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Whispers in the Dark - Chapter 14

Buffy moved from slowly from the edge of the wall-sized, shattered window. While Jason continued to look on at the truck that contained Faith's damaged body, Buffy knew she had one of two choices at this point: let Angel die, or give herself up for him.

"I'm sorry we couldn't save her," Jason said while he continued to look down at the ground. "Maybe she could have survived that, but even then, we would have to try and track her down, and that could take hours. By then we don't know if she would still be alive or stable enough to give Angel part of her blood." He continued to think, going into full leader mode. "Maybe we could track that truck, I think I recognized the model, what do you think?" Jason turned to find the room empty, leaving only himself. "Buffy?"

By this point, Buffy had all ready exited the elevator, which took her to the lobby. She flew out the doors, briefly seeing Kat and Kim helping Tommy to Jason's car, but didn't slow down for anything. She ran as fast as she could, knowing she had to get to Angel before she changed her mind. She wanted to give her blood for him, but she was also apprehensive. It could kill her. It could be exactly what the Mayor wanted. She didn't care. So she ran, and ran. It was a good 30 minutes before she finally reached his mansion, where she left him before. She entered, seeing her former lover laying on the cold floor. She ran to his side and knelt down to him. His face showed signs of pain and torture, the poison closing in on taking his life.

"Get up," Buffy demanded suddenly. Angel looked at her as if she was crazy. "You need my blood to survive. Get up, and drink." She began to expose her neck to him. He did get up, albeit slowly, but he shook his head.

"I'm not killing you so that I can survive," Angel replied gently.

"I can survive it," she shot back. "You need my blood."

"What if this is what the Mayor wanted? What the Trickster wanted?"

"It doesn't matter." Buffy pleaded and pleaded, but Angel didn't budge on his decision, as weak as he was.

"Fine," she replied. Suddenly, she punched him in the face. He staggered, and then she struck him again, this time revealing his demonic nature. She grabbed him by his neck, and forced his mouth towards her neck. Angel tried to resist the urge, but the scent of her, the beating of her heart... it was too strong. He sunk his teeth into her neck and began to drink. Buffy felt the discomfort, life flowing out of her body. After a while, she tried to pull away, keeping him from drinking her dry. However, his bloodlust became too strong, and he kept her from pulling away. His strength overpowering hers, he continued to drink, now with a vigor that hadn't been there when he started. There was no doubt that he was cured, but at what cost?

Buffy, rapidly losing consciousness, was able to drag them over near a table. She grabbed an old vase that was on top of it and smashed it over Angel's head, finally separating them. She fell to the ground, blood dripping from her neck. Angel reverted back to his human form, and then looked upon Buffy, realizing what had just happened. "Buffy? Buffy!" He shouted multiple times as he knelt down to Buffy. He grabbed hold of her, picked her up, and ran.

*Sunnydale High School – Library*

After they made a stop at Tommy's car to get him suitable clothing, and helped him get changed, Jason and the others helped Tommy back into the library. It was deserted at this point, only with a note left for them at the desk. Once Kim and Jason got Tommy onto a chair, Kat read it out loud.

"Guys,

Those wizards you keep talking about showed up... I think they said their names were Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Tonks? Anyway, we went after the Mayor, we should be back soon. I know Harry, Ron, and Hermione were excited to see you all.

Rocky."

"They're here?" Kim asked.

"That's awesome," Tommy said weakly, obviously still recovering from the torture at the hands of Faith. "Looks like we're gonna win." He looked at Kim, who was holding him. "Just in time for our wedding."

Kim smiled weakly, but still nervous. They still had no clue whether they would find this Trickster, and still had no sign of Lucius. But things certainly were looking much more optimistic from this standpoint. The doors then suddenly opened, revealing Cordelia.

"You got him back?" She asked, pointing to Tommy.

"Yeah," Jason said suspiciously.

"Cordy, where have you been?" Kim asked.

"Sleeping, where else?" Cordy responded in her typical, sassy tone.

"Sorry," Kim replied. "We're just a bit on edge."

"Yeah, ever since Xander was put under that curse..." Kat's voice trailed off. "Why didn't you come with the others?" She asked suddenly.

"What?" Cordelia responded.

"Why did it take you so long for you to get here?" Jason asked. "It's been hours since Oz, Xander, and Willow were here. And they've been gone long enough for them to have been able to contact you."

"What are you implying?" Cordy snapped. "That I'm some raging psychopath that's trying to kidnap her?" She pointed to the petite gymnast. "I overslept, ok! You can trust me!"

"Ok, ok," Kat said.

"Where the hell is Buffy?" Cordy asked.

"We don't know," Jason replied. "She was with us when we rescued Tommy, but disappeared quickly afterwards."

"Do you think she went to save Angel on her own?" Kat asked.

"If she still has the same affection for him," Kim started, "I'd imagine she'd do anything to save him." She looked up to see Tommy on the chair he was resting on, at this point he had dosed off, the trauma finally getting to him.

"What should we do then?" Kat asked.

"Honestly, I don't know if there's anything we can do at this point," Jason replied. "Tommy's down for the count for at least a few hours, and we have strength in numbers here if Malfoy or anyone else tries to kidnap Kim."

"Sounds good to me," Cordelia said. Suddenly the lights went out in the library.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Kat said to herself.

"Kim, go towards Kat..." Jason started, but was interrupted by a sinister cackle, coming from behind them. They turned to see Lucius pointing his wand at the five of them.

"All this time, I've waited for this," he smiled. "You robbed me of everything." He said, walking with each step deliberately down the steps. "You, filthy, muggles."

"You think you can beat all five of us?" Jason asked.

"I think you mean four... considering your fearless leader is currently comatose," Lucius replied. "Now... give Kimberly to me, and I'll spare the rest of you."

"Not happening," Kat said. "You took two of our friends, you're not taking a third."

"And who's going to stop me... some powerless rangers?" He cackled again. Suddenly he heard a pop, and turned.

"How about a muggle-born witch?" Hermione appeared. "STUPEFY!" She leveled the curse at him, but he dodged it. Jason and Kat dove out of the way of it, while Kim and Cordy went to make sure Tommy didn't get hit by it. At this point, Ron, Harry, and Tonks all arrived as well. However, as they arrived, so did a host of vampires entered the main doors.

"Jason!" Harry screamed. "Look out!" He turned, and two vampires overwhelmed him, but Ron sent a curse, sending them flying. The rangers engaged them, along with Harry, Ron, and Tonks. Meanwhile, Hermione dueled with Malfoy, not giving any ground to him.

"Tommy, you need to get up!" Kim screamed, and he stirred awake to see a vampire coming right at them.

"Look out," he weakly said, but as she turned, Cordy moved in and plunged a stake into the vampire's heart, turning him to ash.

"Cordy!" Jason yelled as he battled the vamps. "Get Kim out of here!"

"What about Tommy!" Kim asked.

"All three of us will go... Tommy, you able to move?" Cordy asked.

"I think I can manage," Tommy said, now seemingly fully awake despite grimacing due to the pain. Tommy got off the chair and kicked one of the vampires in the chest, leaving him to stagger. He turned and followed Cordy and Kim out the back. They saw a window and slipped through it, leading to a courtyard in the middle of the school. Kim kept waiting for Tommy to catch up, but it was clear that he was not in the best shape to be running from pursuers.

"Come on Tommy, you need to keep up!" Cordy shouted. She turned, but saw no one behind them. "Guys... I think it's ok. They aren't following us." Tommy caught up to Kim, clearly out of breath. Kim looked to make sure he was ok, and then turned, only to freeze in horror to what she saw.

"Cordy, look out!" She turned, only for her to be flung to the ground. The man stepped onto the school grounds, green robes, long black hair clinging to his neck. The same man that Kim had seen in her nightmares.

"You need not worry Ms. Hart... Cordelia is not dead," the man uttered.

"It's you... you're really real," Kim said in shock.

"Yes... I am VERY real," he smiled back, and then shot green beam at Tommy, sending him to the ground with a thud.

"TOMMY!"

"He'll be fine, my dear. As long as you come with me, he will live."

"And if I refuse?" Kim asked. "If I fight you? What if I could defeat you Trickster?" He merely laughed at her.

"This is the reason why it had to be you... because of your heart... your spirit... your courage."

"What do you mean?" Kim asked, readying herself in a fighting stance.

"One day... you will fight by my side, and rule this planet as my queen. You'll rule all the nine realms."

"Nine realms?" Suddenly, before the Trickster could do anymore explaining, it was Lucius who appeared to them.

"You really think I'm going to let you walk away with what I have rightfully earned," Lucius warned. He drew his wand at pointed it first at Kim, and then back to the Trickster. "I was the one who lured everyone away to find the mayor, I was the one who laid these elaborate plans, I am the one who deserves my vengeance."

"You deserve nothing but to be my willful servant!" He cried.

"FINE! IF THAT'S HOW YOU WANT TO PLAY! AVADA KADAVERA!" The killing curse struck the man right in the chest. He was forced back, but he only staggered. Then, he merely grinned.

"That didn't kill him?" Kim asked. Lucius stood wide-eyed, quivering with fear at the man that stood before him.

"Lucius... you once served a man who called himself a Dark Lord... but I am truly a god."

"W...wh..." Lucius stammered.

"I told you I watched her for months... watching, conniving. I even lured Angelus to us by using Acathla, to try and use him against her." He pointed towards her. "You talk about power, and yet who don't know what true power is. I, as a god, do."

"Malfoy!" Harry screamed in the distance, riding his broom. Yet, it was the Trickster who shot a beam of energy at him, knocking him off his broom, sending him into the earth.

"Impressed yet, my little Crane?" He asked.

"I don't know who you are, but all of are the same," Kim replied defiantly. "You all claim your godship, but there's only one, he certainly isn't like you!"

"You'll soon find out that couldn't be further from the truth... I've defeated the greatest wizard of all time, and the greatest ranger of all time within a matter of five minutes. And now... I claim you as mine!" He shot a bolt of energy towards her, and she became encased in it.

"Lucius... are you willing to follow me," The Trickster asked.

"My Lord," he said, hesitantly kneeling towards him. "What... shall I call you."

"Yes... I guess my alias isn't necessary, considering where I'll be taking you."

"Taking me?"

"Yes... you shall be with me, in Asgard. My name is Loki, the God of Mischief. You shall address me as such!" He finished speaking, and the three of them disappeared into the night. Harry began to stir, as did Tommy and Cordy. Jason, Kat, Rocky, the rest of the scoobies and aurors all came out, and were distressed to find them without Kim.

"Where is she?" Jason asked Tommy.

"He took her," Tommy said.

"Lucius?"

"No... his name... was Loki." He passed back into unconsciousness.

To be continued...

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- Googz333