A/N: Quite a late chapter, no? Like I said earlier, the reason these chapters are so short are because it takes me longer to post those that are long. See the logic? So I make short chapters in odder to get them up every week. The next chapters won't be half as long as this so it'll be posted really soon!
To Dreamweaver: You know, that's catchy title. Curse you for thinking of it before me! Why most I be denied of grand titles!? NOOOOO!
Chapter Twenty Six- Things that Make Us GreatJake stood perfectly still, allowing his muscular body to grow tight as he meditated. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he channeled the power Lord Deltoramina was sending him.
Why is the Slayer not dead? Lord Deltoramina demanded.
She will be, ma Lord. She and her team are in hiding, the cowards. But Ah will force them from hiding and then we will have all the power we need.
And what of the half demons?
Thay ran to the Slayer like the traitors thay are. Thay will suffer worse then her for what thay have done.
And what about the demon you insist on keeping around?
Furia, well ma Lord she is a useful Witch… she is power hunger and that makes her blind. She is also not hard on the eyes.
Jake, sometimes I wish you were more like your cousin Caleb and not obsessed with women.
Caleb was obsessed with women, Ma Lord, he was just obsessed with them for different reasons.
Go now, Jake, I grow weak.
As ya wish ma Lord.
Furia, with a thick leather spell book open on her lap, watched Jake. She was enjoying the view she had of his muscular body. Off to her side were the limp and conscious bodies of Pietro and Blob, but there were also two new mutants. Furia had tracked them down herself. One was the sister to Pietro, called Wanda, and a boy resembling a frog named Todd.
Finally, Jake relaxed and he turned his head to her and smiled. Furia, feeling like a lazy cat, smiled back.
"So tell me, Jake," Furia began in a lazy drawl, "why are we not having sex yet? I've got an itch and you're the only one that can scratch it."
Jake grinned at her, "Nothing would give meh greater pleasure then to scratch ya, sugah, but we have things to do first. Like destroy the Slayer. Rememba, business before pleasure."
Furia glared at him, "What moron said that?"
"No idea." Jake drawled, "But it was said, darlin'. So let's get the job done and move unto betta things. So ya got ma spell, yet?"
Furia stretched legs, making her large breasts push against her shirt, and said, "Yeah, I do and I'm ready to cast it. I wanna see what this Deltoramina guy looks like."
Jake chuckled to himself, "Ah doubt ya do, sugah. Lord Deltoramina wouldn't take too kindly to you."
"Everyone takes kindly to me." Furia said with a sex goddess smile, "If I want them to. We'll just see about your Lord Deltoramina man."
"We'll, we'll see. Now, ya got my spell?" Jake said, standing. Frowning, Furia also got to her feet and gave him the book she had been reading.
"Right there, Jake." Furia said, "It wasn't easy to find this. The Watcher Council goes to a lot of trouble to keep this buried, but I have my resources…"
Jake smirked, "Let's get ta work, sugah."
Ori was sitting on a couch in one of the many rooms in the Xavier Institute, reading a book. She was really wasn't reading it, though The Count of Monte Cristo was one of her favourite books.
She was to busy thinking about Buffy. Since yesterday, when Shibita, her people and the young Slayers had arrived, Buffy had been training. It was almost as if the blonde Slayer was driven by some unknown force to push herself to her limits.
Ori would've gladly been training with Buffy, but the Slayer had said she only wanted the young Slayers for the time being. The mutants would get their turn, but for now Buffy had complete control over the Danger Room.
In the beginning of the day, Ori had humored herself by drawing an X-Men uniform because she had loved the X-Men uniforms everyone had. But it didn't take her long to draw it and so she had moved onto reading.
As she tried to force herself to read she had to appreciate the silence she was finally getting. What with the new Slayers, half-demons, and civilians in the Institute it was getting crowded. Even a place this big.
The half-demons mostly sleep in a large room in the back of the mansion, which also worked as a training room. As for the civilians, they were placed in where there was room. The Brotherhood members, Buffy and her team, and Ori and Sidney bunked with the girls of the Institute. Ori, Sidney and Faith shared a room that would also hold Rogue once Willow completed her spell.
All in all, it was over crowded.
But not for long, Ori thought with a slight smile. Buffy and the half-demon leader, Shibita, were talking about getting the civilians out of Bayville. Everyone was hoping that Buffy found a way to get the civilians out of Bayville so they could have some room.
As she was thinking this, Pyro walked into the room and smiled when he saw Ori. She was sitting on the couch, staring out into the void. She wore a no-sleeve white top and her hair had a slight curl to it. Her gold ankle-length skirt was soft and flowing as it covered the legs she bent at the knees so her whole body was sitting on the couch.
The lust he felt was a refreshing punch in the gut. Normally, Pyro would've acted on his attraction, but somehow Ori was different. Pyro was the king of one night stands and he hadn't been in a relationship that hadn't been about only sex. But he enjoyed Ori in more then just a sexual way. She was interesting to talk to, funny, smart, and unique. They weren't qualities he often found in the woman he was 'with'.
Ori felt his presence, she could feel the heat from his powers, and raised her head to smile up at him. He was certainly something to look at. His hair was a cross between blonde and red and sexily tussled as if awakening from sleep and his eyes an amazing green. He wore casual jeans and a red shirt.
She was tempted to use her 'sex goddess' looks—as Sidney called them—on him. She had perfected those skills and no man could resist her when she put her mind to it. But at the same time she didn't use those skills to keep men. Ori didn't like to keep man. Have a 'boyfriend'. She loved them and then left them. She was well aware, after talking to Faith, that she and the Dark Slayer were competing for the 'Queen of One Night Stands'. Or they had been before Faith had met her boyfriend, Robin Wood. Now Ori guessed she officially held the title.
But she didn't want to use her men trapping skills on Pyro. He was a friend, even if she was attracted to him. If there was one thing Ori valued, it was her friends. She didn't want to ruin her friendship with Pyro just because she was attracted to him.
And at the same time, Ori was secretly afraid that if she did allow her attraction to Pyro to control her, she wouldn't be able to break away from him. Something about him made her want to stick and Ori was not the 'sticking' type with lovers. She had never been a in a long-lasting relationship and she was afraid of how it would work out. Would it end up like her parents? A broken woman and a ran-away sperm donor? The very thought made her shudder, and maybe it was the one thing that kept her from having a 'boyfriend girlfriend' relationship.
Ever so casually, Pyro flopped himself on the couch besides Ori, "Hey there, luv." He chirped to her.
Forcing her thoughts away, Ori turned her head and smiled, "'Sup?"
Pyro shook his head at her and her very New York slang, "You Americans. Why must you shorten everything? Wasn't it bad enough that you made the saying 'wuzup'?"
Ori chuckled, "We Americans have TBD. To Busy Disorder and thus must make everything short so we can have free time. And you know what we do with that free time?"
"What?"
"Nothing." Ori answered and stuck her tongue against her cheek.
Pyro laughed, "I guess you can't call it free time unless you do nothing. But me, I like to do things constantly. I like moving."
"Me, too." Ori agreed.
Then the tension rose up as did the heat. Ori looked away from Pyro, blushing slightly while he stared out the window. Ori suddenly wanted to run away, but at the same time she didn't. She really liked Pyro, and not just for his body but his mind and soul as well. That was kinda a first for her and she didn't know how to go about it.
Pyro was moments away from dragging Ori into his arms but he forced his limbs to remain still. He was afraid of the feelings he felt for Ori. He didn't want a one night stand he wanted… well forever and it was freaking him out. But at the same time, the very thought of forever with Ori made him lust and maybe something else all the more stronger.
Pyro turned to Ori and said in an almost helpless voice, "Ori-"
Acting on instincts, Ori grabbed Pyro's face and brought their lips together. Instantly, Pyro's hand wrapped tight around Ori's waist. As her hands moved to tangle in his hair, he leaned them both back against the couch.
As their lips deepened, the fire sparked between their bodies. Ori's hands lit with her gold fire and slid into Pyro's hair. Soon, Pyro's own hands were glowing with the fire. But it wasn't painful; in fact it made the kiss all the more potent.
The assault on her lips was almost destroying Ori, but she was in so much pleasure she didn't care. Pyro's lips were strong, firm and warm, just as she had imagined. She tasted heat and fire and she shivered with want.
Ori's taste, feel, texture was sliding over him like warm liquid. For a moment, Pyro thought he was going to drown. There was so much power beneath him, so much pleasure and it was almost unbearable. His fingers, burning with gold fire, tightened on the soft material of her skirt.
Finally they broke for need of air. The silence between was almost as heavy as the tension had been. They drew in ragged breathes, and Ori lowered her eyes. Her lips were swallowed and her body still burning with aftermath.
"Wow." Ori whispered, shell-shocked, "Maybe that shouldn't have happened."
"Probably." Pyro agreed and pulled her up on the couch. For a moment they were silent and then Ori stood up with a blush staining her cheeks.
"Pyro… um… sorry about that." Ori mumbled.
"It's okay. I was helping every bit as much as you." Pyro hissed his breath out through his teeth, "What do we do now, luv?"
"I guess pretend this never happened?" Ori suggested weakly, "I guess… I just don't want a relationship with you… I… I don't really 'do' relationships and you're like a friend…"
"I don't do relationship either." Pyro agreed, "But if I did have a roll in the hay with you, Ori, it'll probably be more then just that. You know that, too, don't ya? Scared?"
"Yeah." Ori admitted, "Which is why I'm backing away. I think neither of us is ready."
"It isn't over, luv." Pyro pointed out.
"For now… for now it is." She answered and stepped out of the room. For a moment, she teetered on the edge of pain and yearning before she forced herself to walk. Like she had just told Pyro, neither of them were ready for a commitment.
But Pyro's words followed her. He was right, they weren't over. After all, they lived together. Maybe one day… helplessly she sighed. She just wasn't sure if she could handle a real relationship.
It was certainly something to think about, Ori thought as she walked away.
Willow hovered over Rogue, who was thrashing again. Gambit stood off to her side, using his gloved hands to hold the young woman still. Sweat dripped from Rogue's brow as she howled in pain. She jerked her head back and forth, as if trying to push away an invisible enemy.
Willow's face was taunt and there was a line between her drawn together brows. From her parted lips came whispers for her spell. They flowed through the room, wrapped themselves around Rogue, and forced the young woman to calm down.
"… Sub est silva in dea…" Willow whispered, her final words taking an eerie tone to them. Rogue's body relaxed and she stilled on the bed. Both Gambit and Willow plopped themselves in the chairs besides Rogue.
"She gets worse and worse by the day…" Gambit muttered unhappily, "Soon your spells won't calm her. My poor chere."
Willow said nothing. Gambit was right, Rogue was being drawn deeper and deeper into the vampire mind and since that mind no longer existed in a human form there was no way to draw her out from it without doing a very completed spell. That spell involved a number of items, which Shibita had supplied her. The liquid, which had to be force-feed, needed three days to consume enough magick.
"We only need one more day." Willow pointed out and looked over at Gambit. The young man looked very tired. Willow noted that he hadn't slept ever since he had brought Rogue to her. If he had slept, it had been in the uncomfortable chair.
"Maybe you should get some rest." The Wicca suggested and Gambit shook his head.
"Not until de Rogue is awake. She became like dis for protecting me." Gambit pointed out grimly. Willow sighed and stood up.
Without another word, she walked out of the room and bumped into Sidney. The young woman was propped against the wooden door frame. She looked weaker then she had when they had first meet. Her skin was clammy and pale, as if from lack of sleep, and her eyes were weary. Sidney had hardly spent time away from Rogue's door, lest it was to help out her ghostly charges.
But Willow also knew that Sidney had not stepped into Rogue room. The Wicca did not now this woman's full powers, but she suspected Sidney could really see Death. She believed that Sidney could put a face to Death itself and perhaps she was afraid she'd see 'Death' standing next to Rogue.
Either way she was suffering…
"Sidney," Willow said softly, touching the silvery blonde's shoulder, "Rogue will be alright. My spell will be ready tomorrow."
Sidney said nothing expect, "I hope so. I'm already taking care of too many ghosts as it is."
Willow wanted to soothe Sidney, it was in her Wiccan blood to do so, but she didn't know how. She had never met a person like Sidney. So Willow just offered Sidney a Willowy smile and walked away.
She trudged herself to her room, thinking only of blissful sleep. Her room was dark and her big bed most welcoming. She was about to allow herself to fall into it when she saw her laptop sitting on the desk in the corner of the room.
Her e-mails. She hadn't looked at them in a while. She had been to busy researching for Buffy, but now would be a good time and it would only take a few minutes. Groaning at the constant detours from sleep, she walked over to the desk and booted up the laptop.
A few minutes later, Willow was deleting junk mail, cursing AOL, and blinking at a message sent to her by Rupert Giles. The title read "Urgent! Read now Willow!" but it wasn't necessary. Giles, the king of old-school, hated computers and for him to use it could only mean two things. 1) The world was about to be destroyed and Giles was letting everyone know or 2) the Watcher needed research down and quick.
Willow clicked on the e-mail and it opened with a 'ding'. Her eyes widened as she read what Giles had sent her. It was ten pages worth of information on Lord Deltoramina and Jake. It explained Deltoramina's Celtic origin and Jake's closeness to him. Towards the end was something that caught Willow's attention.
-The blood moon is first sign of Deltoramina's rising. It symbols death and blood, which during the Celtic era often meant warfare. The coming of Lord Deltoramina is referred to as 'Blood Moon Rising' and is supposed to be unstoppable. Once Deltoramina has been fully risen no mere mortal, Slayer or otherwise, has to ability to hold him down. The only way to destroy Deltoramina after his 'Blood Moon Rising' is to have non-living (vampire, ghost, demon ect.) hold him still and then Lord Deltoramina must be sent back to Hell by someone with the power to exorcise.
Willow blinked at the oddness of it. Obviously, Giles had done a lot of research. At the end of the report Giles had typed in I want to come to New York, but Willow knew Buffy would never allow it. It was to dangerous now that the Tora-Kone had full control of Bayville.
What Giles's research meant was that Willow now had to find out what it all meant. It would be long and tiring, since it seemed like the information came from many books and websites, but for Buffy Willow would do it.
But Buffy had to be shown this and fast. Who knows how long before the Blood Moon showed up. Quickly, Willow printed out the information on the Blood Moon and rushed from the room, her fatigue forgotten.
Buffy, sweaty and panting, sat down on the cold metal of Professor Xavier's 'danger room'. Off to her side the Slayers fought viciously having only been training for an hour while Buffy had been at it for three.
The Danger Room was something, Buffy had to admit. It was spacious with metal walls and floor. It was a perfect room for hand-to-hand combat. She was also aware that mobile enemies could be simulated in this room and she planned to take full advantage of it. But not until the new Slayers were ready for it.
Heavy boots thudded against the floor and Shibita sat down besides Buffy. She too was sweaty and exhausted. She had spent must of her time at the Institute training with her demon brethren. It seemed to Buffy that Shibita wanted to do as little socializing with humans as she could.
Not that Buffy blamed her. She supposed that if she was forced to live with half-demons she wouldn't want to do much talking with them. The Slayers and demons, even half-demons, would always be enemies. Buffy knew she had probably killed something related to Shibita and the Slayer had no doubt Shibita had killed humans. But for now, those things had to be pushed away.
"Your Slayers fight well." Shibita said in monotone, "They might survive this fight."
Buffy hid the surprise at Shibita's words with a casual shrug, "I hope so. I don't like losing any one of my team."
"Me as well." Shibita agreed and watched the girls train. With a frown she said, "Your youngling over there has very little skill in hand-to-hand combat. Unless she gets much, much better at fighting she will be killed."
Buffy saw that Shibita was talking about Dana. The Slayer frowned. Shibita was right; Dana had very little skill in fighting. Dana had been truthful in saying she had never been trained before. It was obvious from the way Dana was constantly beaten by the other girls that she had never fought before. But to her credit, Dana kept on getting back up to give it her all. Buffy watched as Dana, fighting Charlotte, forgot to watch her legs and was nailed in the stomach by a roundhouse.
Charlotte was easily the best fighter they had. From what the young woman had told Buffy earlier, she had been training for Slayerdom all her life. Charlotte O'Hare had been born in a small Canadian village just outside of Quebec. Like the dead Slayer Kendra, Charlotte had been trained by her Watcher the moment it was known she was a Potential. Because of this, Charlotte had an obvious advantage over the girls. She was very, very good. She had even made Buffy break a sweat when they had first fought. She was a definitely a useful ally.
"Dana will learn how to fight." Buffy answered and then she said, "Have you decided who of your people will help get the civilians out of here?"
Shibita nodded, "I am ready to send them off as soon as you are. The sooner they are gone the better. They will be safer the farther they are from this place."
Buffy nodded and stood, "Girls!" She called and the trainees stopped, "Meeting in the Community Room. Now!"
Charlotte grumbled as did all the other girls except Dana. She was exhausted and very pleased to have a break. They followed Buffy and Shibita from the Danger Room and to the Community Room.
In the room stood Xander and Tabitha, laughing about Xander's newest lame joke. Shibita's half-demon army was there also as well as all the civilians. Moments after Buffy, Shibita and the New Slayers walked into the room, the other mutants showed up. Ori and Pyro seemed to be a little apart that night and as always there was a tension between Lance and Kitty. Colossus walked in with a hand firmly on Gambit's shoulder, as if to stop him from running back to Rogue. Scott and Jean walked in, looking serious and dutiful. Following them was Logan, Professor X, and Storm. Kurt and Amanda entered the room, hands entwined, with Sam, Amara, Jamie, Roberto and Bobby at their heels. Moments later, a sleepy Faith walked in.
"You work fast." Buffy told Professor X and then lightly hit her head, "Oh, duh! You're psychic! My bad."
"Hey, Buffster," Xander said casually, his arm lopped around Tabitha's shoulder, "mind letting us in on the whole 'family' meeting? Is it game night already?"
Buffy shook her head and said, "Xander, we're in a war. Why must you always make a joke out of everything?" there was a strain in her voice. She was thinking about that dream with Jake and all the death. It had been laying heavily on her mind for the past two days and it was only making her worry.
For a moment, Xander looked ashamed that he had said that but hiding those feelings he answered, "It's my defense mechanism."
"What did you call us all here for, kid?" Logan demanded his rough, annoyed voice. Buffy rolled her eyes.
Shibita glared at Logan before saying, "You humans and you younger mutants will be accompanying some of my warriors out of the town on the jet Professor Xavier has lent us. There you will be taken to safety. Now go get ready."
"Wow that was easier then I thought." Buffy said moments before the room burst into voices.
"I'm ready to go!" Duncan shouted and Kelly was nodding.
"I'm not going!" Bobby shouted to which Amara and Sam nodded, "I want to stay here and fight!"
"I need a second front." Buffy explained to them, "If this mission fails, I'm counting on you guys to continue to fight the good fight. Now, how can you do that if you die in this battle?"
Amara lowered her head and mumbled unhappily, "Okay."
"Get ready to leave everyone. Everyone who is not leaving, meet me in the Danger Room for a training session." Buffy shouted and everyone started to move from the room. As everyone left, Buffy saw Kurt pull Amanda into the corner of the room. There were tears in Amanda's eyes as she threw herself into Kurt's embrace. Kurt was crying silently as well. They both knew that this might be the last time they saw each other.
Buffy moved towards them when Faith and Colossus moved in front of her, "B, can we trust those half-demons?" Faith asked.
"I believe we can." Colossus answered for Buffy and she felt herself smile.
"I wasn't asking you." Faith snapped and looked at Buffy, "What do you think, B?"
"I think you both should go to the Danger Room." Buffy answered, "I'll be there shortly." At that point Amanda brushed past her, tears falling down her cheeks. She left the room and Buffy sighed.
The Slayer, feeling compassionate, walked over to Kurt and sat down next to him on the couch. Kurt looked miserable and maybe a little guilty.
"Amanda mad at you?" She asked casually.
"She's not mad." Kurt said, "She's upset. She zinks I'm going to die. That we'll all die and she vants me to come vith her. But I'm needed here. I just don't understand why she doesn't understand that I zave to zay."
She loves you and she doesn't want to live without you, Buffy thought but did not say that. Instead she said, "You probably will die if you stay." Kurt looked up at her in terror, "This is war, Kurt. Many people are going to die. That's why… that's why I want you to go with Amanda and the others."
"But Miss Summers!" Kurt said in horror, "I vant to stay here and help! I don't vant to lose any of my friends."
Buffy put her hand on Kurt's shoulder and looked away, "I'm going to try to keep them all alive, but in case we die, in case we fail, we need a backup. All these people, all those young mutants, will need someone to look after them. They'll need a leader. That'll have to be you since Scott is staying. It's actually a big responsibility. Can I trust you to do this?"
"Ye… ya." Kurt said and Buffy shooed him away. Feeling like she had done a good deed, Buffy went to find Professor Xavier, who had left the room with Logan and Storm.
"Buffy." Professor Xavier said as soon as the Slayer left the room. He stood in front of her with Logan and Storm, "The X-Jet is ready to leave anytime you're ready."
"I'm ready now." Buffy answered and then looked sharply at Xavier, "You better get ready. You're going with them."
"Excuse me?"
"It's for the best, Charles." Logan said, jumping to Buffy's defense, "If this operation fails we're going to need a backup front. You'd be a key player."
"You are also the brain." Storm pointed out, "We'll need you to recruit troops if this fails."
"I don't understand…"
"You don't need to understand, Xavier." Buffy pointed out, "All you need to know is that you're going with Shibita's warriors. Even if I have to knock you unconscious and tie you to a seat of the ship."
Xavier frowned, but he didn't argue. There was that deadly look in Buffy's eyes. She was a Slayer and she had made her decision. There really was nothing he could do to change her mind. And Buffy, Storm and Logan's words did have logic to them.
Xavier wheeled around and went to the jet.
Sidney sat in front of Rogue's bed. She found she could no longer resist looking at her friend. Gambit was currently sleeping, forced to sallow pills of sleep by Buffy herself. Sidney was glad for that, Gambit was steadily weakening and he would soon join Rogue in the sickbay if he didn't rest.
Rogue was still on her bed. She was under the influence of Willow's spell. Even with that cast on her, Rogue's breathing was uneven and there was sweat on her face. Sidney chewed her lower lip and brushed aside the hair plastered to Rogue face.
"Rogue." Sidney said lightly, her voice barely above a whispered.
Rogue didn't answer; she just continued to breathe unevenly. Her eyes fluttered once, maybe twice, but other then that she was still.
She felt the presence of a ghost and new instantly it was Jack. Ann and Eve were watching the Slayers and mutants fight. Ann was amazed by their powers and Eve was trying to relive her Slaying days. Jack had disappeared recently, but Sidney hadn't complained for she really didn't want to talk to Jack, but knew it seemed like she was going to have to.
"She'll be alright, bella." Jack said softly and Sidney stiffened. She rolled her shoulders and forced Jack to remove his hand.
"Why do you pull away from, me mi amor?" Jack asked softly and Sidney turned to look up at him, "I think you know my feelings for you. Why are you so cold?"
"What future could we ever have, Jack?" Sidney demanded, tears forming her eyes, "You're a ghost. Eventually you'll have to leave. Why do you want me to go through that pain? Why do you want me to suffer?"
"Bella…" Jack said unhappily.
"No, Jack." Sidney whispered as the first pearl tears fell from her eye, "I love you. I always have, but I can't be with you because it can't be. You're already dead. You're not supposed to be here. What chance do we have?"
"It is not fair." Jack said, clenching his hands into fists. He felt so helpless… he wanted to soothe Sidney's pain, but couldn't. Like she had said. He was a ghost; he wasn't supposed to be here, while she was a mortal still among the living
Sidney stood, "No one will have my heart every again, Jack, because you've taken that. I want to be happy with someone, to have a family, to have children, but I'll never get that. Because the only person that I want to have them with is you Jack."
"Only you." She whispered and fled from the room.
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Whew, that was dozy! Okay, some interesting things going on in the break chapter. 1) Ori and Pyro are lusting after another (I personally love X-Men: Evo Pyro because he's so very crazy!) 2) Deltoramina is raising steadily and 3) Sidney and Jack are trying to get over one another. Okay, next will be short but just as interesting. Blood Moon Rising features the first sign of Deltoramina's power and a new couple is introduced to the romance section of this story. Ah… yeah romance!?
"I was going to buy the book The Power of Positive Thinking but then I thought: what the hell good would that do!?"
-Lizzy Rebel