Chapter 10 Demons
A/N: This is a turning point chapter. A lot has been thrown at us between the alternate reality dream, the Eye of Fire, our team slowly trickling in. As you can see there's a lot going on. This chapter continues to throw more at you guys but I got some surprises in it. I think you will all like this one especially you Bangel fans. Anyways, happy reading.
When the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale
I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Curtain's call
Is the last of all
When the lights fade out
All the sinners crawl
So they dug your grave
And the masquerade
Will come calling out
At the mess you've made
Don't wanna let you down
But I am hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth
No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
They say it's what you make
I say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul
I need to let you go
Your eyes, they shine so bright
I wanna save that light
I can't escape this now
Unless you show me how
When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Demons by Imagine Dragons
Angel walked the cemetery with his crossbow. The night seemed rather cool well cooler than it should be. It seemed quiet at first, not much in the way demons or vampires. If the Hell Mouth was rising where are the monsters? Angel wasn't really thinking about that. He was thinking about last night with the dance he had with Buffy. It was nothing big, no groping or getting too close. But it did affect him. He always thinks about her but it was more apparent tonight.
But something broke his concentration on Buffy as he spun around and aimed at an oncoming vampire. The vampire was dust just as the arrow hit him. Angel walked over to the arrow on the ground and picked it up and reloaded the crossbow. Just then there was a flash of lightening in the sky followed by the thunder. He should wrap it up. So Angel took out his walky talky.
"Last sweep everyone." Angel radioed everyone in.
"Got it boss." It was Doyle's voice. Angel then looked up seeing Buffy coming his way. She just had a stake in her hand as they met up.
"How many?" Buffy asked as Angel looked around to make sure the dead were asleep for the night.
"Three vamps." Angel answered and that seemed strange. "Hunting season has started right?"
"You'd think with the Hell Mouth being all…Hell Mouthy there would be more." And Buffy was right. The two then started to walk together to met up with the rest of the team and call it a night. "Was wondering," Buffy walked with the slayer as they still kept their eyes open for anything. "Have you seen our priest?" Angel then looked to her.
"I stopped by the church earlier and he was out." Angel answered meaning no. They haven't seen Michael since LA.
"You think he's with the PTB?" Buffy asked.
"If he is and he's 'helping'" Angel emphases the world help and they continued to walk together.
"The PTB aren't the nicest, met them once." Buffy started and Angel looked to her. "Went to the Oracles and they're like the middle man. Anyways went to there to beg for your life before you died. They said sorry can't help but have a nice day." Angel then stopped walking and Buffy looked to him.
"You tried to stop me from dying?" Angel asked and Buffy was silent for a moment.
"I did, I cried when they said no. I did everything I could, I didn't want you to leave." She was honest. Angel wanted to hug her. She has done so much for him and he feels like he hasn't done much for her. Buffy then fully faced him. "I wasn't afraid of losing against Glory or losing the world, I was afraid of losing you. I couldn't see past anything else. You were all I had." Buffy knew she needed to stop or she might get sentimental and cry and then that will lead to hugging and other things they might not be ready for.
"I'm not going anywhere, not leaving you again." Angel made a mistake last year with his drinking. Buffy could see he turned it all around; he was himself again. You really never know what something means to you until does disappear. They stared at each other for a moment but then Angel held up his crossbow and Buffy stepped aside as he pulled the trigger and killed another vampire. "Four." Angel announced and Buffy smiled a little but there was another flash of lightening.
They looked up and Buffy felt the quick temperature change meaning it was going to rain any minute. And just like that the rain fell.
"This jacket's dry clean only." Buffy sounded sad as Angel stood there in the rain and smiled at her. She didn't want to smile or laugh but she did. Angel ran up to her, took off his jacket and covered her with it. They stared to run together to get to the cars and get out of the rain.
While it started to pour in Sunnydale a lone car drove up the road. He has no idea why he came back. He should have just stayed in Mexico. But Andrew was coming back home. He didn't want to come back but he couldn't take the nightmares anymore.
The team ran into the mansion from the pouring rain and as they walked in they went to flip on the lights but nothing.
"Great, power outage." Xander sounded a little upset.
"I'll call the power company." Dawn announced. The mansion would light up with the lightening outside once in a while.
"Maybe we can light a few candles, tell some ghost stories, do a séance." Doyle suggested and everyone looked at him. "What, got some good stories."
"We're the A-Team, not a Girl Scout troop." Cordelia told her half demon boyfriend and Dawn smiled.
"We do need the candles and flashlights." Buffy stated and Doyle just sighed.
Buffy sat by the fireplace and the power has yet to return. She sat on a pillow watching the flames. Angel came into the room doing his walk through and then saw Buffy sitting there. Most of the mansion has gone to bed. Spike was even sleeping peacefully down in the basement. Buffy heard something and looked behind her and saw Angel there. The slayer got closer and squatted next to her.
"Don't stay up too late ok." He told her and Buffy nodded. Angel the placed his hand on her shoulder and then stood up to go to bed. Buffy watched him leave and then continued to sit there watching the flames. She kind of hoped to fall asleep here and maybe wake up in her bed because Angel put her there. He would do that on those late night researches. She would fall asleep at the table or the couch and would wake up in her room. He would carry her there and she wouldn't even stir. She kind of hopes that happens now.
Angel heard his alarm going off as he rolled over. It seemed extra dark as he shut the noisy thing off. He sat up and looked to the window and heard the rain still falling. Had it rained all night? The power was back on though so that's good. Angel walked to the window and pulled back the current seeing it was still raining. It was going to be one of those days he'll just want to do nothing. There would be no morning jog though not in this weather.
Buffy woke up in her bed and looked around the dark room. She couldn't help but smile laying there. Angel did go back downstairs later on when he felt the air conditioner kick in and made sure all the lights were off. He found Buffy asleep next to the fire and put her to bed. So the vampire got up, threw on a t-shirt and some sweats and headed down stairs. She then found Angel in the training room on the floor meditating.
His eyes were closed and from where she was standing she could hear his heart beating at a steady pace. Should she go in or not? She debated for a moment and walked in. Angel knew she was around and was glad she decided to join him. Buffy sat down next to him and she can remember after his death she would mediate as well. It felt good and relaxing.
Angel opened his eyes and looked over to Buffy and she looked to him.
"You're getting antsy." She stated and he nodded. He wanted to do something. "You know what we haven't done in a while?"
Dawn walked downstairs and heard something coming from the training room. She walked to the room and looked in seeing Angel and Buffy in the middle of a sparring match. They had the practice sticks and Dawn had to think when the last time she saw them sparring. It's been a while and she decided to watch. They pretty much matched each other and it looks like the time apart didn't diminish that. Dawn was just happy to see them as friends again. She was happy to have everyone home.
Everyone had their bowl of cereal and choice of drink and sat around the table. It was dark out as it rained. The construction at the school was done but there would be no construction anywhere in town because of the rain. So Xander would be here all day with Cordelia and Doyle. It meant they had an extra set of hands to do the research on this apocalypse. Angel had work and Dawn had school along with Willow. Buffy would stay here at the mansion and moderate the research and watch Spike.
But everyone wanted to stay home on this rainy day. You just want to curl up and do nothing. Dawn would love to play hooky but when your brother works for the school you go to it's hard to skip out. Angel and Dawn left together using the same umbrella. Willow left as well and now it was just Buffy, Cordelia, Doyle and Xander and of course Spike in the basement. He hasn't come up to see anyone since his talk with Buffy. How much more research can they do right now?
At the school Angel decided to teach another self-defense class especially because it was raining and they can't go outside. Everyone was stuck inside but so far his students liked this lesson. He honestly hoped that they would never have to use these moves but better safe than sorry.
"Amanda," Angel called to a young teen. She was skinny with long brown hair and he could tell by the way she carried herself she was very shy. In fact the girl reminded the slayer of Willow back in high school. Had Willow never teamed up with him she might still remained the tiny quiet mouse. Amanda got up and as she walked down from the bleachers to the mats as two girls whispered to each other. They were considered some of the popular girls.
Amanda stood in front of Angel and had to look up. Like most of the girls that see Angel she gets nervous, her palms get sweaty and she can't really think all to straight. But was she about to get one on one time with him? Oh, she hoped so then she can die happy. "How are you Amanda?" Angel asked.
"Uh…uh," She stammered and hoped she won't blurt out anything stupid. "Good, fine, good." Angel gave her a half smile.
"Don't be nervous," Angel assured her and she nodded. "Ok," Angel faced the students. He has time and time again seen horror movies where the girl is walking and then whatever the monster was took her and killed her. The girl would scream but never fought back. And ever since coming to Sunnydale he has met a few women that might get caught by the monster but then they would eighty-six them and keep walking. He wanted these girls to do just that, ace their attacker. First he needed to find a macho man.
"Doug," Like RJ, Doug was a football player, a jock and possibly stupid. He'll make it through school with a full ride as a college football player and as long as he doesn't sustain too many head injuries he'll flip burgers for the rest of his life. Right now he was the king of high school well one of them. Doug stood up and strutted his way down to the mat. He looked at Amanda and she looked to Angel. He was going match them up.
"You two remember the last lesson?" Angel asked and Amanda nodded nervously while Dough gave that doofis smile. "Good, but Amanda come with me," Angel pulled Amanda off to the side and she tried not to shutter and faint when he placed a hand on her shoulder. "There's one extra move I want you to do." She nodded quickly and nervously. Angel leaned in whispering in her ear what she needed to do. "Good?" Angel asked and the tiny teen nodded.
Amanda turned around facing Doug and was nervous but then her nervousness turned into a near tremor when Angel had both his hands on her shoulders. Amanda got a glimpse of a few girls especially the popular ones and they looked enraged at her. How does the nerdy geek get the hot guy? But that made her smile on the inside and made feel a little extra confident. "Take your best shot Doug." And that was the cue to begin. Amanda took a few steps forward and Doug still carried that stupid smile. Angel stood there hoping Amanda could do what she needed.
Amanda walked passed Doug so he can attack from behind. He did that and wanted to pick up the little teen and take her down. But instead Amanda stomped on his foot, elbowed him in the stomach, spun around and shoved him back. If this happened in a dark alley that shoved back would allow Amanda a moment to run away. Angel smiled a little while Doug held his stomach in pain and the rest of the students were a little shocked that Amanda did what she did. Amanda herself didn't believe it.
"Cool," She muttered and then everyone started to clap and she saw Angel clap too. He just might have saved her life in some way.
Angel sat in his office reading some notes from the mansion. He was living the double life at the same time but a knock forced him to look up. He saw Amanda standing there.
"Coach?" She was trying to not be nervous. "Can…can I ask you a question?"
"Come in," Angel set the notes aside while Amanda came in and sat down. "What do you need?"
"Uh I was…I was just wondering why me?" She answered. "I mean…you know." Angel had a reason why.
"You remind me of a friend," Angel started. "She was very shy when I first met her and now she's one of the strongest women I know." Angel was talking about Willow. He saw a lot of Willow in Amanda. "You did really good, what where you thinking about?" What Angel had whispered to her was to think of something that made her strong, what can give her power and confidence. She started to feel hot. What made her strong is the fact that someone actually believed in her enough to call her to try to fight. She actually thought about Angel and how proud he would be if she took out the jock.
"Just…what if this was real and I had to fight." Amanda answered in a lie. She didn't want to say anything she thought about because it was racy. Yes she wanted Angel to be proud but there a few other things she thought about and they included him. "Thank you for believing in me." That she meant.
"You're welcome." Angel was glad he could help someone.
The last bell of the day rung and the students were dreading the way home. The ones who had to walk or ride their bikes were the ones who dreaded it the most as it was still raining. Dawn was talking to a few friends as she was making her way to Angel's office. But as she walked down the hall two girls were talking and she picked up a part of the conversion.
"Still can't believe she got to be with Coach O'Brien, she's a freak," Dawn heard one girl say. "Amanda? Really? Please, the girl has two left feet." Dawn picked up a hint of jealousy and smiled a little. Angel was never into the popular girls and always seemed to stand up for the little people. Dawn knows Amanda, they share a class together and yes she could see her brother asking her to do something rather than two snobby brats.
"Hey, O'Brien!" A voice called out and Dawn along with her two friends turned around and saw RJ coming up to them. "Hey," He looked to Dawn and she smiled as he started to walk with them.
"We'll see you later Dawn." One of her friends smiled and they left.
"Bye," Dawn waved them off and was now walking with RJ.
"So, any plans tonight?" RJ started and Dawn shrugged. "Well, if the rain lets up maybe we can go to the park. The Fall Festival is in town." Dawn smiled a little and nodded. "Really, ok, uh let's go anyways they have indoor stuff." That made Dawn smile a little bigger. "Ok, so, I'll pick you up around six? I'll buy dinner."
"Sounds great." Dawn was all smiles now but the smile on RJ's face disappeared when he looked up seeing Angel walking down the hall. Dawn looked behind her and saw her brother and then looked to RJ.
"Don't be afraid of my brother." Dawn insisted.
"What's there to be afraid of?" RJ seemed a little frozen as Angel got closer. "He's tall, really big and I think he can crush my skull with his bare hands." Dawn wanted to laugh but she actually saw fear in his eyes. "Six ok," Dawn nodded as Angel was now just behind Dawn. "Hi Mister O'Brien." And the teen walked away quickly ducking his head a little.
"Did he see a ghost or something?" Angel asked and Dawn looked up to him.
"No, just you." She answered and they started to walk together.
"What did I do?" Angel asked as they walked together but Dawn didn't say anything. But she did have a date tonight though.
The rain was a steady one all day and not once was there a break in it. Andrew looked out his hotel window seeing the raindrops. It only started as he saw the Sunnydale welcome sign. That was last night. But as he stood there he couldn't help think about his dreams. He had to leave Mexico hoping the dreams would stop. But the phrase in his head kept repeating. Some old Spanish lady ran up to him one day and yelled "Desda abajo que devora." Ever since then he keeps hearing that phrase and when he sleeps he sees something.
"It eats you, starting with your bottom." That's how Andrew translated it. But the images in his head are what scared him the most. He keeps seeing things, a face.
At the mansion Dawn was upstairs looking in the mirror and sighed. She was nervous. She knew she shouldn't get too dressed up though. It's still raining out. But she still inspected her hair and her outfit.
Downstairs the research was stopped for the time being. Angel headed to the kitchen knowing dinner was going to be soon. As soon as he got inside he smelt soup and then he found out it was hot chicken noodle soup a perfect dinner to a day like this. As he headed to the kitchen he saw Buffy standing by the window looking out. Angel walked up to her and looked out the window as well.
"It hasn't stopped raining all day." Buffy mentioned and looked over to Angel as she had her arms crossed. Angel hadn't noticed that as he looked out. "I don't like it." That made Angel uneasy. If Buffy doesn't like something then he needs to pay attention. "I just…something isn't right." Angel looked out the window. For him it was just rain but he can't remember it ever rain like this nonstop.
"Come on, let's eat." Angel suggested and Buffy nodded and followed him but then the bell rang. Angel looked to Buffy meaning he'll be right there as the slayer went to answer the door. Angel opened it and saw RJ there. He almost asked what do you want but held it back. "Can I help you?" Angel was polite and the kid should be grateful.
"Uh, uh hi Mister O'Brien, uh," RJ was a little nervous. "Nice weather right?" Angel cocked an eyebrow at that comment. "Right, well, I'm…I'm here to pick up Dawn." Angel wanted to say 'the hell you are.' But once more he held back.
"Like a date?" Angel wanted to be sure.
"Yes sir," RJ nodded and answered with respect and honesty to Angel. He has heard a lot of rumors about him and plus when he's not working he sports the bad boy image and sports it well. He has great hair, super strong and he's mysterious oh not to mention the car. It's what girls like and it made RJ nervous. Why did he like his sister? Guess he knows how to pick them. "Dawn," RJ's face had a look of relief seeing her.
"Hey," Dawn smiled and then looked to Angel. He did a quick inspection of his sister to make sure she looked decent meaning covered from head to toe. "I'll be back soon and don't wait up on dinner." Angel then looked to RJ.
"Have her home by eleven, any later I'll shoot," Angel was cut off as Dawn cleared her throat and gave him that glare. Buffy then came over to see what the commotion was about and smiled knowing what was happening.
"Have fun you guys and stay dry in this weather." Buffy stepped in and Angel gave that sigh. She always sided with Dawn and Dawn smiled as she and RJ went to leave and he took an umbrella out for them. Angel shut the door and Buffy smiled at him. "Aww, she has a date." Angel didn't look amused. "She's growing up." Angel just then started to walk away. "Oh come on," Angel then faced her. "You can't handle it can you?"
"No," Angel was honest and Buffy smiled. She was glad for Dawn though, she needs to be a teenager. She missed out on that last year with Angel being dead and alive. She's a Junior in high school and boys are the thing during those years. Drama and tears that's what high school is about. Dawn was mature for her age but she still needs to be her age.
Buffy caught up to him while everyone else was gathering slowly for a hot meal in this nasty weather.
"You remember our first date?" Buffy asked and Angel smiled a little.
"Yeah, I had to fight vampires and came in filthy." Angel remembered and thinking about it, it was all so long ago. It felt like two life times ago that they started dating. He was only sixteen then and had a lot to learn. Junior year is when he grew up, he lost all innocence that year, he lost himself to a degree. That year was one of his best and worst and he'll never forget it.
"It wasn't that bad." Buffy insisted and they continued to look at each other. Without realizing it Angel stepped closer and he barely had to reach out to touch her. "Up until Elizabeth showed up I…" Buffy trailed off for a moment looking at him. "I was probably at my happiest." Angel knew he had something to do with it. They were both happy then. It was all so simple then too.
Angel sat at the piano with Buffy as she was teaching him. He's never learned or ever had the urge to. His mom could play and used to all the time until they moved to Sunnydale. Dawn picked up on some of it last summer. Buffy was just showing him some basic notes and chord structures. It'll take him sometime to really get it plus if he wanted to learn to read music. While they sat at the piano together Cordelia was walking by but stopped dead in her tracks seeing them there. She smiled at it as Buffy told Angel a chord progression while she tried to play. It was sort of working.
Cordelia just took a second to watch the rather happy moment. The group can go days without a happy moment a truly happy moment. This was one. Angel and Buffy were friends again. They were always friends, the best of friends. Even if they don't get back together seeing them as friends again is enough. Cordelia quietly left and went upstairs to her room hoping Doyle was there. She opened her door and poked her head in seeing Doyle on the bed reading.
Cordelia just took a moment to stare like Angel would to Buffy, just to look. If you told her at the age of sixteen she would be in love with a five foot nine half Irish demon she would laugh and walk away. But she was. Cordelia then smiled and Doyle looked up to her.
"Did I do something?" Doyle asked and Cordelia shook her head no and walked over to the bed and crawled in. Doyle was a little surprised but he didn't mind as Cordelia climbed on top of him.
"Do you love me?" She asked and Doyle smiled a little.
"I do." He had a declaration in his voice. Cordelia smiled bigger and Doyle placed a hand on her cheek. "Should I prove it?" He asked and she shrugged but she was also suggesting he should. They both leaned in for a happy and affectionate kiss.
Out in the town Dawn and RJ were at the Fall Festival. They were in the indoor part and if they even wanted to go to the outdoor section is was closed due to the rain. The Fall Festival was mostly art and different depictions of the season plus there were different kinds of pumpkins and crafts and games that you can do. The two were just browsing around.
"Hey, Dawn," RJ called out as Dawn was looking a leaf collection and she came over. "Check this it out it's creepy but cool." RJ then pointed to a piece of paper. "The first idea of Halloween came from the pagan god Samhain," Just then that name made Dawn's heart race. "He would come out on All Hallows Eve and people would wear masks to fool him." RJ just kept reading but Dawn knew this story…all too well. "Pretty cool huh?" RJ asked.
"Yeah," Dawn sounded a little absent and RJ picked up on it and looked to her.
"Dawn?" He asked and she looked up to him. "You ok?"
"Yeah, yeah," She shook it off remembering what happened last year with Samhain.
"Sure?" RJ had to be sure and she nodded. "You hungry?"
"Starving." Dawn smiled and they left to get some food.
Down in the study Angel and Buffy were doing some research with Xander. Willow will help after she finishes studying but two people were missing. Just then Doyle and Cordelia walked in and Buffy looked up. She knew what they were doing as they sat down trying to be discrete.
"So, what's going on?" Doyle asked as he reached for a book and randomly opened it. Angel then looked to Buffy resting his head in his hand while he had his elbow on the table. The look meant she had the floor well table at the moment.
"This is unusual weather," Buffy started looking around.
"You mean like a flood?" Xander asked as he flipped to another page.
"Well, the end of the world is happening maybe a huge flood will happen." Cordelia added.
"Maybe we should start grabbing two of everything." Doyle smiled as he said it and Xander chuckled a little but the rest of the group just sat there. "Or not,"
"I don't think it's the great flood." Angel then sat up looking at his book. "I think it's an omen."
"Damien Omen type omen?" Xander asked and Buffy shrugged.
"Remember last summer we had a few electrical storms, very strange for us and then Samhain and Cruciate showed up?" Buffy asked everyone except Angel nodded. "Well, maybe the rain is something."
"You mean…Cruciate?" Doyle asked and Buffy shrugged not knowing.
"I checked the weather, no other place is getting rain just us it's like this little black rain cloud is over us." Buffy put more evidence on the table.
"I'm just a little black rain cloud," Xander started to sing and then he looked to Buffy but she didn't seem to think it was funny. "Pay…no attention…to little oh me…" Xander then stopped as everything was quiet. "Pooh Bear?"
"Yeah," Angel had a slight smile but they needed to get serious.
Andrew paced his little hotel room trying to think but he had no idea what to do. Should he go to Angel? What would happen if he did?
"Yeah, just walk there, hey Angel it's me I need your help." Andrew talked out loud. He stood there and crossed his arms across his chest. 'Murderer.' Andrew flinched to the voice and looked around the room but it was empty. "Who's there?" Andrew demanded. 'Alone, all…alone.' The voice said. "Who is this?"
"Just me." Andrew turned around and Warren stood there. Andrew went wide eyed staring at him. "No hello?" Warren asked while Andrew hadn't moved.
"But…but Willow killed you." Andrew stuttered.
"Yeah, she did but it's ok." Warren still stood there.
"Are…are you like a ghost?" That's the only explanation Andrew could think of. Warren smiled at him.
"A little better than a ghost, something great." Warren answered and started to pace while Andrew continued to stand there. "Listen, Andrew, I need some help."
"If you want me to raise you from the dead," Andrew started and Warren smiled.
"Oh no, no I like this. Being dead has given me a lot of freedom." Warren then got closer to Andrew. "There's two things I need help with." Andrew wasn't sure what to do or say. "One thing is down in the basement of the high school. I did have hired help but he decided to up to a more to a cozier basement. The other is more or less helping a friend." Andrew took a moment and nodded a little. Warren smiled at Andrew and nodded, he knew he could count on him.
Patrol was a dirty one. Angel slid in the mud as a vampire ran to him. He reached for the crossbow and went to fire but there were no arrows. The vampire smiled and went to reach out to the slayer but Angel slammed the crossbow at the vampire and kicked him back. The slayer jumped to his feet and then staked the vampire.
"Wow," A voice commented and Angel looked over to Buffy. She smiled seeing him as he was covered in mud. Buffy however didn't have a drop on her. She held her big umbrella over her and she wore her rain boots and black trench coat.
"Don't say anything." Angel warned her.
"Just, you're…very dirty, thought you had him." Buffy said.
"You saw the whole thing and did nothing?" Angel asked as he looked for arrows but the ground had about two or three inches of water and he couldn't see much.
"You could handle it even if you were slipping and sliding." Buffy seemed to get a kick out of it. "New elements I guess and you passed."
"Thanks," Angel didn't sound as excited. He was wet, muddy and slightly cold.
"It's just mud." Buffy added and Angel nodded.
"And if I were to just throw you in it…you'd be ok?" Angel asked and now Buffy's eyes widen and she started to look concern.
"I'm sorry you can't handle the mud and hydroplane." Buffy added because at one point that's what it looked liked. But Angel started to walk closer and Buffy took a step back. "I swear if you,"
"What are you going to do?" Angel asked knowing she hates getting muddy.
"I'll scream." Buffy answered and Angel smiled a little. She then tried to run but it was too late Angel grabbed her and threw her to the ground and she did scream. "I hate you!" But she was smiling. They did this once before a few years ago, play in the mud. Angel went to get back up but Buffy wasn't going to go down that easy and grabbed him yanking him down.
From the distance Willow and Xander were watching. They smiled at it seeing the small tussle. And like Cordelia earlier it was just good to see them as friends once again.
Angel helped Buffy up as they looked around. The rain seemed to keep the vampires inside to. Patrol was a bust and Dawn was still out. It was just Angel, Buffy, Willow and Xander and there were a total of two vamps out. Apparently one gave Angel a lot of trouble. It was time to just go home and end the night.
RJ pulled up to the mansion and then walked Dawn to the front. She had a lot of fun as they stood there in front of each other.
"So, see you at school tomorrow?" RJ asked and Dawn nodded with a smile. "I, I should go, getting late." Dawn nodded again but then looked down as she felt RJ taking her hands into his. She then looked up and they were leaning in. Dawn was about to get kissed and a million things ran through her head like did her breath smell ok, should she have put more lipgloss on? Were they just going to suck faces or would it look pretty like a movie? But before she could ask herself anything else RJ was kissing her.
The kiss lasted a few moments and they pulled away. RJ smiled and headed back out in the rain while Dawn stood there feeling like she was floating. That was her first kiss and now she understands why Angel and Buffy would kiss all that time. Dawn made sure RJ got into his car and then she went inside. Dawn made her way upstairs and saw Angel come out of the bathroom toweling his hair.
"Patrolled?" Dawn asked and Angel nodded while Buffy came from her room with a towel around her head.
"Yeah, we got dirty afterwards." Buffy kept walking but Dawn looked a little confused. "No, not dirty just muddy, we were wrestling in the mud." But that didn't seem to help. "You know what I'm going to get ice cream. Oh and how was the date?"
"We kissed." Dawn smiled and Buffy started smile but Angel however wasn't smiling.
"How was it?" Buffy asked.
"Amazing." Dawn's smile seemed to just grow bigger along with Buffy's.
"You kissed?" Angel asked and both girls looked to him. Buffy quickly took Dawn and they started to walk towards the stairs.
"Come on, we'll get Cordelia and Willow and talk." Buffy wanted to know everything and it'll be girl talk.
"You kissed?" Angel asked again still standing there. "That's nasty." Just then Xander came from his room and looked to Angel.
"What's nasty?" Xander asked.
"Dawn kissed a boy." Angel answered.
"Hope he had his shots." Xander added. Xander has watched Dawn grow up. And he was somewhat like a second brother to her. And last summer he did watch over her a little more closely to make sure nothing happened to her. But all of a sudden she was a grown up. "I kind of miss it when she was crushing on me. Now she's hanging out with strays." Well, for Angel looks like it'll be a game of dodge ball, one on one with RJ with the kid pinned to the wall in the next class.
Andrew was able to squeeze through the small basement window and slid down to the floor. He took out his flashlight and turned it on looking around.
"Over here," It was Warren's voice and Andrew saw him. Andrew walked to him and followed his friend.
"So," Andrew looked around the basement. "What's down here?" He asked while he continued to follow Warren. Just then Warren stopped and Andrew got a little closer to him. He looked to Warren and then looked to the ground.
"Something amazing." Warren smiled and then he turned so he could fully face Andrew. But the face was different. It was enough for Andrew to stumble back and fall to the floor. "What?" It was now Jonathan. "You want to make up for what you did? You dig."
Buffy walked down the stairs and before going to the kitchen there was a light. She followed the light to the study and saw Angel by himself studying. He was still up and she knew he had to get up early tomorrow. But instead of saying anything she left him to keep studying. Angel sat at the table and he has been re-reading the same page over and over. It was about the seals and the trumpets that usher in the end. But as he sat there the lights flickered for a moment.
Angel stood up looking around the room and the lights flickered again. It is raining outside but it's just rain. There wasn't any thunder or lightening with it. Angel stood up looking around and then the lights were out once again. But why did the slayer feel on edge about this power outage?
Down in the basement of the school Andrew was still digging while Warren continued to pace around him. The ground was very muddy as he continued to dig.
"Is the school flooding?" Andrew asked as he dug into the mud.
"Not yet." Warren smiled a little.
"So, what's under this?" Andrew wanted to talk to his lost friend.
"Just jeep digging." Warren ordered him and Andrew sighed.
"You know," Once more Andrew went on but Warren looked annoyed. "I came back to help after what happened last summer. Is this going to help?" Andrew then faced Warren and he smiled.
"Oh yes," Warren answered and then Andrew felt a thud when he stuck the shovel back into the ground. Warren smiled even bigger as Andrew started to uncover something.
"It's solid," Andrew raked the mud off the metallic object. Warren got closer as Andrew tossed the mud aside. It was gold that much was clear. It had ridges and bumps that Andrew could feel as he continued to get the mud off of it. Warren stood up smiling as he saw the seal with it's inscriptions and ram's head. Andrew stood up and looked to it. It looked sinister as Warren slowly circled it. "What…what is it?" Warren then looked up to Andrew.
"What's going to damn us all." Warren answered and Andrew without thought took a step back. "What's wrong?" Warren didn't sound concern at all but Andrew knew he needed to leave. He went to leave but ran into Warren. "Got other plans? Because I got one more left for you."
"I just want to leave." Andrew's voice was shaky as he backed up.
"Why? We're all friends here." Warren then morphed into Jonathan. "Well, we're dead right now." Andrew then looked back to the satanic seal. "You got one more job to do. He needs a pair of human hands to do it." Just then Andrew felt something like he was going to be sick. Andrew slowly went to his knees and then threw up. "Just let it happen I promise he'll let you go and let you be." Andrew then collapsed to the floor. Jonathan waited for a moment and then Andrew stood up. "Hello Cruciate,"
"Master," Cruciate smiled.
Angel was in the basement of the mansion and opened the circuit breaker box. He clicked a few of the breakers and nothing happened.
"Everything ok mate?" Spike asked and Angel looked to the vampire.
"Yeah, I'll call the power company." Angel answered and started to leave the basement.
"Peaches," Spike called to Angel and he faced him. "Look…something…I don't like this rain." Spike stood there and Angel nodded knowing to listen to him. There wasn't much to do right now for the night. Angel left the basement with his flashlight and headed for the stairs. He felt rather tired and once he reached the hallway he saw a small faint light down at the end.
Buffy was in the master room combing her hair by candle light. Angel knocked on the slightly open door and Buffy looked up to him as she sat at her little vanity. It has a mirror that she can't see her reflection but she would still sit there combing her hair, put on her mascara and lipstick when she lived here. The room being lit with candles for the light source made seem very beautiful as Angel just took a moment to just look.
"This was every night before I went to bed when I was human." Buffy said as she looked to Angel. "Although this is much nicer." Buffy then turned back to the mirror and continued to comb her hair while Angel shut the door behind him.
"Another power outage." Angel walked around the room a little. This place held a lot of memories for them. It was their home and for months now it didn't feel like home at all. It was slowly getting to the way it use to be. But in all honesty you can never go back to the way things were. You just have to make peace with the past and move on. "I'm still sorry for what happened last year."
Buffy turned around in her little chair looking to the slayer. "Feels like I can't say that enough, I can't say that enough to you. I just…I thought I could fix it on my own and…I just screwed it up and I'm sorry." Buffy stood up and walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped his arms around her and he knew she has truly forgiven him. Buffy pulled away after a few moments and then sat down on the edge of the bed. She had time in France to process what happened here.
Last year was this emotional ride and you didn't have time to sit and think about it. You didn't have time to understand. Life kept coming at the group and they never had a chance to just breathe.
"Angel you were torn out of heaven and I should have realized the depression you were going to suffer." She looked up at him. Being away from him allowed her to process everything for herself to understand what really happened. "You were happy and not here to suffer anymore." She understood that and for her, his return meant he was going to suffer. You can't come back from paradise and be happy in a place like this. Buffy felt that his return was partly her fault. "I'm sorry I should have," Angel shook his head and slowly got down to his knees so they were now at the same level.
"I told you to never be sorry Buffy." And that was true. All her life she was sorry and what happened to him was not her fault and it never will be. "I should have talked to you I just couldn't. I felt more than lost and it felt like no matter what, I couldn't come back from it." This was the heart to heart that they both wanted a year ago. But sometimes it takes that long to say what needs to be said.
"We all come back, I came back, it hurt but I came back." Buffy assured him. She went to Hell and came back almost an animal but here she is. She was a ruthless killer and now she was a hero. She was an example of how you can win and be redeemed.
"I'm sorry Buffy," Once more he felt he couldn't say it enough. "I failed, I failed you and seeing you in the future, us fighting together it showed me that I can't lose you. Not again," Those three months she was in Hell Angel suffered his own Hell. Then their break up made it felt like he couldn't breathe, that the world should end because his purpose was taken. "I did lose you because I pushed you out and I shouldn't have. Even though I did you were still there for me I didn't deserve it." Buffy then reached out and placed her hand on his cheek and he leaned in slightly.
"What are friends for?" She asked with a little smile and he smiled too. "I don't know what's going to happen but it seems like we have a road map again. Just hope we can use it before it's too late." Buffy was honest and pulled her hand away while they sat there.
"We will, not sure if we'll win but the First thought it was going to win until I showed up. It wanted us to be apart because it's actually afraid of you and me." Angel could see that now. It's why it tried to kill Buffy before.
"So how do we do this? Blaze of glory style?" Buffy asked and Angel let out a small chuckle and it faded as he looked back up to her. Honestly he had no idea what they were going to do. But once more he felt compelled to say sorry again.
"I'm so sorry Buffy I really am." Angel went on and Buffy realized they shouldn't be talking about the end but them. Where do they stand in this? Are they friends? Are they lovers? They will stand side by side on this but where do they stand to one another? "You're still special to me even though we aren't together but I need you on my side, I need you with me." Buffy nodded and she would never leave him. She would never just abandon him, she would always be there.
"You know I'm always with you that hasn't change and it never will. Whether you stop loving me or we're not together I'm still around. I was here before and I'm here now." Buffy declared and Angel felt like he could actually breathe once more after so many months of holding his breath. "I've started this with you and I'm going to finish it with you. I've loved you since you were sixteen and that's never going to change no matter what we face."
"I'm still sorry for what I've done to you, for the pain. I feel like I've been fighting for so long, that I've been the slayer for so long I can't remember anything else." And it's true, seven years of war can make you forget what happened before it started. The entire group is tired of this war but it's one that will never end.
"Still here, just waiting. I hope that maybe I will become human things may not be normal but it's close enough." Buffy has been waiting for so long to human and nothing has happened yet, no signs. Maybe it won't happen but she'll still fight. "When you died I felt like my biggest dream was crushed that you wouldn't see me become human." That's what mattered to her the most.
"I'm back and I will live to see you become human someday Buffy, that's a promise. I still love you." Angel promised and he could see some tears in her eyes trying to break through. Buffy tried to blink them away and she looked around. He really was back now.
"Remember our first night together?" She asked while she continued to look around and then back to Angel. "It was kind of like a night like this." The rain was still going on outside.
"I'll never forget." Angel would never forget that night. He gave her everything that night and he felt her give back in return before Elizabeth showed up.
"Do you remember what you said to me when we just laying there?" She asked him.
"Can we do it again?" Angel had that sly smile and Buffy had to laugh a little. That night happened five long years ago.
"Yeah you said that." She had a genuine happy smile on her face looking at him. "You told me that this fight, we're in it together, side by side until the end. I'm right here, I'm never going to leave." It meant they were going to be together on this even if they fail in the end. Angel took Buffy's hands into his and just held them for a moment.
"Just kiss me Angel." It was a commanding whisper and he complied and their lips met. He pulled her closer hoping to make them one. They had to make up for lost time and they were well on their way. Angel picked her up placed her on the bed. They lost all control and let the passion drive them and their actions. Buffy wanted to feel him, to feel his body close to hers, to feel circled by him, to feel safe, to feel loved. The empty space that she had with her was now gone, he filled the empty space, that void, that feeling that she was alone was gone. They should take it slow, start over but they couldn't. They also couldn't seem to get the clothes off and the articles of clothing flew in every direction. They can't be apart. In the future Angel and Buffy were together. In the alternate Sunnydale reality they were together. They were always meant to be no matter what time, dimension and reality. Somehow they find each other no matter what.
What clothes they had on were gone and it was just flesh against flesh. She would get to hear him whisper those words to her that made her shiver and ache for him even more. Now that they had been apart for a long time there was no way to hold back what the heart wants the most.
Once against their shadows danced with candles' lights as the room was just lit enough so they could see one another. His eyes danced, they were filled with lust and love, they smoldered with it only seeing her, she was his. Her face was flushed as she felt him in her reclaiming her again. She was in his embrace, safe from the world. She held on tight to him never wanting to let go ever. She called to him as he pressed on. He melted into her, he would shatter around her, he was under her spell and no matter how hard he tried even if he wanted to he couldn't break free. He looked down into her green eyes that looked liked true green emeralds and they sparkled for him. She then squeezed his shoulders and let it out and he collapsed on her and they both trembled and held each other's embrace. They couldn't move but there was not desire too. She placed little kisses up and down his neck to his cheek and then their lips met for tender kiss. They pulled away and looked into each other's eyes that said everything.
The dying candles in the room seemed to help the couple. They had all night and with the rain it reminded them of their first night together. Back then Angel had no idea what he was doing and Buffy never loved a man. So that night was different it was innocent. This night they've had a lot of practice since. Angel knew what he was doing and Buffy loved him and wasn't afraid.
She was warm again while she was wrapped in his arms as they sat up together. She felt him kiss her down her neck and then stopped. She looked to him and saw he was staring at a necklace. She had a thin chain with her claddagh ring. She kept it and she saw his chain and on it was his ring, the cross and Saint Michael medallion she gave him seven years ago. Angel reached out and held the tiny ring and then reached for the clasped of the chain taking the ring off and placed it back on her finger where it was supposed to be.
Buffy did likewise with his ring. She left the cross and medallion hanging around his neck. She leaned in for another hug and he held her close too. This was the second best night next to their first.
Buffy had her head laying on his chest listening to his heart. She missed that sound. Angel was tracing random patterns on her bareback. They were both laughing, they haven't laughed like this in so long especially with each other and it felt good, it felt real and it felt like old times. Angel then rolled on top of her while they giggled about something. He looked down at her and she stared into his brown eyes. She can see it again, his soul and that spark. The passion was back something that had been missing when he came back from the dead. He found himself again, the drive to live, to protect others that slaying was more than just a job. He was Angel again.
But their naked bodies and flesh on flesh pressing together the moment was getting a little heated. He leaned in to kiss her and she accepted pulling him closer. And then she just wanted to hug him.
Angel buried his face in the crook of her neck and she held him close. It felt so good to hold him she missed it. He was so warm and she missed being as warm as he was. Angel kissed her neck and then her cheek and then her lips again. They were both tired not just because of what they did but they were just tired. They would fall asleep after this round and maybe they'll sleep through the night.
Dawn knocked on Buffy's door. Angel heard the knock and he was still half asleep. Dawn was going to ask if she seen or at least knows where her brother is. They had school and it was getting late. Angel grabbed his boxers putting them on and as he walked to the door he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He opened the door and Dawn's eyes widen in confusion.
"Angel?" She asked. "Uh morning," Well, this was strange. "Um," She was looking for Buffy and then she found her. Buffy came to the door wearing Angel's shirt and it didn't take Dawn long to do the math. A huge smile grew on her face. "Oh my god, oh my god!" She squealed and Angel couldn't help but smile knowing his sister loved him and Buffy together. "This is so awesome!" Buffy had a small smile but Angel wasn't sure if he could handle his sister's squealing this early. "Oh my god I'm sorry I woke you guys up and what am I doing I should leave you guys alone. Actually we should all leave you alone." Dawn was very excited as Angel and Buffy stood there just a little amused. "I can get a ride to school and, and I'll tell the principle that you're sick so you don't have to come into school."
"Dawn it's ok." Angel assured her and Dawn could see it, the light was coming back, she could see happiness returning in him.
"Still I'll make sure no one bothers you like for the whole day and night. We'll all go on patrol." She was smiling from ear to ear. "You two just you know be happy. Oh my god I love you guys." Dawn squealed out and she leaned in and hugged her brother and then kissed Buffy's cheek. She went to leave and she was literally skipping. Angel shut the door and locked it and looked to Buffy.
"She's crazy." Buffy commented.
"You're telling me." Angel added and Buffy smiled.
"Well, she did say she was going to leave us alone." Buffy reminded him and that mischievous look came back to Angel's face. Buffy bit her bottom lip meaning she was wanting something. "Need to make up for a little bit of loss time." And they did need to. She didn't have to tell Angel twice as he already scooped her up and making his back to the bed. He didn't have a lot of time but it was enough.
The school day was over as Angel and Dawn walked together to the Mustang. But something made Angel stop walking as he looked to the school. That made Dawn stop and she looked to the direction he was looking.
"Something wrong?" Dawn asked but Angel didn't answer right away as he continued to stare. "Angel, let's go it's pouring and I'm cold." Dawn wanted to get back to the mansion and sit by the fire. But it seemed that Angel had other plans as he headed back to the school. "What the hell Angel?" Dawn threw her hands up in the air and then folded her arms across her chest as Angel walked back inside. "Whatever," Dawn then headed back inside and caught up with her brother.
Angel faced the door that lead to the basement and reached out to the doorknob but didn't open it. Dawn stared at him as he did nothing. "Angel? Ground control to Angel?" She asked and finally Angel looked to her. "What?" She looked concerned and confused.
"Nothing," Angel retracted his hand back to his side. "Let's go," Angel insisted and walked away leaving Dawn even more confused.
"That was five minutes we'll never get back great," Dawn then went to follow her brother out of the school and into the rain. But as they walked away Principle Wood watched them from behind the corner. Angel and Dawn were outside and the rain has yet to let up. It has to mean something but what?
At the mansion Buffy was back into the books. She decided to be a little bit more constructive on this and put the bible away. There's nothing in there about this, about a perpetual down pour that has something to do with the end at least not at this moment. This was an omen and a bad one. So it was time to research water and what symbols it holds both in good and evil. She's been reading for hours and taking down notes. Doyle and Cordelia joined in and the three were waiting for the others.
Just then Buffy looked up seeing Angel and Dawn coming in and a little damped. Xander and Willow should follow behind them in a few. Angel wished Buffy's face would light up seeing after last night but the look she carried was of extreme concern.
"What did you fine?" Angel asked as he grabbed a seat next to her while Dawn sat down.
"Well, this rain has nothing to do with the end. It was brought here." Buffy started as she flipped through a few pages of her notes and then handed the pad to Angel and he looked at it. "Water from the dawn of time is a symbol of cleansing, renewal." She started and just then Willow and Xander came in and sat down not caring that they were also still a bit wet from the weather.
"Something is here cleansing the town?" Xander asked as the group looked around at each other. "Cleanse it of what?" That was a good question.
Andrew stood at a cemetery looking at a grave. Because the rain hasn't stopped the ground was getting very saturated. If the sewers get any fuller and the water has nowhere to drain a flood could happen. But because the ground was getting so moist it made it easier for what was about to come. Digging into the dirt wasn't too hard and Andrew that was now controlled through Cruciate didn't have to dig so far before hitting something. This wasn't a real grave but a hiding spot. It's been here for years, longer than the town itself.
Cruciate through Andrew picked up a small box. He set it down on the ground and looked to it with a smile. He did his best to clear off some of the mud and on it was carved words in Latin. Cruciate ran his hand over the carving feeling the different words.
"Aperitur, et qui aperit praecordia vitam aeternam. Et in hujus rei testimonium verae resurrectionis." Cruciate read smiling. He stood up with the box and walked away heading to the direction of the school.
At the mansion the A-Team was gathering their weapons for the night. They had to patrol and figure this out and fast. They gathered some coats to try and keep dry from all this. Once they had everything they headed out. The place they were heading was the usual place they always go to. The cemetery.
At the high school Cruciate set down the old box and grabbed the lock. It wasn't your typical lock though, it needed a special key to open. Cruciate reached for his pocket and pulled out what looked more like a lock pick than a key.
"I knew I could count on you Andrew to get this for me." He smiled and then started to unlock the box and opened it. He reached inside and pulled out a circular object. The drawling on it that was edged in looked very much like the goat's head on the seal in the basement of the school. "You two were buried so close yet never quite touched." Cruciate then walked over to the seal and there was a piece missing from it. "Angel isn't the best guardian of the gates." Cruciate placed the missing piece in and felt a small wave under his feet. He smiled and then Andrew's body went limp and fell to the ground.
Out at the cemetery the gang stayed close looking around but there wasn't anything. Maybe it was too wet even for demons. Angel had his crossbow in one hand walking around but felt something under him and he stopped dead in his tracks. Something made his heart race, made his senses go haywire. He stood still and then looked up.
Across the cemetery came walking what almost looked like a shadow. It was clad in a black with a hood. You can just barely make out the face. It could be human but then again it could be something else entirely. The shadowy figure walked closer to the group as no one moved. What was this thing? It kept getting closer to them and just as it reached a few feet it stopped before the group.
Angel knew not to fire at it. He just knew he would either miss or it wasn't going to do anything. He knew this thing wasn't human either. The thing in black looked to the group and they all saw it smile. As they saw it's creepy smile there was a faint scream from somewhere.
"You're going to lose slayer." Thing whispered and then in a flash was gone. The team looked around as it was gone.
"I'm going to be the first to say…what the hell was that?" Xander asked but then they all heard the scream again and ran towards it. But before they get close something pulled at the teams' feet. All of them were pulled to the ground and saw what was pulling them. It wasn't vampires it was dead people.
"Here we go," Angel muttered and then kicked one off of him and fired an arrow to the head. "Aim for the head!" He reminded his team and they did just that. They all got up and Angel thought for a quick moment, this is the third zombie, undead encounter. Maybe fourth if you count the futuristic dream. The team fought them off but how many is that. Just then the black figure appeared again. Angel ran to the figure but it was gone. But before he had time to look for it there were more screams.
They had to go and save people from the zombies. The team ran together in a group but Buffy was noticing something. If this was a zombie uprising why wasn't the whole cemetery awakening? Yes a few were popping up but not everyone. She couldn't think about it as she ran up to a zombie and sliced its head off. She was getting tired of killing the dead.
Angel held up his crossbow and let another arrow fly killing another zombie. The team formed up but fanned out just a little. Buffy still couldn't help but noticed the zombies. Something was strange about them…but what? But one zombie made Buffy's eyes widen. She couldn't move seeing it. Cordelia, Xander and Willow's eyes then widen but they saw a different zombie. Angel saw the two zombies they some of his team was looking at and his eyes widen too.
Doyle and Dawn were a little lost but they knew this couldn't be good. Buffy stared at Jenny Calender while Angel, Willow, Cordelia and Xander saw Jessie. But for Angel this was a problem, he's already seen Jenny back a few months ago with the Rise of the Witnesses, why now?
"Zombie ghosts again?" Xander asked and Angel shook his head no. This was something else. When he saw Jenny she was a spirit that was trapped. This was a zombie.
"Angel!" Angel whipped around hearing Dawn's voice and saw exactly what she was looking at. If Angel wasn't a strong person his knees would have buckled and he would have fallen to the ground. His mother was there limping towards the group. Joyce, Jenny and Jessie all made their way to the group. Angel held up his crossbow to his mom and Dawn's tears mixed with the rain as Buffy reached over to her to shield her. Like Angel, Dawn is strong but to see your mother die twice, you can't be that strong. Angel closed his eyes and pulled the trigger, he couldn't watch his mom die again. When he opened his eyes he didn't miss the head. But Angel couldn't dwell on that now they needed to stop this.
Buffy knew she had to take out Jenny and she ran to what was left of the woman. She was going to kill her twice now. Willow, Cordelia and Xander band together to take out Jessie letting him die for a second time too. Doyle and Dawn stood there seeing their friends kill someone they cared about, loved and fought with a second time. But as always there was no time to morn as they all could hear more screams.
In the town people were running from the zombies but this wasn't your typical zombie attack. These zombies weren't random undead corpses crawling out of the ground looking to eat brains. People were looking at those who have died, people they knew.
RJ was out in the town when this started to happen and the zombie he came face to face with was his own brother. His brother died years ago about a year after Angel came to town. RJ was young then and it was written off as a mugging gone wrong.
"John?" RJ asked as his brother opened his mouth with blood dripping from it. RJ knew to just run and he did. People were dying as RJ saw one man get attacked and went down. Just then there was a roar of an engine coming down the road. RJ saw the iconic black Mustang coming towards the town and he knew who was in it.
The whole town knew Angel was like this strange cop. No one talks about it but they all knew. Angel got out of the Mustang and fired at one zombie. RJ saw a blonde woman get out and sliced the head off another but it was the third person that shocked him. Dawn got out and stabbed a zombie through the face with her katana.
"Buffy! Here!" Dawn yelled and Buffy spun around and stabbed another zombie in the face. RJ turned around and saw his brother was still coming after him. But then someone grabbed him and pulled him away. RJ saw Dawn kick back his dead brother and then ran the sword up his jaw. Dawn then faced RJ for a moment and his eyes were wide with fear and confusion.
"Find a place to hide." Dawn ordered him and she knew after this night she wasn't going to be talking to him. RJ watched Dawn take off and kill more zombies.
Angel and Buffy were back to back. The slayer was now using a knife to kill the zombies. Something was different about them as they were only attacking certain people. The slayer had a pretty good idea that whatever the thing he saw in the cemetery was linked to this. His team was fighting off the zombies they came across trying to save everyone they could.
RJ saw how Angel killed a zombie and it seemed that the lure was correct, aim for the head. He needed a weapon and just then he saw Dawn was about to be surround by some oncoming undead. He looked around and found a building that was under remodeling and picked up a led pipe. He ran to Dawn's aid and as hard as he could wacked a zombie in the in the head seeing blood fly. Dawn looked to him as he stood there in some kind of shock at what he just did.
"You ok?" Dawn asked and RJ looked up to him. "Look, try to get the people out." RJ nodded as he looked over to Angel as he was just killing the zombies with ease. "Go," Dawn slightly shoved him knowing it wasn't safe. Dawn headed towards her brother as the A-Team started to gather together.
"No time for questions and we'll figure it out later but how many more are out there?" Doyle asked and that was a question that needed be addressed now. How many more are they going to kill? Just then there was a scream meaning there's more. The A-Team ran together in unison and continued to search for the source of the screams.
"Get inside!" Angel yelled to the people on the streets. There were still more zombies but the numbers were getting smaller. But the team then rounded a street corner and the dark figure was standing there.
"This is only the beginning," The thing hissed and from behind it black wings were revealed. It flapped its wings for a minute as if it was stretching them out. Then the wings helped the thing to the fly off into the night.
"Oh, we're so screwed." Xander muttered.
"That was the Angel of Death." Everyone turned around seeing Anya there. They could tell she had been fighting off some zombies.
"And on a scale of one to extremely bad, how bad is this?" Doyle asked but the silence said everything. Angel looked to his team realizing this was going to be one apocalypse that was going to be nearly impossible to stop.
"It's a demon but it's considered an angel to some." Anya explained as she got closer to them. "It can raise the dead too." But why raise Jenny and Joyce even Jessie? Maybe to show Angel that he's not going to win this and to see those he has failed to save. "It's the start of the end once the Angel of Death has been awaken."
"Great, great," Xander muttered.
"So, what do we do?" Willow asked because what will they do? Anya shook her head slightly meaning she didn't know. Just then there was another scream meaning they weren't done killing zombies.
"Can I kill the Angel of Death?" Angel asked.
"Of course you can't," Dawn started.
"You can," Anya answered and that shocked everyone. "It's a demon, a powerful demon but it's not Death itself. Death something else, this is like…like a really powerful reaper." Anya went on as the group continued to stand there. But if it can be killed then Angel will find a way. But for now they needed the kill the rest of the zombies.
Durham, England
Giles walked through a hallway of an apartment complex. He was getting closer to where he wanted to go but then something awoken him from his train of thought. Giles raced down the hall hearing something. Giles found the apartment door and heard a struggle going on. Giles kicked down the door and saw a man on the floor holding his chest seeing blood pouring out. But Giles had to defend himself before he could help the man as something in a hooded cloak came after Giles. But Giles was not without a weapon and blocked the blow. He then sliced whatever this thing was mid section and it went down.
Giles then ran to the man and started to cradle him as he was shaking.
"Giles, Giles, it's, it's starting," The man was explaining. "It's starting, you, you have to get to, to get to the slayer." Giles nodded to his fellow Watcher. "Take, take her," The Watcher pointed to a girl. "Take her, the slayer can protect her." Again Giles nodded. "We…there's isn't much time." But the man went limp in Giles' arms. Giles held the fellow Watcher for a moment feeling this great wave of sadness hit him. One of his own was dead. He then looked up to the young girl and she reminded him of Dawn. But now this young girl was his responsibility until he makes it back home to Sunnydale. Hopefully Angel had some answers when he gets there.
There you have it. A lot of stuff happened. Angel and Buffy are back together and zombies arrived. Don't worry I got more zombies on the way. But yeah a lot has happened and guess what more is on the way. No forum review but got a sneak peek. Hope you're liking it. Comments and reviews are as always welcome. You readers are awesome.
Translation on the box: The one who opens this chest will open eternal life. And onto this the true witness will rise.
Chapter 11 Seven
"It's a demon, they lie it's what demons do." Anya explained to the group as they all sat in the study. "The Angel of Death is a myth. Same with the Grim Reaper."
"Do you take joy in ruining cool stories?" Xander asked his ex-lover and she looked to him and shrugged.
"People gave death a name. Demons and monsters kill but death is death." Anya finished and everyone seemed…somewhat ok with it.
"At least I can kill it." That gave Angel some comfort.
"So, because we are now at the end of days," Doyle started off with a casual tone. "What does this demon mean? Besides being a demon and messing things up." Everyone wanted an answer but there wasn't one. It must have a purpose though just then the doorbell went off. No one got up and they just stared at each other. Who in the world could that be? But still no one got up as they all just continued to look at each other. Then the bell rang again.
"Really?" Buffy asked as she stood up to get it. Buffy headed to the front and opened it seeing RJ standing there. "RJ? Is everything ok?"
"Yeah, uh," The teen boy seemed a little nervous. "Dawn here?" Buffy nodded and left to get her while RJ waited. He looked around still on guard from last night. Just then he saw Dawn walking towards him. The two looked at each other and it was awkward to say the least.
"About, about last night," Dawn had no idea where to start.
"Are you a superhero?" RJ asked and Dawn's eyes widen a little bit. She never considered herself as a superhero, her brother and Buffy maybe but not her.
"Uh…hunter." Dawn corrected him and he nodded but he was still confused.
"You hunt?" RJ was trying to get this all sorted out and she nodded.
"You know, demons, vampires, sometimes ghost and werewolves." Dawn answered but she felt like the more she went on the worse she was making it. "It's…it's the family business, hunting stuff, saving people."
"Right," RJ was still confused and Dawn knew she had to explain all this but how?
Inside the team was still wondering what to do next. Of course it would be to find this demon and kill it. It would be nice to find out where it was, where it came from and most importantly who summoned it. This new end of the world ordeal that was happening seemed like a mess. The team didn't have anything to go on, there didn't seem to be a pattern at all. But this was just the start and it was going to get worse. They had to see everything that was happening was not an isolated event but all connected.
"So, let's," Cordelia stood up and brought out the whiteboard and started to write. She started with the Rise of the Witnesses. She continued to write all the major events that have happened. Now that they could see it maybe they can connect the dots. But before that started Dawn came stomping in.
"Well, RJ will never speak to me again." Dawn started and they looked to her. "It's not everyday you find out about the supernatural. Oh yes, demons and vampires are real have a great day." She was frustrated. "He saw me fight last night and now it's ruined." She should know better that a normal life in this business is asking a lot. "I mean," She then looked to Angel and Buffy. "You two hit off and then same with you two." She turned her attention to Cordelia and Doyle.
"Dawn," Angel had to get her to refocus but that wasn't going to happen right this second.
"But nope, not me. I like a regular human," Dawn sounded disappointed as she continued on. "And this regular human has never seen a vampire."
"Dawn," Angel snapped her out of it and she glared at her brother. "I'm sorry, ok, maybe he'll come around. You know it's hard for someone to comprehend all this. Give him time." Angel had to get Dawn to refocus. Maybe RJ will never talk to her again. Maybe he'll come around, who knows. But the typical teenage love life was not important right now. Dawn nodded knowing the team needs her so she sat down and looked at the whiteboard.
"Ok," Cordelia started up again. "This all connects…right?"