Chapter 13 Freewill
A/N: You're all going to love this chapter. It was fun typing it. Now if you go back to when Angel first meets Glory and how bad she kicked his butt…well let's just say Angel's going to have it kicked even harder. Hope you like this chapter, enjoy.
Come with me now
Come with me now
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna take you down
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna show you how
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna take you down
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna show you how
Afraid to lose control
And caught up in this world
I've wasted time, I've wasted breath
I think I've thought myself to death
I was born without this fear
Now only this seems clear
I need to move, I need to fight
I need to lose myself tonight
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna take you down
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna show you how
I think with my heart and I move with my head
I open my mouth and it's something I've read
I stood at this door before, I'm told
But a part of me knows that I'm growing too old
Confused what I thought with something I felt
Confuse what I feel with something that's real
I tried to sell my soul last night
Funny, he wouldn't even take a bite
Far away
I heard him say (Come with me now)
Don't delay
I heard him say (Come with me now)
Far away
I heard him say (Come with me now)
Don't delay
I heard him say (Come with me now)
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna take you down
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna show you how
Afraid to lose control
And caught up in this world
I've wasted time, I've wasted breath
I think I've thought myself to death
I was born without this fear
Now only this seems clear
I need to move, I need to fight
I need to lose myself tonight
Whoa, come with me now
Whoa, come with me now
I'm gonna take you down
Whoa, come with me now
Come With me Now by the Kongos
Angel, Buffy, Giles and Doyle returned to the mansion as daybreak was here. But walking in everyone was awake, wide-awake too. Everyone saw that the four did encounter something though as they stood there.
"That bad?" Dawn asked and Angel looked to Giles.
"What did we see?" Angel asked his Watcher.
"Maybe we should discuss this in private?" Giles suggested and Angel looked around to his team and the three potential slayers and then back to Giles.
"You mean not in front of the team or possibly a future slayer?" Angel reminded Giles of who was around. Giles shrugged knowing Angel would tell them anyways.
"Well, what we saw was a vampire, but not quite it's known as a Turok-Han. They are the first vampires before vampires could actually change into human form. Vampires then feared them. They are signaled minded and rare to find. Most of them have died out once the modern day vampires took over. The Master vampire was one of the last of that breed." Giles finished as everyone stood there listening.
"The First now this," Buffy started. "It's not random right?" And Giles shook his head no and that brought no comfort at all. Angel then started to walk away. "We're you going?"
"It's daylight," Angel turned around looking at everyone. "That vampire isn't going to show up right now. I suggest we all sleep or for some of us go to work and school." Angel then looked to Dawn. However, the three potentials didn't look too happy with the suggestion. "I know you guys wanted to jump into this but right now we just sit tight ok."
"But," Kennedy started nut Angel was walking away already. Angel headed upstairs to change for work and when he opened his door he flinched.
"What the hell?" Angel asked as Michael stood there. "Kill you to knock like a normal human being?"
"I'm not human." Michael reminded Angel.
"Oh, right forgot." Angel walked over to the dresser to get some clothes.
"Angel, I understand you saw a Turok-Han," Michael started and Angel looked up to him. "Before the slayer came to be, those were the vampires that the world saw. A slayer has never fought one before."
"Is this a pep talk because it's not working?" Angel continued to stand there.
"I don't know the outcome of you fighting this and now that you saw a potential future all bets are off to what's to come." Michael explained.
"Is that it?" Angel wanted to be done with this talk at the moment. Michael didn't say anything and made his way to the open balcony doors and then Angel heard a flapping sound and the priest was gone.
Down in the depths of the town Spike laid on the ground as Drusilla was standing before him.
"Think of it as a game," Drusilla went on. "A fun funny game. With out all the rules or the bothersome of the winning money." She got closer to Spike. "But still there are sides. You still have to choose a side Spike and then we can fly. Be free and visit all of our friends as they come squirming from up out the earth." She then smiled at Spike and swayed a little bit. "I know you like a good wriggle."
"You're not Drusilla." Spike stated and Dru smiled and laughed.
"No, no I'm not," She sounded very proud of that.
"She was crazier than you." Spike stated and Dru stood still with her jaw clenching. Just then the Turok-Han slapped Spike across the face.
"Bad daddy, needs a caning." Drusilla stated with a small smile. She then sat down next to Spike. "Choose a side. Choose our side, you know it's delicious, it's real." Spike looked over to Drusilla as one eye was already swollen and the second one was starting to swell.
"Go to hell." Spike answered and Drusilla stood up while the Turok-Han started to beat Spike with its bare fists.
The day was over as the people at the mansion were hard at work. And hard at work meant boarding everything up. Not only that but the air was cold out. It wasn't the winter cold that comes in either this was something else. The people of the mansion were boarding up all the windows as if a storm was coming.
Angel hammered in a nail and then stepped back as he looked to his work and a wave hit him. Buffy could see he was thinking about something so she walked over him and placed her hand on his shoulder and that broke his trance.
"What is it?" She asked.
"In the dream when I saw the mansion this is what it looked like." Angel stated and Buffy looked up to the bored home. What Angel was saying is that his dream was starting to fall into place. Angel put his arm around Buffy pulling her closer to hug her. From a distance Dawn saw the hug and smiled a little. She didn't know what was said but she hoped it was something good.
After the mansion was boarded up everyone was inside as the place seemed so much darker. As Angel took off his coat Kennedy then stood in front of him.
"When can we have weapons?" She asked.
"When he thinks were are ready." Molly stated and Kennedy looked to Amber and Molly.
"We need weapons to protect ourselves I mean look at what we just did." Kennedy pointed out to the darkness of the mansion. "Without weapons we're sitting ducks."
"Yeah, got a bad feeling about this." Andrew jumped in as he was still here. "It's going to come straight here." He pointed out and Angel looked around. He wanted to give the three potentials a weapon to defend themselves but it could do more damage because they are not well versed in weapons. Angel didn't say anything but knew Andrew was right. But the slayer walked away for a moment and wanted to be alone for a second as he went to the backside of the mansion.
He stood there looking through a small crack in one of the boards as Giles approached him. The sun will set any second now.
"Everyone knows you're calling the shots on this one." Giles was going to try and comfort his slayer.
"I hope it's the right one." Angel continued to look through the small crack. "I'd almost say get everyone to the basement and lock it, maybe the vampire will just pass us by." That was a thought but then it would come back and the group would just be living in fear. Giles walked closer to Angel stood next to the slayer.
"You have all my trust and faith. You're the first male slayer and you have proven twice over what you're capable of." Giles meant if anyone can kill this Turok-Han it's Angel.
"Guys!" A voice called out and Angel raced to the source. Amber came running in as everyone started to tense up. "It's Molly, she's gone."
Molly saw the last of signs of daylight disappear as she was in the woods out by the mansion. She didn't feel safe there in a confined area. So she ran into the woods to hide. Just then she heard something off in the distance and stopped to look around in the dark. It could just be animals as she reached for her small golden cross necklace.
Out in the woods some of the A-Team was there. Angel, Buffy, Willow, Dawn and Doyle were looking for the run-a-way. At the mansion waited the other two potentials, Cordelia, Giles, Andrew and Xander. Angel needed to find Molly and fast as something was telling him the Turok-Han was here. He can sense when evil was close but this was different. He's never felt this kind of evil, this rage and fear.
Molly looked around and decided to run away from the direction she heard the noise coming from. She continued on and then tripped and felt a sharp pain in her ankle. She got up to start hobbling when something grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up. She looked at the Turok-Han in the eyes as it started to squeeze the life from hers. She wanted to scream and she managed a yelp that lasted a moment before the Turok-Han grabbed her with his other hand twisting her neck and let her limp body fall. Then the old vampire saw the small golden cross necklace around her and reached for it ripping it off of her. It then crushed the cross in its hand without flinching and let out a roar letting others nearby know it made a kill.
The group that was in the woods heard the loud roar.
"It ain't coyotes." Doyle made that much clear and Angel realized what they might come up against and turned to half of his team.
"Get back to the mansion." The slayer ordered and they all looked lost. "Now,"
"Angel?" Buffy wasn't about to let him take on something like this alone.
"I said now." Angel ordered and they started to retreat as Angel held up his crossbow and went on a small hunting trip. Angel went deeper into the woods alone trying to tap into his slayer abilities and sense everything around him as it was dark out. He can see rather well in the dark but it's how things hide. Just then he saw something shiny in the under brush and reached for it and pulled out a rather thin chain with a cross on it. It had blood on it too and the slayer looked around for Molly but he didn't have to walk much further seeing a body on the ground.
Angel knelt down to Molly seeing her neck was twisted all the way around as she was on her stomach and her face was looking up to Angel. Just as the slayer went to get up something threw him and he hit a tree. Angel felt the sharp pain in his back and he looked up seeing the vampire walking to him. The vampire reached for the slayer but Angel kicked him back.
The slayer got up and took another swing but the vampire grabbed his fist and then slammed Angel against another tree and then swung at his face before Angel had a chance to get up. Angel went to the ground but was able to roll away before the uber vampire could kick him. Angel did a summersault and got back to his feet. The uber vampire ran at Angel and the slayer braced himself for a tackle although he was greatly misinformed how hard the tackle was going to be as the super vampire rammed into him which then rammed Angel into a tree. The vampire punched Angel in the ribs and then picked him up off his feet.
Angel managed to kick the vampire in his chest but with pain he was feeling all over and how everything seem to be slightly spinning the kick was rather a weak one at least for Angel. But the vampire didn't let go of the slayer and instead threw him like a Raggedy Ann Doll. This time Angel laid on the ground losing his breath for a moment.
Buffy stopped running and looked back to the woods and felt something was wrong. She couldn't leave Angel alone in there so she ran back in. Doyle, Dawn and Willow stopped running as well seeing Buffy was running back to the woods and followed her. No one goes in alone.
Angel flew to another tree and breathed heavily in pain as his head was starting to fog up. He more or less waved his hands around trying to knock the vampire's arms away but it was useless and the Turok-Han reached for the slayer and grabbed his neck lifting him up.
The last time Angel was bested like this was against Glory and back then he thought he couldn't move. Those were simpler days compared to now. Something was broken for sure his left arm was completely limp and numb. The Turok-Han brought Angel closer to him as the slayer was on the verge of blacking out but not without one good solid comeback. With his more functional right arm he punched the vampire in the face.
The Turok-Han let out a cry of pain as Angel managed to stake him. But like the Master one stake won't get the job done. The Turok-Han then threw Angel away and took off. But Angel didn't get up as his face hit the tree not his body.
Buffy saw the Turok-Han fleeing which only made her fear the worst. She smelt a lot of blood in the air right now. She saw Molly on the ground and she already knew she was dead. Buffy continued to search for Angel and couldn't find him and if her dead heart could race with fear it would be beating right out of her chest.
"Angel!" Buffy yelled as she couldn't think of doing anything else. "Angel!" She's lost him twice and she didn't want to lose him again. Just then she saw something in the distance and ran to the shadow.
Doyle, Dawn and Willow were back in the woods searching for Buffy and Angel. They had the gut feeling that Molly was dead. They were looking for their friends though. Just then it was Dawn who spotted two people and raced towards them followed by Willow and Doyle and they found Buffy on the ground cradling Angel in her arms. His face was bloody and bruised you almost couldn't recognize him. Buffy looked up as the flashlights shined on her and they could see tears in her eyes.
"He's still breathing," She sobbed. Her tears were a mix of fear and relief. Angel was alive but badly wounded.
"We got to get him to the hospital." Dawn stated getting closer to her brother.
"He won't make it." Buffy was sobbing, she could feel his heart rate and it was erratic. The moment was happening. Was it over? Was the third time really the charm?
Angel felt himself come around slowly as he laid there in bed. One eye slowly opened and saw that he was in his room at least a very blurred version of it. He went to sit up but felt a sharp pain in his head so he stayed down for a moment. He was in a lot pain come to think of it but he had to get up so he forced himself through the pain and sat on the side of the bed. His jacket was off but there was still blood on his jeans and shirt. He managed to use the wall as a crutch and made it to the bathroom and flipped on the light and seeing the true damage done.
His whole face was swollen. One eye was swollen shut and the other a nice bruise around it. His lip was split wide open and his face still had blood on it and the black and blue was forming. He had a gash on his forehead and cheek and all he could taste was blood. His chest felt tight and he could only imagine where other the bruises could be. It actually hurt to breathe meaning his ribs were bruised and some might be broken. His arms were torn up and he was surprised he didn't lose any teeth. He didn't look or feel like him self at all.
But first he needed to make sure his friends were ok and slowly made his way down stairs but his left arm hurt, he couldn't lift it, the arm was limp. Great, he dislocated it again; he knows that feeling. But he slowly crept on and now faced the stairs. Each step down it made it feel like his bones were shattering. When he reached the bottom he saw a clock and it read seven in the morning. He has been out cold since eight or so last night. But then again you can get so tired you just slip into a coma and he was in one.
Angle headed to the dinning area he heard whispering so he stopped to listen. Everyone has been up all night all-afraid of what just happened.
"There is no back up plan at all." It was Giles' voice. "We are the back up and if Angel barely made it out with this creature,"
"Then what else are we going to do?" Buffy asked. "We're the back up, we're it, we stop right now it's over completely."
"Angel barely made it, what about us?" Cordelia made a point. Angel could feel the fear from his friends and they have the right to be scared and they should be. This thing beat him down more than the god did. If he can't hack it no one here can especially the potentials who have no power at all.
"It's the First, it predates all that we know, and it's everywhere." Giles looked to Buffy, Dawn, Doyle, Anya, Cordelia, Willow and Xander. Giles sounded defeated as Angel listened. But this conversion told the slayer that his group needs him, they need a leader. The talking stopped as they looked up seeing Angel standing there looking like he was put through a meat grinder.
"Angel?" Buffy asked and then Xander stood up to help his friend to take a seat. He held up his hand stating he didn't want to move. Right now he felt so embarrassed for what has happened.
"I'm done," The slayer started. "I'm tired, I'm actually beyond tired." He continued to stand there looking to his family. It was taking all his energy and mental concentration to speak because he felt at any moment his body was going to give out. "I'm standing on the Mouth of Hell and I feel like it's going to swallow me whole." If this was that 'Hooray' speech to get everyone pumped it wasn't working right now. Was Angel saying that they were doomed? Game over? That maybe it was time pack and run for the hills?
Angel continued to look at the table, to his friends that have been with him from the start. They were all tired and scared. This place has killed them in different ways. But that's not where this conversion was leading towards.
"But the Hell Mouth will choke on me. It's going to choke on us. " Ok maybe it was getting better. "We don't know when this will come. We can't run; we can't hide. We can't pretend it's not the end because it is." The team looked around at each other.
"We've taken too much shit for too long. They want a war, then I'll give them a war one hell of a war. I'm done waiting, we're bringing the fight to them. I've seen the future and I'm going to tell you everything I saw. Once you know what we're up against then make your choice to stay or leave." Angel went on as his group listened, he was going to give them a chance to run or fight. "We're now an army, we just declared war. From now on, we aren't just going to fight our fears, we'll find them. There is only one thing on this earth more powerful than evil, and that's us."
The group all agreed as Angel walked to the table and Xander helped him to sit down. He was going to tell them everything in the dream whether it helps them or not. They need to know because they are his family. None of this was going to be easy and Angel cannot guarantee they will live through this but like he said, they will put up a fight before it's over.
The day went on and then night but no sleep was to be had at the mansion. Kennedy and Amber didn't sleep and after Angel went into detail about this future that wasn't impossible no one could sleep. Basically Angel just told everyone that they were all going to die. So as the morning was coming Andrew was jotting down all the events that he heard well more or less listened in on. Angel could see that his wounds were slowly healing and like before Buffy relocated his shoulder.
Right now the slayer was outside seeing the first hints of dawn and the air was cold, cold enough to see his breath. Angel leaned up against the wall seeing the night disappearing and the last few horrible days were gone but worst was still coming.
"You told them everything?" A voice asked and Angel got up from against the wall seeing Michael there.
"Yeah, why?" Angel asked.
"It was for you and you alone to see." Michael answered looking to the slayer.
"They have the right to know." Angel justified his actions.
"Angel," The priest started.
"It's not going to happen, we can stop all this but the PTB needs to help too. Instead hiding information they can help us." Angel wanted to work with powers not against them.
"That's not how they operate." Michael insisted.
"So, what, we're just pawns on a board no matter the outcome?" Angel wanted to know and Michael wanted to say yes but then again he wanted to say no.
"It's destiny," Was all the priest could say and Angel turned his back. He was tired of hearing that word, destiny. What about choice, the right to chose your own fate? Angel then faced Michael.
"We're about to face the ultimate end," The slayer got closer to the priest. "A lot of people are going to die and you and the powers are going to do nothing about it?" He asked and Michael didn't say anything. "You want the world to end?"
"No," Michael didn't hesitate.
"Then why are you just standing there?" Angel asked which was a good question. "You and the powers have all this knowledge and…you're going to do nothing?"
"We have, we've put the right pieces together," Michael argued.
"And you're hoping for the right outcome." Angel finished but he sounded so upset. "That's not how this works, that's not how humans work. Putting us in the right place doesn't mean anything. And you do know the definition of insanity right?" Angel wanted to be sure. Michael didn't answer that. "This is not black and white. People are going to die and you won't do anything except hope the equation works." Michael looked to slayer. The gash on his cheek and forehead were still there. He had a black eye and the other eye was still swollen shut. His lip was still split but at least it was crusted over. He had his arm in a sling and he was lucky he didn't break anything just bruises and cuts and a pounding headache. Michael wanted to comment on the wounds but Angel had nothing else to say and went back inside leaving the man there.
One Week Later
Night had come but that doesn't mean the bus station stops. The amount of people coming into Sunnydale has started to dwindle a bit but this was a supernatural hot spot so you do get some people to come to see ghosts. But the young black woman getting off the bus wasn't here for ghosts as she looked around. She found the payphone and went for the phonebook. She went to search for a number and an address but found half the page to ripped out. Just then she looked up seeing a man in a cloak and his eyes sowed shut.
The young girl started to back away but then two more started to come from the shadows and so she did what any normal person would do, run. The three-cloaked men chased after her but then an arrow went through the head of one and the other two stopped looking around. The girl stopped to see who else was there and then someone jumped down from the building's roof and landed gracefully on the ground. With the butt-end of his crossbow he slammed it into the face of one on the men and then kicked the second one away. As they both went to regained themselves to fight Angel already loaded the crossbow again and then took out a knife. And seemed to happen at the same time to the girl. Angel threw the knife and then fired the crossbow killing the other two men.
The girl smiled knowing who this man was. He was taller than she had imagine too as he turned to face her.
"Wow," She was a bit breathless. "You're him, you're Angel." She stated.
"You ok?" Angel asked and she nodded. "Good, let's get the hell out of here." He insisted as he grabbed his discarded arrows and led the young girl out and they ran to his car. She's heard about the legendary Mustang too as they got in.
"Is it true you blew up the Judge with a bazooka and killed a god?" The girl asked as Angel looked to her. He had a feeling he'll be telling his war stories over and over again. At least today he looks more presentable. His eye wasn't swollen shut and the cuts and bruises were healing.
"Rona right?" Angel asked to be sure and she nodded. "Obviously you know who I am and well, welcome to the Hell Mouth." Angel put the car in first and they passed the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign.
Angel pulled up to the mansion and you couldn't tell if people were awake since everything was boarded up. Angel got out followed by Rona and she followed him up to the front doors and he went inside. It was dark at the entrance but as they walked to the weapons room Rona could see more light. Angel hung his crossbow up and Rona followed him as he took his jacket off and they were in the study. Giles and Buffy were there as well.
"Ah, Rona," Giles sounded pleased. "Welcome, I hope there wasn't too much trouble." If only Giles knew as Rona took a seat. "I take you've met the slayer." Rona nodded.
"Are we expecting more?" Buffy asked as she put one book away and was searching for another.
"No, but I have the Coven searching so we should expect more within the coming days." Giles answered and then picked up a small teacup. "In the mean time we should start thinking about rooms and quarters to sleep in."
"Well, there will never be enough bathrooms," Buffy added and Angel and Giles looked confused but Rona understood. There's always a line at the ladies room. "Willow and Dawn can share a room," Angel thought that's not going to go over well even if it's Willow. "Depending on how many show up might have to put all the boys in one room." Now Giles wasn't liking the hotel idea and it was quiet in the study and Buffy looked to a disapproving Angel and Giles. "What?"
"Let's cross that bridge when we get there." Giles suggested.
Right now the potentials were in the living room at the moment. While everyone wants to have their own room there is also a safety in numbers. Angel was a little curious to see how many people they can actually cram in here although he didn't know it would be all women. Then again Angel grew up with mostly women, his mom and Dawn and well somehow and he doesn't know why but he knows the difference between a liquid foundation and liquid to a powder foundation. And of course when Buffy came long. Lets just say things were about to get interesting around here.
In the living room the fireplace was set low while some potentials were up. Since the death of Molly and the huge beat down of the Turok-Han a few more potentials have come to town. Next to Rona three more have joined in and they were Chloe, Vi and Eve. Rona was placed in the living room with the others. Andrew was also in the living room mostly because Angel didn't want to give the nerd a room of his own. Angel headed back to the study while Xander came downstairs looking both very tired and yet wide-awake.
"Any trouble?" Giles asked Angel.
"Full on welcome committee." Angel answered and Buffy thought to herself that she should have gone too.
"The First knows they are coming then." Xander sat down at the table.
"Is Dawn up?" Angel asked and Xander nodded. A lot of excitement has happened. Angel was going to go upstairs to let his sister know he was safe. "Well, the First will always be one step ahead of us for now."
"So, how can we blindside it?" Buffy asked and Giles sighed.
"I've exhausted all the resources that I have." The Watcher was frustrated as he sat down at the table and then Anya came walking looking tired but she couldn't sleep.
"And I've even reached out to the demon world and nothing, at least nothing we already don't know." Anya then sat down.
"So, we're screwed." Xander summed up.
"Ok, well," Angel didn't have much to say about that. "We still need to find Spike."
"Can we just give up on him?" Xander asked and the other good question was why haven't they.
"It's because of the future, Spike chose sides at some point and I need all the fire power I can get. Two vampires with soul, I'll take it." Angel explained himself. "Plus it'll once more change this future, keep it from happening."
"Well, what if Spike did already chose sides?" Buffy asked. "He's evil again and then what?"
"Then I'll take him out. The First wants him and I won't let that happen." Angel declared.
"Ok, so let's make a list of what needs to happen with number one stopping the First," Buffy started. "The second is the uber vamp, it needs to go then we try to save or kill Spike." Buffy made a good list.
"How do we kill it?" Doyle asked as he came in.
"Stakes don't work," Angel knows that for a fact.
"We can try to trap it, let the sun do the rest." Willow was now here.
"Is this going to be like Dracula all over again?" Cordelia then came in and Doyle with his look told her to go back to sleep but he knows by now he can't tell her what to do.
"You know," Angel started. "When I started this I didn't believe it that there were vampires out there trying to kill us. I didn't believe in vampires all and then with my own two eyes I saw vampires and here we are facing a super vampire that cannot be killed by anything that we use." Angel was frustrated, tired and maybe even a little hungry.
"Well, there is one avenue we haven't tried." Giles stated and Angel leaned back in his chair with a welcome stands meaning it's time to throw ideas out there, if they have to scrape the bucket then so be it. "There is Belijoxa's Eye,"
"Giles," Anya jumped in.
"And exactly what part of town is that avenue in?" Xander quickly added.
"What the hell is it?" Angel was willing to try anything right now.
"Yeah, what is Botox's Eye?" Buffy asked.
"Belijoxa's," Giles corrected her. Buffy's been around for hundreds of years, can speak and read several different languages, taught herself on piano and how to read music, knows about the great philosophers of our time; but she has her moments and even in the mists of terror those moments bring a smile to Angel. "It's an oracle type creature that exists in a dark dimension."
"Yeah, because that's going to work." Cordelia pointed out.
"It's more of an internal vortex." Anya corrected the Watcher.
"Great," Buffy smiled a very sarcastic smile.
"Not really no," Anya couldn't take a joke at the moment.
"The point is only a demon can open the gateway." Giles added and then looked to Anya, Buffy and Doyle.
"Hey," All three scuffed at the same time.
"I'm only half," Doyle was quick to point out.
"And I'm an ex, ex-demon remember?" Anya added.
"And I have a soul and I sleep with the slayer." Buffy gave her reason but Angel gave a strange look hearing the last part mostly. How was sleeping with him counted her out? You know what some questions are left best unanswered.
"Besides while it knows quite a bit we can't be sure it knows how to kill this." Anya did not want to see the eye. It's part of the demon world and if sides are being taken this thing might be rooting for the wrong team.
"We're running out of time." Angel reminded them meaning they have to do something.
Meanwhile in the underground Spike managed to break free. He was about to get one of the Bringers to come close and was about steal his knife and cut loose. The problem now was he didn't quite know where he was. And he knows whatever was torturing will find him.
The sun was now up and so was the mansion. Room at the dining table was starting to slim down so in order to get food they laid everything out on the table and the people would get in line buffet style. Everyone was eating around the mansion and Angel was in study at the table eating as Andrew came in.
"Uh, uh hi," He stuttered a little and Angel looked up. "Am, am I still a hostage?"
"Look, I don't have time to babysit but I'm pretty sure you know way too much at the moment. And I swore to protect all people including you, so no you are not a hostage but you are a guest in this mansion." Angel answered and Andrew knew what that meant and then turned to Buffy.
"Thank you." He said to her and then took off to the kitchen hoping there were still some eggs left.
After breakfast was over Angel and Buffy were leaving as Giles got a call from the Coven that a new potential was already here in town. Her Watcher was killed but managed to hide her. A powerful seer of the Coven managed to see her despite the PTB blocking all seers and auras at the moment.
Buffy and Angel made it to the hotel and found the room. Buffy knocked on the door but there was no answer. Maybe she was still asleep. Angel looked through the window and his eyes widen. Buffy looked over to him and by the look she knew something was wrong. She kicked the door down and they rushed in seeing a body face down with a pool of blood around her. The blood was still fresh meaning that something got here before them.
Buffy got to the floor and when she felt the body it was already cold.
"Damnit!" Angel yelled, he was losing more of his sisters than he was gaining.
At the dining table there was a massive argument going on between all the potentials and the group. Most of it boiled down to 'we're all going to die.' Angel stood at the head of the table trying to figure something out but first something had to happen.
"Everyone! Shut-up!" Angel yelled and that was a start. "I get it, we're all tired and scared because I am too." He couldn't hold back on anything. "I've seen a horrible future, and I've never faced anything like this. But we need to stay together otherwise the First will pick us off one by one." He made it clear one what they have to do. "Right now we few sources to help but we do have the bible which spells out everything. We know if all the seals break it starts. So that is a start. We get through this by pulling together not apart."
"Yeah," Andrew jumped in. "Where would the Justice League be if they hadn't put their differences aside to stop the imperious shape shifting alien horde?" He asked and Xander smiled a little getting the reference but everyone else looked confused.
"Andrew," Angel directed his attention to him and he looked to the slayer. "Please, don't help me."
"Look, we have two more hours before sunset." Xander added. "Plan B, we need it."
"Get the hell out of dodge?" Kennedy asked. Angel then looked to Willow.
"I need a barrier, something really strong and really big." Angel put his order in and Willow nodded. "Everyone takes a weapon and it might not hurt to bless this place."
"It's an agent of evil, it's going to take a lot." A voice said and everyone looked up seeing Michael there. "You can use a few extra hands." He was offering to help.
Even though the mansion was boarded up there was more to do. Angel got out of his car after parking it behind the mansion. All the cars were behind the mansion for two reasons. One it made it look like no one was home and two they parked close for a quick get-a-way. Angel looked up to the sky knowing night was coming and soon. People were coming in and out of the mansion with supplies packing the cars just in case they left.
"Alright, Willow has something a brewing." Buffy met up with Angel. "Michael is blessing the place and Dawn has given everyone a weapon."
"Now we wait." Angel stated the next step but Buffy pulled him closer to her.
"I'm scared Angel," She started. "I'm scared for you because I thought I lost you…again," Angel then pulled her in closer. "Its getting cold and it's not the it's winter put on cute boots cold…it's death." Angel understood what she was saying. "Death is coming and I can't lose you to it again." Angel pulled her in for a hug.
"I'm scared too." Angel admitted because he was. Glory was a hard battle but this thing, what if he does die?
Angel sat by the big window in the living room. The lights of the mansion were all off and just a few candles were around to light the way. They were hoping to look like they've fled, maybe that'll work. But if it doesn't then they'll fight. Angel had his crossbow tight in his hands and he looked through one of the small cracks between the boards. He could see shadows gathering outside and with each shadow coming his heart beat a little faster.
Everyone in the mansion was very quiet waiting for something. Father Michael stood in a dark corner watching them. He's been a part of some of their battles but this one was truly a life or death one.
"There's another," Dawn whispered to Angel as she held her katana. Willow sat there while something hovering in front of her. It was going to blast away evil things around them. Just then Angel saw the Turok-Han and he stood up.
"Formation!" He said in a loud whisper and the team did that. Michael joined the fold as they heard the thing bang on the door and it only took one good hit and it came through. But then Willow put up a barrier. The Turok-Han then stood there and started to pace.
"Now what?" Cordelia asked.
"Get to the cars." Angel answered. "I'll hold it off."
"What, no!" Buffy protested.
"Buffy, you're going with you are the next strongest person here that can protect the girls." Angel explained. "I'll hold him off as long as I can."
"Angel," Dawn now protested.
"Go," Angel ordered as the girls started to leave with Doyle and Cordelia leading them and Michael helping them file out. Andrew followed as Giles knew he had to leave but he didn't want the slayer to do this alone. But Xander and Anya pulled the Watcher along. Now it was just Angel, Buffy, Dawn and Willow. "I said go." He looked to Dawn and Buffy.
"No." Buffy protested again.
"I said go! Now!" Angel wasn't going to continue to argue and Willow grabbed both Buffy and Dawn pulled them along. The barrier will stay up for a little bit. Angel stood there with his crossbow pointing at the Turok-Han waiting.
The group ran out the back as some Bringers started to attack but the group itself has fought worse than this. They all got into the cars and started to drive away leaving the Mustang behind. Buffy looked back to the mansion seeing the lonely car still there hoping she would hear it roar to life and start following them. But they rounded to the other side of the mansion and started to make their way off the property while hitting some Bringers in the process.
The barrier started to come down and Angel had his finger on the trigger and the vampire was ready and once the last of the spell broke it charged after Angel and he fired. It might not kill the thing but it will slow it down. He then flipped his crossbow around slammed the butt end to the vampire's face but the vampire smacked Angel down. Angel kicked the vampire away and then took out a vial of holy water, got up and slammed it at the vampire's face. That did some damage. Then Angel took out knife and stabbed it in the chest. The uber vamp then grabbed Angel and threw him and the slayer went through both a glass window and through the board and landed on the outside.
The group made it to the Sunnydale Catholic Church as Michael led them up the steps and inside.
"What are we doing here?" Rona asked.
"It's a holy place, church of God, it might keep the thing out and keep you guys safe." Michael answered and Buffy seemed ok with it. "Close all the doors."
"Then what? Wait for it to show up?" Rona asked.
"You know, all you've been doing since you've arrived is bitch and moan." Kennedy started.
"Hey!" Buffy stepped in. "Right now this is the safest place to be." She reminded them. "Angel bought us time and for all we know he's dead because he gave you a little extra time." Dawn knew the thought of Angel dead was killing Buffy and it was killing her. "We stay here until daylight."
The A-Team and the potentials were all scattered around the church sitting in the pews waiting. Buffy sat on the steps near the Alter waiting and dreading each minute that passed. Just then in the dead silence everyone hear banging at the church doors and they all jumped up. Maybe it was Angel or some person wanting to come in but everyone started to gather together as the banging continued. The doors then opened and something came through.
"It's here." Michael muttered. It started to walk in the church and if that thing was here it meant Angel was dead. The potentials all stood there in fear but the A-Team however started to form up. They will not go down in a fight. Michael joined in with the group as the potentials hung back with Andrew.
The Turok-Han stood there unwaivered that this was holy ground and it was a sign of things to come. Buffy was at the front of the group and she had to protect what was left or the world will stand no chance. Just then though she smiled. No one else was smiling because only she could hear it but it won't take long for the others to hear it either.
"Five," Buffy started and everyone started to hear that sound of a familiar engine. "Four," The group started to back away. Michael then looked to the girls behind him and knew what was coming.
"I think these girls are in for a special show tonight." Michael commented knowing what was about to happen and the whole group smiled. The slayer was coming and he was probably pissed and you never make a slayer angry.
"Three," Buffy continued as they continued to back up. "Two…one…"
Just then the stained glass shattered as a Mustang came riding through. The team back up quicker as the Mustang was now fully in the church. It then hit the Turok-Han and the thing went flying across the way.
"Whoa," Rona muttered as Angel got out of the Mustang and held up his crossbow and fired and reloaded and fired again. The Turok-Han started to charge now and Angel threw the crossbow away and took out a huge bowie knife from under his black trench coat. He then charged at the Turok-Han and instead jumping as the vampire thought he would Angel slid to the floor and sliced at the demon. The Turok-Han fell to the floor screaming as it's black blood started to pool after losing a limb. Angel got up and started to walk over to the vampire knowing it was still very powerful even for the loss of an arm.
The Turok-Han got up and charged again to Angel and swiped at him but the slayer ducked and managed to slice the knife across the vampire's chest and then kicked the Turok-Han back. For Angel it was fool me once shame on you, you get one shot and this vampire missed his. Angel ran the knife through the vampire's torso and it screamed in pain as all the blades the group has are blessed with holy water. Angel then took the bowie knife out quickly and then sliced the head off and the body fell as it turned to dust.
Angel tossed the bowie knife aside as he added to his book of vampire kills and then looked to the group. Michael looked happy that the vampire was dead but the church was destroyed.
"I don't know what's coming next but it then it'll be us, standing." Angel started as he looked to the potential slayers who for a time started to doubt him but after what they just saw there were no more doubts. "If we do our parts we'll show them even for one bright shining moment, they don't own us. We'll be the last standing." Angel looked to both his team and the future slayers. "This isn't going to get any easier, this was only the beginning. But if we stand together we stand a chance. So who's with me?"
"You destroyed the church though." Michael added as Angel started for his car.
"Bill me." Was Angel's response as he got in, started up the car, backed out from the hole he created and drove out.
The mansion was still dark but everyone will be able to sleep tonight at some point. After everything that's happened it still has the group wired.
"I can use a drink." Doyle stated breaking the silence. A lot has happened in the last few hours and days.
"Drinks all around then." Xander got up and walked to the cabinet in the study that held some aged alcohol. Everyone was gathered around and even Dawn had a glass of whisky only Angel wasn't drinking just water. As much as he wanted alcohol he knew he couldn't do that to himself.
"This is it." Angel started looking to everyone. It all made sense now after killing the uber vamp.
"This is what?" Xander asked as Michael walked in after doing a small sweep around the mansion.
"We're no longer the A-Team," Angel declared as his friends looked at him. "We make our own destiny. We're Team Freewill." That was their new name. "A slayer, a vampire with soul, a Watcher, an ex-demon, maybe a key, a witch, half demon, ex-cheerleader, rough PTB and a wannibe jock." Angel named the people of the team hoping Michael will join in.
"Hey," Xander protested to the wannibe jock part.
"It's awesome." Angel finished the toast and they all sipped their drinks. Dawn could only manage a sip as the whiskey burned her throat.
"It's not funny." Giles reminded the slayer. Dawn continued to look at her glass and it still had a good three more sips left. Doyle could see the young girl having a hard time.
"Not laughing." Angel added looking to his Watcher. "Tired of destiny of being ruled by it. We're going to make this up on our own." They were going to do this their way.
"You ok Dawnie?" Doyle asked and she shook her head no.
"It's like drinking battery acid." Dawn commented on the harshness of the liquor and it felt like it was going to come back up. Doyle took the glass and downed the rest of the alcohol.
"It's an acquired taste," Doyle added and Dawn was skeptical of that. Just then something came through the doors and everyone heard it and rushed to see what it was. Spike was standing there bloody, bruised and then he fell to the floor in sheer exhaustion. Angel ran over to the tired vampire and put arm around him and helped him to his feet.
"Glad you're back home." Angel muttered to Spike and the vampire nodded.
"What did I miss?" Spike asked while others went to help him as they escorted to a more comfortable place to lay down.
And now cue up Come With Me Now. Hoped you enjoy this action packed chapter. It gets better as we continue on. I will have a chapter review in the forum with a sneak peek. Now for the next chapter we're all going to need to take a step back, more like go back about a year or so. There is a spin off story called Blackest Night by Nikon the Vampire. If you don't read it you'll be rather lost in the next chapter. Not completely lost but reading that story will help a lot for the next chapter. It takes place just after Book 5 and before Book 6. Also send Nikon some love because he is also my Beta Reader he deserves props.
So while you're waiting for the next chapter you can read Blackest Night and speculate on what's going to happen next between that story and the sneak peeks. Don't forget about the poll and the deadline that comes with it, 10 days left to cast your vote. And until the next posting thank you everyone for reading, you're all the best.
Chapter 14 The Vampire Slayer
Angel headed down to the basement to let the girls know that it was time to eat but as he went down there he heard some arguments.
"We aren't strong like him, how can we fight?" Rona asked and then they all looked up seeing Angel standing there.
"Yes you are." Angel jumped into the conversion. "No, you may not have my powers but think about this. You have potential; you were born with something. I know this because I've felt something all my life before I was called." Angel continued on. "You guys have instincts no one else does, you have this gut feeling no one else does."
"Then can you teach us?" Kennedy stepped forwards and asked. Angel wasn't sure if he could. He thought about it and nodded and the girls smiled a little bit. He has taught Dawn and look at her now. It's the one thing he can do to help them keep themselves safe and at least have a chance.
"Come on," He ushered them up the stairs to eat.