Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: I know it's been a month since I updated this and I'm sorry. Real life's been a bitch plus I was on a House/Supernatural/Dark Angel/Smallville kind of marathon. Anyway, read and tell me how you like it!
Chapter Five: No Control
Spike stepped over the remains of fallen demon. It was the fourth one on their list. They hunted for the past few hours. Walking around the city, checking a street after street. He mostly followed Illyria, she seemed to know where to go. He didn't even get to work off some of his frustration. Blue just reached the demons and killed them without a second thought. Spike realized that Illyria hadn't moved.
''Where to now, pet?''
She cocked her head to the side. ''I don't know. He's hidden from me.''
Vampire reached for one of the cigarettes he picked up earlier. ''The fella that we're after?'' He lit it up.
''We have to find him.'' she said and continued her path.
''How?'' Spike caught up to her.
''With our eyes.''
He laughed. ''You kiddin'? This is a bloody big city, we can't just walk 'round, hoping he'll come runnin'.''
Illyria turned to her left, entering a sex shop. Spike raised his eyebrow and went after her.
''What, he likes some toys? A little S&M demon?''
She picked up a huge, black dildo and stared at it with interest.
He smirked. ''Good choice. We'll fuck him to death, that's brilliant.''
''Fuck?'' Illyria faced him, dildo still in her hand.
''Okay, let's put that down.'' Spike took the false dick and put it on the counter. ''So what's the deal? That demon a pervert or somethin'?''
''A pervert?'' Illyria asked him, her face blank.
''Yeah, a little leather here 'n there... y'know get's hard when his partner's tied and gagged.'' He took out a leather mask with a gag. ''Ya think if we'll wave it around he'll show?''
''Put it on.'' Illyria turned to leave.
''Whoa, whoa... what?'' Spike caught her arm.
''You are right. Demon is a pervert. You'll be the bait.'' she left the store. Vampire stared at her, open mouthed.
''You can't be bloody serious.''
''I am.''
Spike looked at the mask in his hand. ''If anyone sees me in this...''
''Don't worry, vampire. I will destroy the demon before he lands a hand on you.'' She didn't even turn to him.
''A fucking perverted demon and I'm a bait? That's fucking ridiculous. Where's he from? Fuckland?'' Spike shook his head.
''We don't have time for this. Let's go.''
Vampire took deep, unnecessary breaths. ''Not a word.'' he warned.
***B***B***
He approached the demon. He was one of the smart species, well, smarter than the others. Gunn realized that since he killed the vampire nest when he woke up, he didn't see anything close to a vampire. That bothered him, because he needed a crew. He couldn't really do anything that'd matter by himself.
''Hey, can we talk?''
Demon was a small one, not really having much strength. Though he lacked it, his speed was deadly. ''What do you want?'' he asked in a fluent english. Gunn was surprised.
''Yeah, uhm... look I want to know what's goin' on?''
''Going on?'' Demon sat down on a mask of a car. They were on one of bigger streets, completely broken and bloody. Dried blood was sticking to various places. He could hear more demons walking around without any purpose. ''I mean what now? Los Angeles is destroyed. What's next?''
''Now, we wait.'' he replied.
''For what?''
''You're from around here, aren't you? One of the locals.''
Gunn crossed his arms. ''So?''
''Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against you. Just surprised you're still alive... or whatever.'' demon held up his hands.
''About that, what happened to vampires? Haven't seen any.'' Gunn asked.
''Most were killed during the first strike. If some survived they're probably hiding.'' he shrugged.
''Why kill 'em? I've been runnin' around and nothin' touched me.''
Demon shook his head. ''Silly vampire. They looked human. An army of demons arrived, all thirsty for blood. You think they cared if dude was undead? Now nothing is even bothering to kill a vampire such as you.''
Gunn smiled, but there wasn't anything happy behind it. ''What do you wait for?''
''For He to come.''
Black vampire sat down beside the demon. ''Who's He?''
''I don't know His name. Nobody knows, I think. Once He comes we will conquer this world.'' Demon looked at him. Gunn stared back. ''You sure about that? We've got pretty powerful people here.'' Truth to be told, he didn't want the world to end. It was his world. Even undead, he could still think of many things that made him happy. Why end it?
''Yeah, but they're roaches. Only Old Ones could do something to stop it. You don't have any.'' his companion said.
Old Ones? So there is a way. ''Illyria is here.''
That got demon's full attention. ''What?''
''She's somewhere in this city.'' Gunn observed his reaction.
''Really? Huh, that's bad. She's got potential to mess things up.'' Demon said and jumped down.
''Where you going?'' Vampire asked, walking after demon.
''I have to warn my superiors. We can't afford any problems.''
He needed to find Illyria. If she could stop it, hell he'd do anything to mess this. Okay, he was evil, but that didn't mean he wanted to kill everything in sight. ''Look, I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that.''
Demon turned to him and Gunn grabbed him by his neck, cutting off his air supply. He lifted him off the ground. Demon struggled, but his arms and legs were too short to do any damage to Gunn. ''It's nothing personal. Really.'' He buried his claws in Gunn's arm, causing vampire to hiss, but not to loosen his grip. Having enough, Gunn broke his neck and tossed the body into nearest car.
Now he had a purpose.
***B***B***
''This is bullshit.''
Faith just ended telling her story. ''Glad you have so high opinion of my life.''
''No what I meant.'' Rain said. ''The way they treated you after you killed this dude. Well, I'm far from defendin' you, but...''
''Yeah, I didn't make it any easier. Fuck it, it's in the past.'' Faith shrugged and got up.
''Yet you still have feelings for her.'' Blonde spoke up. Slayer lingered in the doorway. ''For who?''
''This Buffy. A blind person would notice.''
''Don't know what you talking about.'' Faith left the office.
''Come on, don't deny it. Your face was blank when you talked about her, but your eyes told it all. They were sad, because if you wouldn't fuck things up, you'd be with her.'' Katie followed her.
''So what? There's no point in thinkin' about it. Can't change the past.'' Brunette sat down on the stairs.
''But you can act now. Don't give up.'' Rain noticed.
Faith laughed. ''I gave up long time ago. Never really tried. 'Sides, there's no way B would pick me. When she has her three vampire lovers.''
''Vampire lovers?''
''Yeah.'' Faith cracked her knuckles. ''Angel, Spike and Immortal. Fuckin' joke. What's so special about dead guys? Don't get me wrong, I love Angel like a brother. What he did for me, I'll never pay it back. But screwin' one undead after another?'' she suddenly felt really angry. Right now she'd kill every fucking boyfriend Buffy ever had.
Silence fell over them.
''I say fuck it.'' Rain spoke out. ''Show her what she's missing. Once we get out of here, go and tell her. If she says no, then she never really deserved you.''
''Yeah, I think it's the other way around.'' Faith said and the feeling washed away. This was weird. Like talking about her feelings with women she barely knew. What the fuck? She didn't had time to dwell on it because Lorne walked in, carrying a bag over his shoulder. He set it down and stared at them.
''Where's the kid?''
They noticed lack of Connor.
''He... he stayed behind.''
''What?''
''Some demon was tracking us and he told me to go.'' Lorne said calmly.
''You left a kid with a fucking demon?'' Faith stood up.
''Connor can handle himself.'' Green demon objected. ''He will kill the demon and come back. We will wait for him and get Rain and Katherine out of here.''
Faith snorted. ''How, huh? Just walk out of here? Single five?''
''Okay, what the fuck is wrong with you two?'' Rain interjected, raising her voice.
Both turned their heads to her. ''I don't know.''
''Something is messing with our heads.'' Lorne observed. ''Look, we have no time to search for Connor. If something is causing us to freak out, we need to find out what is it. I've got Wesley's journals. We have to go through them and find it.''
''Okay, chill.'' Faith said and opened the bag, taking out few books. Lorne took the journal with Connor in it and started to read. ''Let's get it done. Sooner the better.''
***B***B***
She was leaning against the wall of a house and stared at Amy who paced in front of her. It was starting to piss her off. They hid in the backyard.
''Cut it out, will ya?'' Kennedy snapped.
Younger girl sent her a murderous look but stopped in place. ''We should go.''
''We're waiting for other groups to show up. Then we'll get the hell out.''
Slayer snorted. ''Yeah, right. They're already dead, you know that.''
''Look, we will wait until someone shows up.'' Kennedy said.
''It's pointless!'' Amy raised her voice. ''We've been waiting her for how long exactly? Hours. You know what's in there.'' she pointed to the city. ''It's obvious no one survived. If they did, don't you think they'd come here? Besides, it's dark. There is no way girls will get through.''
''You don't know that.'' Kennedy said. Honestly, she didn't think chances were big either.
''Yeah, I do. Besides we were supposed to wait for others for an hour. I mean, what are we even still doing here?'' Amy kicked the stone on the ground. It rolled few times before stopping.
Brunette sighed and turned to face the city. ''We will wait 'til sunrise. Then we'll leave. That were our orders.''
''Since when are you so big on orders, huh? You always did everything opposite to said.''
''Since now.'' Kennedy whispered.
Amy nodded her head and looked around. She picked up a fallen tree branch and hit Kennedy over the head with it. She fell to the ground. Younger slayer brought the branch down a couple more times until it broke. ''What are you doing?'' Kennedy groaned.
''I'm so sick of you telling me what to do! I've had enough.'' Amy dropped the branch and kicked her in the face. Kennedy rolled to her back. ''This isn't you.''
''No, this is me. Tell me, what are you trying to prove? That you are still good enough to eat witch's pussy? Huh? Is that it?'' Amy asked, grabbing front of Kennedy's shirt and hitting her twice in the face. ''You're scared, that's what. Isn't it? You're scared to face Buffy and tell her that all of these little poor girls you ordered to infiltrate the city against Buffy's orders are dead. Demon snacks.''
''Shut up!'' Kennedy yelled and got up. She wildly swung her arm and got caught by Amy. She struggled but younger slayer simply threw her through the glass door and into the house.
''Come on, face it. You can't compete with Buffy. Or Faith. They're the originals. The chosen two. You'll never be it. I know it and I don't have any problem with it.''
Kennedy was still dizzy from the hits to her head. She stood up and Amy immediately kicked her in the face. She hit the wall. ''We're all just some girls they needed to do their dirty work. They don't care about us.'' Brunette rushed at Amy and got elbowed in her face. ''Just for the record, when I see the redhead, I'll let her know that this blood is on her hands.'' she continued like nothing happened. ''She made the girls into slayers without even asking! She tried to play God and this is what happened. All this 'Sunnydale crew' chose our destinies for us!''
She aimed at Kennedy's head again and brunette ducked at last moment. Amy hit the wall, full-force. She yelled out in pain, grabbing her hand. Kennedy kicked her in the ribs and followed with a series of blows to Amy's face. She quickly recovered and sent a powerful blow of her own and Kennedy stumbled back. Brunette reached for a frying pan and threw it at younger girl, rushing after. Amy blocked the flying pan, but immediately Kennedy was on her. She barely managed to sidestep her and whipped her hand in general direction of her opponent. She got Kennedy in the left shoulder, dislocating it. Brunette grimaced, but paid no more attention to it, focusing on the fight. Amy ran at her and they both crashed through the door, apparently to bedroom.
Kennedy kicked her off and her eyes searched the room. There was a baseball bat next to the night table. She grabbed it and swung at Amy who just entered the room. Amy ducked and struck her in the jaw. Kennedy kicked her in the stomach and, again, swung the bat. This time it connected with Amy's side. She bended over in pain. Kennedy hit her few more times. Amy crawled to the kitchen and took the first knife she could find. She turned back and baseball connected with her face, rendering Amy unconscious. Brunette stared at her fallen friend. She let go of the bat and took the knife. She raised it over her head, ready to bring it down.
***B***B***
Connor opened his eyes to dimly lighted room. He didn't feel any pain in his face or side. He slowly sat up and surveyed his surroundings. It was a rather small room, he was on the bed. Few candles were lit, fire dancing happily. Okay, he was fighting the demon and someone had to drag him here. He remembered demon falling dead to the ground with an arrow in it's head. A metal bow with arrows made of probably same material was near the bed. So the whole 'Angel' thing didn't work out for him.
Connor got up and searched for a mirror, but there wasn't one. He felt something around his neck. He took it out, it was a simple pentagram. So who the hell...
''See you're awake.'' A smooth voice behind him said. He whipped around, surprised that he didn't hear... her. A woman stood in front of him. She was about his height, maybe an inch taller, but that wasn't what caught Connor's attention. A pair of red eyes started back at him, shining in the dark. Color of her skin seemed green or blue... like aquamarine, really. She had sharp face lines, yet definitely feminine. She had a cape over her shoulders, a long and thick sword attached to her hip. She looked like from 10th century.
''You're a demon.'' he said flatly. That was totally so not what he expected.
''So are you.'' she replied. Connor noticed that her english was kinda weird. Like she perfectly knew how to say everything, she just wasn't used to it.
He sent a look to her gear. ''A bow? Seriously?''
''You had a blade, yet you failed.'' woman said.
''Yeah, so what are you?'' Connor asked. He was now relaxed, if she wanted him dead, she had many occasions.
''What am I?''
''You're not exactly a demon I've seen before. And I guess you're not from around here.'' he sat down.
''That's right. I'm only a half demon. Actually you're more demon than I am, you just look more human.'' she said, stripping the cape off her shoulders.
''How's that possible?''
''Same demons are common in multiple dimensions. You really think humans only exist in this one?'' she asked.
That wasn't something he ever thought about. It was possible that humans lived in other dimension, hell, he traveled to one without a way in or out, but that didn't stop him.
''You mean one of your parents was human and the other...'' he waved his hand.
''Yes.'' she nodded, watching him curiously.
''What's your name?'' he asked her.
She said something that made absolutely no sense to Connor and he didn't even try to repeat it, afraid to literally break his tongue. ''I don't understand.''
Woman leaned back and stared at him. ''Anthis.'' she eventually said.
''Nice to meet you, Anthis. I'm Connor.''
''I'm aware. The miracle child.'' She walked over to him.
''That's a new one.'' Connor muttered. ''So, uh, why'd you save me?'' he asked her, a little uncomfortable by her constant staring. The fact that her eyes were viciously red didn't help either.
''Your time wasn't up yet.''
He decided to leave it at that. ''How long was I unconscious?'' Connor asked. They were probably freaking out back at the hotel.
''Not very long.''
''How many hours?''
''I don't know what you mean.''
''My bones are healed, so I guess few days passed. Fuck.'' Connor swore.
''They are not healed. You just don't feel them.'' She informed him.
''Huh?''
''I did it. To cease your pain.'' Anthis answered him.
He sighed frustrated. ''Okay, I need you to come with me.''
''No.'' Anthis said.
''What do you mean no? I have to go back to the hotel. We should stay together.'' Connor told her.
''It's not wise. You should stay here.'' She got up and collected her bow.
''I know that it's dangerous, really I get it.''
''You don't.'' she said, putting the cape back on.
''Whatever. Lorne would probably want to speak to you, so let's go.'' Connor walked to the door.
''Something is killing the totems, collecting their power. Side effects are increasing, it's making everyone go crazy. Violence, lust, every emotion you feel can hit you at random time.'' Demon informed him. ''Four of five are dead.''
He stopped. ''Last one dies and?''
''We're trapped. A magical barrier will appear, nothing gets in or out.''
''How big?'' he asked.
She put the hood on, covering her face in shadows. ''Big enough.''
''Then I have to warn my friends.''
Anthis walked past him. ''As you wish. I'm going hunting, try to locate the last demon. Whatever you do, don't take off the amulet I gave you. It's protecting you.''
''A simple pentagram?'' he called after her.
''It's blessed. I am sure our paths will cross again, soon.'' She said and disappeared in the darkness.
Connor took a deep breath and walked after her. After few minutes he got to the street. There was no trace of his saviour. He looked around and realized that he was fairly close to Hyperion.
***B***B***
''Sit back and read.'' Faith ordered him.
''I'm not in the mood. I want to have some sea breeze.'' Green demon walked up the stairs. ''But of course we don't have any, so I'll have to stick to thin air.'' he threw over his shoulder.
''Dick.'' she muttered. Slayer realized that something was wrong. ''Okay, you two keep reading. I'll go get him back.'' Faith said and walked after Lorne. Brunette and blonde just stared at her back. Their eyes dropped to Faith's butt as she walked up the stairs. Both looked each other in the eyes, lust behind them.
''Hey! Whoa, wait up!'' she called after retreating demon. Lorne turned to her, clearly annoyed.
''What?''
''Look, it's not you. You're under some influence and we need your help to figure out what's going on.'' she said patiently.
''We need your help?'' he mocked her. Faith took a step back more from surprise than from being intimidated. ''Remember when we asked for your help? You pretended not to hear. That's what I'm gonna do.'' Lorne shrugged and continued his previous path.
Brunette sighed and followed. ''You know I... I already said I'm sorry.''
Once again, Lorne stopped. ''You think that's gonna be enough? No.'' he shook his head. ''Maybe we should've asked louder, huh?'' he began to raise his voice. ''Maybe then someone would actually hear us! But all of you are just so fucking stupid, thinking we've gone rogue. On the other hand, I guess they could've expected it, huh? You've put them through it once already!'' by now he was yelling and nearly in Faith's face. Explaining to herself that it was for good and Lorne was making too much noise, with one blow she knocked him unconscious. She preferred not to focus on the rage boiling inside of her. Those things he said hit to close to home.
Faith lifted Lorne's body up and placed him in the closest room. It's unlikely that something would try to kill him. Besides, from what she knew they had some anti-demon mojo. Taking few deep breaths to calm herself, she walked back to the lobby.
Halfway down, she froze mid-step.
Katie was spread across the couch, with brunette on her knees, probably eating her out. In few second when Faith couldn't even think, she noticed the perfectness of blonde's body, combined with Rain's ass staring right back at her. She immediately got hot. It's been some time since she had a good relief. Especially after she broke up with Wood. He was just too bossy. Blonde moaned louder, not really noticing Faith who was slowly coming closer. Her breathing became heavy. If only she and Buffy...
That did it. From horny she instantly went to furious. Something was fucking with their minds and they were screwing on the couch? Gritting her teeth, she tore Rain off of the pussy she sucked and flung her across the lobby.
''What the fuck?'' she muttered.
Faith whipped her head around to face Katie, but blonde was already standing and sending a fist to her face. Brunette might've reacted if she wasn't so surprised. She quickly retaliated, beating blonde's face. Three blows later she kicked her in the stomach and threw Katie to Angel's office. Blonde didn't get up.
Faith, from the corner of her eye, saw Rain reach for the gun laying on he counter and grabbed the nearest lamp and aimed at her. Brunette dropped the gun and took out a 8 inch blade from her pant leg. Okay, that was unexpected.
''You fucking bitch!'' Rain yelled after glancing at blonde's body and rushed at her. Faith grabbed her hand and wrestled for the knife. It should be really easy, considering she was a slayer, but it surprisingly wasn't. Faith got head butted and a long gash on her arm. She began to pummel the other woman mercilessly even after knife dropped to the floor. Slayer grabbed Rain by her shoulders and threw through the pair of door, to the garden. She picked up the blade and calmly walked over to the unmoving woman. A hand shot out from nowhere and took the knife away, simultaneously whirling her around and into the bushes.
''What are you doing?''
Faith looked up from her position on the ground. It was Connor. He looked a little beat up, but generally fine. So why it took him so long to walk back here when he wasn't hurt?
''Where the fuck were you?'' she yelled.
''What's going on?'' he asked carefully. So it started already...
Brunette slayer stood up. ''Give me the knife.'' she ordered.
''No.'' Connor took a step back.
''Give it back. Now.'' she held out her hand. Boy glanced down and tossed the blade away. Faith laughed under her breath. ''You're gonna regret this.''
She launched herself at him, but with rage controlling her, instead of her mind, Connor was able to sneak his fist through and Faith's head snapped to the side. Knowing that something was wrong with everyone, he knew he couldn't afford to waste any second. He grabbed Faith by hair and slammed her head down on his own knee. Slayer stumbled back and Connor kicked her in the face. She hit the ground hard, but when Connor advanced, she struck out with her leg and he was on his knees beside her. He jumped at her, wanting to keep Faith down, but she rolled away from his reach.
Faith wiped some blood off her face. They circled each other. ''Faith.'' he tried. ''Something is controlling you. You need to calm down.''
''Controlling?'' she pretended to think about it. ''Nah, I don't think so.''
''Look-'' he was cut off by Faith's fist hitting his face. Followed by second and third that made him lean against the wall for support. He blocked another one and landed an uppercut, then a knee to her stomach. He grabbed brunette by her jacket and waistband of her jeans and threw to the wall. He wasn't the best in close fight, he needed some space. Faith turned around, her fist ready to attack anything near and it missed Connor's face by inches. Back of Faith's head hit the wall after another blow and Connor, for a second, was concerned that something might actually happen to her, but that feeling passed away after a series of vicious punches to his ribs, an elbow to his face and a kick that sent him sprawling to the ground. Faith immediately picked him up by his chest and started to beat him again. Connor took the first opening he found and reared his hand back to punch her in the formerly injured shoulder. Slayer yelled in pain and grabbed it. Connor, using opportunity as Faith was momentarily distracted, kicked her powerfully in the face. Faith hit the ground, hard. He realized that it felt really good.. Beat someone, a human, not having to hold back, not being scared to break the person. He lost himself in the sick feeling, before frantically grabbing his chest. The amulet was gone. He must've lost it sometime during the fight. As Faith scrambled back to her feet, he ran at her, but she used his momentum and Connor found himself flying through the air and into the Hyperion lobby. He was lucky that his ribs and half of face were numb, otherwise he'd be howling in pain by now. Boy ducked the first blow that came at him, but when he tried to land his own, a magical force stopped his fist.
Oh shit.
Faith blinked in surprise and a predatory grin appeared on her face. The next few moments were full of Faith's body parts making contact with Connor's, most likely leaving him in more pain he already was. He tried to run outside, where the spell didn't work, but Faith grabbed his back and threw to Angel's office, shattering the window in the process. He landed on the desk, breaking a lamp and spilling the papers flying everywhere. Connor slid to the ground. Faith walked to him, over still unconscious Katie's body. Boy grabbed the desk and threw it at Faith. It didn't hit her, but gave him enough time to jump back to the lobby and run outside. Slayer ran after him moments later and Connor struck out his arm, catching her right below her chin. As she went down, one word ran through Connor's head.
Kill.
***B***B***
Gunn looked up as a pair of demons fell off the window few stories upon him. They landed on a car, not breaking their apparent fight. Chaos, that was the only word that came to Gunn's head. Demons were fighting, mating, sitting in catatonic-like state. It went on and on. He ran through every possible thing that could cause this before settling on one. Ring of Gholbine. Though the demon himself was dead, it was the only thing that completely fit. Like why it didn't affect him. He was dead, it only worked on alive beings. It controlled your emotions, from happy to sad in one second or from nervous to calm. Many demons were driven by their emotions, their hunger or simply survival. It wasn't surprising that most of them lashed out. Gunn moved through the streets fast, not stopping to catch attention of anything. He needed to find the owner. To stop it's doing, was simple. Take it off of someones hand.
Problem was, he had a lot of space to search through.
***B***B***
Spike had enough. The first time Illyria giggled after looking at him, he did nothing. Second time, when he sensed something was off, demons tearing each other to shreds, he kept his mouth shut. Third time however, he tore the mask off his face after she collapsed in laughter.
''What the fuck?'' he spat. It was too disturbing. Illyria literally rolling on the pavement, laughing her ass off?
''It's just...'' she panted. ''You look so funny!''
''What wrong with you hun?'' Spike circled her.
''Tha...that-that's him!'' she got out, pointing at something behind Spike. Vampire turned around and saw a bulky demon, some distance away. Demon was looking at him, head cocked to the side.
Spike approached him, leaving a laughing Illyria behind. ''Hey! Yo, fella!'' he yelled to him. Demon did nothing.
''Okay, let's go at it.'' he said and attacked him. Demon grabbing him by the collar and threw back to Illyria, seemingly effortlessly. Spike got up and charged again. And again and again. He was tossed aside every time, hitting the cars, the ground or some walls. Vampire groaned after getting up for tenth time. ''Some bloody help would be nice, yunno?'' he told Illyria.
''I enjoy watching him beat you.'' was her reply.
Next fly of Spike's ended in breaking through the glass of some apartment. He grabbed a pair of scissors and went to face the demon again, this time trying different approach. Demon was relaxed, so Spike's attempts weren't half bad. He jabbed it few times in the stomach, plus some cuts on demons arms, but not enough to do real damage.
He ducked after another strike and crawled between demons legs. Standing up, vampire reared his hand back and with all his might he aimed at demons occiput. Scissors went through its head and resurfaced between it's eyes. Demon dropped to the ground, dead. Spike stared at his work.
''Hey, Blue! Come on, do your thing.''
Illyria stood up. ''You didn't have to wear that mask at all.'' she announced.
''Huh?''
''It wasn't necessary. Amusing though.''
Spike was literally shaking. ''You're telling me I walked around in that thing for no bloody reason?'' he roared.
Illyria chuckled.
***B***B***
Faith's eyes widened as yet another blow came at her. Her reflexes by now were slow, as were Connor's. She ducked and struck with her right hand. She had no control over her left arm, it was swinging numbly as she moved. Connor, on his part had his right hand clutched around his ribs. Even as Faith's fist made contact, with no real power behind, he stumbled back. He waited for another attack, but it didn't came. Instead Faith was just standing in front of him, out of breath.
''You okay?''
Connor realized that his desire to hurt someone passed. He was back to his old self. He laughed and let himself fall to the ground. Faith sat down with her back to a car. Sometime during their fight, they moved to the street.
''I think I'm hurt.'' he muttered, trying to catch his own breath. This fight cost him more than ever before. If it would last longer, he'd lose.
''No shit.''
Connor coughed up some blood that landed on his chest. ''We need some new clothes.'' he noticed, his words quiet. They were both really messed up. Faith smiled, but immediately let out a pained cry.
Suddenly a wave of blue-white matter went through them. ''The fuck was that?'' Faith asked.
Connor just stared up, as it went higher and higher before settling down.
''About that...''
***B***B***
Spike gathered himself up after landing on the ground for the countless time today. When Illyria finished absorbing the energy from the demon, they were both flung away. Blue goddess looked at the sky. The matter emanated light, and the streets now looked like during the full moon. The effect was close to moonlight, a little darker maybe.
Vampire sent her a questioning look. ''We're cut off.'' she said.
***B***B***
Gunn was torn between watching the barrier, as he called it, and the ring that now was resting on his palm. Body of a demon who wore it laid few feet away. He picked up a big rock and crushed the ring, effectively destroying it.
***B***B***
''Uhm, Giles? I think we've got a problem...'' Buffy trailed off as she stared at the barrier in front of her face. No matter how hard she tried, nor she or the slayers could get through. She even hit it with The Scythe she brought, but it had no effect. Blonde looked around helplessly, trying to understand Giles through the phone.
***B***B***