Chapitre 22:

°Disclaimer still in the prologue.

° Just to avoid confusion:

"speech"

'Mind speech'

The footsteps were rapidly closing on them as Xander and Angel stepped out of the corner; knowing that there was no point in trying to hide from whoever was coming to them, they just waited where they were. Carefully Xander had helped Angel to find his balance back, as the vampire was still rather weak from the returning of his powers. They wouldn't let anyone know of Angel's need of rest and certainly not Willow; she would try everything she could to take advantage of it.

As the footsteps had finally arrived to their level and Xander had made sure that Angel would be okay on his own; they came face to face with two really angry girls. Xander didn't have the time to say anything to Willow, that the girl was already on him; cursing him with everything she had and not even wanting to know why he hadn't follow her when Buffy went to kill the Master. She told him that he was stupid, that it was his fault if Buffy had died and that he should have been there for Buffy, and not Willow.

This was reminding Angel of the time he had watched them in that cemetery, the girls had left Xander in tears with their cruel words while they went back to their home laughing. Though this time their words weren't affecting Xander, he was stronger and knew the truth about the girls. Buffy shouldn't have come back alive this time, she was meant to be stop before she could do something beyond repair. There was a prophecy about her death after all and her resurrection wasn't promising for the future to come.

Angel turned his mind back to the conversion to learn that Willow hadn't even asked about the Master's fate, though he had to smirk at the knowledge that what had really upset the girl was that she had to be the one to do CPR on Buffy. It was funny in a way, that girl had to revise her priorities.

Xander had been bored through it all; he had been waiting till Willow had to breath to told her that he had been blocked from them by a new vague of vampires and had had to help Angel take care of them, before he was able to do anything else. Then the Master had come up and he had to help Angel killed him as well. The girls were shocked into silence after that and couldn't fault his logic but still angry with him, they left and went back home not without insulting Xander one last time of course. It was childish, it was stupid but it had the merit to make Xander laugh. Looking at Angel with eyes still shining from the mirth he had just felt he said; "Well that could have been worse, we should go home as well now, our friends are waiting for us and you need to rest". Angel smiled softly agreeing with him and let Xander help guide him out, as he needed his strength for the moment.

They were finally exiting the building when they felt something strange and completely wrong coming from Xander's school. Xander looked at Angel asking him if he knew what was going on, but the vampire didn't; though he told him that it was feeling really familiar. Xander was surprised and focused his senses on the feeling, he had to agree with Angel it really felt familiar. Wanting to know if the others could sense it as well, he mind-linked with Kyle and Ripper; while they were shocked at the contact at first, they completely relax and told him once asked that they could feel it too. Ripper theorized that with their Were's and their new found vampire's combined senses, they were strong enough to finally sense what as been going on all along.

The more he thought about it and the more Xander had to agree with Ripper, before they had formed their bloodpack, he only had his Were's senses to rely on and as they were more focusing on the physical things, he had never thought anything of it till tonight. Unfortunately for Angel though; vampire's senses were more focus on the magical and he had always felt and known about the disturbance, like with all the demons sensible to magic. He had been attracted to that place without being able to do anything about it, and could now feel that he had been slowly but surely losing bits of his sanity. The part that was the 'Were' in him was anchoring his vampire's part now and he was able to feel the distress, pain and horror coming from what could only have been the Hellmouth.

They were reminded of the presence of the others in their mind when Ripper said, "There is something really wrong here! I'm sensing life and awareness coming from the Hellmouth itself but it shouldn't be possible; the Hellmouth is a gate containing magic, but it isn't alive. And the pain that is coming from it is maddening, we know now why all those demons were attracted to Sunnydale and unfortunately the more they stay, the more it is affecting them."

Xander and Angel looked at each other and coming to a decision, Xander said; "Okay guys we are going to meet you at the school's back entrance, I have the feeling that we will need the strength of the entire pack this time, so wait for us there we are coming".

Once everyone had agreed to the plan Xander closed their mind link and supporting once more Angel, they went in the school's direction. Half way there Angel asked; "Do you think that Oz is ready for whatever is to come?"

"I'm not sure, he has gone through hell with the girls; though he had come a long way with Kyle's help, and I know that we will be there for him and that we won't let him be hurt this time." Xander answered.

"You are right, I'm just worried.", agreed Angel.

Xander laughed at that and said, "You are so protective of us and especially the younger ones, that I can't see your beast as anything else but a feline."

Angel heard the pride and fondness coming from Xander and smiled at him, then focused back his attention to where they were going as they were close to reach the school. They arrived at the high school's back door earlier than they had expected, Angel having already gained back most of his strength, seeing as his magic and his vampire's line power weren't fighting each other anymore.

As they watched carefully their surroundings, making sure that no one would witness their presence; they noticed Ripper, Kyle and Oz waiting for them in the shadows of the back entrance. They went to them and Xander had to smile when those three went to Angel and embraced him with enthusiasm; happy to see him alright after everything that had happened tonight. When they finally were ready to move in, Ripper used his pass to open the door and let them in.

The hallway was extremely dark but Xander, Ripper, Kyle and Oz were relieved to discover that they were sharing Angel's vampire nocturnal vision. They were able to move freely without having to bump in anything while knowing and seeing were they were going. When they reached the library's level they all stopped and as one looked at it. There was no doubt, whatever they were sensing was coming from the library; it was as if they could touch it from where they were standing.

"I have always felt something coming from this place, but never this strongly and it had never been this wrong." Ripper said.

"Yes", replied Xander "and your theory about the combination of our different natures making it possible had just been proved right."

They all agreed at that and move to the library's door and with extreme caution opened it. There in the middle of the room was a sphere of twisting red, black and crimson energy; it was like they were fighting against each other but forced to stay together. An immense pain was coming from it but none of them knew what to do, they had never seen something like that before.

Then two things happened at once, Angel sense his blood being called meaning that someone from his line was in there; and a crimson mist appeared beside the vampire, warning them of Angel's vampire line presence.

"What is going on Angel?" Xander asked worryingly, while everyone turned to look at them.

"I'm not sure but it seemed that one of my child is trapped in there, I can feel him calling to my blood.", replied Angel.

"Yes and this child is being tortured as we speak!" said the hypnotic though furious voice of Angel's vampires line. "Sadly there is nothing I can do alone; we will need to call on the magic itself; only she will have the chance and power to do something at this stage."

"I know of a ritual that we could use, it required powerful magic but between us all, there shouldn't be a problem" said Ripper.

They all agreed and placed themselves in a circle; they took each others hands and while Ripper began to chant the ritual they all lend him their magic. With the help of Angel's line they had enough power to make the magic's incarnation appeared. She was like a girl made of water and as colourful as a crystal reflecting the sun; she was the most beautiful being they had ever seen. She looked pained and sad but seemed to be relieve and happy at seeing them.

"Hello my children, I'm so happy to see you all and to finally meet you. I want first to thank you, I was dying because of my essence being stolen and used to do so much pain and hurt; but when you killed that Master and formed the bloodpack you began to heal me and gave me my hope and faith back. Mother is badly hurt as well but by continuing to rectify the balance, you will be able to help her too. I'm sorry to ask that of you, but I'm too weak to do anything more than help you for the moment and we all know that if I and Mother were to die, the planet would share the same fate." Magic told them.

"Yes as a Luenor I have always felt the twisting of the balance and the hurt it was causing, and I'm happy to be able to help you. You gave us the chance to live and I want to show you that I am really grateful.", Xander said.

The others all agreed with him, all in awe of the love and power radiating from the Magic; they could see the pride she felt for them, glowing from her eyes. She turned her attention back to the Hellmouth and became furious, more than furious; someone had dared do the forbidden and unforgiving. Someone had dared to force the merge of a child, the Gate and its guardian; it shouldn't have been possible but with the Magic being so weak, someone had been able to use his or her magic to create this merging without being notice. Though they were lucky, that someone had overestimated his or her own power, because the beings were still fighting against the strain of the merging, showing that the Magic would still be able to undo it.

Not willing to let them be tortured any longer than they already had, she began to twist back the magic that had been used without her accord, separating and gathering back the magical essences that were defining the child, the guardian and the Gate. The magic that they were sensing was nothing like the magic they knew, it was a magic in its original and natural state, nothing less and nothing more. It was a magic they would never dream to use or control, it was powerful, awe inspiring and beautiful. They could feel it going through them and resonating with their own, it felt like a mother comforting their child, soothing and loving them.

Looking to the others he could see the same relieved and happy smile he felt showing on their face, as the Magic was soothing them from every hurt that had been done to them. He could see tears on Oz's face and knew that she was healing him like none of them had been able to. Everyone seemed to have had a great weight lifted from their shoulders and he was really grateful for it. Returning his attention to the Gate he was blinded by a flash of green and then nothing, the library had found back its darkness and only the Magic was emitting any sort of glow.

"Well I couldn't stopped everything as the merging had progressed much too far for that, but I was able to saved the child and the guardian.", the magic said. That was when they all saw the crimson mist fading from a young teen and the red mist fading from what looked like a puppy with three heads, lying on the floor just where a dark mist was filling the place where the Gate had been revealed.

"Sadly I will have to close this Gate later, its guardian will no longer be able to protect nor anchored it, as he had been linked to the child. They will be unable to live without the other now; the guardian had become the child's magical anchor. Oh and you were right Angel this boy has been born from one of your child and he is fourteen. I'm sorry but I used too much energy and have to leave you, but I am really proud of all of you and I know that you will take great care of that boy till you have him returned to his parents. Oh; one last thing Xander, Kyle... I know it will be hard but don't leave Sunnydale without going to see Jesse one last time. I will return when it is time for you to leave and will help you trapped the girls here.", and with that she was gone.

With one last look to each others they took the unconscious child and 'dog' with them and went back in the direction of the manor. As they were coming in sight of the manor they could observe a car parked at its entrance. They must have been noticed by the car occupants because as they were walking by it, a young woman with ebony black hair jumped Angel embracing him with all her might, while a shout of "Sire" could be heard. Angel embraced her back with as much strength as she had and twirled her around, loving to hear her laugh; he had missed it so much.

"How are you my princess?", he asked; happy to have her in his arms and safe once more; it relieved him to see her alright, even though she seemed weakened and in need of his blood. As he was going to brush his hand through her hair someone rushed him violently to the side snarling, "Don't you dare touch her, you lost that privilege when you left us alone after trying to hurt us. I won't let you betray us anymore!"

Though the words were hurting him, Angel knew that his childer didn't understand what had happened; as he tried to reach to him and explained what was going on he was pushed back violently to the ground. He felt more than saw the others going to stop his youngest when he saw someone catch his childer from the back and saying dryly, "That's not how you are to speak to your sire little brother!"

Angel couldn't stop the smile from appearing on his face as the voice of his older childer reached his ears. "Penn!" was shouted from everyone who knew him.

"Why are you here?" Spike asked the surprise from seeing him, making him lose his will to fight.

"Well for one our sire's call little one, and the fact that I have been following you and Dru since sire had to leave to protect you two! Now before you do something you will regret, you will follow me." Penn answered him and then asked; "Sire? Will you invite us to your home? I think this young man here, need to calm down a little before he is going to be ready to listen."

"Of course Penn go to the den we will join you in a minute" Angel told him.

Making sure they had entered safely and having his princess back in his arms, he turned to the others and said, "I'm sorry for the behaviour of my youngest but he has had to grow up in his vampire nature alone, while protecting his sister and fighting off the slayers and other demons. He has no trust in anyone beside his older sister anymore."

The others nodded their understanding knowing that the last time they had seen each other; Angel pushed by the curse had tried to rape the youngest vampire. That was not something you could forgive easily, and Spike didn't even know about the curse.

"Don't you worry daddy our line will help him heal, the stars and Miss Edith told me about it." Drusilla said with a lovely smile for her sire.

"Alright come on we have a young vampire in need of explanation and I'm sure he still hadn't learn patience during all these years away from me." Angel said going in the direction of the Manor's door.

"Oh wait daddy I need to get Miss Edith, she doesn't like it when I left her alone." Drusilla said rushing to the car she had arrived in and running back to her sire, to everyone's surprise with a doll in her arms.

"Everyone this is Miss Edith my daughter's little friend, they are inseparable." Said Angel, noticing the happy look Drusilla had as he introduced her doll to everyone. They all smiled and said hello before entering the manor and going to sit in the den. Though Xander and Kyle, who were till now carrying the teen and the puppy, went upstairs to lay them on a bed making sure they were comfortable before joining everyone back to the den.

Angel sat opposite of Spike and Penn with Dru beside him as the others gathered around them. "So are you willing to listen to me now, boy?" asked Angel.

"Not really but it seemed I don't have a choice." Spike said grimacing at Penn who had attached his hand to his shoulder.

Xander and Kyle were just returning from upstairs when the vampire's line made her apparition. She introduced herself to her three children and then went on explaining everything to them from their sire's curse by the Master, to his need to leave them for their protection, his guilt, their newfound blood pack… During her explanation the line had observed and magically sensed her Spike and was sad to see his bond to his sire was irremediably destroyed. As he was Spike would never be able to trust Angel, there was only one thing she could do but she would need Angel and Spike's agreement and willingness, for it to succeed.

So turning to the two she said, "There is only one solution for you two to gain back your sire/childer bond", she said and the hope she saw gleaming in Spike eyes gave her all the confidence she needed to go through it. She couldn't have done it if Spike hadn't wanted to bond back with his sire but he still believed in Angel and needed his love. It warmed her to see that all was not lost, Spike had easily accepted the idea of a bloodpack and to depend on a 'Were' for his blood while the 'Were' would bite and claim him as his anchor. He even seemed to be excited to discover what his beast would be. The only thing that was worrying them was his distrust for his sire, though the hope she had seen shining in his eyes, showed her that they still had a chance.

She watched the two before explaining what she wanted to do; she needed to turn back Spike in his fledgling state. He would become dependent of his sire but the bond that had been destroyed would be recreated. At first Spike at thought it was a joke, though when he had seen that she was serious he had became angry. He didn't want to lose everything he had worked so hard to gain, his strength, his master's status… But he also knew that he would be alone, Dru wouldn't follow him away from their father, she had waiting so long for him to be back and if he was honest with himself he did want what his sire as he had at the beginning. It had been the first time he had felt loved and it had felt so right to depend on his sire to feel protected.

Turning to his line he made his choice and saw the pride she felt for him as he told her his decision. She happily smiled at him and told him that he had made the right choice, he would lose his memories of everything that had happened to him after Angel was curesd, but would still recall of the time they were in. He would go back to the trusting and playful, though sarcastic young man they all knew, protected and loved; that way he would only have to focus on his bond with his sire and family. The crimson mist that represented the vampire's line surrounded Spike and with a last "don't worry, it won't hurt you", he fell unconscious.

Xander who was the closest, caught him before he could fell on the floor and a dark green and crimson aura surrounded them in a flash. Shock could be seen in everyone eyes, as they all looked at Xander and Spike as if they had seen a ghost. Xander was going to ask them what had happened when a voice coming from the den's entrance said, "You mister are a really lucky man; you just found your soul mate."

Everyone turned to see a boy standing with a puppy at his feet, looking at them with a contented smile. Angel finally coming out of his shock smiled at who he could now perfectly sense was his grandson, he could smell in him the blood of the Aurelius and the blood of his children.

"So young one, what is your name?", Angel asked.

"I'm called Cedric Diggory", the boy responded.

"And your birth name?", Angel asked already knowing the truth.

The boy smirked and said, "Adam Larabee …"

AN:

° Thanks to: Sygonia, LostGryffindorFoundSlytherin, Veronica and Carlough for reviewing the last chapter.

° Last and longest chapter of the first Arc, next one will be the Epilogue.

° There was two clues for two of the future crossovers, hope you saw them (though they weren't difficult at all to find^^).

° Last but not least, please continue to review!