Disclaimer : BTVS and Angel belong to the Great, Munificent Joss Whedon! I'm not doing this for money, fame, or fortune (more's the pity) but I am doing this for the recognition of my peers, peons, and loyal subjects. Side note: I started this story quite some time ago with my, now, ex-wife. I like this story so I am re-writing it, re-naming it, and re-posting it.

The danger was only just beginning in Hyperion Alley even with the arrival of the Slayers. Not only were the monsters multiplying but also seemed to be getting stronger as everyone shelled out all of their defenses. Though the heroes were very powerful, so were the demons attacking them at full throttle. Swords clanged, monsters died. The sounds of flesh being torn apart, like that in nightmares, filled the night air as some of the beasts began feeding on the left over carnage. Blood dripped from their mangled jaws as they gnarled and jumped at the weak and defenseless.

Illyria literally ripped spines out of bodies and tossed them aside like they were nothing. The spineless creatures crumpled to the ground, she showed no mercy stomping their heads, crushing them into the pavement.

"Grief is for mortals. You will suffer for this." Illyria informed one demon before she de-spined him. She went on to the next and next…never fearing or even thinking that she could not defeat anything set against her, she just did. The Slayers had long since exhausted their long distance ammunition, having joined the fight at street level. There was a lull for Angel and Spike as the Slayers took over backing up Illyria.

"What?" Buffy asked, "Didn't think we would get here in time for the dramatic finale?"

Angel and Spike exchange a shocked glance and turned back to the slayer smiling big goofy grins. At that point Buffy simply slapped both en-souled vampires pulling a three stooges act.

"That's for not letting me know Spike was back and for you coming up with this half-baked, self sacrifice plan!" She snapped at Angel. Then she grabbed Spike and did her best to find his tonsils with her tongue while Angel looked on in shock. Pushing him back Spike snark-ed at Angel, "Told ya she wanted m..."

At that point Buffy jumped up on Angel and performed the same search for his tonsils, effectively shutting Spike up. Jumping off she pulled a couple thermos out of her backpack slapping one each on their respective chests.

"Drink," she ordered, "it's Slayer blood. Need you two at the top of your game."

At that she spun and leaped into the fray.

Giles backed away from the edge of the rooftop after having placed amulets of Holy Protection around the perimeter. Calling out to Willow he informed her, "Buffy has made contact and the boys have drunk the blood."

"Good." Willow grunted.

Walking over to where Willow was busy drawing out the design they would need he noticed, "Ah, I see you are using Dead Sea Salt. Very good choice."

Willow leaned back on her heels, "So you get even more polite and complimentary the more nervous you get?"

He huffed, "Just finish the bloody design."

Giles started to turn away, but he noticed Willow staring up into the sky past him. Looking over his shoulder he did a classic double take at the dragon bearing down on them from above. He ducked and Willow covered her head as the Dragon screamed over them. They could smell it's fetid breath, felt the heat of it's passing. Flapping it wings powerfully the dragon climbed to angle around to make a strafing run. Willow and Giles hastily setup some shields when a cowled figure appeared between them and the dragon.

"I got this. Finish the casting." the mysterious man ground out, sounding like he gargled with gravel, while raising his hands towards the incoming Dragon.

Down below the tide of the battle turned against the Slayer and Vampires. Granted the troops had been worse for the wear before, but this time Angel wasn't sure they'd make it out alive. The only option he could come up with was to block off all the entrances and somehow blow these demons back to hell. Honestly, he didn't think that could help.

"If we could manage to block this alley off, maybe…" Angel said his words lost in the clamor of swords and swear words.

"They'll just keep coming Angel." Spike beheaded another vampire. "At least we can give it our best."

The team had been fighting for what seemed like hours, but only a few minutes had passed since the Slayers had joined them. The demons attacked in multitudes. Either the team was getting weaker or the demons were getting stronger. Angel wished it were the latter but knew better of it. All of them were battered and bruised. Spike had already been knocked nearly unconscious a couple of times, Illyria looked strong enough but he knew the probability of her surviving much longer wasn't high. And he himself was ready to give up. Even with the addition of the Slayers it was not looking good.

In an odd lull of fighting Angel wondered why Buffy was using a troll hammer and stake and not her Slayer Scythe.

"Well, I think this is it old buddy, old pal." Spike spoke up. "We may not have been the best of friends Angel, but I have to tell you this before I die…I'm damn proud to be standing by your side in this."

Angel glanced at the man who'd nearly destroyed his life many times over. Strangely, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. If they were going to go down, they'd make the best of it. "And…I never thought I'd hear myself say this either, but I'm glad you're here to fight this with me. When we make it out, don't ever tell anyone I told you that."

"And you either." Spike chortled. "When we make ... wait a mo! What do'ya mean when!?"

Angel smirked to himself.

"Angel ..." Spikes words drifted off.

Suddenly a loud explosion drew everyone's attention to the skies where a ball of eldritch energy chased off the screeching Dragon. Out of the shadows a dark and mysterious figure appeared on the rooftop. Energy crackled from the robed ones fingertips. The horde fell silent, gazing at what had to be a Warlock.

"Well, would you look at that?" Spike chortled into the ensuing silence. Then he glanced at Angel and whispered, "You bloody sod, you knew didn't you?"
Angel peered up into the heavens, "I suspected... something." he replied to Spike.

The dark figure seemed to be trying to protect them as it rained devastation upon the demon army. "But that's not what I expected, exactly." Angel added gesturing towards the warlock.

"Beats me." Spike shrugged. "S'long's he's on our side."

The cloaked man jumped into the alleyway. Landing between the beleaguered champions and the ravening demons, the ground cracked beneath his thunderous impact. The cowled figure had let his legs absorb the impact. He rose to his full height, after the echoes faded into the crowded alleyway. Conjuring Latin spells of magic, he destroyed hordes of demons in one powerful blow. Seemingly spent the new player gazed at Illyria from the depths of his cloak in the ensuing silence. Nodding to himself in obvious satisfaction, the newcomer returned to his perch. Illyria's gaze followed the warlock as he made a clean jump, from the ground to the roof top.

Buffy, Angel and Spike simply stood aghast at the presence of such a powerful force. Glancing at each other the two vampires with a soul shrugged in confusion. They turned to Buffy who shrugged with the look of "I don't know either". Then noticing the diminished ranks of the enemy they smirked at each other.

Brandishing their swords high they roared a challenge and attacked the stunned army of evil!

Buffy sighed pulling her Troll Hammer up and walked into the fight muttering, "Boys!"