Chapter Nineteen

The sky above Los Angeles was on fire. There was a small army walking through the now deserted streets. Like Sunnydale, twenty years previous, the occupants of the city had evacuated, in case the same incident happened. And the small army was all that now remained.

Buffy and Spike walked out in front. Buffy was dressed in a killer outfit, as she always did for the apocalypse, and she carried a sword as her weapon of selection. Spike had dug out his old coat and strode beside his mate confidently, the leather flowing behind him. He carried no weapon, preferring to fight with fist and fangs as he called it. Shannon walked shortly behind them, dressed all in black, a short leather jacket her coat of choice. She had picked a sword, like her mother. Ryan walked beside her, trying not to look nervous with the big axe he carried. Gunn walked behind them, beside Angel. Angel carried a broadsword and Gunn had a cross bow. Dawn carried a big shot gun and Willow was literally crackling with magical energy. Illyria carried no weapon, just kept up the stride with the group, a look of determination on her face.

And the sky was on fire.

As the group neared the ruins of Wolfram and Hart, loud roars and screams hit them full on. Demons of all shapes and sizes awaited them on the plaza and Spike grinned in anticipation. He saw Shannon grab Ryan hand and squeeze it in reassurance and he looked to Buffy, who smiled at him, reaching for his hand. The First came to the front of the demons, a sarcastic look on its fake Buffy face. All affection was forgotten as it sneered at them.

'You packed?' Spike asked with a mocking look on his face. Buffy dropped his hand and looked towards the offending evil doer. The First laughed at him and opened its arms.

'Welcome to the gates of hell, William. Are you ready for this?'

'I was born for it.' Buffy spat. Spike looked to his daughter and then to the First Evil as it stood wearing its fake Buffy suit.

'Luv, you have a lot to learn. But then you haven't got much time. So I'll give you the Cliffs notes version. I don't give up. And I protect what's mine.' He snarled and vamped out. Shannon did the same and growled at the thing impersonating her mother. Buffy raised her sword. Spike watched for a moment as the world stopped and the First got inside his head again. He narrowed his eyes.

Are you ready to watch your daughter die, Spike? He shook his head and roared, a noise so ferocious, even Buffy moved back in fear of him. He stalked towards the First and spat in its face. It laughed at him. 'You're going to die, Spike. Are you scared?'

'No, I'm ready.' He grabbed it by the throat and growled. 'Are you?' He threw her backwards and suddenly, everything happened at once. The demons charged. Spike fought through them to get to the First, who stood in a defensive stance. It had changed now, impersonating him. The him that had been stuck in the basement. Spike snarled at the mirror image. He could hear Dawn firing off the shotgun and knew that his family were doing okay…for now.

The First circled him and snarled back in his body. Spike threw the first blow but his antagonist dodged and threw him to the floor. It pounced on his back and sunk its fake fangs into his neck. He threw the impostor off and jumped to his feet. The bastard had hit an artery and Spike was losing blood. But it just laughed at him.

'Is that all you have?' The First laughed at him again and Spike flew into a rage. He ran at the demon, fists flying and the fight continued.

Buffy broke the demon's neck and looked around to see how her friends and family were bearing up. Angel looked towards her and she cried out as something came up behind him and ripped his heart out. She ran to him as he turned to dust and she quickly dispatched the demon that had killed her first love. A scream from behind her had her spinning and she saw Ryan fall and crawl to the side lines. He was clutching his arm and she could see a lot of blood coming from his leg. But she couldn't see Shannon. Willow was killing at the flick of a finger and gave Buffy the thumbs up in between killing two vampires and a slimy slug looking thing. Gunn was failing and wouldn't last much longer. Illyria was snapping necks left right and centre and looked as if she was enjoying herself very much.

Finally she caught sight of Shannon, just as the young girl was caught with a skewer and she went down. Buffy rushed to her side, clutching at her daughter and then catching a glimpse of Spike. He was fighting himself, and she realised that the First had taken on the form of crazy Spike. She could tell the difference. The First was uncut but tiring and Spike, her Spike, was covered in blood but fighting with everything he had. She felt every single blow through the mark on her neck and the bond they shared but more than that…she could feel his love and determination to make his family survive. Shannon clutched at her mother's arm.

'Is Dad doing okay?' She asked. Buffy nodded, feeling the tear slip down her face. Willow appeared behind them and placed a protective shield around them. Shannon looked confused. Willow frowned.

'I'm sorry, but Spike has told me to keep you safe.' Buffy looked up at her old friend as realisation crossed her face.

'Oh, god…not again. He's not.' She stood and banged against the barrier. 'Willow…let me out, please.' She begged her friend. 'Please!' Willow looked downwards in shame.

'He can't let you get hurt, Buffy. You mean too much to him. I promised.' She watched as Buffy tried to force her way out, finally giving up and sinking to her knees. All three watched as Spike slowly weakened, losing his battle against his mirror image.

The First knocked him to the ground and he fell on his back. As he was pulling himself up, wincing at his injuries, the First produced a long sword. It raised it high above the vampire and snarled at him.

'You lose, William. You're beneath me, just like you were beneath everyone else.'

Buffy watched and the world slowed as the sword plunged…