As usual, all characters belong to Joss Whedon. Except for Gabriel Hellsing, he belongs to the people who made Van Hellsing the movie.
It's a Puppet's Life
Part Four
By Marie Nomad
Angel sat on Gunn's lap as he looked out of the window. The flight between Cleveland and LA took only four hours so they flew at night to make sure Spike doesn't turn into ashes. He hated flying like that but he had no choice. There was no way that they could explain why a puppet needed a flight ticket and there was no way Angel would let himself fly in the luggage. So, Angel became carry on luggage which causes stares.
"This is so bad for my image." Gunn said as he looked at his friend.
"Hi." A little girl said as she came up. "I like your doll."
"He's not a doll. He's a puppet." Gunn said as he showed the girl Angel.
An attractive woman pulled the girl to the side. She had long dark hair with crystal blue eyes. "Molly, leave the nice man alone."
"Okay, Mommy, he was just showing me his puppet."
"She's not bothering me." Gunn smiled at the woman. "Charles Gunn."
"Christina Clockerson." Christina smiled back. "Charles Gunn… you're that lawyer from Wolfram and Hart!"
"Ex-lawyer, I kinda quit. I'm helping out a school now." Gunn said as he fidgeted, "I'm here on personal business, helping a sister of a friend."
"Oh, okay. Why are you carrying around a puppet?" Christina said as she stared at the puppet. The puppet had a strange aura around him. It was as if the puppet was looking right at her.
"Oh, he's a good luck charm. You know airplanes, they kinda make me nervous so I bring along this guy. His name is Angel."
"How cute! Like a 'guardian angel'." Christina said as she patted the puppet on the head. "But… why was he dressed up in black? Angels wear white."
Gunn struggled to think up a good reason and then he said, "Have you ever watched 'City of Angels'? This doll was made because the guy who made it was a huge fan of Nicholas Cage."
"Oh! I never saw a doll like that before. Where did you get him?"
"I got him off of Ebay."
"Thank you very much." Christina said as she grinned, "I have to go back." The woman smiled as she walked off.
Angel turned his head and whispered, "Ebay?"
"There were all sorts of weird stuff on there. Some nuts even sold their souls on there." Gunn whispered back. "You are doing serious damage to my image here."
"Sorry, but I can't spend an entire flight in the luggage."
"Yeah, I know." Gunn muttered as he looked out to see most of the passengers listening to their headphones.
"He can talk?"
The two looked to see Molly and Christina staring at them. "Cybernetics." Gunn explained as he closed Angel's mouth with one hand. "You know, like furbies only clearer."
"You don't have lie. I figured everything out." Christina said as she stared at Angel. Gunn waited anxiously. How could this girl know? On the other hand, they are going to LA for all they know; she could be a demon or a witch or some demonic goddess. "You're a ventriloquist, aren't you?"
The ex-lawyer shifted and then decided to go along with it. "Yeah, I quit being a lawyer to become a ventriloquist." Gunn said as he put his hand where he felt a large hole.
"Hey! Cut that out!" Angel screamed, "Your hand is up my hole!"
"Quiet! Can't you let me talk to the lady here?" Gunn chided.
"Amazing, I didn't even see your lips move." Christina said as she looked between the two. "Where's your next act?"
"We're still looking but we're really going to find a sister of a friend of ours." Gunn explained as he grinned broadly.
"Okay, you are going to be a great performer. Here's my card." Christina said as she handed the ex-lawyer an agent card.
"Thanks." Gunn said as he pulled his hand out of Angel's hole.
Angel glared at him as he crossed his arms. "Did you have to put it in that far?"
"I hated it as much as you did."
The two stared out and finally, Angel said, "Don't tell anyone."
"I won't if you won't."
"I hate flying."
XXX
"Here we are, back in LA." Spike said as he gazed around at the pickup. "So, Charlie, are you and Pinocchio going to talk to that agent some more?"
"It was just a misunderstanding." Angel said as he looked away. "Anyway, the private investigator is going to pick us up. Mrs. Pryce didn't tell us who she was or what she looks like but she should know us."
"I think it's that woman over there." Fred said and the group looked to see a woman dressed up in a fedora hat and matching trench coat with a sign that says, 'Slaywarts'.
"That is easy enough." Gunn said as the walked towards the woman. Something about her looks familiar. She had blond hair and blue eyes with high cheekbones. "Kate?"
Kate lifted her hat and Angel quickly went limp. The woman smiled as she and Gunn hugged, "Gunn, nice to see you again. You look good for a guy who had worked for evil for a year." She looked down to see Angel. "Nice doll. Looks like Angel. So, where's the vampire?"
Angel sighed as he looked up at her. "Down here."
Kate's jaw dropped at the sight of her old friend being puppet sized. "What the… you're a puppet!"
"It's…a long story but can we talk somewhere else?" Angel asked as he looked embarrassed.
"Sure, we'll go my office. But, who are you guys?" Kate said as she pointed to Illyria, Fred, and Spike.
Angel nodded at his friends. "Ah, well, the blue woman is Illyria, she was a god, long story, the woman next to her is Fred, and she's a ghost. And finally that's Spike, he's also a vampire but with a soul."
"Another vampire with a soul." Kate said as she nodded, "Were you cursed too?"
"No! I fought good and hard for my soul." Spike said as he chuckled. "You knew our wee puppet man too?"
"When he was taller." The woman looked around to see a crowd gathering. "Let's go in the car, we can talk over there with my staff."
XXX
Angel looked around at the place. Unlike his old offices, it was above ground with windows all over the place. It was classy with the modern equipment. "Nice place."
"Thanks, we called it 'Guardian Investigation'." Kate explained as she let everyone in. "Come in."
"Thanks." Angel looked around again. "So, you're a private investigator now?"
"Yup, I'm even licensed." Kate replied as she sat down at her desk. "My staff should be coming in soon." She looked at Spike. "You are good right? Because one of the guys is a professional vampire hunter and if he smells evil on you…."
"He's not evil."
The group looked behind to see a tall rugged looking man smoking a cigar. He was dressed in a red trenchcoat with a black hat. "He's good." Fred muttered.
"Tell me about it." A girl said as she came in wearing a blue trench coat with a white hat. She had long brown hair with green eyes.
"Hi, Gabe, Lyssa. Gabe, Lyssa, this is Angel, Spike, Illyria, Fred, and Gunn. Guys, this is Gabriel Hellsing, the muscle of our group and main vampire hunter, and Lyssa, she's our secretary."
"The Gabriel Hellsing." Spike said as he came up, "I've heard all about you. I wanted to kill you for a long time… not any more though. Do you know you look just like Hugh Jackman?"
"I heard that a lot." Gabe said as he glanced around and saw Illyria. "You're not evil… but you're not really good either. What are you?"
Illyria stared at him. "I was a god before yours had came, Gabriel."
Gunn looked at Lyssa. "Hi. You're kinda cute. What are you doing in the paranormal business? It's a dangerous job."
"Thanks." Lyssa smiled back as she twirled her hair. "But, I can handle myself. I'm- AH!!!" She screamed as she fell backwards and Gabriel caught her.
"Vision?"
"Yeah. Giant monster with tentacles. The usual." Lyssa said as she got back up. Angel and Gunn remembered how Cordelia felt after her visions. They nearly killed her until she became half demon.
"Are you okay? I mean, seers that are human can't handle their power." Angel said concerned.
"I'm okay. I'm half demon. My body can take it." Lyssa said as she rubbed her head. "Anyway, the monster is at Main and Seventh."
"Need help?" Gunn asked as he got out his ax.
"No, we've dealt with this thing before. You have to get to Emma before the vamps decide to have her for dinner." Kate said as she went to the wall and got out a crossbow. Angel was about to open his mouth when the blond interrupted, "Anyway, a puppet can't fight the monster."
Angel looked down and then at Gabriel. Kate seemed confident in what she was doing and she had been at it for a while. The infamous Gabriel Hellsing could protect her. "Okay, but if you need help, run away and get us."
"The only running will be the monster." Gabriel said as he got out his sword and crossbow. "We can handle him. Go and get the girl."
"Right."
XXX
"It feels funny leaving other guys doing the job for us. I mean, we don't even know them, except for Kate." Gunn said as the group walked down the street.
"That Gabriel is different." Fred confessed, "He's human but he's not. It's like he's… not a demon but something else. Do you know what he is?" She asked Illyria.
"Gabriel is a being higher than humans, but he was not a demon. His role is protector and savior of humanity." Illyria replied, "I cannot see much more than that."
"Well, whatever he is, he's good, he's a legend that rivals the slayer." Spike explained as he looked at the map.
"Looks like LA was being taken care of while we were gone." Angel sighed, "I'm glad Kate was all right."
"What's the thing with you can Kate?" Spike asked interested, "She's a blond so the two of you…"
"We were friends. She was my contact in the police until she… resigned." Angel said as he glared up at him. "I saved her life once but that's it. Oooh! Here it is!"
It was a normal looking door with various graffiti on it. Spike came up and knocked on the door. A tiny door opened and a pair of eyes looked out. "Password?"
Spike morphed into his game face and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me in."
"Of course." The man looked at the group and asked, "Are they with you?"
"Yeah, not sporting the fangs but they're good."
"Okay." The door opened up and the group walked in. Fred was expecting fountains of blood gushing around with vampires drinking off of humans in plain view. Instead, it was a normal looking bar that came right from Cheers.
"I'm telling you, all these slayers around, it's a conspiracy." A vampire with a mailbag said as he drank. "Those humans are trying to wipe us out."
"Hey, everybody." A fat vampire said as he lumbered in.
"Scorn!" Everyone in the bar chorused.
Gunn fought the urge to get his stake. He was surrounded by vampires, real live (okay undead) vampires who see him as lunch. The scary thing was that he was used to being surrounded by evil demons from his time at Wolfram and Hart. "And we have to find a girl in all this?" Fred asked, "What if she had been turned already?"
Angel shook his head. "I don't think so. Vampires when they were turned, their first victims are always their family no matter how far away they are. We would've known. Nope, she's human."
"The puppet is right." The mailman said, "It is a known fact that Angelus had eaten his family and the entire village when he was first turned. I personally ate my parents too. Tastes like chicken."
"Human blood does not taste like chicken, half-breed." Illyria said as she stepped forward.
"Absolutely not!" A young woman dressed up in dark gothic leather with tattoos along her arms screamed as she marched out of the office with a vampire at her heels. He was middle aged with graying temples and wearing a suit.
"Now, Epona, dear, a human can't own a vampire bar. It's not good business. It's like having a chicken run a KFC joint."
"I don't care, Cassav. I won't sell my business!" Epona said as she glared at him. "Get out!" She ordered as she clenched her fist.
"I'll be back with a lawyer." Cassav said as he walked away.
Epona sighed as she sat down. "You okay?" Gunn asked as he came up.
"I'll be fine." Epona glanced at him. "You look human enough."
The ex-lawyer looked at her. "Yeah, I am. How could you tell?"
"I can tell when a man looks at me like he's concerned and when he's looking at a meal. Anyway, what do you want?"
"We're looking for an Emma Wyndham Pryce; we have news about her brother." Gunn said sadly, "Do you know her?"
Epona stared at him. "Emma… I haven't used that name in a long time." She said and her voice became laced with an English accent. "It's too loud here, come with me." She gestured to the stairs.
The group followed her into the hallway and up the stares. "Come in." Emma said after she opened the door.
XXX
Gunn couldn't help but notice how civilized the living room was. It had artwork, statues, and comfortable couches. The wallpaper was black and the carpet was red. The windows have heavy curtains and there were no mirrors. Everything about the room screamed 'vampire'. "Nice place." He said as he looked around.
"I'm sure." Emma said as she handed the group some tea cups. She gave a cup of blood to Spike. "Here you go."
"Thanks."
"Okay, so, I know that you are friends of Wesley, but I don't know who you are." Emma commented.
"Oh, I'm Charles Gunn."
"I see."
"Winifred Burkle but everyone calls me Fred."
"Cute."
"I am Illyria, the Ex-God."
"Uh huh."
"I'm Spike, I knew Percy for a good while."
"Spike, William the Bloody? I heard you love killing slayers."
"I'm over the habit now. I actually help the girls."
Angel took a deep breath and said, "And I'm Angel. I know, I'm a puppet."
Emma stared down at him. "I can guess as much… Kinda adorable. I heard of a vampire named Angel who had become some kind of champion but ended up as the CEO of Wolfram and Hart. Was that you?"
The puppet nodded. "Yeah, I guess you heard."
"I thought you would be… taller."
"It's a long story."
Spike opened his mouth. "Puppet Poof here had screwed up his destiny to become human so he's taking the long route by being a puppet first. If he's a good boy, he might be a real boy soon."
"Okay, not so long. You seem pretty calm for someone who lives over a vampire bar." Angel commented as he drank his tea.
"I'm used to it and I have protection." The woman said as she reached behind her back and got out a stake. "If you wish to tell me about Wesley being dead, Kate told me that already." The woman sipped her tea. "I'm not surprised."
"Have you and Wesley talked before he died?" Fred asked as she stood to the side.
"Once, he was having a crisis only a few months ago involving Father. He didn't approve of me having a vampire bar despite the fact that he works for evil. Hypocrite." Emma got out a small vial of blood and poured it into her tea. She stirred her cup as Gunn and the others stared at her.
"You drink blood?" Gunn asked.
"It gives the tea extra flavor besides I find it soothing." Emma said as she drank her tea. "So, how did he die?"
"He died in my arms." Illyria said as she came up. "He fought a powerful demon to save the world and was wounded by a knife. He was happy in his last moments."
"That's comforting." Emma said, "Okay, so why are you here?"
"Well…" Gunn glanced at the group. "You see, your father was attacked by Darth Vader. He's alive but in a coma."
Emma's eyes widened as she put her cup down. "Darth Vader from Star Wars?"
"Not the real Darth Vader but a demon posing was him." Gunn corrected. "You could be next."
The woman stood up as she stared out into the painting of a sunset. "I see. I will be careful, now leave, I won't go back to England."
Gunn stared at her. She looked like a Goth but she acted refine. There was a trace of acid in her English prissy accent and he hated it. "Look here, Miss! In case you didn't hear us right, your dad was beaten up by a demon just a couple of months after your own brother died! Don't you care?!"
"I was never close to them. Father never accepted me. Wesley was always buried in his books, and dear Mother… she was never fully there." Emma gestured to her place. "Let me ask you this, how long have you known Wesley?"
"About five years." Gunn said.
"Six." Angel raised his hand.
"Three." Fred answered.
"One or two." Spike replied.
"And did he ever mention having a little sister?"
There was silence. "Well, Wes has always been private when it comes to his family." Gunn excused. "But, I'm sure he was worried about you. I had a little sister myself but she… was killed by vampires."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Emma gazed at him with dark brown eyes. "But, I'm not going back to England."
"Well, what about ditching this place? You live over a horde of vampires that see you as dinner." Gunn asked.
"You do look tasty for any vampire around here." Spike said as he watched her.
"I have insurance." Emma said as she looked away again.
Fred looked at the group. She was close to Wesley and she loved him. She owes Wesley enough to help his sister get away from this combustible situation. "Okay, Emma or Epona, we're just worried about you because Darth Vader is a dangerous man. We had been hunting him down but we don't know what he is, how old he is, or even what his real name is. He had beaten up bunches of Slayers and you must know how hard they are and killed more vampires."
"He's a rogue." Emma commented sounding very interested. "Has he killed anyone yet?"
"No humans, at least, none that points to him. Look, he's not your average demon. He's quick, unpredictable, and powerful." Gunn argued, "Let us protect you."
"I have my own protection. Let me show you. Belthezar!" She screamed as she held up her ring. Her ring glowed red and a tall red demon with black markings came appeared before her.
"Whoa. First Darth Vader and now Darth Maul." Gunn muttered as he stepped back. The demon looked fierce and tall. Something about him just felt different than other demons. "That's good insurance but can you control him?"
"He won't hurt me." Emma said as she gestured at the demon.
"He is a decent demon." Illyria commented as she and Spike looked the demon over.
"Not bad. Belthezar eh? Heard of a powerful demon that died." Spike said as he raised an eyebrow.
"It's a long story. I am bound to this ring and to my master." Belthezar whispered.
"See, I have great insurance. Belthezar keeps evil vampires at bay and I have weapons just in case." Emma reached into the closet and got out a crossbow, a sword, and talismans. "See? I don't need any more protection. I had run this vampire bar for five years and I had dealt with bad vampires, demons, and even lawyers. I'm not scared of any demon that may still be in London!"
"Okay. Okay. We understand." Angel said as he came up. "We really wanted to meet you and make sure no one tries to hurt you because Wesley was dear to all of us. I'm sure he wouldn't want his own sister to get hurt. We made enemies at Wolfram and Hart and they might attack those close to us."
"I'm not close to Wesley." Emma said as she sounded disappointed, "Where's the grave? I want to see him."
"Sure, I can show you in the morning." Gunn offered.
"No, tonight." Emma urged.
XXX
Emma stood at the gravesite where her brother's ashes lay. It was a simple monument. The woman had been in graveyards before but this time, it was for someone she knew back when he was alive. "Wesley." She sighed as she lay the flowers down. "My dear brother, I wish we had a chance to finish our chess game." The group watched as Emma did a quick prayer. "I hope you find rest in Heaven." She said as she bowed her head and turned away.
Out of nowhere, a blast struck the stone and Emma fell down. "Belthezar!" She screamed and the demon popped out. Spike got out his game face while Illyria, Gunn, and Angel took up defensive positions.
A figure walked out of the shadow and said, "That stone means nothing." Darth Vader appeared carrying a ray gun.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? The girl is mourning!" Gunn screamed as he got out his ax.
The figure stepped forward and tripped. He got back up and said, "She mourns for a brother she had not spoken to in over five years. They were not close and Emma, forgive me but your brother is not in Heaven. He is in Hell where he deserves."
"No!" Emma screamed, "Wesley is a good kind man! What do you know about him?"
"Everything, Emma." Darth Vader whispered.
"You know nothing. Why did you steal that tome?" Emma looked at Belthezar who lunged at Darth. Darth dodged the demon and looked at him.
"An upper level rubist demon. How rare." Darth Vader said as he and Belthezar fought. The others watched in interest. The demon and the rogue were equal. Finally Darth Vader jumped up high and chanted in some strange language. Belthezar screamed in pain as he collapsed and disappeared. "Anyway, I am on a mission to save the world from the forces of Good and Evil."
There was a pause and Fred asked, "Save the world from Good and Evil? Don't you want to conquer the world like everyone else?"
"I am not a villain. I am a rogue."
"A rogue what?"
"… I'm not sure yet."
Spike and Illyria marched up and Darth flicked his wrists and a spray of holy water hit the vampire and another potion hit Illyria. Fred screamed as she felt the pain.
Angel looked up at Emma and Gunn. "Go and get Emma to safety! I'll take care of Darth." The puppet lunged at Darth's head. He knew that he was no match for him but if he could just at least distract him, maybe Spike and Illyria would live.
Darth spun his head around and grabbed the puppet. He spun his head back to the front and looked down at Angel. "You're a puppet again? What happened?" He said stunned.
"I'm in the middle of shanshu." Angel said as he tried to pull away.
"How odd." Darth said and then saw Spike and Illyria getting ready to fight. "Aw, bloody hell. Catch!!!" He screamed as he flung the puppet away.
"Angel!" Gunn yelled as he watched his friend soar off over the fence.
"Catch that puppet!" Spike ordered as the group ran after it.
XXX
Emma looked around as she and the others watched. "Are you sure he's here?" The Englishwoman asked as she squinted.
"Yeah, I can smell his smelly cologne." Spike said as he looked around. "That Darth guy fights dirty. I like that."
"He fights to survive. His aura is dark and cold. He has a soul but it's tainted." Illyria announced. "He is not a demon but he is not human."
"A cyborg?" Gunn guessed, "His head spun around like in the Exorcist."
"Maybe. There's something… strange about him." Fred said as she gazed out.
"You mean besides the fact that his head spins, he shoots holy water, and that he knew Wes?" Angel's voice said from above.
The group glanced up to see Angel hanging by his coat on a branch. "Angel, you okay?" Gunn asked as he tilted his head up.
"Embarrassed but fine." Angel replied, "Can you get me down?"
"Allow me." Spike climbed up the tree at lightning speed, unhooked Angel, and tossed him down.
The puppet landed on his feet. "I think that Darth Vader knows us and has a grudge against Wesley and maybe his family."
"Why? Wesley must have made enemies here in America long after we part ways." Emma said as she crossed her arms.
"The guy said 'bloody hell' like an Englishman. So, he must have been English at one point and just hid his accent like you did." Angel explained, "Does your family have any enemies?"
"About every vampire in Europe and a good amount of evil demons." Emma replied, "Father had been a very good watcher. Oh no. You don't think… my place!"
She ran off to the street and yelled, "Taxi!" The group piled into the cab and rushed to Emma's bar where all that stood there was a pile of rubble and ashes.
The woman stared at it. "My bar… my home." Emma stepped forward as she collapsed onto her knees. She had worked so hard for her home, for her life for over five years. Her eyes became hardened. "He destroyed my bar, he ruined my brother's monument, and he has beaten up my father. I want his head. I want it now!"
Gunn came up and held her. "Hey, it's okay. We'll get the guy and make him pay."
"I'm fine!" Emma yelled as she pulled back. "Belthezar? Are you okay?"
The demon shimmered out of thin air. "I'm fine. I just had to rest for a second." He looked at the burning building. "Your bar!"
"I know. I've invested my future into that place. Where can a girl who loves the dark and have less human friends than demon friends like me live?" Emma wondered.
"I know a place." Gunn offered as he put his hand over the girl's shoulder.
XXX
Buffy came in to see her friends back from their trip. "Hi, how did things go?" She asked and then she saw a tall gothic girl with a lip piercing and tattoos all over her arms and chest. "You must be Wes' little sister, Emma."
"I'm not little." Emma said as she stood up. "Darth Vader burned down my bar and my home, can I stay here? I want some bloody revenge."
"It's not my place to say." Buffy said as she looked at Belthezar who was bringing some luggage. "What is he?"
"Belthezar, my demon. Belthezar, please be careful with my blood." The goth smiled at her. "I like to drink a little blood with my tea."
Buffy sighed. A young woman her age who dresses up more like a vampire than Spike and Angel and who likes to drink blood was going to live in Slaywarts. "You will fit right in."
To Be Continued…
