Chapter 11 Earth Bound. And the battle continues. This is a long chapter. Hope ya like.
"You should you get in with the rest," says Lorne.
"No," says Tara. "I won't go." Riley and Faith look at each other.
Meanwhile, the dark warriors enter the palace main room. They don't see anything as they all walk into the middle of the room. Adam enters last and looks around.
"Now," says someone from the second floor. Suddenly, the rug from underneath half of the dark warriors snatches them from the ground and pulls them up. Adam and the rest of the warriors watch as the rug lifts their fellow warriors up.
"That was smart," says Adam. "Upstairs, find them. Remember the old man is mine." The rest of the warriors head up the stairs.
In the hallway on the second floor waiting from both sides of the stairs is six of the eight front from Dawn's plan. Connor, Angel and Spike are on the left wing of the palace and Giles, Dawn and Cordy are on the right wing. The warriors came into both wings full force and the six are ready for them.
From the first floor, Adam can hear his warriors battle and see them fall from the second floor unto the first floor. He looks up and sees the contraption that was made to capture half his warriors with a big rug hanging from the ceiling.
"Very impressive," says Adam. "But I don't really care for them anymore." Adam snaps his fingers and it sets the rug on fire with his warriors in it.
On the second floor, Connor sees Adam burn the rug hanging from the ceiling. He then return his mind to fighting and runs a sword through one of the last warriors.
"He's coming," says Connor.
"How do you know?" ask Angel. Connor points at the stairs and they see Adam walking up the stairs. "Oh." The three run to other wing and see them killing one the last warriors.
"They're all gone," says Connor. "I saw him burn the rug with the snap of his finger."
Giles sees Adam walk over to them. Everyone turns around to see him stop. Adam looks at each one of them.
"I'm surprised that you were able to defeat my army," says Adam. "Don't worry. I have more where they came from."
"Dawn leave now," says Giles.
"Oh no let her stay," says Adam. "I like to tango with her too." Giles glares at him then turns his eyes to Connor and gives him a sign. Connor pulls Dawn away from the battle.
She struggles a little but Connor was able to pull her away.
"Cordelia give me your sword," says Angel.
"Why?" she ask as she hands it to him.
"And go." Cordy heads down the hall way.
"Such brave men we have here," says Adam. "Willing to fight for their women." Adam nods his head. "Hey, Giles where is that hot blonde. You know the seer. I'd like to see her again." Giles gets angry and charges. The two start fighting. Angel and Spike join in the battle.
Dawn, Connor and Cordy arrive to where Tara and the others are. Tara is relived that Dawn is out of harms way. She quickly takes her into her arms and then she has a vision. Dawn recognizes Tara's movement when she gets one of her visions.
"What is it?" ask Dawn looking at Tara. Tara opens her eyes and bows her head. Tears start to appear in her eyes. Dawn's eyes widen as if she knew what Tara had seen. She then runs toward the fight.
"Dawn wait!" calls Connor who runs after her.
Lorne grabs hold of Tara who begins to sob on his shoulder. Riley runs after Connor.
"Keep everyone here Faith," says Riley. Faith nods her head.
Back at the battle, Spike and Angel have been toss, slash and beaten badly. From the floor the two see Giles, as badly beaten as they are, still fighting Adam who has barely broken a sweat. Adam kicks Giles in the gut and he falls unto the ground dropping his sword in the process.
"You don't have the strength to beat me old man," says Adam. "See you in your other life…" Adam is about slam his sword into Giles when suddenly a sword stops Adam's sword. It pushes Adam hard away from Giles.
"Well, what a surprise," says Adam seeing who it is. "You're still alive. I knew it. You can fool me little girl."
"Want to bet," says Dawn getting in position to fight.
"You don't have the will." The two begin to fence and Dawn is carrying her own pretty well. Connor arrives as he sees Dawn fighting Adam. He also sees Spike and Angel on the ground next to him.
"You guys gotta get up," says Connor. "Dawn…"
"Is fighting…" says Angel.
"Adam," Spike finishes Angel's line. Riley arrives and is surprise to see Dawn taking on Adam.
"You're pretty good," says Adam. "So the old man has found a worthy apprentice. I don't remember the rule books that girls can join the party. Dawn then starts to hit his sword harder. Connor and Riley head over to Giles side as he tries to get up and see Dawn fighting Adam.
"Dawn!" says Giles shock to see her fighting Adam. She turns her head around and Adam slams his sword hard. Dawn's sword slips out of her hand as the hit has twisted her hand. She backs away and tries fight him by hand combat. Adam tosses his sword and fights back. He grabs her arm and turns her around.
Connor and Riley are about take Adam but they stop when he pulls a knife at Dawns throat.
"Put your weapons down," says Adam. "This was lots of fun, but I gotta run. You're highness, your smart one. What do you do now?" Connor gets angry and Riley has to pulls him back as Adam has hold of Dawn and whispers close to her ear. "Better keep that boy back or else he's going to get hurt…" Adam loosens his grip on Dawn and she pulls away from him. She then sees Giles run his sword into Adams gut. Adam falls to the ground and the his blood floods the floor.
"Giles," says Dawn as she runs over to him and hugs him. She begins to cry and so does Giles. The two hold each other for a while then she helps him up. Riley and Connor go over to the two and take Giles. Dawn stares at Adam on the floor then Spike and Angel limp over to her.
"You were amazing Dawn," says Angel as he puts his hand on her shoulder. She looks up to him.
"Yeah, almost better than me," says Spike as he puts his hand on Dawns other shoulder.
"Of course," says Dawn with a smile. "You guys need help?"
"Oh could you," says Spike. "I couldn't walk another step."
"I don't feel a thing," says Angel.
"Stop holding it in macho man," says Spike. "You know every muscle and bone on your body hurts."
"I can handle it."
"Angel I do have two shoulders," says Dawn.
"Thanks," says Angel as he leans on Dawn. The two very pained stricken Jedi's walk down the hallway with Dawn helping them both walk. "Could this be kept between us."
"Okay."
A couples weeks later, Giles finds himself back in his room at the palace where everyone has return to for a ceremony. Tara is seated by his side as he opens his eyes.
"Tara," says Giles. He takes her hand. "How long…"
"A couple of weeks," says Tara. "I took care of you."
"But do they…"
"Yes," says Tara. "They know about us. Dawn knew before anyone else. She's happy for us."
"I'm glad."
"It's a good thing you awoke today."
"Why is that?"
"Today's the ceremony."
"Ceremony?"
"Dawn's decided to award the seven warriors who fought diligently to keep her safe. She's also brought the Jedi council."
"What? They're here."
"Yes, and they have a surprise."
After Giles gets dress, Tara told him to meet her at the throne room. Giles walks over and sees that the ceremony has already begun. Riley, Faith, and Cordelia are receiving their medals for extraordinary bravery against the dark warriors and Adam. Also Connor recived a medal for his bravery.
"My most trusted and leader of our Jedi crew, Rupert Giles," says the Queen who is dress in her royal robes and garments. Giles walks over to her, kneels and bows his head in front of her. The Queen gives him a medal and as she does that she whispers something into his ear.
"Thank you." Giles nods his head.
He rises up and walks over to where the others are standing. Then the three council men of the Jedi step forward and announce that they are changing the rules for Jedi's.
"Our knight's have been secluded for a very long time. No real family, home and the other things that regular people enjoy in life. Today it is our concern for the well being of all our Knights that they receive these wondrous, yet sometimes deceiving gifts. Jedi's are now allowed to form a relation with whom ever they deem worthy."
The council write the rule down on paper and sign it to proclaim that it is true. They Jedi's are please by this.
After the ceremony, Giles takes Tara's hand and pulls her over to the hall way. She faces him and still touching his hands has no visions.
"Tara," says Giles. "Even if this rule never came to part I would still be deeply in love with you. So before the council decides to change their minds, I like to take this time to ask you to marry me?" Tara is surprise by his question.
"Yes, I'll marry you," replies Tara as she garbs hold of him and kisses him.
From the throne room door way Spike, Angel, Dawn, Connor, Lorne, Faith, Cordy and Riley peek down the hall way as the couple kiss.
A month later another ceremony takes place and this time is for Giles and Tara. These two are getting married. Tara ask Dawn to be her maid of honor and Giles ask Angel to be his best man. Ushers and brides maid are Spike, Connor, Riley, Cordy, and Faith.
"I told you sugar lips that you someday would get married," says Lorne to Tara at the altar where he is marrying them.
"I never knew that this could ever happen," says Tara. "I never knew that you're a certified priest."
"Honey, I'm a lot things," says Lorne. "It's a whole package."
"Sounds like a great package." Tara smiles at Lorne.
"Well, you're making a great package yourself." Tara blushes. Giles grabs her hand. "Well, where was I…um…Oh, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss the bride." Giles didn't have to be told twice as he kisses Tara and dips her. Everyone cheer for them and the two walk down the aisle.