Chapter Six
Wesley waited for a response. It was a sad fact that the three warriors were used to the 'the apocalypse has started speech'. They just waited for the rest. Wesley cleared his throat and stood up.
'I have discovered who the weapon of the roses refers to – the Circle of the Blackthorn. They are a band of demons – they do the Senior Partners work on this plane. They need to be taken out.'
Buffy nodded. 'That will stop it?' She asked. The watcher shook his head.
'No, that will be the beginning…'
She cut him off. 'Then why do it?' She asked. Wesley made a face and then carried on speaking.
'Either we kill them and have at least some control over it or we let them take this world to hell.'
Buffy shut up and looked sheepish. Wesley continued. 'We take them out and then the armies of hell will ascend on this city and kill everyone. We need to send them back.' Buffy gripped Spike's hand and Angel frowned. This was it. The big one.
Suddenly, the room began to shake and things fell over. The four ran for the shelter of the doorway and huddled until the quake finished. Buffy looked to Wesley.
'Is there any reason there is always an earthquake when an apocalypse is coming?' Wesley shrugged.
Spike stood straight and pulled at his lapels. 'Well, I vote we started looking for these baddies.' Angel agreed. Wesley grunted and pulled a list from his piles of papers.
'We need to take out the Senator, Arch Duke Sebassiss and the Fell brethren first and foremost. Then some more minor demons. But they all need to be killed.'
Angel stepped forward. 'I'll take Sebassiss. I've got less to lose.' He looked pointedly at Spike. Buffy nodded.
'We'll take the Fell brethren.' The three began talking all at once. Wesley interrupted them.
'There's no need. We have an advantage. They are all gathering for a ritual full moon meet. We'll just blow them up.' He shrugged. Buffy frowned.
'That's a bit easy isn't it?' The two vampires just shook their heads.
'Think more 'convenient'.' Spike said nonchalantly. Wesley nodded.
'The hard bit is destroying the army of hell.' He looked to Spike and the vampire felt uncomfortable for a moment. 'It is regrettable the slayers have all lost their powers but I think it was crucial to the occurrences after.'
Buffy sighed and agreed with him.
'So how long do we have?'
'Tomorrow night…we need to get it done.' He said and sat back down at his desk. 'The prophecy indicated several things about the battle, mostly insignificant but then it mentioned a sacrifice.' Buffy scowled.
'I hate those.' Spike put an arm round her and knew what Angel was thinking.
His Sire was developing a death wish.