Sunnydales Angel's Chapter 3: The Harvest
Disclaimer: Don't own em. If I did, I would make Syl mine forever, Evil Cackling Bwahahahahaha
Sunnydale High School Library
Giles is standing at the head of the table where Buffy, Syl, Xander, Willow and Jesse are seated. He looks at each of them in turn.
"This world is older than any of you know. Contrary to popular mythology, it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons, demons walked the earth. They made it their home, their…their hell. But in time they lost their purchase on this reality. The way was made for mortal animals, for, for man. All that remains of the old ones are vestiges, certain magicks, certain creatures…."
"And vampires." Syl and Buffy chorused.
"So vampires are demons?" Xander asks, looking confused. Willow and Jesse don't seem to comprehend it either.
"The books tell us that the last demon to leave this reality fed off a human, mixing their blood He was a human form possessed, infected by the demon's soul. He bit another, and another and so they walk the Earth."
"I think I understand now." Jesse says.
Underground Lair
Four vamps are dragging a screaming blonde ditz- Harmony Kendall behind them, holding on tightly despite her thrashing against them. They pull her down into a large cavern where a vampire with all white skin and claws is waiting for them.
"Is this for me?" the clawed vampire asks.
"An offering, Master." The leader of the pack of vampires says.
"Very good, but what Luke and Darla, I wish to see them."
The four vampires exchange glances between themselves.
"Luke and Darla have been slain." The leader says.
"I have waited, I have waited three score years. While you all come and go, I remain trapped in this house of worship. Now my two favorite childes are gone." The Master Vampire moans, then gets an angry glint in his eye and grabs the lead vamp by the throat. "My ascension is at hand. Pray that when it comes, I'm in a better mood." He snarls and throws the lead vamp into the wall of the cavern.
"Master, it wasn't Hamrick's fault. There were two girls there. They were strong. They killed Darla and Luke. It is possible that one of them may be…."
"A Slayer!" the Master says with glee.
Library
"And that is what exactly." Xander asks.
"For as long as there have been vampires, there's been the slayer. One girl in all the world, a chosen one." Giles explains.
"He loves doing this part." Syl says with a smirk.
"Alright, the slayer hunts vampires. Buffy is a slayer, don't tell anyone. I think that's all the information on the subject that you need." Giles tells Willow, Xander and Jesse.
"Except one thing. How do you kill them?" Jesse asks.
"You don't I do. It is my lone duty as slayer." Buffy tells them
"And yet Syl is able to fight them. I get that Buffy is the slayer, but like you said, there's only one. Why is Syl so strong?" Willow asks timidly. Buffy, Giles and Syl exchange glances.
"It's your story to tell if you choose, Syl." Buffy tells her sister and best friend.
Syl looks from person to person in thought, then nods. "Alright listen up, cause this is a long and complicated story, so I'm only going to say it once." Syl then proceded to tell them her life story, from beginning to the current time and situation.
When she was finished all that Giles, Xander, Willow, and Jesse could do was gape from the shock of Syl's revelation of her origins and the horrific things that she was forced to endure as a child. It was then that Xander realized that he and Syl had a lot of things in common. He knew that the abuse he had suffered was a trip compared to what she had gone through but all the same, they were kindred souls.
"So are they still after you?" Willow asked.
"Undoubtedly, but with the pulse, it was easy to disappear." Syl told them. "They wouldn't know where to find me if they tried. Even if-"
Syl stopped talking and all six of the people in the room span around as Cordelia rushed into the library.
"Oh my god! Me and Harmony were just attacked by these really ugly, veiny guys. They took Harmony. I only just got away." Cordelia yells. She looks at each of the people in the room and stops when she sees Syl. "You! I saw you fighting some of them. You have to help Harmony!"
"How long ago were you attacked?" Buffy asks, trying to calm the frantic girl.
"About fifteen minutes ago." Cordelia says.
Buffy and Syl exchange a glance, then Syl walks over to where Cordelia is standing.
"Cordelia, listen to me, you have to calm down and tell us where they went." Syl instructs.
"They went into the cemetery."
"Brookridge?"
Cordelia nods frantically.
"They must have followed us, saw Cordy and Harm, grabbed Harm and then doubled back…. To the crypt?" Buffy said.
"That doesn't make sense, we just took out three of them there. Why would they go back there?" Syl reasoned.
"They didn't go back to the crypt, they went under it. When that larger vamp attacked me, he came from behind, I would have seen him if he came in. I think that the crypt is just the entrance to whatever they have set up down there." Buffy told her.
"Perhaps the two of you should go investigate it. If there is a nest it is better that we locate it and eradicate them as soon as possible." Giles says.
"Hey Giles, that's a great idea. Me and Buffy will go kill the evil and hey, you can watch." Syl snaps.
"Syl, cool off. It isn't Giles fault." Buffy tells her sister. "He's right. We should get back there and make sure that there isn't a nest."
"So what's the plan? We saddle up, right?" Xander asks.
"There is no 'we' outside of myself and Syl. It's too dangerous for you guys out there. Vampires are too strong for the average person to fight. I'm a slayer, and Syl is a transgenic soldier. And you're neither."
"I knew that you'd throw that back in my back in my face. Harmony is one of the people I hate most in this world and if she is killed…..I'm suddenly wondering why I care." Xander says.
"Terrific. Okay, we're gonna go now. If Harmony is alive, we'll bring her back." Syl assures them. "You guys just make sure that Queen C gets home okay."
Buffy and Syl begin to walk off.
"I don't suppose I have to tell the two of you to be careful." Giles asks and receives a stern look from both the sisters.
Crypt
Buffy and Syl enter slowly, each with a stake drawn. They quickly scan the room finding nobody in there. Satisfied they walk down the stairs and into the main part of the crypt. They walk over to where the tunnel entrance is, but it is locked shut with a padlock. Angel appears behind them, and exhales.
"Don't suppose you've got a key on ya?" Syl asks without turning around. Buffy turns to see who her sister is talking to and sees Angel.
"They really don't like me dropping in." Angel replies.
"Why not?" Buffy asks.
"They really don't like me."
"Big surprise there." Syl quips and turns back to the door. "Just have to do it the old fashioned way I guess." She says and gives the gate a solid kick sending it off the hinges and flying into the back wall of the tunnel entrance.
"I knew you'd find the entry way sooner or later. Actually thought that it would be sooner." Angel tells them.
"Sorry for the wait." Syl says.
"Alright, that does it. If we're gonna keep doing this you popping up at random with the random messages, can you at least tell us your name?"
Angel pauses for a moment before speaking. "Angel."
"Pretty name. Come on sis. We've got vamps to kill." Syl says and starts to lead the way into the tunnels.
"You don't want to go down there." Angel warns
"Deal with our going." Buffy quips and follows her sister.
"You shouldn't be putting yourselves at risk. The girl you came to save has already been turned. You're wasting your time." Angel informs them. "You should prepare for the Harvest which is going to be taking place tonight."
"Well if this Harvest thing is so uber-awful, then why don't you stop it?" Syl remarks dryly.
"Because I'm afraid."
"That's a lie." Syl counters. "You're power is radiating off you in waves. You could easily fight them."
Angel says nothing. Buffy and Syl wait for a few more moments.
"Where is the Harvest going to take place?" Buffy asks at last.
"In a highly populated area, tonight." Angel answers.
"The Bronze." Buffy and Syl realize at the same time.
"It will happen tonight at around eight. You should call in the calvalry."
"We are the calvalry."
Master's Lair
The Master is standing over Harmony's drained body with a wide grin on his face. After a few moments of motionlessness, Harmony starts to stir from her deathstate. Her eyes bolt open and she jumps up.
"Where am I?" She asks aloud.
"You are in the presence of the mightiest vampire in existence, The Master."
Harmony looked around, and sees the Master.
"Him! Wow, talk about having no fashion sense whatsoever. And I though Willow was bad, but you give the term a whole new outlook on Urggh." Harmony says.
The vampire known as Colin backhands her visciously and sends her reeling.
"You will show the Master respect, you filthy little whelp." Colin sneers at her, moving to strike her again.
"Let it go, my faithful son, we have much more important matters at hand." The Master chided. "Tonight will be the Harvest and I will finally be freed of this infernal prison, Colin, my son. My blood is your blood. My soul is your soul."
"My body is your instrument."
The Master steps over to where Colin is standing and draws a three pointed star on his forehead.
"On this……. Most hallowed night…… we are as one. Colin is the vessel. Every soul that he takes will feed me, and their souls will grant me the strength to free myself. Tonight I shall walk the Earth, and the stars themselves will hide." The Master announces.
"Yay!" Harmony cheers with a stupid grin plastered on her face. The Master, Colin and the other vampires look at her with their heads cocked to the side. She looks at them, then sighs. "Sorry. Old habit. I was a cheerleader you know."
"Shut up fledgling." Colin snaps
Harmony glares at him and sticks her tongue out.
Outside The Bronze
Colin, Harmony, and six other vampires walk up to the main entrance of the Bronze. Harmony is dancing wildly as she walks. The Bouncer outside asks for id, and Colin's response is to grab him in a chokehold and drag him inside. Once all the vampires are inside, the last one turns and locks the door.
Colin gets on the stage with the bouncer and addresses the crowd as Harmony and the other vampires spread out through the club, grabbing people and dragging them toward the stage. Colin drains the bouncer dry and tosses him aside as the next victim is handed up to him.
Simultaneously
Buffy, Syl, Giles, Xander, Willow, Jesse, and Cordelia walk down the same way that the vampires just came, all of them are carrying weapons. Buffy, Giles and Xander are carrying swords, Cordy and Willow have crossbows, Jesse has an axe, and Syl is carrying two 9mm automatics, as well as a crossbow strapped across her back. They reach the door and Buffy tries to open it, but it is locked. She looks at Syl who nods quickly.
"Everyone stand back." Syl commands, raising one of her guns and aiming at the deadbolt. She fires off four successive shots, destroying the lock on the door. She then kicks the door in and the seven of them enter, weapons at the ready. Two of the vampires in the club see them and rush at them, but are quickly taken out by Buffy and Jesse. Buffy turns to the others.
"Okay, you guys get every one out of here. Me and Syl will deal with the vamps." Buffy commands, and Giles, Cordy, Willow, Xander and Jesse move to start ushering people out of the club. Buffy and Syl separate and go after nearby vampires. Syl sees one of them about to feed and blurs toward it, tackling it around the waist and knocking it away from it's intended victim and onto the floor. She quickly jumps up and shoots the vampire in the head until it explodes into dust. She turns to the intended victim, Scott Hope, and tells him to help get everyone out, and tosses him a gun. He nods as he catches it and begins to help lead people out.
As Cordelia was moving among the crowd, telling people that the door was open and that they could get out to safety, she bumped into Harmony, who grinned at her with game face on.
"Harmony, oh my god. I'm sorry." Cordelia tells her deceased friend.
"Why? I'm not. I feel so much better now, I'm connected Cordy, I'm intoned with the Earth itself. You're gonna taste so good." Harmony says moving in to bite Cordy, who pulls out a stake and brandishes it at Harmony. Harmony moves back for a moment. "You wouldn't kill your best friend, would you?"
"You're not my friend, you killed my friend, and you're befouling her memory by walking around in her body, you fiend!" Cordy screams and plunges the stake into Harmony's heart. Harmony looks shocked.
"Damn it, I didn't even get to turn Antonio Banderas." She gasped and explodes into dust.
Cordelia looks at the pile of ashes that used to be her best friend for a moment, then continues to usher people out of the bronze to safety.
Buffy pushes her way through the crowd of terrified people, instructing them to exit through the now unlocked door as she goes, and makes her way up to the main stage where Colin is feeding on another victim. She stops in front of the stage and looks up at the vampire.
"Hey Dusty!" She calls mockingly at Colin. "You and I have business!"
Colin snarls and tosses the lifeless body away from him. "You must be the slayer." He growls as Buffy jumps up onto the stage and faces off with him.
"Oh goody, I'm famous." Buffy quips.
"You're about to be dead." Colin snarls and charges at Buffy. She tries to sidestep him but he catches her with his left arm and knocks them both to the ground. Buffy and Colin both jump up quickly and face off again. Buffy attacks with a flurry of punches and kicks, but Colin blocks most of them and sends her flying back with a kick to the stomach. She lands hard on the stage with a grunt of pain.
"Hey Buffy!" Scott Hope yells and she looks over at him. He throws her the gun that Syl gave him and she catches it with ease and turns back to Colin, aiming the gun at him.
"Foolish girl, bullets cannot kill me." Colin jeers at her with a smirk on his ugly face.
"Sunlight can." Buffy retorts and raises the guns and shoots out the window that is about fifteen feet behind the vampire leader. The glass explodes outwards and light pours in from the outside. Colin turns quickly to shield himself from the deadly rays, but sees that it is only a streetlamp. Buffy runs up behind him and leans in close. "In about eight hours, you dumbass." She sneers and plunges her stake into the unprotected back of Colin.
Colin grunts and moves away, falling off the stage and exploding to dust as he hits the floor below.
"Vampires can be really stupid sometimes." She notes and walks away.
Sunnydale High School (The Next Day)
Buffy, Syl and Cordy are walking down an courtyard sidewalk. They walk past a girl who had been at the Bronze the previous night as she is talking to a friend.
"Well, I heard that it was rival gangs. You know, fighting for turf? But all I can tell you is that they were in an ugly way of looking, And those new girls, Buffy and Syl, they like knew them. Which is just too weird. I mean, I don't even remember that much, but I'm telling you it was a freak show."
Buffy, Syl and Cordy exchange glances and scoff. They continue walking and run into Xander and Jesse, both of whom had been listening to the girl's conversation with her friend and are now shaking their heads.
"What where you expecting?" Buffy asks the pair.
"I don't know, something." Xander replies.
"The dead rose. We should at least have an assembly." Jesse puts in. Cordy and Syl give a chuckle at the thought of an evil dead assembly and Buffy cracks a smile.
The five of them bump into Willow and Giles and the seven of them continue to walk.
"People have a tendency to rationalize what they can, and forget the things that they cannot." Giles tells the six teenagers.
"Yeah, we've seen it happen." Syl adds.
"Well, I'll never forget it." Cordelia announces.
"Good. Next time you'll be prepared." Giles says jovially.
"Wait, next time?" Xander says with a horrified look on his face, an expression mirrored by Cordy, Jesse and Willow.
"Next time is why?" Willow blurts out
"We've prevented the master from freeing himself and opening the mouth of hell. That's not to say that he's going to stop trying. I'd say that the fun is just beginning." Giles says with a slight grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"More vampires?" Cordelia asks, gaping.
"Not just vampires. The next threat we face may be something quite different." Giles informs them.
"I can hardly wait." Buffy says.
"We're at the center of a mystical convergent here. We may, in fact, be the only people, warriors if you will, that stand between Earth and it's total destruction." Giles announces.
"Well, I gotta look at the bright side. Maybe I can get kicked out of school." Buffy says.
Giles stops and watches as the six teens continue onto class.
"Oh, yeah. That's a plan, cause most high schools aren't on hellmouths." Jesse puts in.
"Hey, maybe you can blow something up. They're really strict about that." Cordy says.
"I could make a bomb, just get me some gasoline, a watermelon and some gunpowder." Syl says and the other five look her strangely. She grins sheepishly. "Just a suggestion."
"Well, I was thinking of a more subtle approach, y'know, like excessive not studying." Buffy says and all six laugh.
Giles, having watched the entire exchange, turns to go back to the library.
"The Earth is doomed." He mutters as he goes.
To Be Continued…….