Disclaimer: All Buffy or Angel characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.
Author's Note: I know it's been a loooong time since I've updated. I wasn't in my home, so... Anyway, I'm sorry. Here's a little longer than normal piece ;)
Chapter Eleven: This Love, This Hate
Last few days were quiet in the City of Angels. Tense and quiet. They still sent patrols to capture demons, but those who were brought in didn't know anything. Connor soon got used to the massacred bodies after Faith interrogated them. Brunette herself didn't want to talk about it, avoided the subject, but everyone saw it was taking it's toll on her. With each day she was getting a little bit more colder. Spike and Gunn mostly stayed together. Rain was now sleeping in Faith's room. She officialy joined the club of people who killed other humans. Whenever she and Katie were in the same room, the blonde refused to look at her, much less think about starting a conversation. Amy was spending her time with Lorne, they got along pretty good, often having fun like everything around them wasn't really happening. Connor silently wished for Anthis to show up with some valuable information. Maybe they could actually do something, stop Angel.
Storm was coming.
***B***B***
Illyria was slowly working on breaking the spell binding her to Angel. It was a very powerful one, even by her standards. Few days of trying and she got only past the first layer. Still it was a victory. Angel didn't suspect a thing.
''You're upset.'' She said when he entered the hall. His steps fast, heavy.
''You think?'' he asked once he reached the middle.
''What happened?''
Angel snorted. ''She's dead. Somehow she's fucking dead.''
''Who?'' Illyria cocked her head.
''Who do you think? Our only way out of here. Now if I won't find any other, we're stuck in here forever.'' He kicked the nearest chair. It flew through the whole space and crashed into the wall.
''Sucks to be you, mate.'' She said, recalling Spike's form of speech. Angel slowly turned to her and reached out his hand. Then he made a fist, as if grasping, squeezing something. He did. Illyria felt her insides being literally crushed. She fell to her knees, choking with pain. She spit out some blood.
''I wouldn't be so smart if I were you.'' He said calmly.
''Or what? You're gonna kill me?'' She got out between ragged breaths.
''Oh, no. But I can make your time here quite...'' He squeezed harder. Illyria rolled on the floor. ''Painful. You know... I think it's time to let our... humans back on the streets.'' He walked around the ring. ''Or you know, I'll let them raid Hyperion. Flush them out.''
Angel released her and left. She slowly collected herself.
***B***B***
Faith stood at the top of the stairs to basement, looking at Rain. She was spending more and more time down here, hitting the training bag hanging there. She just delivered a high kick, a jab at what would've been ribs and finished with a punch to the face.
''Nice.'' Slayer spoke up. Rain turned around, startled. She let out a long breath. ''So, how long you've been there?''
''A while.'' Faith said, descending down the stairs. ''Look, I know it's been hard couple of days, but...'' She stopped, trying to say what she wanted somehow cool.
''Don't.'' Rain warned her. ''I know what I've done. Nothing's gonna change it. Just... back off.'' She faced the bag and began hitting it again.
''Fair enough.'' Slayer muttered and took few steps back. ''We're goin' for another demon in few minutes. Maybe you'd like to come?''
Rain looked at her suspiciously. ''You're asking me to go with you?''
''It's me, Connor and Gunn. You kinda seem like you need it. Tag along if you want.'' Faith shrugged and left. Brunette looked between the training bag and the stairs. Making her decision, she followed after the slayer.
As said, few minuter later they were ready to go. Connor with a sword on his waist, Gunn with an axe on his back and Faith with her two daggers. Rain looked them over, then stared at the knife strapped to her leg. She grabbed a gun and put it in the back of her pants. She joined the three. ''Okay, let's motor.'' They went back to the basement.
''What the hell are you doing?''
Group turned to see Katie with a troubled expression staring at them. Or rather Rain.
''We're in the basement.'' Connor said as the blonde walked to Rain.
''What does it look like?''
''It looks like you're going with them on the demon hunt. Are you insane?'' Katie asked incredulously.
''Maybe I am. So? What's your problem?'' Shorter woman asked back.
''It's dangerous! You're gonna get yourself killed.'' Katie grabbed Rain's arm.
Brunette looked down on it. ''Why do you care?'' She asked coldly, meeting Katie's gaze. She let her hand fall numbly to her side. Shaking her head in disbelief, Katie stormed up the stairs. Rain followed her with her eyes and then, went down.
Three pair of eyes looked at her. Uneasy silence between them. ''Alright, come on, let's move.'' Gunn said. They left the basement and resurfaced few blocks away. Deserted, destroyed streets. ''Not really a happy picture, but...'' Faith murmured.
''Okay, we gotta find a demon.''
Connor looked up. Dark sky, barrier still in place, yet he felt something wet fall on him. Then again and again. Big drops of water. He stared at Gunn. ''Not even gonna ask.''
The group slowly moved forward, not noticing a petite blonde woman following them.
***B***B***
Lorne walked through the hallways of Hyperion. He needed to get away from them. For the past days the vibe he was getting from each person was getting darker and darker. Not a good sign. Their group was slowly disbanding, forming smaller ones. Definitely not a good thing. If they wanted to get through this, they all needed to stay together.
''...And I cried all night... because I had thought she was mine...'' Katie's voice. Lorne slowly walked closer to the room she occupied. He hummed along with her for few more notes, then his eyes widened in terror. He ran into the room, startling the blonde.
''Come on, we gotta go!''
Katie looked at him quizzically. ''Huh?''
''We can't waste any second. Now!'' Lorne ran down the hallway to the lobby, Katie following. Once there, he saw Spike sipping from a mug. ''Where's Amy?''
''What's going on?'' he asked, eyeing them.
''Spike! Where is she?'' Lorne threw his hands up.
''In the basement. What is such a big bloody deal?'' Vampire stood up.
''We have to run, now!'' Lorne went to the basement. Spike and Katie exchanged looks, then quickly ran after him. Green demon grabbed Amy's hand and dragged to the sewers. ''Angel knows where are we. He's sending his demons to Hyperion right now.'' He threw over his shoulder.
''So? We've got the anti-demon spell, right?'' Spike asked as he trotted behind.
''Trust me, it's better if we go.'' Lorne said.
Katie suddenly stopped. ''Wait. What about Rain? What's gonna happen when they come back?''
Amy looked back the way they came. ''Let's worry about that later, okay?''
Group turned to see people advancing on them, looking less than friendly. ''They're humans.'' Katie said.
''Yeah, well... Go, go!'' Spike yelled when the first one neared him and attacked. Vampire ducked the blow and sent the man falling backwards. They ran down the sewer, pursuers hot on their heels.
***B***B***
Gunn stared through the window. It was dark as hell and the rain didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. They hid in an apartment.
''Something's wrong. We should go back.'' For the last ten minutes Rain was walking in circles and couldn't find a place for herself. Faith raised her eyebrow as she used one of her daggers to carve her name into the table. She just started the 'a'. Connor wasn't paying them any attention, trying to find the correct day on the calendar.
''What would that be?'' Vampire asked, without turning around.
''I don't know, okay?'' She snapped, irritated. ''I just got this... bad feeling. Like something is gonna happen.''
''You want to go through that? Be my guest.'' He nodded towards the street. Connor sighed and threw the calendar away.
''We can go through sewers.'' Rain suggested.
''Probably flooded by now.''
''Damn it!''
Faith smiled to herself, watching her name on the table.
''There is something I don't get.'' Connor spoke up. Gunn looked at him and he continued. ''You said that the guys from Wolfram & Hart are happy with the world the way it is, right?''
''Yeah.'' He slowly nodded.
''Then why do this? They sent the demons to kill you. Technically you are dead. They've got Angel and Illyria. Those two can't do anything. That leaves Spike. Why would the Senior Partners cause so much trouble for a single vampire?'' Connor folded his arms across his chest. ''Besides, Anthis said they want out. That's why... that's why the girl had to die. So if they have everything they want, why do they stay?'' By now he had everyone's full attention.
''I don't think that's the case here.'' Gunn eventually said. ''According to Spike, Illyria said that some demon took her power. As you know, we had to extract it from her, it was this big. You're right, the Senior Partners don't want to destroy our world, which is exactly what Angel wants to do.''
''What does it mean?'' Faith asked.
''Angel isn't playing for them. He's on his own. I should go to the White Room. Ask for help, maybe.'' Vampire said to himself, but Faith and Connor picked it up.
''The White Room? Isn't it destroyed?'' Boy asked.
''Ask for help?'' Faith cut Gunn off. ''You want to ask the very thing you fought against for help? You can't win this by making a deal with the devil!''
''It's not about winning!'' He raised his voice. ''Angel understood that. This isn't a fight you can win. You just fight. You fight it everyday, just by saving someone from the damn vampires.'' Gunn looked at the trio before him. ''So yes, living in this dimension, on this planet is hard. It's harsh and cruel but it's better than no planet, which is what we'll have after Angel gets out.''
Faith shook her head and left the room.
''The White Room?'' Rain questioned quietly.
''It's... not really a room. It supposedly doesn't exist, so it can't be destroyed. We just need to get there.'' Gunn said.
''How? From what I remember the entrance was in Wolfram & Hart and that is destroyed.'' Connor noticed.
''I don't know yet. Maybe we could find someone who's close with the Senior Partners.''
''I thought you took them all out.'' Faith said from the doorway.
''We did.'' Gunn murmured.
Faith sat down and Rain saw a shadow pass behind her. ''Hey, did you...''
Slayer cast a look over her shoulder, but saw nothing. ''Huh?''
''Nevermind.''
Connor focused on a spot near Gunn. All the time he could sense something watching them, just out of his reach. He stood up and walked in a circle, seemingly without any purpose. Something was definitely there. ''Faith. Can I talk to you for a second?'' He said and went to the kitchen, brunette following.
The blonde was standing in the same spot Connor looked at.
''What's up?''
''Something's here.'' He whispered.
Faith tensed and stepped closer to him. ''What?''
''It's been following us for some time now. It's right there, by the second window.'' Boy said. Slayer looked around, her gaze on the place Connor described. Empty space.
''You sure, kid? I don't see anything. Ain't getting any vibe either.'' She replied.
''I can sense it.''
''What do we do?'' Faith asked.
''Shh.'' Connor hushed her. He heard quiet, fast approaching footsteps. More than one person was coming. Many more.
Click. Whoosh.
He rushed to the living room, just in time to see someone barge in, a molotov cocktail in his hand. Without hesitation, he threw it at Gunn, who barely had time to cover himself. The bottle shattered at the force of the blow, Gunn's left arm and half of the back bursted into flames. For a second he tried to put down the flames, before jumping out of the window and into the storm. Luckily for him, they were on the second floor.
Two more men ran into the room, one threw his bottle at Rain, the other one at Connor and Faith. They all managed to avoid being set on fire, but half of the kitchen and the couch weren't so lucky. Rain scrambled to her feet as the man kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying to the wall. She tried to catch her breath as he advanced.
Connor prepared himself for the first opponent, throwing him over his shoulder. He began pummeling the man, until another slammed into him, bringing him down.
Faith was about to help Connor, when she saw a woman enter the room and go straight for Rain, who had trouble defending herself from the man. She covered the distance in two steps and punched the girl, then kicked in the face. Woman landed on her back. Turning her attention to the other brunette, she grabbed the man's back and threw him out of the apartment. ''You okay?''
''We gotta get out of here!'' Rain yelled over the flames. The man re-entered the apartment and the woman got up.
Connor pushed one of the men into the fire. He trashed around violently, flames licking his face. Boy had no time to watch, as the second ran at him. He backhanded him across the face and kicked in the chest. Connor took out his sword and as the man got closer again, he swung it. Blood splashed around the walls, cupboards and Connor. Man fell to the floor, dead. Chest and throat cut wide open. He saw Rain and Faith now fare against four opponents. But instead of killing them, they just beat them down, only for them to stand up again. He ran from behind and stabbed the woman in the chest. Retracting his sword, he immediately cut off the hand of another. Just as he finished the last one, Faith slammed him into the wall.
''What the hell are you doing?'' She yelled.
''You should just kill them, not toy with them!'' He yelled back, struggling against her.
''They were human!''
''And I'm not!'' He finally pushed the slayer back. They stared at each other.
''Guys let's get the hell out of here.'' Rain said. Her lower lip was bleeding and she had an arm around her stomach. They left the apartment and stopped. Four more people stood on he corridor. Connor raised his sword defensively. ''Take her out of here.''
''What? Are you kidding?'' Faith asked.
''She's hurt. You're not gonna kill them. Go, I'll find Gunn.'' He said.
''You better stay alive, kid.'' She said and dragged Rain down the corridor in the opposite direction. She took one last look back and saw Connor duck the blow and slash the first man. They ran down the stairs and to the street. No Gunn. In moments they were both soaked. She couldn't decide where to go and eventually they turned right, running through the middle of the street. Faith suddenly stopped and something in her mind clicked. ''I know where we are!'' She yelled over the falling rain.
As she made another step, someone brought her down. Back of her head hit the ground, dazing her. She received at least four punches to the face before the weight was dropped off her. She moaned and tried to stand up.
Rain blocked the punch coming at her and head butted the man. Ducked another and kicked him. She was actually holding her own, until the man aimed at her stomach. She felt the air being knocked out of her and the man punched her twice more. She fell to the ground, in nearly feral position.
Faith was on all fours, shaking her head. She couldn't focus clearly, her head pounding. She raised her head, only to get a powerful kick in the chin. She landed on her back and rolled away as the man lunged for her.
Rain reached to the back of her pants.
Slayer received another kick, this time on the back of her head and her eyes clouded. Man towered over her. He took out the dagger strapped to her leg and raised it. He looked at something behind Faith, clearly surprised. Rain aimed at his right shoulder and shoot. He fell back, the dagger clattered to the ground. Rain took few more heavy steps and watched as the man clutched his wound. Faith slowly raised herself to a sitting position. Other woman raised the gun and shot three more times. The sound of gunshots partially drowned in the rain. The she fell to her knees, next to Faith.
The dark slayer grabbed her dagger and gingerly touched the back of her head. ''I think I've got a concussion.'' She groaned. Faith stood up and offered her hand to Rain. She took it and once up, she leaned on Faith heavily. ''Come on, it's not far.'' They walked through broken cars and various trash on the streets.
The blonde woman was two steps behind.
***B***B***
''I'm never gonna play the hero again.'' Connor muttered to himself, surveying the damage. He wasn't really hurt, except new bruises all over his body. Boy left the building and searched for Gunn. He couldn't smell him because of the rain. He looked down, looking for clues. If he wasn't taken by anything, he should still be near. He checked the nearest area. Something caught his eye. Broken door. Carefully, he went in. Black vampire was there, slumped against the wall, unconscious. Connor slapped his face, but got no reaction. Almost whole of his left side was burned, along with his back. He could smell the burned flesh and it made his nauseus. Boy picked Gunn up and laid him down on the bed, on his right side.
''Connor?'' The movement must've woken up Gunn.
''You okay?'' Stupid question.
''Definitely not.'' He groaned. ''I'll live.''
''Good.'' Connor sat down.
''Where the hell are we?'' Gunn tried to raise his head, but failed.
''We're not safe.'' He closed the door.
Vampire passed out.
***B***B***
''What do we do?'' Yelled Lorne as he picked up a lamp and smashed it on attacker's head. They left sewers some time earlier, resurfacing on the streets with a chase after them. Currently they were in some kind of antique shop, he didn't really care. He had more important things on his mind. Spike got to a weapon's section and came back with a large broadsword, swinging it for his dear life. Somewhere behind them, two bodies fell down the stairs, punching one another furiously. Amy got on top, but soon was dragged away by someone. Katie fought her opponent, despite the fact her punches didn't seem to affect him. He caught her hand and backhanded across the face. She fell to her knees on the side. Tasting blood in her mouth, she grabbed a heavy-looking golden statuette and whirled around, hitting the man in the face. She heard a bone cracking, probably in his cheek, as he dropped to the ground and stopped moving.
''I don't know!'' Spike yelled back after he stabbed a brunette woman. Vampire ducked, ran at another man and heaved him up, before dropping them both down on an old wooden desk, crashing right through it.
Lorne was forced to retreat as they started to use his own strategy against him. He grabbed a crystal ball and threw at nearest danger. It hit him right in the forehead, knocking down. ''Figure it out, soon!'' He screamed desperately.
Katie took a big hat and, as a woman neared her, tossed it at her face, effectively blocking her sight. Blonde swung her statuette upwards, right into the woman's chin. Her jaw catapulted up, her cheekbones piercing through skin as her teeth literally touched her nose. She hit the floor, hard. Face unrecognizable. Somewhere in her mind, Katie registered she just killed probably second human in spite of moments, but right now she couldn't clearly focus on it as a pair of hands grabbed her from behind.
Spike stood up and saw a body flying at him. Instinctively, he dropped to the ground. Amy smirked at his expression. Vampire immediately ran to Lorne, after hearing his cry of pain. He forced a man away from the green demon. ''I think he broke my arm.'' He explained. Spike kicked the man down and stabbed through the chest. His eyes scanned the space. The flow of never-ending poeple didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon and they were slowly losing ground. He, himself was getting tired and the minor cuts and bruises he received so far weren't helping. Amy and Katie were holding their own, but he knew it was just a matter of time before they'd be swamped in the mass of bodies. Now Lorne, who wasn't the greatest fighter had a broken arm, which pretty much eliminated him from the fight. He pulled him to his feet and saw a backdoor.
''Hey!'' He yelled, punching a man. He got the attention of those he wanted. ''Backdoor, now!'' They listened. Spike was slashing and cutting his way through the shop, Lorne a step behind him. Katie got there first, opening them and running out. She was greeted with pouring rain, effectively jamming any other sound she could've heard. At last second she saw a silhouette coming towards her through the darkness. Blonde raised her arm defensively and stumbled back when she felt a seering pain coming from her palm. Amy appeared next, after getting a small but good look at situation, she jumped at the figure. Katie couldn't clearly see her own hand, but she suspected it was cut through. Probably pretty deep, too. Slayer came back to her just as Spike closed the door and leaned on them in effort to keep it that way.
''Bring that here!'' He shouted, pointing at a dumpster. Big, metal and heavy dumpster. Amy got to it and pushed. Katie thought she was crazy, but it actually began to move. Slowly and painfully, but forward. Once it reached the door, Spike tore off the handle and pulled. Together they set the dumspter against the door.
''Let's move!'' Amy yelled. They trotted down the streets, away from Hyperion. Spike led the way and, to blonde's annoyance, didn't bother to hide from the water. He ran through the middle of the road. That feeling passed after roughly ten second when they were all so soaked, it wouldn't make any difference when they'd find the shelter. Eventully Spike entered an apartment building. Katie stumbled and tripped over garbage many times on their way. She made two steps, tripped over a chair and fell flat on her face. Spike turned to her. ''What is it with you?''
''I'm sorry, but I'm human. I don't have some special eyesight! I can't see shit!'' She yelled at him while getting up.
''Oh.'' He realized. ''Grab her hand.'' Vampire ordered Amy and continued on his way. Without any further incidents they soon were walking down the stairs and Spike removed a single door from it's hinges. They must've been already broken, just stationed to look like undamaged.
''Where are we?'' She asked.
''My apartment.'' He said and entered the place.
***B***B***
''Where are we?'' Rain asked quietly when Faith slowly eased her onto a bed. King-sized bed. She could hardly make Faith's form through the darkness. From what she knew, they were in a basement or something.
''That's uhm... Angel's old place. Somebody must've rebuild it.'' Brunette answered after a moment. Everything was pretty much in the same place, except furniture changed and the walls weren't decorated with ancient weaponry.
''What happened to it?''
''Blew up.'' Faith searched for a first aid kid or at least some bandages. She came back with a towel and said kit. ''Come on, loosen up.''
Rain carefully stripped to her bra. Faith hissed and she could only imagine how her body looked like. It certainly didn't feel too good. She coughed and spit out some blood. ''That's not good.''
Faith watched the other woman with sympathy. The bruises on her stomach were purple, some maybe a little red, but she couldn't tell in this lack of light. She shook her head and immediately regretted the move as it began throbbing with an incredible force. Slayer lightly touched Rain's stomach and the woman cried in pain.
''I can clean it up a little, give you some painkiller's and eventually bandage it over, I...'' She said hopelessly.
''You do that.'' Rain murmured. ''I'll be fine.'' As Slayer got to work, Rain noticed that she'd rather move her whole body than the head alone. ''You okay? Took some pretty hard hits.''
''Yeah... I don't know. Not a doctor here, but maybe I've fractured something or whatever.'' Faith said.
''I'll do you once you're finished.'' Rain replied. Faith raised her eyebrows. ''Clean you up.'' She said with a sigh. The bandages started at her hips and reached her ribs. Moving alone hurt, but after swallowing few pills she felt a little better. She looked at Faith's neck. Big, purple bruise and dried blood at the base of her head. ''Yeah, it ain't pretty.''
''Those weren't humans.'' Faith whispered.
''Huh?'
''Those people. There weren't human. Couldn't be.''
Rain carefully cleaned the blood. ''What do you mean?''
''Too strong.'' she explained.
''What then?''
''I don't know.'' Brunette hissed as the pain shot up from the back of her head. ''I should've killed them. We wouldn't be in this mess.''
''Maybe. Nothing you can do now.'' Rain finished cleaning Faith's neck. ''Do you think they're okay? Back at the hotel?''
''This wasn't some random attack. I think Angel moved on Hyperion.'' Slayer said.
''I told you I had a bad feeling about this! We gotta do back.'' Rain got to her feet unsteadily.
''There's no point. You can barely walk and I'm in no better shape. We have to lay low. Hotel is under the sanctuary spell, remember? Even if, Spike and Amy are there. They'll be okay.'' Faith said and crawled under the covers, not bothering to loose the rest of her clothing. ''I'm dead tired. You are too, don't deny it.'' she added after seeing the look of protest cross Rain's features. She sighed and, absently touching her stomach, joined Faith. She didn't know whether she fell asleep or passed out.
***B***B***
Spike tore off the curtains and made a makeshift sling. He handed it to Lorne. ''Can't get ya anything better for now.'' Demon just nodded. Amy tended to Katie's sliced palm. It wasn't a pretty sight and didn't feel any better, now that the adrenaline stopped shooting through blonde's body. She bandaged it over. The bleeding soon stopped. ''You should be fine.''
Spike walked to his fridge and took out few beers. He handed one to everyone. ''It's warm.'' Amy grimaced.
''Room temperature.'' Vampire said and took a long drink. Everyone followed his lead.
''I killed a human.'' Katie stated.
''You didn't.'' Spike replied.
''Huh? What are you talking about? I saw...'' She argued.
''What you saw was a body. I look human, I'm not.'' He said.
''What were they, then?'' Lorne asked.
''Demons.''
Amy lowered her bottle. ''How?''
Lorne and Spike exchanged looks. ''Are you sure they were demons?''
''Dead sure.''
''Damn.''
''Wait, hold on for a moment. How?'' Amy asked again.
''Necromancy.'' Lorne sighed. ''When we started working for Wolfram & Hart we dealt with a case like this. Grave robbery. Turned out that they colleted bodies for a sorcerer. Necromancer, to be specific. He possessed power to transfer demons, pure blood demons into a body of humans.''
''Why? What's the point?'' Katie asked.
''That's a good question.'' Lorne turned to Spike.
''Trial run.'' He realized. ''Those demons we encountered, they didn't seem smart to you, did they?'' They shook their heads. Spike drank the last of his beer. ''Bloody hell.''
''What?''
''It's starting to make sense.'' Spike said.
''What is statring to make sense?'' Lorne pressed.
''The humans, the demons. Dead, walking slayers. It's all part of the learning process.'' Vampire opened another beer. ''There's a bigger picture here.''
''Okay, explain it now.'' Amy said, her patience lost.
''The first human we captured. Could you tell, by instinct, that he wasn't a demon?'' He asked.
Slayer folded her arms across her chest. ''No.''
''Exactly. How about those blokes today?''
''No.'' She said.
''We wouldn't know they were demons, if it wouldn't be for their strenght. I don't know how to bloody explain it.'' Spike sighed. ''Okay from the beginning. Demons came, slaughtered all the humans. Then we got zombies roaming the streets, along with demons. Then, they're all gone. Why?''
''For kicks?'' Katie said impatiently.
''Come on, how many people live in L.A? Half of them got torn to shreds. The other half still might be usable.'' Spike continued. ''So Angel summons them all to one place and starts his show. Those slayers Gunn an' the kid fought at the hospital, for example. They were a first draw. How many of you got here?''
''More.'' Amy answered.
''Right. Then one day, when the streets are clear we find a human. Super strong, a human who apparently knows us, or at least Faith.'' Vampire said. ''Over the days we stumble over more and more demons, humans. Fast forward and now we're having a bunch of mindless, bloodthirsty humans on our backs. How so?''
''Angel got rid of the first generation.'' Lorne said. ''He let them free, so we'd kill them and he wouldn't have to care about them anymore. Hurt a few of us in the process.''
''Catchin' on, are we?'' Spike smiled sadly. Amy and Katie looked at each other, lost. ''He kept the bodies so he could transfer his generals to them. Once that is completed, he'll get the smarter ones too. Slayers don't know how many of them died in here. Get the barrier down and look at all those people leaving Los Angeles, claiming to live through the nightmare. But they're all demons. Slayers welcome their own and are eventually killed from the inside. Same goes for the rest of the world.''
''What you're saying is... what exactly?'' Amy asked.
''We don't know what Angel means by destroying or conquering our world. He might as well enslave us or whatever. It's easier to take us out when we don't know who is human and who's not.'' Spike shrugged.
''Why are we alive? We get out, warn them.'' Katie said.
Spike shook his head slowly. ''I don't know. I think we're not meant to get out.''
Lorne scratched his chin. ''If what you're thinking is true, then he sent the demons out already. Which means that he's got his leaders.''
''Yup. We're looking for a whole lot of new surprises coming our way.'' Spike confirmed.
''One thing doesn't make sense.'' Lorne said. ''Let's say those demons are big, why put them in human body? Makes them vulnerable. It's a tactically bad move.''
''Maybe they can change back.'' Katie suggested.
''We're fucked.'' Amy voiced what they were all thinking.
***B***B***
''You know you can't keep me here forever.'' Illyria stated. She slowly, very slowly weakened the spell binding her to Angel. So far he wasn't suspicious.
Angel turned to her. He just sent away one of his demons. He waited until the footsteps faded away. ''Oh, I know. I don't intend to.''
''What then?''
''For someone so... full of knowledge you can be so retarded.'' He smirked. Seeing her expression, he sighed. ''I'm looking for a way to destroy this link between us, so to speak. We both know you can't be around forever. You're my only weakness.''
''It's not possible.'' Yet a shadow of doubt crossed her face.
''Highly unlikely, very hard... but indeed possible. And when I manage to severe it, you'll be in a world of trouble.'' Angel walked around her in circles.
''Why are you telling me this?'' She asked. ''You're giving your plans away.''
''Who you're gonna tell? Besides, I want to see you scared. All these times you died, you could always come back. Sure, be stuck in a coffin for centuries, but somewhat alive. Your power kept you alive.'' He cocked his head. ''Now it's gone. When you'll die now, it'll be for good. You will be dead. Permanently.''
Illyria held his gaze. ''Even if, the moment you'll be destroyed, I shall regain my power and you will take my place in hell.''
''We may never know. I intend to live forever.'' He spun on his heel and walked up.
''Why did you even come here?'' Illyria asked.
''I like to watch you. Mighty Original. Chained up like an animal.'' He answered.
''You'll take my place soon enough.'' She snarled. Angel merely sent her one last look and left. Illyria stared at the same spot for over ten minutes. Was it possible? To completely cut her off from her power? She never heard of such option, but she was dead for the last centuries. If so, she lost her only leverage against Angel. Seemed like she was heading towards losing her life too. She took a deep, unnecesary breath and concentrated. That spell had to be lifted, fast.
***B***B***
Faith slowly opened her eyes. She groaned, sat up and walked to the sink. She poured herself a glass of water.
''It's a dream.'' A voice behind her said. Brunette, who just managed to wet her lips, jumped up startled and the glass escaped her grip. It smashed to pieces near her feet. She turned to face the blonde woman.
''B.''
Buffy was sitting on the couch, watching her. Only now Faith realized that nothing hurt her, the lights were lit and the glass wasn't there anymore. She carefully looked to the bedroom and saw her own body sleeping peacefully.
''Busy day, huh?'' Buffy said with sympathy after looking at her bruised form.
Faith scrunched her eyes. ''How long you've been following us?''
Other slayer shrugged. ''Few hours, give or take. Appeared on the streets. Nice little group you have there. Human, vampire and demon. Seriously?''
''Half demon.'' Faith said under her breath. ''It was you Connor sensed.'' She realized.
''Sensed?'' Buffy asked.
''When we were at that flat, just before the attack he said he could sense something near the window. You were there, right?'' Buffy nodded. ''I couldn't pick you up because I concentrated on bad things, danger. Never thought of a slayer to be there.''
''That kid?''
''Hey, he's old enough.'' Faith said, but her mind was running hot. Did they say anything about Spike? Holy shit, she did. Just before going to bed. ''So, uhm... what were you doin' walking with us? How'd you pull that off?''
''Let's sit.'' Buffy offered after a minute. Once they did, she continued. ''It's the only way for me to go over the rainbow. It wasn't really safe so they had to pull me out when you fought off those people. Where's the rest of you, anyway?''
Faith breathed in relief. She wasn't here. ''We got separated. I've got out with Rain and Connor went looking for Gunn.''
''There's only four of you left?'' She asked, alarmed.
''No, no. We're all fine, I think. The other four are safe at Hyperion. Or they were the last time I saw them.'' Faith hastily explained. ''Anyway, what brings you here?''
Buffy stood up and paced. ''Something is breaking the slayer's connection. This dream, right now is on Willow.''
''Wait, what? Is that possible?'' She had an idea who could do that.
''Apparently it is. That's part of the problem.'' She said.
''What's the other part?'' Brunette asked, even though she didn't reall wanted to know.
Buffy looked her in te eye. ''The Scythe. Something happened to it. Willow says she could feel the energies shift. Somehow it's been tainted.''
''I thought it was The Slayer's weapon. As in, nothing else can touch it. Pure shit an' stuff.'' Faith said. This dream was really, really crappy.
''Guess it's not so pure anymore. Which means you have to find it, fast.'' Blonde countered.
''How the hell I'm supposed to do that?'' She threw her hands up.
''I don't know.'' Buffy said quietly.
''Of course. Add more things to that growing pile. Not only I have to safe the world, figure out how to keep Angel alive in the process, now you expect me to go looking for some fucking axe you lost in the first place!'' Faith raised her voice in frustration.
''Don't yell at me.'' She said through gritted teeth. ''It's not my fault and you know it.''
Faith took a deep breath. ''Yeah, yeah... I'm sorry. It's just... it's getting a little too much, know what I'm sayin'?''
''Unfortunately, yes.'' Buffy smiled. ''If there is anyway we can help, let me know.''
''Do you have any good news?'' Faith asked, resigned.
''Not really.'' Blonde murmured. ''Well, Willow found a way to get me here, but it's no solution. We're no closer to getting rid of that barrier.''
''Fucking great.'' Brunette said miserably. ''So, what's goin' on in the outside world?''
***B***B***
Connor searched through the cabinets and drawers when Gunn woke up. ''Where the hell are we?'' He asked, noticing that this wasn't the place he last remembered.
''Hospital.'' Boy threw him a blood bag.
Vampire grabbed it, still weak. ''Really? After the last time in hospital I'd say we should stay away from 'em.''
Connor laughed. ''It's a different one.'' He sat down. ''I had to get you some blood. Couldn't leave you alone, so... here we are.''
''Thanks.'' Gunn drank a little of the blood. ''What exactly happened? Where is the rest?''
''Ambush. We split.'' Connor said. ''I imagine we'll stay hidden until you're better, then we can go back to the hotel.''
''It might take a while before I'm fully functional.'' Gunn noticed. His appereance, albeit better, still was far from normal. He looked over the room they were in. His axe was propped up against the wall. ''ER?'' He smirked.
''You fit the profile.''
Gunn laid back down. ''We need to get help from Wolfram & Hart.'' He decided.
''How we gonna do that?'' Boy asked. They were pretty much desperate.
''I don't know.'' He saw Connor's look. ''Yet.''
***B***B***
Katie stared at the wall. Spike's apartment was small, designed for one person, max two. One single bed was occupied by Amy. Lorne was on the couch and Spike rested on the armchair. Blonde herself couldn't sleep on the makeshift bed made of spare cushions and covers. Her mind wouldn't let her. She was far too worried about her lover. Rain. She hated herself for that. She couldn't bring herself to forgive Rain for killing April. She wanted to hate her, to loathe her. The moment she saw brunette with blood on her hands, it disgusted her. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she still loved her with every part of her soul. That much was clear to her now. She didn't know if Rain was safe, if she was even alive and that thought killed her. That she would never tell her that she still loved her. No, she shouldn't think that way. Rain was safe, unharmed. Today she killed men and women, not knowing they were actually demons. She didn't know that. It didn't matter to her, back when she mutilated faces with that statuette. Yes, it was done. The moment she'd lay eyes on her lover, nothing would set them apart.
And if she couldn't forgive Rain, maybe she could forget.
***B***B***
What do you think? And please, leave me a review. I need to know if there's anyone still interested in this.