Here ya go. More action.

Chapter 12

Spike heard a scream louder than anything else in the caves. He looked over and saw Clark leaning over the edge. Running over, he saw what was happening. Chloe was falling. Even if she survived the fall, a slim chance, the vamps would rip her apart.

Clark took a couple steps back and looked around. "Spike!"

His eyes snapped up to Clark's.

Clark looked out over the edge. "Catch her!" Then he ran and dove over the side.

Spike stared wide eyed. "Catch her? How the hell…"

Buffy saw what was happening and joined Spike next to the edge. Looking up, he grabbed her arm. "Buffy, cover me!"

She nodded, turning to fend off the creatures heading their way.

Clark reached Chloe about halfway down. Grabbing her, he twisted in midair to face back up to the ledge.

"Clark! What are you…" she didn't have time to finish the question, she was flying back through the air… but up instead of down. Clark was getting smaller and she realized what happened.

Spike reached up, trying to break the fall as much as he could. They both hit the ground hard still, and Chloe scrambled back to the edge just in time to see Clark hit the ground. He was still for a moment, then he disappeared beneath a sea of Uber-vamps. "Oh god…Clark! Clark!"

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Clark was trying to clear his head. The fall hurt worse than he remembered usually. The mystic powers in this place were seriously affecting him. He didn't have time to think before he was covered in these creatures. He felt claws ripping at his skin, fists beating him.

He tried to stand, only to be kicked back down. The monsters were gnashing their teeth, fighting for a bite of him. Clark considered just laying down, he had given it his best shot. Maybe it was time for him to finally rest.

Then he heard it. Very faint, but he could hear it clearly. Chloe was screaming. She was screaming for him. Rolling slowly onto his back, he looked up and saw her leaning over the edge. "Chloe…" he called, his voice hoarse.

Alicia kneeled down next to him, following his gaze. "Oh, is your little girlfriend gonna cry when my boys here rip you apart and suck your bones dry? She looks like she'll be a sweet little dessert."

That pissed him off.

Clark punched the monster grabbing at his head. Standing up, he kicked another away, then another. "You're not gonna touch her!" He started throwing more shots, catching the vamps harder, watching them dust or fly across the floor. More started to swarm onto him, pulling him back to the ground. Clark fought to stand, throwing elbows, knees, grabbing, ripping.

He was covered, he couldn't see Chloe anymore. One last shot. Clark looked straight up. "Get… the Hell… off of… ME!" His heat vision erupted, throwing the uber-vamps everywhere. Once free, he started running around the cavern floors, grabbing as many as he could, snapping necks, punching their chests in. There was no way he was just laying down today.

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Spike was trying to keep them away from Chloe, he knew she was hurting after what she just saw. But there was no time for mourning now. "Chloe! We need your help!"

She stood up, turning around for the first time since she fell. She saw several girls, dead on the floor. Another being bitten by a vamp. Then, over by the entrance, Angel and Kennedy watching the entire scene with dry smiles.

That was all she needed.

She grabbed a sword from a fallen girl and started walking through the crowd. Slashing at creatures, stabbing them and staking them, punching several out of the way. She had only one person on her mind now, the person responsible for Clark's fall. "Kennedy!"

The girl looked over, seeing the pissed off blonde. Hadn't she just tossed her over the edge? How did she…

Kennedy didn't have time for finishing the thought. She saw the sword in Chloe's hand, and then she started running up the stairs. Chloe threw the sword, the edge of the blade slicing the back of her thigh, making her stumble. She stared Angel down, and he just stepped out of her way, motioning for her to go on. "Not my problem," he said simply.

Grabbing Kennedy, Chloe started punching her repeatedly. "You turned on your partners, you crucified them! You don't care about anyone but your self!" Kennedy tried to push her off, but Chloe grabbed her hair, throwing her backwards. Kennedy stumbled back into the fight, unable to move well on her injured leg. She pushed off the Vampires as they rushed her, but there were too many.

Chloe stared at the scene, knowing it might not be completely right. But at the moment she didn't care.

Kennedy felt them tear at her flesh, jagged teeth biting into her. "Angel! Help me!"

Angel just shrugged. "Not worth risking my neck!"

His winking was the last thing Kennedy ever saw.

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Spike had just staked another vamp, but more of them were coming every second. He stepped back to survey the battle, but suddenly his chest burned. "What the hell?"

He felt himself slammed back against the wall near the exit, his entire body suddenly burning deep inside. "Oh mother…"

Light blasted through the roof, engulfing his body. He felt frozen, almost unable to move. He barely noticed Angel sliding up behind him. "Hurt's doesn't it Willy? I bet that burns real bad."

Spike's eyes opened even wider. "Bloody Bastard! You knew what the damn amulet did… you set me up!"

"Actually, your little girlfriend chose you. That wasn't my fault that you're just so adorable and trustworthy and housebroken now."

Spike struggled to keep from screaming. "Does the bloody thing even do what it's supposed to?"

"Oh it'll stop this. But the Powers warned me what would happen to the wearer. Looks like you're gonna get your chance at redemption after all Willy. I just hope it's enough to get you outta those fiery pits and brimstone. Probably not." Angel snickered at that.

Spike almost teared up. "What if I don't wanna finish it?"

Angel shook his finger. "Now now Willy. Only someone with a soul but more than human can make it work. And I saw the big freak go over and not come back up, and I sure as hell am not gonna sacrifice my own ass for you. So if you don't do this, the world is gonna end."

Spike knew he was right. There was no other way. "I'll get you. Somehow. I swear it Angelus!"

"Whatever you say… Willy." Angel turned and walked to the stairs, making his way out of the Hellmouth.

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Clark had seen the beam of light rip through the ceiling. He knew something was going on, and he had to get back up there. Finishing off one more vamp, he started climbing as quickly as he could, his muscles burning, telling him to just quit. But he wasn't going to give up now. He'd gotten through so much already, he wasn't letting anyone down.

He had climbed up just in time to hear Angel's speech to Spike. He knew something was up with that guy, but there'd be time to take care of him later. That amulet was going to kill Spike.

Running over to him, Clark reached towards Spike, only to feel the ray of light burn his hand. Yanking it back, he noticed his skin was more red than usual. "Spike! You have to take it off! It'll kill you!"

Spike fought down the surprise at seeing Clark alive, there was no time now. "I know that Farm Boy! But I gotta do this. I'm the only one who can!"

"No you're not. Give it to me!"

Shaking his head, Spike said, "Clark, I know this thing is gonna kill me. We don't know if it could kill you. I'm not taking that chance. If anyone dies, it's gonna be me!"

"I get my powers from the sun Spike! It charges me! I have a better chance than you do at least!"

Spike didn't move. "If I take it off, I'll be fried. I'm in direct light, powerful sunlight!"

Clark shed the last of his shirt, cracking his fingers. "Leave that to me!"

Clark stepped directly into the column of light with the vampire, screaming as the heat hit him. Spike was trying to push him out, but he wouldn't let him. The pain was intense, but he felt something else… something powerful. It was as if his entire body was supercharged at once. "Spike! Crouch down! I'll cover you, grab the amulet, and then you jump! Got it?"

Spike could only nod, forcing himself to move. Clark leaned over him, his broad body covering the smaller man. Clark grabbed the amulet, letting Spike move it off of his neck. Both men held onto it until it was time. "Ok Spike! NOW!"

Spike dove, feeling the light burn his entire body. He landed in a smoldering heap on the floor, looking back at Clark. The teenager had the amulet on now, his arms stretched out. His eyes were glowing a bright gold now, not the red he had with heat vision. "Clark! Are you ok?"

"Oh yea! This is… intense!" Clark stepped out of the light, smoke rising off his skin. A vamp ran up to him and he blinked, golden light shooting out of his eyes and leaving nothing but a cloud of dust. "Get the girls out of here! I've got this."

Clark went around, taking out vampire after vampire with relative ease. But more started storming up the side. Spike ran to get the others, bringing their attention to Clark. Chloe smiled brightly, hardly able to believe her eyes. "We gotta go luv, he's got work to do here!"

Spike led them all to the stairs, making sure they got up.

Chloe ran to her boyfriend. "Clark!"

He turned, seeing her bright eyes. "Chloe."

She jumped up, kissing him one more time before she left. "I'm so proud of you!"

He smiled brightly. "Me too. I mean, I'm proud too… of you… I'm proud of you too!"

She laughed. He was still her shy best friend, even in the face of all this. "Do good! And come back to me! Your mom will kill me if I don't bring you home!"

He watched her run to the exit, and nodded at Spike. The vampire was the last person to get up the stairs. Clark stared and beams of light broke the rocks down, sealing the tunnel. Nothing would get out of here now, maybe not even him.

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Spike reached the top and ran out of the basement, meeting the others. The Slayers were already helping the other forces take out the Bringers. Running up to Buffy, he grabbed her in a hug. "I was worried for a little bit!"

Buffy hugged him back just as tightly. "Me too… why do you smell like smoke?"

"Long story luv. Now where's Angel?"

Buffy looked confused. "Angel? Isn't he supposed to be up here? Why are you looking for Angel?"

Spike's eyes glowed a deep yellow for an instant. "Because one of us isn't leaving here undead."

He ran off down the hallway, chasing the strongest scent of Angel he had. He found him on the ground floor, near the library. "ANGELUS!"

Angel turned around, shocked to see Spike. "Decide to let the world go Willy?"

"No. Someone else showed up to help out."

Angel shook his head. "The freak. Damn it." Placing his hands on his waist, he continued. "Oh well. At least I'm gonna be the one to kill you now."

Angel leapt at his grand-childe, shifting into game face. Spike dove up at him, teeth coming out as well. Both vampires collided midair, sprawling to the ground. Throwing wild punches and kicks, Spike got up first, hitting a roundhouse punch to Angel's face.

Gripping his mouth, Angel felt around. "My fang! Do you know how long those take to grow back?" He hit an uppercut to Spike, sending him into a shelf loaded with books.

Buffy managed to find them, Willow, Chloe and Dawn right behind her. Willow stepped up, raising her arms to separate the two but Chloe stopped her. "Chloe! We have to stop them, there's not time for this!"

Chloe shook her head. "Angel is evil." She turned towards Buffy, hearing the gasp of shock. "Kennedy knocked me over the edge of the cliff down there and Angel was smiling the whole time. And then he was talking to Spike when the amulet started to… activate or whatever. Trust me Buffy, something isn't right here!"

Buffy looked at the two, seeing Angel's face twist in laughter. She shivered, remembering when he was Angelus. He had the same look on his face then. "Willow, see if he has a soul."

Willow concentrated, shutting her eyes tightly. "He does, it's still there."

They looked up to see Angel stab a sliver of wood into Spike's leg, dancing around him as he tried to pull the sliver out of his thigh. "He's toying with Spike. That isn't Angel."

"But Buffy, he has a soul, it's not Angelus."

Shaking her head, Buffy rubbed her eyes. "Spike's told me so many times, I just didn't want to see it. Angel and Angelus aren't different people. Angel can still be bad if he wants to, the soul was just a leash. Apparently it doesn't bother him as much now." She felt Dawn's hand slip into hers. She tightened her grip, pleading softly. "Get him Spike."

Both vampires were throwing everything they had into the punches, neither backing down an inch. Both bleeding and exhausted, Spike grabbed Angel by the coat, throwing him hard up into the ceiling. Angel landed back down hard, rolling out of the way of the sunlight that spilled in.

Spike jumped through the beam of light, slamming Angel's head face first into the floor, shattering the tile. They ended up near the shattered railing, long wooden spikes everywhere.

Angel started throwing everything he could at Spike. "Damn it!" he screamed tossing a cross from the Religious Studies section at Spike. Spike caught it with ease in his hand, not letting go. The smoke rose from his fingers, but he simply stared down at Angel.

"What's wrong Liam, afraid of a little pain? Always taking the easy way out huh? Why do this? Why turn your back on everyone that stood by you, that fought with you!" Spike stepped forward raising his fist menacingly as if to strike at Angel.

Angel landed a jackrabbit punch to Spike's groin, catching the younger vamp off guard and making him drop the cross. "Because all I hear lately is 'Spike and his soul, Spike's fighting the good fight'. Just couldn't stand it could you William? You had to try and take everything I've had. You took my sloppy seconds, TWICE! You got your soul back, just like I DID! And now you're trying to stop an apocalypse, just like I have, with Acathla and the Mayor and the Master!"

Spike stood slowly, fighting the rising pain in his nether regions. "First off, don't talk about Buffy, or even Dru, like that. Secondly, I went and got my damn soul, yours was a bloody punishment! And third of all, you were the one who was trying to call Acathla to destroy the damn world! You didn't try to save it!"

Angel shrugged. "Well, I closed the portal to Hell. Technically."

Spike swung at Angel, his movements slower than usual. Grabbing him in a bear hug, Angel moved towards the longest wooden stake. "Time to say goodnight Spike, any last words?"

Spike looked up, blood tinting his vision. He could see the girls by the door, Buffy and Dawn holding each other tightly, Willow biting her nails, and even Chloe. Angel followed his gaze, laughing. "She could never love you Spike. She couldn't love a monster."

Spike strained against his grand-sire's grip. He stared at him, yellow eyes clashing. "Angel. I'm not a monster anymore." Spike's face changed back to his human side as he gave Angel a head butt, knocking his elder slightly loopy. "I'm a man!" Spike ran backwards as quickly as he could, then twisted at the last moment. Angel and Spike were both impaled on the stake, Angel through his heart and Spike through the opposite side of his chest. Angel stared up at him, his face twisting in pain.

Spike pulled himself off the stake, crying out. Blood poured down his chest from the wound, but he still looked up at the older vampire. With one last act of defiance towards his former leader, Spike extended his middle finger, flipping the elder off.

Spike walked off towards the door, leaving Angel to his death. All he heard was an animalistic scream ripping through the giant room, then everything grew quiet. Spike grabbed a cigarette from his pocket, then reached for his lighter. "As for last words? Piss off."

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Clark had fought off most of the Uber-vamps that ran at him. There were still thousands more showing up down there, and he was feeling more worn out than he could remember. His power up was wearing off. "Time to finish this."

Clark stepped back to the hole, into the beam of light. Gripping the amulet, he felt power surge through him again… the ground trembling, rocks falling. Clark opened his eyes, blasting away at the rocks, feeling the tremors grow. The ceiling was collapsing, light blasting the Uber-vamps, dust flying through the room.

Alicia popped up next to him, arms crossed. "Do you think this will be enough? Do you actually think this will save your little girl and all the others?"

Clark stared at her, then a smile broke over his lips. "I didn't realize ghosts could sweat?"

Alicia grabbed at her face, feeling the perspiration on her cheek. She touched her arms, her body… then she grabbed at Clark. "AH!" she screamed, pulling her arm away. Her hand was scorched, the skin blistering. The First started cycling through all of her forms, showing long dead people, newly dead Slayers… finally settling on Buffy's form. "You won't beat me! I am Evil, I am the First!"

She swung at Clark, but he ducked just in time. Slamming a punch into her chest, he watched the First fly off, soaring through the air, thrashing. He listened to her scream, finally silenced when she reached the end of her fall.

Clark stood there, willing to see this through. At least the world would carry on, and knowing that was enough to give him the strength to finish the task, even as the mouth of Hell was crumbling down on him.

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Everyone had made their way back to the main hallway, trying to figure up the injuries. Wood had a gut wound, several Slayers were seriously injured. Suddenly, the ground started to tremble, and plaster fell from the ceiling. "It's time to go!" Giles yelled, putting his arm around Wood to help him walk. Everyone ran out to the bus and piled in.

Spike was the last out, covering himself with his coat as he ran. He bumped into someone at the bus door and looked out. It was Chloe. "We gotta go luv!"

Chloe wasn't moving. "No, Clark is still down there!"

Spike grabbed her hand. "Chloe, Clark told me to make sure you were safe, and I'm gonna make sure that you are! Now please, get on the bus!"

Chloe walked backwards up the stairs, then sat right down, not taking her eyes off of the school.

The bus lurched forward, racing down the streets. A loud roar sounded outside, and everyone looked back. A huge cloud of dust was rising from the ground, and buildings not far behind them were crumbling. Spike ran to the back to see what was happening and shouted, "Step on it Rupert!"

Giles was pushing the bus as hard as he could, but he could see the cloud growing behind them.

Willow sat in the second row, chanting quietly. Buffy was hugging Dawn, and could only hope it was something that would help them.

Girls in the back seat started screaming, seeing the ground right behind them falling into the pit. They started running forward on the bus.

Giles could see the city limit sign, hoping that would be the end of the destruction. He could feel the rear of the bus bouncing, the tires trying to catch the cracking asphalt under them. Suddenly the rear fell out, and everyone screamed. The bus was hardly moving, and they all prepared for the end.

Then the bus moved again.

Giles felt them lifted into the air, the back of the bus higher than the front. Willow's spell must have worked, she was pushing them above the danger.

The ground stopped shaking as much, and the bus started to lower, wheels touching the ground. Giles slammed on the brakes, the bus lurching to a stop. They all looked out the windows, seeing the crumbled remains of Sunnydale. Filing off of the bus, the Scoobies walked toward the edge, trying to see if anything was left. Chloe stood behind Buffy, seeing nothing but rubble, and then fell to the ground crying. Buffy knelt down, wrapping her arms around the girl.

"I'm so sorry Chloe, I'm so sorry. But he did it for you, for all of us. He saved us Chloe."

Chloe wiped at her nose and nodded, knowing the older girl was right. "He always had to do the stupid thing, like saving people and being a hero." She chuckled a little.

Giles stood next to Willow, his arm around her shoulder. "I am very proud of you for the spell with the potentials, and for that little trick with the bus. You have become very strong indeed."

Willow blushed, and then her face shifted into a frown. "The potential spell did go well, but Giles, I had nothing to do with the bus. I was trying, but I couldn't get it to work in time. That had nothing to do with me."

"Well then what…"

They heard a thud from behind. Turning, Chloe saw a smoking figure stand up, covered in blood and dirt across his bare chest, scratches covering his body. He was wearing jeans… and boots? "Who you calling stupid?"

"Clark!" Chloe ran and tackled him against the back door of the bus, not noticing his grunt of pain, hugging him tightly. "You're alive! Oh my god, you made it!"

Clark took her hand. "I came back to you."

She smiled brightly. "I knew you would. You're so whipped."

Clark couldn't argue, he just slid to the ground, so tired he couldn't move.

Buffy looked up, seeing part of the roof twisted up into makeshift hand grips. "Clark, did you…"

Clark just shrugged. "The cavern fell down around me, and I thought that was it for me. Then I said to hell with that, and started punching my way through. I made it up just in time to see you guys driving off. I saw the back about to get caught by the cave in, and I just… I jumped." He looked over at Chloe. "I think I flew."

Giles nodded. "There was definitely a lifting force, we weren't just pushed. We were airborne."

Chloe hugged his neck tightly, kissing him. "I knew there was something special about you. From the first day I knew."

Buffy, Willow, and Dawn watched this with a smile. Buffy was about to say something when Clark screamed out.

A Bringer climbed out from under the bus, a knife digging into Clark's back. He was so weak from exposure to the Hellmouth, the knife was slowly stabbing into him. Chloe backed away, not sure what to do, and Buffy was reaching for a knife in her back pocket when the back window shattered out of the bus. Spike slammed into them, knocking Clark forward out of the Bringer's grasp, then snapped the Bringer's neck. Buffy ran over with her coat to cover him up from the sun as Spike was curled up in a little ball, trying to crawl backwards under the bus, but something was wrong with this situation.

Spike wasn't burning.

Spike was on the ground, rolling and screaming. "Oh God, it's hot! Oh Christ! Help me!"

"Spike?" Buffy stepped closer. "Spike? Spike!"

"Help Buffy, I don't wanna die!"

Finally Clark reached down, picking Spike up with one hand. "Spike! You're not dying!"

Spike looked up at the farm boy, then at himself. Patting himself down, he let out a yelp of surprise. "I'm not dust!"

Clark cocked his head, concentrating. Everyone noticed the look on his face and knew he was listening to something. Clark's eyes went wide and he pressed his hand against Spike's chest, across from the hole in his shirt and freshly healed stab wound. "Oh my God!"

Spike looked at his hand. "W-what… what is it!"

Clark looked around at the faces, swallowing slowly. "Spike has a heartbeat."

End Chapter 12