I know this took a while but I have a bit of a hard time figuring out this fic. So, I need some help in the reactions to the end of this fic. Thanks. On with the fic!
It's a Puppet's Life
Part Seven
By Marie Nomad
Angel yawned as the sun rose and he got out of his bed. It had been a tiresome night with the games and the date with Buffy. He had to smile at the date. They actually had a date and no one decided to attack. Either it was a break given by the Powers That Be or that the new Slayers were doing a good job, he didn't know. As long as he and Buffy have a chance of really being together, he didn't care.
"Well, not really together. I can't eat her cookies." Angel sighed as he thought of his problem. What was Cordy thinking when she turned him into a puppet and forgot to put it there? He had stopped sleeping naked since he felt so awkward waking up every day and not seeing it.
He took off his pajamas and then his underwear to get into his new clothes that he bought from the puppet accessory store. It was a doll clothes store which had the type of clothes he need. True, most of the clothes he wouldn't be caught dead in (in every sense of the word) but there were good ones. He glanced down to see something growing down there. "Oh my god…" It wasn't complete but something is growing down there. Quickly, he put on his clothes and cried out, "Yes!"
XXX
Roger Wydham Pryce and his wife, Ellen Pryce, walked through the hallways. Roger has his head in a bandage and he was walking with a cane but he had healed a great deal thanks to some magic. Andrew nodded towards the two. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Pryce. You are looking well."
"Thank you. Where is my daughter?"
"Oh, she should be around here somewhere." Andrew said as he looked around. "She's been busy helping us with Darth Vader although she is a bit on the dark side herself. Emma is like Piccolo who had been dark and is now slowly starting to go to the lighter side. She's this way." The short man gestured to the couple and they walked through the hallway.
"I understand that there are living demons in this place." Roger said as he frowned again. "I don't like it."
Andrew laughed nervously. "Oh, there's nothing to worry about. The only demons here are good demons, like Spike!" He gushed when Spike came down the hallway. He was cut in a few places and had a black eye. "What happened to you?"
"Just a fight with a nasty Elgruch Demon. " Spike shrugged and then looked at Roger. "Hello, Roger! Nice to see you out of that coma."
Roger glared at Andrew. "What is this… thing doing here?"
Andrew looked at Spike and then at the former watcher. "Spike? He helps train the slayers. He's such a good trainer."
"Ah, we met before right?" Spike asked as he smiled at him.
"Yes, We've met. 1963. My colleagues and I fell upon you slaughtering an orphanage in Vienna. Killed two of my men before you escaped." Roger recalled as he clutched his cane.
He was stunned that Roger had said the exact same thing from when the cyborg came around impersonating him. He had to give the robot makers credit, they really did their research. "Oh right. I thought that was real. Don't worry; I'm off human blood now." Spike waved off. "Your daughter has been a real peach."
"Don't tell me that you and she…" Eleanor paled.
"Nah, I have a girlfriend or two depending how you look at it." Spike recalled. "I have to go. Bye, Roger. Ellen." He walked off.
"He really has changed." Andrew insisted sensing the evil looks that the two elders are giving him, "He's not evil any more."
"You actually let him walk around like that? What other demons walk freely in this place?" Roger demanded.
"Greetings." Illyria said as she and Fred came up.
"Hi, I'm Fred and this is Illyria." Fred introduced herself. "I met your cybernetic imposter some time ago so I know who you are. I'm sorry about Wesley."
"That's okay." Eleanor looked at Illyria. "What is she?"
"I was a god who used to crush humans like they are insects. Now, I and my counterpart tutor math and science." Illyria replied as she looked back.
"We're getting the stuff ready for the big fight." Fred explained, "I just kinda sensed you and I want to meet you before things get crazy."
"We are preparing to do a one-on-one battle in the Twister game." Illyria added on.
Fred and Illyria paused and saw Roger and Eleanor gawking at them. Fred couldn't help but feel awkward. She should be friends with these two since she was close to their son and daughter. "We better go. Bye." The two walked off.
"What is your definition of 'good demon'?" Roger asked, "An ex-god who compares humans to insects."
"I understand that while Illyria acts a little… haughty, she is good. She hasn't killed any humans in over a year. Other than that, there are no other questionable demons around here." Andrew said firmly.
"Excuse me." Angel said as he ran up. "Hi, I'm Angel." He aid as he held out his hand. "Sorry about your son."
Roger just looked down at him. "The vampire… I heard that you had become a puppet."
Angel pulled his hand back and remembered the strangely similar greeting the cyborg imposter gave him. "Yeah, I'm on the verge of being human. Long story. Anyway, have you seen Buffy? I need to tell her something very important." Angel said as he shook with excitement.
"That way, I think." Andrew said as he pointed to the gym. "What's making you so hoppity?"
"Oh… nothing. Nothing at all. Bye." He rushed off.
"I've never seen him in such a good mood." Andrew said as he smiled. "He's going out with Buffy again."
"How thrilling, what about Emma?" Roger asked feeling more frustrated by the second.
"Oh, this way. It's just that with this place, it's so hard to know who will stop by next. Much like Babylon 5." Andrew explained, "But, I can most assure you that we have strict security here." He said as he led the couple down the hallway. Unseen by them, Darth Vader walked behind them and into the other room.
XXX
Buffy looked over the platform. "Looking good." She said as she looked over the game.
"So, that's my stage, eh?" Spike said as he came up from behind her with his blood bag in hand.
"Yeah, we're relying on you to do this since you're the most flexible and you could handle the strain." Buffy looked at Spike to see his injuries. "What happened to you?"
"Demon, he was giving a harder fight than usual. It won't hurt my game. How's the date?"
"Fine. No demons attacking." Buffy shrugged, "It was good. We actually ate together."
"Jolly good. Glad to see that you smiling and not with the Immortal." Spike said, "Even if it's with Peaches."
"Hi, Buffy." Angel said as he half skipped through the door.
"You're looking happy." Spike observed, "Soul still there?"
"Yup but that's not it." Angel said eagerly and then looked up at Spike. "Do you mind? I have something very important to tell Buffy and I don't want you to listen."
"What's so important that you can't tell me? You can't keep secrets from me." Spike asked as he knelt down and patted Angel on the head.
Angel reached into his coat and got out a stake. "Get out." He threatened as he pointed the stake at the blond vampire.
"Oh ho!" Spike held up his hands. "Wee Puppet Man is getting serious on me. Fine. Fine. I have to get ready for the twister thing anyway." He sprinted away.
Angel watched and as soon as Spike was out of the room, he led Buffy to a storage closet and closed the door. Then, he listened to the outside and then hugged Buffy and said, "This morning, I found out that I am starting to… grow it back. I'm getting ready to eat your cookies."
Buffy's eyes widened. She couldn't believe it. She knew how embarrassed Angel was about his condition. Now, he was on his way to being a real man in every sense of the word. "You mean, it just popped back?"
"No, it's still small but I'm getting it back and maybe I can eat your cookies." Angel said hopped back and forth again.
"Oooh. Is it felt?"
"So far, yeah. It might tickle but I don't know." Angel confessed.
"Can I see?"
Angel put his hands over his pants. "No! I mean, it's still small and really unformed and it's kinda embarrassing."
"Just a peek."
"No!"
"There's not much there yet." Darth Vader said as he stepped out of the shadow.
Buffy reached into her jacket and got out Mr. Pointy. "What are you doing in here?"
"Waiting and… I got lost." Darth Vader said as he looked at Angel who was looking angry and embarrassed.
"Oh come on! You were stalking!" Angel accused, "I was an expert stalker for two hundred and fifty years."
"I know." Darth said as he turned on the light. "I was just observing the situation. I have to play Twister?"
"Got a problem with that?" Buffy argued, "Because if you do, I know a few slayers who want a piece of you."
"No, not at all. I was hoping for Scrabble or Chess." Darth muttered, "But, I accept your challenge and I will not hurt anyone today."
"Good." Buffy nodded as she relaxed slightly.
"Ummm… Darth, how did you know about the side effect of my condition?" Angel asked hesitantly.
Darth crossed his arms and replied, "I have various forms of X-ray vision."
Buffy put her arms over her chest. She had dealt with demons with x-ray vision before but those demons are ugly and wouldn't google at a woman like herself. Right now, she felt very naked. "You… have X-ray vision. Are you peeking at me?"
"… No." Darth looked away. "I mostly scan for weapons or any weaknesses. That level of X-ray vision is only used to locate mystical tattoos. I don't peek."
"What about me!" Angel yelled as he glared up at Darth Vader.
"I was curious. Don't worry; I haven't seen anything that I have not seen before." Darth Vader looked away again. "Show me to the game site."
"Of course." Buffy opened the door and Darth walked out with Buffy and Angel trailing him out of the range of Darth's X-ray vision.
XXX
Gunn moaned as he took a couple of aspirins. The stabbing in his brain wasn't getting any better. It was like he was having a vision only without the vision part. Ever since the fight at the alley so long ago, his head hurts. "Damn migraines."
"You should take a look at that." Fred suggested, "I can sense your pain and you're not the type to complain about it."
"Nah, just stress." The black man started to rubbed his temples. "Every time I use the law knowledge in my brain after the last apocalypse, it hurts but I'm used to it. So, how's Spike treating you?"
"Good."
Gunn frowned. He loved Fred even after their relationship was demoted to just friendship. Ever since Fred came back, he watched her to make sure that she was all there, so to speak. "Fred, this has been bothering me but why did you jump on Spike so fast? Wes has been dead for only a few months and now you're shacking up with the undead English guy."
"Because... I don't want to hesitate any more." Fred said as she crossed her arms. "I'm dead. The last time I took too long with Wes, I died and so did he. I can't make that mistake again. He would have understood."
"Yeah. He moved on with Illyria. Sorta." Gunn took a deep breath. "I don't have anything against you and Spike but… you don't have to act like a pair of undead bunnies. For all we know, you and Spike could outlive all of us."
"Or we could die tomorrow. Thanks for the concern, Charles, but I'll be fine. I am still worried about you."
Gunn chuckled and then started laughing. "Damn it, Fred. You're dead and you're worried about me because of a little headache? You underestimate me, girl! I'm Charles Gunn, I had suffered way more than just a headache."
"Just take my advice and see someone about it." Fred said firmly and then stared out. "Really, Ria? Charles, Darth Vader is here."
"Let's go." Gunn said as he reached under his desk and got out his handy hub cap ax. He knew that Darth might not be hurt by a simple ax but he had to be armed just in case.
He and Fred marched out of the room and into the gym expecting a tense situation between Darth and the other slayers. They looked in to see Darth Vader lounging in his chair sipping his tea through a straw as the other girls studied him. "He's so mysterious." Jennifer whispered to the group.
"Hello, Darth Vader." Fred said as politely as she could. "You seem well."
Darth Vader nodded toward the ghost. "I am." He looked at Gunn and then turned away. "When will the challenge start?"
"Soon." Buffy said as she came up. "We're getting everything ready."
"What is that thing doing here?" Roger said as he and his wife walked into the door.
Darth visibly stiffened and he turned around with a gun in his hand. "Go! I will not have him watching me."
"Why not?" Roger demanded, "I have just as much right to be here as the next."
Darth took out his gun and shot at Roger. His cane broke in two and he fell over. "Roger!" Eleanor exclaimed as she helped him up.
"Leave now." Darth Vader threatened as he aimed his gun at Roger's head.
"No!" Angel hopped onto Darth's arm and stared right into the helmet. "If you kill him, we will fight you and we'll destroy the ring!"
Darth looked down at the puppet. "You are serious." The rogue commented, "You don't fear death?"
"I've been in worse situations than this." Angel glared at him. "Roger, Ellen, go. We'll take care of this."
"Now wait one second." Roger growled and then Eleanor took his arm.
"Roger, please. I don't want you to get hurt again. Let the Buffy and her friends deal with this." The older woman pleaded.
A long moment passed as Roger, Darth, and Angel looked at each other. Roger turned around and said, "I will deal with you when I'm healed." He and Eleanor started to walk away.
"I will enjoy killing you." Darth vowed as he lifted his arm with the puppet still attached. "You can get off now."
"Oh, right." Angel hopped off. "I just didn't want you to hurt him again." Angel warned, "I may be a puppet but I won't let you hurt any more people."
"What will you do? Kill me?" Darth laughed bitterly. "Oh well, let's go with the challenge."
XXX
"This is not what I expect when I heard this will decide the fate of the world." Faith muttered to Robin as they and all of the students gathered in the gym to watch the great Twister showdown between Spike and Darth Vader. It was an intense match between the two. Spike and Darth are not bound by discomfort. The vampire had been tortured and chained and so he was flexible. Darth also seemed to have great tolerance to pain and flexible. The two went into positions that boggled the mind and even made some of the more experienced slayer girls go 'ew'.
"You will fail, vampire!" Darth Vader yelled as from his position.
"Yeah yeah, that's what you said for the past hour. Can't you just trip or something?" Spike taunted with his hands behind him and his right leg straight out and his left one tucked under him.
"I can do this forever."
"So can I!"
"But, I don't need to drink blood."
"… You will trip."
"Left hand red." Buffy announced.
The two shifted their positions and had their bodies crossed over each other. "Why did you want me to play Twister? If you are bloody smart, you should've known that vampires are flexible." Spike asked. When the group started, Darth requested that only one person play against him and that person was Spike.
"I enjoy a challenge. Besides, I hate you."
"Take a number. I have a lot of enemies. Several of them are in this gym right now."
"I am different."
"How? You're just about like every other mysterious man in black." Spike paused, "I got it! It's so obvious! You want Buffy!"
At once, Darth Vader fell over and stood up. "No I don't! What makes you think that I want her? Granted, she is a lovely woman but she's not my type!" He looked down and sighed, "I lost."
"Sorry, that was an interesting match." Spike said as he patted the rogue on the back.
"Shut up!" Darth slapped his hand away. "You tricked me!"
"I am just doing what those people in reality shows do to win. Is that so wrong?"
"You watch that garbage?"
"You don't?"
"Guys!" Buffy yelled as she came up. "Darth Vader, you lost the challenge so you must remove the helmet and answer three questions."
"I must keep my word. But, I don't want a public spectacle. I wish to do it in a room, more privacy. I won't attack you."
"Fine. But, we will be armed." Buffy warned as the faculty went into the conference room. Darth Vader sighed as he walked while crossing his arms. He looked at the group, Faith, Robin, Spike, Illyria, Fred, Angel, Emma, and Gunn.
"I am not evil." Darth said, "I want to save the world from the likes of you." He came up to Faith. "You and I are a lot alike. We are bound by fate." He glanced at Emma and then Gunn and then Angel, and finally at Fred. "Do not hate me for what I had done what was needed to be done."
"Too late. You ruined my brother's grave." Emma said as she glared at him. The man took off his helmet and looked at Emma. Emma's eyes widened as she collapsed onto her knees. "No."
"I was your brother." Wesley stated.
To Be Continued…
