Chapter 12: Battle Time
*****Where We Left Off*****
Buffy and Faith exchanged amused glances at the man's nerve. "You don't know who we are, so we'll give you a chance to take your men and go," Buffy said.
"Now what would be the fun in that?" Damien said with a grin.
Xander pushed Felicity back until she hit the bottom of the stairs. "You and I are the weakest link in this room, so be prepared to lock yourself in the office," Xander said to her.
"This guy's insane to attack a room full of slayers," Felicity muttered.
The slayers around Buffy and Faith looked to them for guidance. "How about you tell our party crashers to leave? Remember they're human, so no killing," Buffy admonished. Every slayer in the room went on the attack, hitting the closest invader. Fights broke out everywhere.
Damien gave them a puzzled look. "Of course, they're human. What else would they be?" he asked.
"You'd be surprised," Buffy said with a grin. She looked at Faith. "Why don't you give him a taste of what a slayer is?"
"My genuine pleasure," Faith said with a cocky grin. She walked closer to Damien and gave him a come get me gesture with her hand. "Let's dance."
Damien grinned, enjoying the bravado of the two very attractive women and moved forward. Faith swung at him, and he ducked. Then he reached forward to touch her, knowing he'd make her his with his magic touch. However, she just looked at him and snarled.
"What kind of bad ju-ju do you have going for you?" Faith asked, kicking him hard in the stomach, knocking him down. His touch enraged the slayer inside her. A primal desire to bathe in this blood came over her so strongly that she had to clench her fist and take a deep breath.
"It's supposed to make your darkness take control and do what I will," Damien said, frowning.
Faith smirked. "I'm a slayer. We're made from darkness, you idiot," she said. Then she attacked him. When he met her blow for blow, she grinned. "You're pretty good for a regular human."
"There's nothing regular about me," Damien said. Then he used his magic to knock her down.
"He's a witch?" Buffy said, amused. "We got one of those, too. Will? I think he wants to play with you."
Damien's eyes widened as a red-headed woman began to levitate off the ground. Power crackled from her finger tips as he hair turned white as did her eyes. "I will be glad to show him what real power is," Willow said.
All the various slayers that were fighting with Damien's men, moved back as she floated toward him. Buffy wasn't concerned about him anymore and turned to help Thea who seemed to be struggling with the man she was fighting.
Willow threw a bolt of electricity through Damien, who screamed in agony. He realized that he had grossly miscalculated. He thought the group was just another group of do-gooders trying to keep him from flourishing in Starling. It was clear, though, that they were something else.
"What are you?" Damien gasped.
"I'm Willow, the Red Witch. The blonde is Buffy the original Vampire slayer," Willow said. She stopped electrocuting him. "What's the source of your power?" She advanced on him.
Damien struggled to move away from her. He had heard of a powerful witch that could raise the dead and nearly destroyed the world one time. However, he had dismissed the rumors. He had no idea the source of the rumor was in the city he wanted to stage his coup.
Willow raised her hand, wrapping Damien in her magic.
Felicity and Xander watched the fight from a higher perspective, so they could take it all in. Everywhere, slayers were engaging with the men in black. It was clear that the guys who had crashed the party were no real match for the slayers. Bones were being broke everywhere. Faith slapped around the leader a while before Willow got involved.
"Should I go help her?" Felicity asked in concern.
"You don't really know enough to be of much help," Xander, squeezing her hand. "She can handle it. We can just enjoy the show."
Felicity wasn't used to not being actively involved. However, since the fight was at their home base, there was no need for her normal computer assistance. Dig and his wife seemed to be handling the guy they were fighting, so she didn't need to worry about him. The slayer fighting next to them would intervene if they needed help. She watched as Willow pulled the white-haired man off the ground with her power. She was incredible to behold.
Willow reached out and put her hand on Damien's chest, frowning. She had never encountered this kind of magic. When Damien tried to reach out and touch her, she bound him with invisible hands so that he couldn't move. Fear filled his eyes as he stared in disbelief at Willow. Willow put her other hand on his forehead and forced her way into his mind. This wasn't something she did very often—only when it was dire. However, it'd been too long since she'd come across a magic user that she was unfamiliar with.
Totem power. A first. She frowned as she saw the man's many years of life—he'd been alive too long. He enslaved his men with his magic. Faces appeared before her. Her eyes widened as she saw Diggle's brother. He was there. Damien had twisted his mind.
"Xander!" Willow called out in her mind. "Come here."
Felicity frowned when Xander turned toward her. "Don't move. Willow needs me," he said.
"What?" Felicity said in disbelief. She didn't seem like she needed help to Felicity.
"She's called me. Stay here. If the fight gets too close, move up to the office, okay?" Xander said.
Felicity nodded. "Okay," she said.
Xander quickly made his way to Willow's side, dodging fights and potential blows to the head with a practiced ease.
"What's up, Will? Are you having trouble coming up with a suitable pun to put this clown in his place?" Xander asked with a grin.
"Xander, this man is utterly evil and has enslaved the minds of all his followers," she told him. "He's been alive much longer than biology dictates. His totem power has kept him from aging."
"If he dies, will his influence over these people stop?" Xander asked.
"I don't know," Willow admitted. "But I think he needs to be put down."
"He's human, Will," Xander pointed out.
"I know," Willow said. None of the slayers were ever allowed to make these kinds of decisions. Giles had warned them that Faith's bad reaction to an accidental death of the Mayor's aide had showed them the devastating affect killing humans could have on a slayer. Three of the original five had to be in agreement before they could take a life of a human—Giles, Xander, Willow, Robin, and Andrew. However, if they were in battle without a third to weigh-in, two could make the decision.
"You've read his mind?" Xander asked.
"He loves his wife and child," Willow said. "But his wife is evil like him but without the corruption of magic. She's just bad."
"Will killing him save lives?" Xander asked.
Willow nodded. "It will. His plans for Starling involved a nuclear bomb, Xander. He wants to destroy the world and remake it as his playground," she said as she shifted through his memories.
As for Damien, his eyes filled with horror as he felt the woman's presence inside of him. She had taken control of him so easily. It was terrifying to be this helpless. His powers were useless. His men were losing every fight they were engaged in. Now she was discussing with someone her desire to end his life.
"Kill him," Xander said grimly.
Willow nodded as she stepped the man's neck with a thought.
"Willow!" Felicity yelled, horrified by what her sister had done.
With Damien's death, the fights seemed to pitter out fairly quickly. A few of the men stopped fighting instantly. Some did not and had to be knocked out.
Faith turned and saw the dead witch at Willow's feet. "Damn, Red. Did he piss you off?" she asked.
"He was utterly evil," Willow said grimly.
"We decided to put him down," Xander said, unwilling to let Willow carry the burden of the decision alone.
Felicity made her way down to them. "You killed him!" she accused, looking at her sister with disappointed eyes.
"I had to," Willow said. "He was too dangerous to keep alive."
"So was Slade Wilson, but Oliver found another way!" Felicity said. "There's always another way."
"Felicity, she's right. When it comes to magic wielders, the potential for destruction is too great," Xander said.
John and Lilah came up to them, looking down at the dead leader. "He's dead?" John asked.
"Willow killed him. She snapped his neck," Felicity shared, feeling betrayed and disappointed.
"He's been using his magic to enslave people," Willow explained. She looked at John. "Your brother is one of his victims."
"What?" John asked in disbelief. "Andy's been dead for years."
"No, he's not. I saw him," Willow said. She looked around the room. One fight was still going on. Willow pointed. "There."
John saw Thea and Emma, another slayer, fighting a masked man. He moved toward them. "Andy?" he called out.
The fighter removed his ski mask. "I haven't been him in a very long time," Andy said.
"It's over," Buffy said, walking toward. "Your leader is dead."
Andy looked and saw Damien on the ground, obviously dead. The reality shook him. His big brother looked at him in amazement. "How are you alive?" he asked.
"Damien saved me," Andy said. "You killed him!" He charged John, determined to kill him. However, he hit an invisible wall.
"No, you're not going to hurt your brother," Willow said. "It seems the grip on him and a few others is strong enough to last even through death."
"How?" Buffy asked.
"Probably the guys who were with Damien for years would have the strongest hold to break," Willow said.
"Can you help him?" John asked her, overwhelmed to find out his baby brother was alive.
"I can," Willow said. "It may take some time. I'll work with each of them one on one."
Buffy looked at Faith. "Gather up all of these guys until Willow can check them out," she said.
"We can take them downstairs," John suggested.
"Actually, there are too many to check," Lilah said. "ARGUS can contain them until Willow checks them."
"Call them," John said. "But Andy stays here."
"That's fine," Willow said. "I'll start with him."
"So what do you plan on doing with the body?" Felicity asked, looking at the dead leader with distaste. She couldn't believe her sister just killed a guy with a wave of her hand. She directed her question at Buffy.
"I'll take care of it," Sara said. Laurel was a step behind her and moved to pick up Damien. She effortlessly, threw him over her shoulders.
Willow followed Sara with her eyes. Buffy noticed. "Who's the hot blonde?" she asked with a grin.
"That's Sara Lance. Her sister was turned into a vampire and murdered their father. I restored Laurel's soul," Willow shared.
"Really?" Buffy asked in surprise. "Do you think that's a good idea?"
"Sara was dead and brought back to life by some type of magic. She's a member of the League of Assassins," Willow explained. "She came back to a real hell, Buffy. I couldn't say no. Felicity begged me to help."
"Well, boy toy," Faith said, slapping Xander on the back. "You sure know how to throw a party."
"This one isn't on me!" Xander said.
"I just wanted to celebrate your birthday," Willow said, giving him a morose look.
"It was a valient attempt," Xander said, hugging her to his side.
"You know, Will, that our birthdays are cursed," Buffy said with a rueful smile.
"No, your birthday is cursed. Nothing ever happens on mine!" Willow said smugly.
Xander groaned. "You've tempted Murphy, Will. Now you're doomed!" he proclaimed.
Felicity slipped away, feeling dejected.
It took Xander about ten minutes to realize Felicity was gone. He checked with Dig downstairs. She wasn't there. Then he sent her a text.
Where did you go?
I'm home.
Xander didn't send another text. Instead, he got in his car and drove to her place. She was surprised to find him at her door.
"Xander? Is everything okay? Did something else happen?" Felicity asked in concern.
"Yea, you left me on my birthday without saying goodbye," Xander said. He gave her his best puppy dog look.
Felicity gave him a guilty look. "I'm sorry. Do you want to come in?" she asked.
Xander winced at the invitation but stepped through the doorway. "What did we say about invitations after dark?" he asked.
Felicity looked sheepish. "Well, I know you're not a vamp!" she insisted.
"What if I got vamped on the drive over? It only takes a minute," he pointed out.
Felicity resisted the impulse to roll her eyes. "Okay. I'll be careful," she said. She walked in the living room. "Do you want something to drink?"
"No, I'm good," he said.
When she sat down on the sofa, he sat down next to her.
"I am disappointed," Felicity admitted.
"In Willow?" he asked.
Felicity nodded. "I just can't believe she did that!" she said.
Xander sighed. "Giles discussed this kind of thing with us when we formed the new council. Slayers kill nonhuman threats. Faith one time killed a human on accident and spiraled into darkness afterward," Xander shared. "When we fought a hell god who tried to end the world and sacrifice Buffy's sister Dawn, the god was sharing a human body."
"What?" Felicity asked, her eyes widened in surprise. Their life was insane.
"Glory was trapped in a human vessel, containing her power," Xander said. "Buffy beat her, but when she morphed into Ben, she couldn't hurt her. Buffy let her go, and Giles decided to kill Ben, ending Glory's threat forever. He did what he knew Buffy couldn't—what was best for the world."
"Who are you to decide what's best? You can't be judge and executioner!" Felicity insisted.
"When you save the world on multiple occasions, you get to decide," Xander said firmly. "We have superpowered women who daily risk their lives. We know real evil, Felicity. Some of the greatest evil isn't demonic, though. It's human. Normally, cops deal with the psychos. But when it's a magic user, the cops can't deal with it. We've seen what happens when they try. It's not pretty."
Felicity's eyes filled with tears. "My sister is a murderer," she said.
"She was that before she got here, Felicity. I know she told you about her reaction to Tara's death," Xander reminded her.
Felicity was silent and looked away. Finally, she said, "I guess it's different when I see her in action myself."
"She didn't make the decision in anger or alone. I agreed with her," Xander told her. "Willow got inside his mind. She saw what a monster he was and how dangerous he was."
"There's just so much death, Xander. I don't want Willow being a part of that," she admitted.
Xander put his arms around her and pulled her closer. Felicity relaxed against, feeling comfort in his arms.
"I know the world is upside down," Xander said. "Things aren't always black and white. Demons aren't always evil, and humans aren't always good. But you have to believe that Willow would never do anything that wasn't for the best. She's made mistakes, but she's learned from them. Her power is incredible, but she doesn't act unilaterally. Not even Buffy does anymore."
Felicity felt reassured by his words and let him hold her for a little bit longer. It'd been too long.
The next day she woke up rested. Xander had stayed with her an hour the night before. Talking things out and sharing stories had brought them closer. When he got up to leave, he drew her into his arms for a kiss, leaving thoughts of a simple friendship completely behind.
He didn't kiss her like a friend. She went to bed with a smile on her face and a warm feeling inside. The feelings stayed with her until she got to work. Willow was waiting.
"Hi," Willow said. "I was hoping we could talk."
"Sure," Felicity said. "Come in." She unlocked her office door and put her bag on her desk. Then she faced her sister.
"Are you mad at me?" Willow asked anxiously.
Felicity shook her head. "No. I was just upset to see you kill someone with your magic. He was defenseless and you snapped his neck," Felicity said bluntly.
Willow winced. "I didn't enjoy that. Taking a life is never a good thing or an easy decision," she said. "But I promise that I had to. The man had nuclear bomb plans! He's enslaved so many with his magic and would've killed so many more."
Felicity nodded. "Yea, Xander told me," she said.
"So we're good?" Willow asked.
"We're good," Felicity said. "I don't want to learn magic to be a killer, though."
"That's not what magic is about!" Willow assured her. "I wouldn't have done that if I didn't think it was the best decision to make. Xander agreed."
"He told me," Felicity. "I get it. I just don't like it."
Willow gave her a sad look. "I'm sorry," she said.
Felicity stepped forward and hugged her. "It's okay," she said. "We'll get past this."
"Can I take you to lunch later?" Willow asked.
"How about dinner? If Buffy and Faith are in town still, I'd like to get to know them."
Willow's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! I'll invite Sara and Dig and Lilah and make some reservations," she said.
"Did you help Andy?" Felicity asked.
Willow nodded. "Yes. I'm going to monitor him for the next few days. Then we'll let him out and see how he does," she said.
Felicity grinned. "I bet John is so happy!"
"He is," she said.
"So dinner at seven?" Felicity suggested.
"Yes. I'll set it up," Willow said happily. She left her sister feeling better about everything.
It was a boisterous group that met several hours later. Xander sat next Felicity at the party of eight with Buffy and Faith heading up each end. Dig and Lilah were across from them with Sara and Willow facing one another. Willow was on Buffy's right. She was getting to know Sara while Willow anxiously listened. Eventually, though, she relaxed and just enjoyed being with her friends.
They had drinks and lots of food. Then Xander was surprised with a birthday cake and a singing.
"We didn't get to do this last night," Willow said.
Xander grinned and made a wish as he blew out the candles.
He wished for more nights like this.
He got his wish.
*****Almost the End*****
I have an epilogue to finish this off, and I will post it very soon. Thanks so much for sticking with this story. A review would be very nice!