn't give to personally wipe that smirk off those lips. Preferably with her scythe. Instead she just crouched down into a fighting stance.
As she hovered above the ground, Furia growled to Bain, "Accepting help from humans, guardian? And I thought you Hell guardians couldn't get any lower. It is my duty as a vengeance demon to whip your pathetic body off this hell."
"You can try." Bain said testily, "But do not think it will be a fight easily won, Furia. We guardian demons were trained to fight since birth. We will not go down without a fight."
Furia laughed at that, "I sure hope you won't. It would be no fun to kill you without a good fight." She raised a scarlet painted nail and pointed at the three warriors, "Get them!"
Knowing only to obey orders the Tora-Kone lunged, baring their vampire fangs. The swords they held in their hands raised above their heads as the lunged forward. They were ready to kill, ready to feast, ready to destroy.
Buffy felt a moment's panic. She had fought this number of vampires at one time before, but something, something made this different. Made this worse. Her heart pounded in her ears as she raised the scythe to defend herself.
She was rushed at from all angles. Buffy raised her scythe and swung as hard she could, lopping off heads and creating dust as she went. But it didn't seem to matter how many Tora-Kone she killed, they just kept on coming. She took a blow to her shoulder and barely dodged one to her ribcage. Her breath came from her parted lips in tiny little gasps. Her legs were aching from the constant jumping and dodging. Her head was pounding was a collision with the hilt of a sword.
She was reminded of the Lord of the Rings: The Two Tours movie where all those gross animal things stormed Helms Deep. There was a never ending supply of Tora-Kone at Furia's grasp. And she used it well, even Buffy had to admit. Her shouts rose above the battle cries and howls. She studied her three voices weakness and commanded them to use her vampires to their advantage.
Buffy spun around to slice off the head of a Tora-Kone. She moved just in time to see Colossus take a fall from a sword to the side. Her heart pounded harder than it had ever before in her life. She rushed towards her fallen comrade just in time to destroy the Tora-Kone that would've taken his life. He looked up at her thankfully.
As Buffy bent down to help Colossus to his feet, she heard Bain call, "Buffy! We have to get into the skull! We have to retreat."
Buffy looked over towards the entrance of the skull. She saw that the Tora-Kone had it surrounded, ordered not to allow anyone to enter. Buffy frowned, there was no way she could clear the path to the skull house and carry Colossus at the same time.
The Slayer turned back to the big man and she saw that he understood it, too, "Just go." He rasped, "You need to survive. Protect Earth."
Buffy the Vampire Slayer looked into Colossus's dark eyes. She knew she should leave him. It was the logical thing to do. But something inside her would not allow her to do so. She couldn't walk away and leave Colossus to his fate.
So instead of heeding the words Colossus had spoken, she bent down and grabbed his arm, "Come on, ya big lug." and pulled him to his feet.
She threw Colossus's arm around her shoulder and she began to hack. Colossus offered some help, by using his good arm to slice off heads and stab in the heart. They reached the door just as the red Hell guardian did. Bain managed to take down the guards guarding the door and they tumbled inside. Buffy dropped Colossus to the floor and stood to help Bain barricade the door.
"You should've left me." Colossus gasped to her, clutching his side, after Buffy and Bain had pushed large slabs of wood against the door.
Buffy rolled her eyes at Colossus and said, "Yeah well, sue me. I'm not into the whole sacrifice-a-teammate game."
"Slayer…" Bain said slowly and Buffy turned to the demon. His cold eyes stared, unmoving, at the door, "Any moment they will come in here. And then we are all doomed."
Buffy knew that. Her Slayer senses had already told her they were fighting a losing battle. There was just too many Tora-Kone. She knew if there had been fewer vampires then they would've had a chance, but now…
Buffy sighed deeply, suddenly very exhausted. She walked over to Colossus and plopped down besides him, drawing in deep breaths. Colossus, in an almost natural reaction, placed his arm around her shoulder.
Bain looked at them sadly. He may have been a demon, and a pretty bad one at that, but that didn't mean he didn't feel. The guardians of hell were gifted as well as cursed in understanding human emotions. Despite what these children believed, they were innocents yet. There were dark things in this world that not even the Slayer had glimpsed yet, but he had no doubt in his mind she would.
And because of that, because he knew what she was meant to do, he knew what he had to do. If he was to die here, he was going to do the right thing.
"Slayer." Bain growled and ripped a necklace off his neck. It was a red gem on a black string, "I think it's time for you to be leaving."
Buffy stood, her eyes wide, "But what about you? We can't just leave you."
"I cannot leave Hell, but you must. You must destroy Jake and Deltoramina. You are the only one that can do it so I must allow you to escape. Plus, I already promised your young man that if he defeated me then you two can leave. I always keep my promises."
Buffy wanted to argue. She wanted to stay and help the Hell guardian defend his home from the evils, but she knew that he was right. She had to live, had to form an army, had to avenge. She couldn't do that dead.
Silently, the Slayer walked over to Colossus and helped him to his feet. Colossus groaned and leaned on Buffy. Buffy's forced herself to remain upright though she felt like she was about to be crushed under his weight. Even her super strength couldn't save her from his weight.
Bain walked over to his and pressed the sword Colossus used earlier into the weak man's hands. Colossus stared at in wonder.
"It is a gift." Bain explained, "To show you my gratitude for helping me defend my home." Then Bain gave Buffy her scythe with the red gem necklace wrapped around it, "Close yours eyes. Both of you."
Buffy obeyed and she heard Bain raise his voice in a chant of some sort. He spoke a demon language, one that sounded like a snake. She suddenly felt very weak, as if gravity was pressing down on her back. Her knees almost buckled and besides her Colossus moaned in pain as if he too felt the pressure.
Then Buffy felt something being ripped her. That was the only way she could think to describe it. She felt like her soul was being ripped from her body. The pain was almost too much to bear. Then she felt the numbness settle around her, wrap around her like a blanket, and she knew her body was dissolving.
Buffy opened her eyes for a moment. She saw Bain smile at her, but it felt that he wasn't smiling at Buffy. He was smiling at what little part of her was still there, was still in his Hell. Then she saw the wooden door open and the Tora-Kone rush in as she disappeared completely and she blacked out.
When she finally awake, the numbness was gone. Replacing it was a pounding headache, sore muscles and a few minor wounds. She was also very aware of the soft green grass beneath her, the cold air, and the fresh smells around her. She also felt Colossus lying next to her.
Almost giddy, happy beyond words to be home, Buffy sat up with her eyes still closed. She drew in deep breaths of the sweet, sweet air and thought it gave her a high better then any narcotic would.
She felt Colossus's moan next to her and she turned to look at him, her smile blooming. They both were alive and back on Earth, thanks to Bain. She'd never forget the demon and she would avenge him. Even the thought of the demon of Hell didn't dampen her mood. It would, she knew, she'd mourn him eventually, but for now she wanted to wallow in the giddiness and joy she was feeling.
Besides her, Colossus stirred groaning. He, too sat up and drew in air without opening his eyes. Then he did open them, but looked at Buffy only.
"My wounds are healed." Colossus said in wonder and Buffy nodded.
"You got them in Hell, not Earth." Buffy explained, almost giggling for no reason. She couldn't remember ever being this happy.
Colossus, in a very rare movement, smiled as well. Somehow he was catching the joy Buffy was feeling, "We're alive?" he asked to just be sure.
Buffy did laugh then, loud and booming, "Yes, we're alive, you idiot. We're alive and we're well!" Then without thinking, she grabbed his face and brought his mouth to hers. Later, she would wonder what she had been thinking, but the sensation that rocked her pushed all other thoughts away.
Automatically, Colossus's hands slid up the Slayer's body. She was so tiny in his arms and yet she fit so perfectly. Her lips were soft and smooth. She tasted of rain and power and magick. It was intoxicating. The greatest drug anyone could be on. The high he was getting from simply kissing was something he'd never felt before.
Buffy's hands reached out to tangle in Colossus's dark hair. She hadn't realized until their kiss how attracted she had been to him. When had this come about? she wondered. But she ignored it. It had been a long time since she enjoyed kissing someone this much. His lips were firm, yet soft and giving. She found herself automatically yielding to him. She had only yielded this fully to one man before, and she had thought he was her soul mate. What did this mean?
Because she didn't want to think about it, she was the first to pull away. There was a heavy blush staining her cheeks as she stood. Colossus too looked uncomfortable, but he didn't allow the heat to rise in his cheeks.
Buffy picked up her scythe and looked at the red gem on it. Without thinking again, she slid it around her neck. Then she allowed herself to look around. Her eyes widened.
"My God." She whispered.
The park she was in was ruined. There were bodies, of the young and old, thrown everywhere. Trees had been ripped from the ground, grass torn up. Animals joined the dead humans and everything seemed wrong. Not to mention that the sky was an eerie, unnatural dark colour.
She wanted to track down the Tora-Kone right now. She wanted to rip their heads off, wanted to make them suffer. Her hand tightened on her scythe. But she couldn't do that. She wasn't strong enough. From the looks of it the Tora-Kone had the run of the city. She needed a team, a powerful team. It wasn't going to be the Chosen One's fight anymore. It was going to be everyone's.
"The Tora-Kone did this." Colossus growled and Buffy looked at him and nodded.
"Let's get to the apartment. Save our friends from worrying, form a plan of attack." Buffy said and they moved through the streets.
It had been the most dangerous walk of their lives. The Tora-Kone were everywhere. Colossus and Buffy were constantly diving behind trees and bushes. They were both too tired for a confrontation right now. They didn't have the strength to fight. Buffy could barely hold her scythe and Colossus was having the same trouble with his sword.
Finally, after two longs hours of dodging and hiding, they arrived at their apartment. Buffy was relieved that there were no dead people in her apartment complex. Willow, Xander and Faith had probably seen to it that no one invited the unwanted guests in the apartments. She was extremely proud of them.
But when Colossus and Buffy entered their apartment, it was empty. Buffy blinked and moved through the room. The rooms had been cleared out. The cloths, some of the furniture, and all of the personal items of the Scoobies and the Brotherhood had been moved out. Where had they gotten to?
The X-Men, Buffy thought and smiled. She had forgotten about them. But Xander, Willow, Faith and the others had probably gone with them. They'd have to go find the X-Men home so Buffy could talk to her friends again; she wanted to see them so badly.
She moved into the living room to tell Colossus about what had happened when she found him asleep on the couch that was left behind. She smiled and realized how tired she really was. Deciding to search for the friends after she rested, she moved over to Colossus.
She refused to allow herself to think of their passionate kiss. They had both needed to really understand that they were alive. What better way was there then primitive arousal?
Content with that, Buffy lifted Colossus's arm and cuddled against his chest. He was so big and warm, like a teddy bear that she didn't care how awkward it'd be when they woke up. All she wanted was to be warm and sleep. This was the best way.
Buffy snuggled against Colossus's chest and his arm instinctively wrapped around her waist, stopping her from falling off the couch. He buried his noise in her hair and breathed in deep. Buffy smiled and feel asleep.
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Awww, romance! So yes folks, as you can guess another official couple has been revealed. Colossus and Buffy! Who saw it coming… and I mean before they feel into Hell. Are you wondering how else is getting together? Well, you'll have to read and find out. In the next chapter, Returnings Part One, Buffy rejoins her friends and meets some of the more… ahem… intimidating members of the X-Men.
"What's scarier then a mob of angry midgets? A naked mob of angry midgets."
-Lizzy Rebel