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What sound does a heart breaking make?	By : chilli Category: AtS/BtVS Crossovers > Slash - Male/Male > Angel(us)/Xander > Angel(us)/Xander Views: 24007 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy, Angel or Blade. I make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
FANDOM: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel the Series
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AUTHOR: Willie J
EMAIL: wmj166@yahoo.com
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PAIRINGS: Eventual A/X
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own any part of Buffy et all, nor Angel the Series.
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A/N: Those of Buffyverse are naturally Joss' creations, however, any and all other characters mentioned are my own.
Chapter 9
Uh uh, Xander said silently to himself when Angel's head slowly came up. A hasty glance around, revealed that just about everyone in the club was aware of something going on in their little group.
~”Stop him! He must not harm the boy!”~ The Protector mental voice was intense and giving it an angry glare, Xander tried to rein in his pawing, territorial mate. Not that he thought the principal was interested in him, but that steady stare Principal Wood was giving Angel was the equivalent of challenging his mate to a duel. It was a combative stare, plain and simple.
“Angel, Kyle's here.” Xander whispered urgently to his growly vampire. And poked Angel hard in the ribs to get his attention. Which he got, instantly and began tugging the larger male away. Tossing a respectful smile to Principal Wood, giving a quick jerk of his head to the rest of his friends.
Unaware of the shock that rippled through Robin. Then his eyes narrowed thoughtfully on the group that gathered briefly around a slim, Caucasian, extremely pale man. Even from this distance, whoever the man was, he radiated a cold dismay at the thronging crowd of club goers. With a icy sweeping glance around, the man joined the group as they headed out the doors.
Buffy gazed up at Principal Wood uneasily. She quickly decided that since he was clearly busy...thinking, now would be a good time to leave him alone. With his thoughts on... whatever and she darted away. Grabbing a protesting Willow, Buffy rushed the girl out of the club. Harshly telling the red-head that Oz obviously left the club early and they needed to get the hell out of the Bronze before Principal Wood came nosing in their business.
Back at the mansion, Kyle watched curiously as crates were unloaded from one of the pickup trucks that had been placed on reserve at the airport in L.A. They had flew the crates in a private jet from New York to L.A., then unloaded the crates onto the waiting vehicles and drove to Sunnydale. Several Revenants from the House of Aureli were helping unload the trucks and carting them off into a room that had been cleared for this occasion.
But despite his seemingly carefree attitude, Kyle couldn't help but feel a fission of nervous tension skittering down his spine at just how many of those things the Protector had asked Whistler to build.
“What will happen if these creatures aren’t stopped?” He interrupted the conversation Angel was having with the platinum blonde vampire.
Spike whirled around with an indignant low growl. “Didn't yer mama teach you any manners?!” Not that he and the poofer were discussing anything important, it was just that soddin' Master bloke jangled his nerves something fierce.
“No.” Kyle barely gave any of his attention to the blonde as he waited for his answer.
“Those of us tare are still left standing will fight. You probably already know that Rejar has the Vampire Nation and its' allies ready to act should we lose.” Angel's voice was detached as he gazed at his busy mate. Xander, Cordy, Faith, Ethan, Wes and even Drusilla were ripping open the crates and setting out all the shiny devices all over the floor.
“Rejar didn't exactly tell me how he would know if you've failed or what he was going to do,” the vampire stated almost apologetically, but there was a growing hardness in Kyle's eyes and a blankness descending on his face. Something wasn't adding up.
But before Angel could answer, Spike glared venomously up at his grandsire and interjected a blistering condemnation at the older vampire.
“I know me rights! Yer were all tryin' ta cheat me outta me fair share! You and that soddin' Protector gangin' up on me and tryin' ta trick ole Spike. But I stood up ta ya both, I did, diddin' I? I know me rights! Tryin' ta trick me outta me share of the fight,” he muttered hotly, still glaring murderously up at Angel.
“The long stick's supposed to mean I get t'stay and fight! Ya ain't supposed to change the rules in the middle of the game.” The blonde growled furiously, resuming the longstanding argument that he had been waging for days.
Kyle's brow lifted slightly. It was the only expression he allowed himself to show.
Angel ignored his snarling grandchilde as he directed his attention to Kyle. “The original plan was that either me, Dru or Spike would stay with the humans observing the battle. If it went wrong, one of us was to contact Rejar and inform him of that fact. And he would proceed from there. Spike drew the longest stick, while I drew the shortest. But I will NOT be separated from Xander.” And there was a cold, fierce look in the older vampire's eyes that hardened into an icy determination.
Kyle silently processed that interesting fact, while thinking about what Angel left unsaid. “And if some of the demons manage to escape?”
There was an uncomfortable silence. Even Spike had to look away uneasily. “There'll be a shield around the town and the townspeople will be 'convinced' to return home and sleep,” Angel began reluctantly. “Buffy and Faith will remain behind, should any of the demons manage to escape. And they'll have enough warning to get the hell out of Sunnydale by the time Rejar acts. He and the rest of the Nation's allies have enough firepower to level the town.”
The strawberry-blonde vampire brows contracted as he digested that fact. And came to one startling conclusion...
“The humans in Sunnydale are distraction as well as bait,”stated flatly.
“Yes...”
Cold contempt slowly formed on Kyle's face as he glared at the other two vampires. “I should have expected such a...”
“It was my idea...” came a quiet voice behind him and he whirled around to meet the Protector's blank, white eyes.
“Yours...? But I thought you were supposed to be the big Protector of humanity?” Kyle said softly in derision.
The Protector's head tilted to the side thoughtfully. “There are over a billion humans living on this planet. There are almost an equal number of demons as well. A few hundred lives to contain this threat is a very small price to pay. And regrettably it is the citizens of Sunnydale that will pay to secure the survival of the rest of the world.”
“And you? What will you be doing while Sunnydale burns? Or will you be too busy saving your own ass?” Kyle's voice was icy with thickening rage. And he was puzzled at the feeling of disappointment he felt at Xander and the Protector's actions.
“Had I a few more years to deal with the menace of the Zynaesh horde, then perhaps things could have been different. As it is, before Sunnydale begins to burn I will be busy dying as I seal the barrier between the various worlds that the Zynaesh have invaded.” It gave a polite inclination of its' head before walking away.
“It's going to die?” Kyle said in a shaken voice. “But why?”
“Because that's the price the two Powers demanded. Apparently, there's something that got out of hand in the past that it's trying to correct but neither Xander or the Protector will tell anybody what it was so we can help. So the deal is, if we win, it can fix the problem easily and with the Powers help. If we lose, then death is the punishment and a way to fix things,” Angel sighed as he looked at the vampire hunter.
“Damn...” Kyle said mildly. But there was a storm of emotions churning in his amber eyes.
Then blinking, he decided to share some information with them in exchange. “That guy you were talking to in the club? The black guy? Do you know who he is?”
Spike raised a brow in curiosity. “Yeah, the kids tell us that he's their Principal.”
“Maybe, but he's also a vampire hunter.” The man's voice was flat. “Some of our people here started noticing another hunter skulking around Sunnydale. They got curious and followed him. He is good. Very, very good. And he moved like a Slayer. But none of them knew who or what he was. So, under Pascal's orders they took several pictures that they had airlift back to us. Rejar called Blade in, and that oh, so worthy denizen of our the twilight world identified him as a vampire hunter.” His voice was noncommittal as he spoke, leaving them to their own conclusions.
“Like Blade?!” Angel said sharply, furiously thinking behind a frowning exterior.
Kyle snorted, an amused glint appearing in his eyes. “Not quite,” he said dryly. “Rumor has it that he is the son of a Slayer.” With that he calmly strode away, leaving the two stunned vampires behind. And gesturing with one hand, Kyle gathered the Revenants and the remaining House of Aureli's agents to him with a grim set face.
“But I thought Slayers couldn't pop the little buggers out,” Spike protested quietly to Angel.
“So did I,” replied the other thoughtfully, turning a curious gaze on his mate.
Later that night, Xander stirred slowly in Angel's protective embrace. Carefully lifting up a heavy arm, he eased out of the bed and tiptoed into the bathroom, arranging clothes swiftly, he slinked out of the bedroom and swiftly made his way outside with a sigh of relief.
~“Are you really sure this is necessary?”~ He asked nervously as he walked rapidly down the night darkened streets.
~“Yes, perhaps you might care to hurry if you are that fearful of being outside? Don't mind me and please disregard the fact that you do house one of the most powerful beings in the universe,”~ the Protector stated dryly.
Xander frozen. ~“That was a joke, wasn't?”~ He said, peering suspiciously at the energy source.
~“No, that was sarcasm. A joke is: 'Knock! Knock! Who goes there? Cargo. Cargo what? Car go Beep! Beep!' See the difference?”~
Xander resumed walking, ignoring the white light that speared through the heart of a vampire rushing at him. And the dust that drifted over to him resulting from the vampire's death.
~“I don't think I'm liking the fact that you are being sarcastic. Especially not with me,”~ he muttered darkly to his body's roommate.
~“Deal with it. Now will you just hurry up and get to his house?!”~
~“I just want you to know that I'm doing this under protest, you know!”~
A few minutes later, Xander was rapping firmly on the door of a dark green house. He glanced casually around, looking approvingly at the low maintenance dwelling. With one quick look, it was practically impossible for anybody to sneak up on you. He turned his attention forward as the door opened, spilling golden light on him.
“Xander?! What are you doing wandering the streets at this time of night?” Robin demanded incredulously. It was slightly after midnight, but the older man was still attired in dark pants and a black pullover shirt. Both seemed to be covered in a fine layer of dust.
“Hi! Sorry to come by so late at night, but somebody really needed to talk to you,” Xander said cheerfully. He gave the suspicious man his best puppy dog eyes of pure innocence.
Robin remained inside, but his eyes darted hastily to either side of Xander before he stepped silently away from the door. Tacitly letting the young boy cross over his threshold.
Xander couldn't help the chuckle that slipped from his throat. “You know, I had my doubts about you. That you were like a lot of the people in Sunnydale, ya know, believing those crazy stories of gangs hopped up on PCP and stuff. Still curious, though, why you decided to come to Hellmouth Hilton, home of demons and other evil villainous creatures of the night is beyond me. Ooooh, cool swords!” He exclaimed, looking at the martially decorated walls.
Robin's eyes narrowed, then he laughed and shook his head as if he was in on the joke. “I'm sorry...demons? Creatures of the night? What do your parents allow you to read at night?!”
But when Xander turned around slowly, Robin couldn't help but draw back hastily from the glowing white eyes.
“What the hell...?!”
“Sorry, I'm not part of that crowd,” the Protector stated dryly. “I am the Protector. Xander has graciously allowed me to set up residence within his body for the next several years. At which time, we will have become a merged individual and he will take up the job of protecting this world. Now as to the reason why I'm here...you have something that does not belong to you.”
Then it dodged the thrown knives that came flying towards it. “ROBIN! Stop this nonsense at once! While I can heal Xander of the injury resulting in getting hit with sharp instruments, I'm quite sure he would not be pleased to have holes in his body!”
~“Ya think?!”~
Robin was breathing hard. “Get out of my house...now!”
Protector heaved a sigh. “Son,” it began and paused. “Actually Xander informs me that you would be considered my grandson.”
The dark-skinned man's mouth twisted up. “Hardly, while never having met my father, my mother did assure me that he was as black as me.” Though why in the hell he was still talking to...to...it he had no idea.
“I consider all Slayers my daughters. Which, as Xander says, makes you my grandchild.”
And Robin froze, his face becoming blank. “I'm sorry?”
“Your mother was a beautiful Slayer. I still consider Nikki one of my more accomplished and resourceful children. Not that any of my daughters were incompetent,” it assured Robin hastily. “It's just that there was something about her, about her drive as a Slayer...” it shook it's head.
The other froze. “You knew my mother?” Robin managed to choke out. His eyes swept the youthful figure in disbelief before his expression hardened. “Get out.”
The Protector's eyes flashed whitely and beside him stood an almost indistinct figure. Though faint, Robin recognized the unmistakable features of his mother.
“Mama...?” Slipped out before he could stop the words.
“My apologies, Robin. I do not do this to cause you harm or distress, I merely wished to prove the value of my words.” The Protector's voice was soft as it watched the distress flow across it's daughter's face and it's only grandchild.
“You are the only child any Slayer can claim as her own. While Potentials have the capability of becoming pregnant, upon assuming the mantle of Slayer my daughters lose their capacity to reproduce. That was one of the concessions I was forced to make with the two Powers regarding my children.”
“You keep calling Slayers your 'daughters' how is that possible?” Robin demanded fiercely, though he was hardly able to tear his gaze off of his mother.
“Because I created the Slayer line. It is through me that they exist. Is that not what a parent does, give life? When the world was young, demons walked the land. Dominating species after species, enslaving mankind as well as demonkind. I was created to halt such reckless chaos. I was created to be the judge, jury and if need be, executioner. I am the Protector. But after a millennia, I grew weary and I bargained with the two Powers for some relief from my years of toil. They agreed, thus the Slayers and Watchers were created.”
Robin was breathing harshly, his eyes narrowed as he thought back on what the...the...thing said. “I'm not a thief!” He exclaimed suddenly.
“I never said you were. But you do have the Slayer's bag. It is an item that has been passed down from one Slayer to another.”
Now the dark-skinned man looked at the white-eyed young man. Absolutely convinced of the truth of what it was saying. He could feel it resonating in his bones. “But there are two Slayers. So, which one gets the bag?”
And a discomforted look appeared on the youthful face. “That is where we are having a problem. Xander feels that Buffy Summers is not qualified to remain as a Slayer, and says that Faith McDaniels should assume the mantle of Slayer. I feel that both females have very disreputable qualities for a Slayer and I'm somewhat unsure of which direction I should take.”
“So you want ME to pick which one to give the bag to?” Robin asked, his voice rising in disbelief. Then a sudden thought occurred. “What happens to the other one?”
“First YOU will not be choosing which female remains as the Slayer. And in answer to your second question, I will strip the power of Slayer from her.” The Protector stated bluntly. Then it sighed and spoke carefully. “Something interfered with the natural order of progression for the Slayer power. So, instead of one...there are two fully functioning Slayers. The agreement between I and the two Powers stipulates one AND only one Slayer can occupy this position.”
“So what could have interfered?” The man asked in confusion, struggling to understand. “I mean, one dies and another one becomes the Slayer.”
“Life...” was the succinct answer.
Robin raised a brow, still looking puzzled. Then he blinked as the white glow faded and familiar brown eyes were looking at him.
“Technically, Buffy died when she was sixteen. I knew CPR...” the young man admitted helplessly, spreading his hands.
The older man let out an unamused laugh. “You knew CPR,” he repeated slowly and sat down heavily. “So what the hell happened that caused this sacred bond of friendship to go up in flames?” His expression turned shrewd. “Rumor has it that you were chasing after her boyfriend. Was he the one that you two were about to start fighting over?” And cold disapproval was in his eyes.
“That is immaterial to this discussion,” the Protector stated, swiftly resuming control and stopping Xander from blurting out the reason why he and Buffy were about to mix it up.
Robin's eyes narrowed at that, but he held his tongue.
The Protector looked at it's only grandchild, vague dreamlike images of Robin's mother and all the Slayers before her, drifted across the vast plain of its' memory.
Purpose. Determination. Pride. And loneliness. So much loneliness dwelled in its' daughters. Too many of its' daughters walked a lonely road in their calling. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by necessity. Accompanied only by their Watchers.
Alone in their Duty.
Their duty to the world was embedded in Slayer's bodies like the blood that coursed through their veins. No matter the cost, a determined Slayer committed herself to the defense of this world. And she always paid the ultimate price of death for her unseen service to mankind.
Purpose. Determination. Duty.
Those were the qualities of a Slayer. Something it wasn't seeing in Buffy and Faith.
However, in reviewing its' memories, it noticed a curious fact. Some of the Slayer that choose NOT to walk their hard path alone, that gathered friends around them, joyfully and willingly paid the high price. Knowing they had served their purpose and their loved ones were safe.
The Protector drifted up to Robin, glowing white eyes studied the young man's face with searing intensity. Seeing the pride, the determination in its' grandson that was a reflection of the boy's mother.
“Your mother was a wonderful Slayer,” it murmured softly. “Wild. Impetuous and very headstrong in her determination to protect the world against the rogue demons she encountered.”
Robin gritted his teeth, blinking back his angry tears. “But she abandoned me...so what kind of person did that make her? A good Slayer or just another lousy mother?” He looked away from the cold look that descended on the Protector's face. His jaw set determinedly.
The Protector's eyes suddenly resembled chips of frozen ice. “Tell me, if you had a child of your own and danger threatened not only the town you lived in, but also your child. You have two choices, either save the town and die or save your child and live? What would you do?”
Its' brow lifted at the discomforted look on Robin's face. “Not such an easy choice or an answer to make, is it?”
And summoning Nikki back within itself, the Protector headed for the door.
“Wait! If you ask me, then I think Buffy Summers should remain the Slayer! Sure, she's kinda hardheaded but she's also very determined. My impression is that she's not the kind of person that will allow anything to get in her way. While Faith on the other hand is reckless, rude and a loose cannon. I don't care if she is hanging with you, she's an accident just waiting to happen,” Robin said as he hurried after the energy being.
“This is not a decision I can make in haste, for my decision is a lasting one and cannot be unmade. Besides, you have yet to see either of them displaying their true Slayer qualities. Within the next day or so, Sunnydale will be invaded by a large demonic force. While neither of the two living Slayers will take part in this battle, should any of the demons escape my attention, they will be able to keep it from going too much further. You are welcome to join the Slayers in viewing the battle.” The Protector stated quietly, silencing anything further its grandchild could say.
Traveling down the sidewalk it stopped. “Spike, why are you lurking in the bushes?” Xander resumed control as he turned and gave the blonde a puzzled look.
And the platinum blonde sauntered out of the bushes, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips. “Got kinda curious 'bout why you were sneakin' outta the mansion,” he drawled, his lips twisting in a little smirk. “So, I said t'meself, 'Look you, Peaches prob'ly wouldn't like it if his lil' pet got himself 'urt and all. Better keep an eye on 'im...so 'ere I am.”
Xander looked at him doubtfully. “Uh huh...” He turned and began walking again.
Spike easily caught up with him and they walked in silence back to the mansion.
“She's not gonna like it, ya know,” the blonde offered quietly.
Though Xander stiffened, he said nothing and kept on walking. Though a little bit faster.
The vampire slid a sidelong glance at the dark-haired youth. They were at the mansion now. “Not that I have a problem with one less Slayer in the world, but the bint's not gonna understand why yer keeping all quietlike.”
“I know...” They came to a stop just outside the large doors. “It's all my fault...if I hadn't saved Buffy this wouldn't be happening. Protector says this is the only way to fix things. By saving her, it caused an imbalance in the barriers between the outside worlds and us. The only way to fix it is by having only ONE Slayer. Though on the bright side, if me and the Protector die then both Buffy and Faith can remain Slayers.” Xander gave the vampire a desperate, shaky smile.
“So you can imagine which choice the boy is pushing for,” the Protector said dryly to the astonished vampire.
“Let me get this straight...either Buffy or Faith gets their bleedin' powers stripped from them, but if you and Glowy get offed, they get to stay Slayers? And yer rooting ta get yerself kilt?! Are ya bloomin' nuts or what?! Let one of the lil' bints get 'erself stripped. World don't need two soddin' Slayers,” Spike snorted in contempt.
“And if the silly bird winds up hatin' yer guts, then fuck her anyhow! Ya don't need that kinda body around ya anyway, bringing ya down. Questioning yer decisions. Yer the one in charge of this bloody match, 'n callin' the shots.” The vampire breathed out a cloud of smoke.
“'Sides, this ain't like a some soddin' popularity contest. Faith's a big girl, and she's been around the block a time or two. She knows life don't hand ya any guarantees. And in a choice between livin' a long healthy life, surrounded by all her grandkids or dying a short, painful death I kinda think she'll pick the long healthy life. You'll be doing her a favor, is all. And in time, the bint'll see that.” Then he shrugged carelessly. “If not, tell her to piss off!”
Xander could only listen in astonishment. Somewhere in those snarky words, he recognized the vampire was supporting him. Somehow, despite the Protector's words to the contrary, now he knew the world was coming to an end.
“And if ya tell anybody I said anythin' I'll rip yer friggin' throat out,” Spike growled softly before taking one final drag of his cigarette and disappearing indoors.
“Oooookay,” Xander said slowly to the night air. “That was...interesting.” Then he followed behind the vampire and headed for his own room.
A shadowy figure stepped away from the bushes, having overheard the entire conversation. A twisted smile stole across the figure's lips.
Angel stirred when Xander slid back into the bed. “Where were you?” He asked quietly, pulling his mate into his arms.
“Had to see a man about a bag,” the younger man said. He snuggled further into the comforting embrace, feeling his jangling nerves ease. But he could sense his lover waiting patiently and reluctantly he began telling Angel everything. Starting with the problem the Protector was facing and ending with Spike's conversation. Unaware he had been crying until he felt wetness pooling under his cheek.
“You know, I can't believe I'm saying this...but Spike's right,” Angel said with an air of disbelief. “Which is generally a sign that the world is coming to an end.”
And Xander gave a choked, watery laugh. “That's exactly what I thought!”
“Well, if the Protector picks Buffy, I'm packing up this family and heading for L.A.,” Angel stated firmly. “I have no intention of letting my family stay in a town with her as the Slayer. And I'll figure out a way to convince Cordy's father to let her come stay with us.” He smiled down into Xander's astonished eyes. And Angel had just enough time to brace himself before he was rolled over on his back and quick, smacking kisses were layered over his face.
“Have I mentioned how much I love you...adore you?” Xander exclaimed breathlessly between kisses.
“Hmmm...not recently, but you're off to a great start,” Angel replied huskily, pulling his lover's face down into a much more thorough kiss. He laughed softly at the shy, eagerness in Xander's bright eyes before he rolled them back over and demonstrated just how much he also adored his beautiful boy.
It took the Protector almost 30 hours before it managed to get all the small devices charged. And it took the entire group another three hours of burying the devices around Sunnydale. Spreading the items a mere five feet apart, they had the entire town encircled with the devices before the Protector's three acolytes arrived.
Spike gave an unusually quiet Faith a sharp look before ignoring her. She wasn't exactly his problem.
By this time, even the most oblivious townsperson could feel the oppressive atmosphere that blanketed the town. A sense of some almost unimaginable danger heading their way. The smarter ones had already decided to take an extended vacation, the more clueless thought perhaps a hurricane was headed their way. And they clutched at each other excitedly.
Late in the day, the Protector's head came up slowly. “It's beginning...I can feel them surging through the gates. They will be here within four hours. It's time.”
Ethan’s lips tightened as he glanced at Spike's immobile face, then at Wesley's pale, yet composed face. This was not his type of fight, but for the first time he wanted to be in the thick of it. Fighting beside his lovers. After all this time...all these years to find someone like Spike. And Dru...a bloody female! They were both soddin' vampires! Those damnable fates truly must be laughing their arses off at him.
And with the silent, grim-faced African magus' casting a protective spell over the vampires, the three were all able to travel in the sunlight. He cast a quick glance over his shoulder at Spike before sliding into the car alongside Wesley. And he hid the nervous tremors in his hands as they left for the library.
Ethan started as he felt a warm hand pat his own. “He'll be okay...” Wesley said quietly when the Chaos mage's eyes jerked up to him.
“How can you be so calm?” The words were jerked out of Ethan convulsively. “Don't you feel like screaming every time Faith goes up against some walloping great beastie or don't you care?”
“Whenever...” Wesley began to answer but swallowed harshly. “A Slayer and Watcher can't function effectively if the Watcher has a tendency to run around in a screaming panic each time a Slayer fights. I try my damnest to give Faith every scrap of knowledge I possess on how to defeat her opponent. And I pray every time that I've given her all the tools she needs to fight, to survive. To live.”
“And every night that she returns home safely to me, no matter how badly wounded and bruised, I consider myself blessed and count myself fortunate that I have one more day to teach her. To use whatever meager skills I have to insure her survival. She's not just my Slayer, no more than I am her Watcher. She is my friend. But I know that someday one of two things will happen. Either she won't come home or she will no longer need my guidance. And I pray, on bended knees with utmost devotion, for the latter. But until that time comes, I give her a brave face. I show her that I have every confidence in her ability to survive. I refuse to burden her with my doubts or my fears. This is my struggle, and I use my fear to my advantage. It makes me work harder as her Watcher and as her friend.”
Ethan shivered at the naked look of terror deep in the man's eyes. “How can you not let it show?”
“Should I allow my weakness to weaken her? This battle against my fears is just as intense as the fights that she encounters. Faith looks to me for guidance, confidence and reassurance. And I will be DAMNED if I let her down! So I would suggest you buck up. If you care, if you love...never allow them to see your fear for their safety. Fear and doubt are contagious.” And Wes turned his attention out the window, struggling to master himself before the coming battle. He and Faith had a long talk, and while he was sure of her decision, he still hoped that perhaps she would change her mind.
“What the bloody hell are you doing here?” Giles snapped out when Angel and company walked into the library. Buffy jumped up as well, her body held defensively at the sight of Spike. Willow barely looked up from her computer. She had been checking every lead she could find for her missing boyfriend.
“Because I invited them here,” Robin said quietly as he eased around the bunched up people. He set a large black satchel on the table.
Faith's eyes narrowed then she looked away.
The Protector walked in then stood calmly between the two hostile groups. “As you may be aware, the Zynaesh are coming. They will be here within a few short hours at the most. Buffy, as you still answer to me, I will be requiring both you and Faith to take defensive positions outside of Sunnydale. While it is extremely doubtful, a demon may be able to break through the barrier that will surround the town. Should this battle go against me and my fighters, Sunnydale will be destroyed.”
It glanced around with nimbus glowing eyes. “Are there any questions?”
“Yeah, how come I'm not fighting the Zynaesh with you?” Buffy demanded with a sharp glance at Faith.
“Because you will die.” It answered her simply. “The only way to fight the Zynaesh will be to imbue you with a great deal more of my essence.”
“Then do it!”
“Perhaps you were not listening to my earlier statement. Were I to give you more power, your body will eventually turn on itself and you will burn to death. The more energy you expend, the faster the power will scourge through your body. Slayer were are designed to hold only a small portion of my energies. Xander's body on the other hand can and will hold much, much more.”
Buffy shuddered and drew back, shaking her head quickly. “That's okay, keep it! I'll stay on cleanup detail.”
“Excellent...then we can proceed,” it said. Then at the sound of horrendous growls and snarls it sighed. “Drusilla, why did you bring that thing here? You were supposed to leave it tied up in the basement.”
“But...I just want to show the pretty tree and that nasty Slayer my doggie,” she pouted. She gave a harsh pull on a thick chain, jerking a wolflike creature into the library. “See, isn't he just the sweetest puppy? I call him Wolfie.” The wide smile she gave to the room was beautifully proud. And wonderfully insane.
“Oz...?” Willow whispered in disbelief, staring at her boyfriend at the end of Drusilla's leash.
“No, not Oz!” Dru stamped her foot childishly. “His name is Wolfie...”
“omigod...” Robin muttered softly as he stared at the muzzled wolfish creature.
“holy shit...” Cordy and Faith whispered together.
“Look, I taught him to roll over!” Dru exclaimed excitedly. “Roll over Wolfie! Roll over!” But stubbornly the werewolf shook his head, casting wild, pleading eyes around at the horrified humans. Dimly in his pain ridden mind, he could feel the spell one of the three magus cast on him. Eating away at him, destroying his ability to change back to human. Leaving him forever a animal.
Sighing in exasperation, Dru bent over. Whereupon, Oz leapt upon her and managed to get in one good blow to her arm. Gauging a long slash in her pale skin. But days of beatings and harsh training had taken their toll on his strength.
“You naughty dog!” She scolded him fiercely. She pulled out a rolled up newspaper and violently smacked him on the nose. And he howled silently in agony, cowering from her. “Bad boy! Bad doggie! Bad!”
“STOP THAT!” Willow screamed and tried to run to her boyfriend. But she was thrown to the floor by Spike.
“Sorry luv, can't let you interfere when Dru's training her puppy. Says it interferes with her teachin' methods,” Spike drawled out with malicious laughter glinting in his eyes.
Willow's eyes darkened stormily. She reached for her magic and gasped in shock. The three magus regarded her calmly. And in their black obsidian eyes there was little emotion. Or compassion.
They turned to the Protector. “My lord, we will begin preparing the spell immediately.”
“My gratitude knows no bounds for the invaluable service you have given me throughout the ages. You and the others held this world together with little help, other than advice, from me. You have served me faithfully and well.” It bowed deeply to them, giving them the respect they were due. It knew that had it not been for them, the world would have descended into utter chaos.
They smiled for the first time and bowed. “No my lord, it is we that thank you. We have served you long and faithfully. It will be good to finally be at rest.”
“Go with my thanks. In this world and the next.” The three magus bowed solemnly once again and departed. Their job was to put the entire town under a sleeping spell for the next eight hours. And holding the spell would drain the very life from the three magus. They looked forward to finally being able to greet the Eternal Guide, and rest.
Then Giles growled ominously as he caught sight of a figure lurking in the background. “Ethan Rayne, what the bloody hell are you doing here?”
“His job,” came the Protector's cold reply.
Giles looked at the energy being, shaken. “His job...? Bu...bu...the man's a bleedin' tosser and a Chaos mage! He's evil! And he most certainly cannot be trusted! He'll turn on you the second your back is turned.” His voice grew stronger, absolute conviction in his ringing tones.
Even Faith had to join in on the hysterical laughter that Giles comment caused. The stiff, affronted look that came over the senior Watcher's face caused even more merriment to ensue.
“Stop it! I can't breathe...” Cordy gasped out, holding on to her sides. Her ribs were aching from laughing so hard. She wiped away tears to mirth and smiled. “Giles...you're an evil, snake-in-the-grass sonavabitch, but I gotta thank you for making me laugh.”
“Dude, I haven't laughed that hard in a long while,” Faith exclaimed breathlessly. For the first time in a long while, her face was free of dark worry and stress. As was her soul. She exchanged a slow, confident smile at her Watcher. And though sadness darkened his eyes, still he gave her an understanding smile in return.
Giles' eyes glittered coldly from the laughter at his expense, but he remained silent. One look at Oz and he had a pretty good idea of what to expect from them.
Robin swallowed heavily. Although he had a feeling about which Slayer was going to remain the Slayer, however, seeing Oz on a leash made him rethink his initial decision. Especially considering the fact that 'granddad' wasn't saying a damn thing. Made him start thinking that there was something else going on that he didn't know about.
Then he lifted his head and met Faith's calm, steady gaze dead on. And with a sense of shock, he knew she was aware of his opinion of her...and that she realized exactly what was going on. That either she or Buffy was going to be de-Slayer-ized before the end of the day.
He carefully put some distance between them. Giving him enough room to fight, just in case. But all she did was roll her eyes and turn away from him.
“Dru...” this time it was Xander that spoke. “Put him in the cage, please.” Despite his racing heart he knew it was only justice what the vampiress did to the werewolf.
“Xander, noooo...” Willow moaned softly. She was backed against the wall, with Spike facing her. Grinning viciously at her with sharp, predatory teeth.
“In all things, there must coming a reckoning...” Wesley stated with frigid politeness as he glared at her. And his eyes slid over the Slayer and Watcher. A cold, twisted smile on his face when they stiffened and paled slightly.
And Robin filed that away. Becoming aware that certain things were simply not adding up.
With an air of quiet command, Wesley led the humans out of the library and into the waiting cars. They were headed for a neutral and extremely high place where they would be able to overlook the battle. However, Giles and Buffy took exception to the fact that the younger Watcher believed HE was in charge and began protesting loudly as to who was in charge. And in the confusion of the moment, as the two cars drove off with their vigorously protesting passengers, one figure quietly slipped away, returning to the library.
Angel and Spike stopped sparring against each other and regarded the returning human with astonished eyes. Dru kept merrily swinging her sword at the cage containing wolfOz.
“Hey...”
“Hey yourself,” Xander said softly as he turned around. He had heard the cars drive off.
“'Bout that offer of bucking up my strength,” Faith said hesitantly. “Is it still open? 'Cause I got a feeling that you and the Protector gonna need every Slayer you got to put a dent in them Zynaesh.” She gave Xander a slow smile. Her eyes were clear and steady on his.
“Faith, don't do this...” he said hoarsely.
The young dark-haired Slayer smiled, a big wide smile of pure confidence. For the first time, sure of what she was doing. “Xander, I was born a Slayer. I always knew this was a short-term gig and I have no regrets. Shit happens and we move on. Being a Slayer is not a job or...or...a duty. It's who I am...WHAT I am. I kill the baddies. And you can't get badder than these creatures.”
“I lied to you...” he whispered, lowering his head in shame.
“No, you didn't!” Faith said swiftly. She crossed to him and hugged him tightly.
“Well, I didn't tell you what was going on...” he claimed stubbornly, hugging her just as tightly.
“Look, you can stand there all day beating yourself up over something you didn't do...or we can pick up a couple of swords and kick the shit outta the Zynaesh. Guess which one I'm votin' for?” Faith gave Xander a wicked wiggle of her brows. Her eyes glittered with mischief.
“Love you...” he choked out, burying his face in her neck.
“We five by five?” Faith pulled back to look at him seriously. Her eyes searching his for any hesitation. Prepared to kick his ass if she had to. This wasn't no time to get all mushy and shit.
“We cool...”
“Thank god, I beginnin' ta think I was gonna hafta get out me hanky and have meself a good blow,” Spike drawled mockingly. He smirked at the indignant faces the kids turned on him.
But Angel, with a sidelong look at his grandchilde, refrained from popping Spike on the back of his head. He saw the flicker of relief in those vivid blue eyes, and he knew that despite Faith's Slayerness, Spike was fond of both Xander and the girls.
“One of you will have to carry her to the Zynaesh landing point,” the Protector stated quietly. “It makes no practical sense to have her expending unnecessary energy before the battle.”
“I'll carry her...” Spike said with a fine show of extreme reluctance. He made sure he let out a few snide grumbles, just so they didn't get all mushy 'n soft on him.
“Hey Spike...” Faith waited until he turned, giving her a stony cold look over his shoulder. “Thanks.”
And she saw the minute softening in those stormy blue eyes.
“Don't mention it...and I really mean it. DON'T ever mention I lowered meself t'carryin' a soddin' Slayer.”
Buffy got out of the car in an annoyed huff. In her eyes, a storm was brewing of sheer Slayer rage. She was just itching to tear a strip off of his hide. Him and Cordy. But Giles gave Buffy a sharp look, stilling the fulminating words that she was just about to spew.
“Where's Faith?!” The senior Watcher said sharply, his eyes cold and clear on his junior counterpart.
“She decided to remain behind...” Wesley said calmly. His attention was focused on the makeshift battlefield. But at his side Ethan drew in a hissing breath and winced.
“Is the girl insane? She'll di...” Giles cut his words off abruptly, his expression one of ruthless calculation. This made things easier. It was a win-win situation. Or at least win-win on his and Buffy's part. Faith would either die fighting against the creatures or die consumed by the power of the Protector.
“She's just trying to win points with the Protector,” Buffy growled before Giles could silence her. “I am the Slayer not her...”
But her words were choked off by the glittering frigid look Wesley turned on her. “She is your sister in arms. Not some sort of useless appendage that you can't wait to get rid of. She was born a Slayer and by God, she'll die a Slayer! Her choice! You fluffy flat-backing, air-headed fool!”
The air was charged with hostile intensity. Buffy and Giles on one side, Ethan and Wes on the other. Glaring hatefully at each other. While Willow, Robin and Cordy looked on.
Then...
“Dear God...” Cordy's whisper drew all their attention. They whirled around and all peered through their binoculars at the football field. And even Buffy drew in a sharp breath at the sight of a glowing rift in the air, then the demons stepped ponderously through the opening. They were massive.
Huge.
Evil.
Those were only some of the words that ran through the onlookers minds at the sight of the creatures. Big, tall and incredibly fierce looking. And they just prayed that the demons weren't the eight and nine feet tall that they appeared, nor as sizable as they seemed.
But no amount of disbelief could wipe away the fact that the creatures looked deadly. Armored plating on their chests, heads encased by some kind of helmety type of gear and with sharp spikes marching up their arms.
Slowly the binoculars were lowered and dismayed glances were exchanged. How could the Protector hope to defeat these...things? And they flinched at the bestial roar that drifted up to them from the football field.
Then there came a soft hum...and the barrier came up. A thick, osculating wall of glowing, nimbus energy wrapped around Sunnydale. Live or die...the fate of all Sunnydale rested on the shoulders of the defenders trapped inside.
“It's time...” the Protector stated quietly when it felt the barrier slamming into position. Opening one of the crates Spike, Angel and Dru brought in, it picked out four of the devices. It solemnly gave one to each of the vampires and Faith. Their devices were subtly different from the other objects in the crate.
“These were made especially for you. The others are for my daughters. Once open, these will increase your strength tenfold. Zynaesh are extremely difficult to kill. Their weakness are their eyes, which is something THEY are perfectly aware of. And quite naturally they will do anything to stop you. Aim for their eyes, and they will fall.”
Spike and Angel blinked, feeling something teasing at the back of their minds. Then they shrugged it off. Whatever it was, it could wait. Then their brows rose as Xander seemed to vibrate.
Xander tried to hit the Protector, angry at how he had been tricked. *“Next time you lie to me, I'm kicking your ass OUT!”*
*“Agreed.”*
“You must be completely out of the building and safely hidden. Xander tells me there is a small building just before the football field that you may take shelter within. For once I activate the remaining devices, human flesh cannot withstand the amount of power that will flood the corridors of this school. While my other daughters are corporeal, you four are decidedly NOT. While the Library may be safe, I will need you outside.”
Dru gave the Protector a pleading look, and it sighed. “Go, child. I will try to protect your pet.”
Faith yelped and held on tightly when Spike grabbed her. They took off after Angel and Dru, heading for the football field. Xander began dragging the crates to the school doors. He placed thick sheets of paper against the windows on the library door. Then rummaged in Giles' office and retrieved three blankets he found within. He used them to block up the door, and stood back critically. Well, the Protector only said that it would try.
Then it was the Protector's turn for it's part of the battle and began bleeding off it's Slayers. In the coming battle, some would die a permanent death...some may finally decide to go onward and Rest. It would miss it's daughters. And with a sigh, it took one step, then another and another until it was racing along the corridors of Sunnydale High. With every step it took, a luminous figure separated from the body, singing, racing right behind their parent body.
Up the stairs, they raced. Second floor. Higher and higher they ran. Third floor. A trail of Slayers flowing behind, some just setting foot on the bottom stair on the first floor. They ran with fleet-foot grace down the third floor hallways, then down the stairs to the second floor, traversing the three corridors before descending to the first floor from the opposite side. By now, there were thousands of Slayers racing headlong after the Protectors. Following their Father with gleeful enthusiasm for one last battle.
The Protector headed for the crates and SHOUTED. And painfully bright light flooded the corridors like a tidal wave. Spreading upwards along the stairs, enveloping each Slayer in the intense brilliant power. Windows shattered under the searing energy, unable to withstand the force of the Protector's power. And the evening glowed brightly as if it was midday.
The Slayers yelled as the power slammed into them and then they poured out of the school like a fleet of well-trained hunting dogs. Now somewhat corporeal, they had been bred for just one purpose, one thing. And screaming ancient battlecries, they streamed onto the field. Battle axes, spears, javelins, swords, knives and other esoteric weapons gripped tightly in their fists. They were tiny compared to the demons, that much was true...but for all their lack of size...they made it up in sheer ferocity.
Five or more would attack a demon, clambering swiftly up the huge body and attacking the head while a couple would continuously batter at the treetrunk legs. And woe to the demon that fell, it would be covered in Slayers in a matter of seconds and when they retreated, turned their attention to their next victim, all that would be left was tatters of raw gaping flesh.
At first Spike and Angel were confused, especially with all the screaming languages that were going on but they quickly got into the swing of things. And the chopping and slicing, and cutting. Joining their previously once deadly enemies with cheerful abandon, gladly cutting loose and allowing the demons in them full rein.
And Faith, for the first time in her life, felt like she was in her glory. She waded into the fight in a wild frenzy of joy screaming her battlesong of death and carnage. She could feel the Protector's force raging through her, giving her more power, more speed...just so much more than she ever thought she could be. It was like a raging ecstasy moving through her...burning her.
What a way to go...better to burn like a shooting star, living her life to the fullest. Slayers were not meant to die in bed anyhow. And Faith danced like a dark living flame on the football field, joining her sisters in rapacious violence. Gloried in the destruction of their enemies. Distantly she could feel proud that hers was the killing blow to more than two demons.
This was WAY better than sex! And she could only pity Buffy for missing out on the fun.
Everything was so bright and sharp. No misunderstandings or hurt feeling could exist in this timeless moment. It was just so clear what she was...what she had to do and...
She stopped, and tried to move forward but couldn't. Faith looked down, puzzled. She was still confused as to why there was this great big sword sticking out of her stomach. The young dark-haired girl prodded it with curious fingers. Blinking at the red fluid that stained her fingers.
Then a gut wrenching pain exploded within her body, her eyes wide and dazed when the Zynaesh demon yanked it's sword out of her body. She crumpled to the ground, struggling to breathe past the agony searing through her. Vaguely she could hear the shouts, screams and growls from around her but her attention, her focus was simply on trying to breathe. Trying to hold on for just a little while longer. All she wanted was just to know that they had won. Then she could rest...sleep and join her sisters.
“Holy mother of god...” Ethan whispered. His eyes were blank at the enormous carnage taking place on the football field. Slayers were dying by the score true, but with relentless grim efficiency they were taking the Zynaesh with them.
Robin and Cordy were far too shocked to even speak. They simply cast envious eyes at the mage before turning back to the battle.
Buffy and Giles each had a tiny smile on their faces when they saw Faith go down. And they took the time to exchange pleased looks before returning their attention to the battle.
Willow leaned against Wes when he swayed, she saw a trail of wetness make it's way down his cheek. The young witch bit savagely through her lip. She had seen Faith fall as well and she could only assume that he did also.
It was over.
The Protector swayed weakly where it stood, it's knees buckling under it but it was saved by a shaking arm. It gave a tired glance to Dru's exhausted face before accepting her aid and regaining it's feet. It swept glowing eyes over the vast number of bodies lying still and motionless. Even as it watched, his daughters' bodies shimmered and faded away. They had chosen...so be it. It was their right and their choice.
The energy being and Dru stumbled over to whatever groaning Slayer they could find. Helping them to their feet, the Protector staggered when a weakened child threw herself gratefully into it. Although it took their wounds unto it, the energy being was slowly strengthened by all its' daughters return. Their influx back into the Protector going a long way towards re-energizing it.
Then it's breath caught in it's throat at the sight of a pair dark eyes gazing up at them, a pained bloody smile of her lips. The rapid breathing as well as the spreading red stain on her torso spoke all too well of how grievous was her injury. Spike and Angel both had unreadable looks on their faces before the blonde gathered the fallen Slayer in gentle arms.
Faith was laid on the Library table gently. Warm, comforting hands gripping her bloody hands tightly in mute, anguished sympathy. But her eyes were vague and turned inward as she breathed shallowly, focusing on riding out each wave of the gut-wrenching pain. Struggling to master it before it conquered her.
She was a Slayer, and it just wasn't in the cards for a Slayer to die in bed. Not unless she had been thrown there by some demon. She knew what the consequences were from day one. There was always the knowledge that this gig would someday end with her sorta like this....she just never expected to be surrounded by so many friends. And slowly her eyes focused on the grieving faces around her.
“We gave 'em a fuckin' Slayer style welcome, didn't we?” Faith said hoarsely and tried to laugh, but began coughing instead. She was cradled gently in Xander's arms until the spell passed. But she caught her breath at the blood she coughed up, revealed on Xander's ripped and torn shirt.
“Don't talk, you're gonna be alright,” Cordy cried desperately, holding her friend's hand tightly, tears pouring down her face.
And Faith merely gave her an amused, painfilled glance. “Princess, don' ever try t'shit a bullshitter like me.” Then her body stiffened in Xander's arms and her eyes grew vaguely distant. “Ya know, I kinda thought it woulda hurt a lot more,” she whispered softly with a faint, bloody smile on her face.
Her eyes were unseeing as air was slowly released from her lungs.
Cordy moaned, turning and burying her head in Ethan's chest with an awful wail of grief. His eyes glittered briefly before blinking rapidly, he regained control himself while Spike regarded the fallen Slayer with a jaw as hard as stone. His eyes resembled blue stones for all the emotion he showed. But Angel, Dru and even Oz could smell the wild grief raging through the rigidly controlled vampire. Though he was a Revenant, he was still a Master Vampire and his pain, his grief was not for public display.
“Well, while I really don't wish to seem callous or insensitive but I believe Faith's death was for the best,” Giles interjected the grieving silence somberly. But he was almost giddy with deeply hidden joy because unless the Protector allowed the others to kill her, Buffy was now the sole living Slayer in existence. And no matter what its feelings were towards her, Giles was relatively sure that the Protector would not allow it's only Slayer to be killed.
Robin blinked and gave the man a look of cold disbelief.
“Too late, ya fuckin' ponce!” Spike muttered savagely with a contemptuous sneer on his face.
“What do you mean by that?” Angel didn't bother to turn his head from Faith's motionless body. He knew that if he did, he would wind up ripping out Giles' twisted, dark heart. And a subconscious rumble of displeasure rippled from his throat, causing Xander to look up at him with dark, tormented eyes. And all Angel could do was go to him. Hold his mate close as the other sobbed with grief for his fallen friend.
Buffy ground her teeth as she watched Xander crying in Angel's arms. Whore and slut were the more flattering words that ran through her mind. Then she tuned into what Giles was saying and a tiny smile flickered on her lips as understanding dawned in her mind. And Willow's mouth dropped open in horrified disbelief at Giles' words.
“Why, only that the world still needs a Slayer to stand assiduously at the Protector's side against the forces of darkness that would overtake this world. Unfortunately, when Buffy was drowned by the Master, it was only due to Xander's heroic measures that she was revived. However, within that brief period of death it was sufficient for Kendra, the next Slayer, to be activated. This undoubtedly upset the natural balance, I believe, what with two Slayers in existence.”
Giles' voice was as smooth as silk with every word he uttered. Each word was as factual as the next and rang with unmistakable truth. He was not a fool, especially not with three vampires and Ethan quite willing to call him out on anything they individually, or collectively, knew was a lie. However, there were...ways that the facts could be presented that would shape an opinion. Besides, he only needed to convince the Protector of Buffy's importance to the world. Not them...and his lip lifted briefly in a sneer of disdain.
“I always felt that Faith's headstrong, wild impetuous nature would prove her undoing,” Giles shook his head with feigned sadness. Stepping hastily away at Wesley's furious charge towards him. And the younger Watcher's raging motion was stopped surprisingly enough, by Spike.
“You keep your filthy tongue off my Slayer's name, you bloody rotter,” Wesley snarled, his face pale with sickening heartache and bitter rage.
“I'm sorry that in your grief you're not able to look objectively at your Slayer's faults,” Giles began stiffly, but a brief flash of mockery gleamed in his eyes. Making the younger man struggle furiously against the the vampire's tight hold, his eyes filling with tears of anger and bottomless pain.
“My Faith's worth twice that soddin' Buffy! You want to talk about faults?! Let's talk about your bloody Slayer, then!”
“Buffy is a sorry excuse for a Slayer!” Robin yelled over the sounds of the other's shouting. His face was tight with furious grief, anger in his soul at how he had misjudged the two Slayers.
Giles stopped and gave the principal a look of dismissal. “This does not concern you,” he uttered with frosty composure.
“Yes...it does,” Robin shot back with a poisonous smile. “The Protector told me that one of them would remain the true Slayer and one would not.”
Giles recovered swiftly at that bit of astonishing news. “Well, then obviously the decision is moot. Faith is dead, Buffy is alive. Therefore, Buffy is the Slayer.”
Robin ground his teeth. “The way I see it, Buffy's not even capable of being a Slayer. A real Slayer is a woman that KNOWS her duty. And nothing, not even the fear of death is gonna stop her. Not love, not fear...NOTHING! That's what a Slayer does, that is what she is!”
The senior Watcher snorted and looked at Robin in freezing contempt. “I've been a Watcher for a very long time, so I think I know best what a Slayer should be. Afterall, what would you know about what qualifies a female to be a Slayer?”
The dark-skinned man took a slow steadying breath, struggling to regain his emotional control. “My mother’s name was Nikki Wood. She was once a Slayer. And even knowing one day she would not return, she still went out every night patrolling. Fighting demons almost every night. Leaving me alone. No matter how much I begged or cried for her to stay, she knew her duty. And she fought to make this world better for me, one demon at a time. Integrity and duty. Strength and determination. Buffy doesn't have a tenth of the determination or the integrity I've seen in Faith today. Knowing the price was her death, she STILL paid it. That's what a fuckin' Slayer does.”
Meanwhile as Robin was squared off against Giles, Xander had eased away from Angel's embrace, his eyes burning as the Protector came to the foreground. It's eyes glowed with a warm, soft light as it looked down at Faith's bruised and battered face. “Wild. Impetuous. Headstrong. Such a strong will...and one I would be loathe to see it depart this world...” it murmured softly, it's eyes intent.
//Faith’s face was a study in shocked surprise as the mist parted and she saw her sister Slayers standing before her. And she spun around in a ecstatic circle with a loud scream of glee. //
//“Oh fuck me! Goddamn! You mean I made it to Slayer's Heaven?! Bitchin'! Oops! Sorry, forgot where I was! But man, dis what I'm talkin' 'bout! Damn!” And she yelled again in sheer happiness, causing the others to laugh at their younger sister's display. Then their smiles faded a bit as their attention drifted over her shoulder.//
//And Faith stiffened as she saw the direction their attention was. “Awww, fuck! Shit! I knew it was too good to be true. I'm goin' downtown, huh? Where the weather is hot all year long?!” She sighed in regret, but at least down there she'll still have a job. She hoped.//
//She turned around, blinking in dismay at the sight of the Protector. “Don't tell me you're supposed to take me there?”//
//“Not precisely. Rather, I have a proposition for you...” It began to speak calmly. At first, Faith's expression was doubtful, then slowly wicked glee danced in her eyes before she began laughing heartily. She agreed and the Protector disappeared.//
“I am quite aware that Buffy has her share of faults,” Giles' voice was extremely haughty as he was put on the defensive by looks of contempt and derision in the other's eyes. He gave a hostile look to Willow, furious that she made no attempt to defend his Slayer.
“Yeah, and being a fuckin' prima donna is one of her biggest,” came a hoarse voice.
“FAITH?!” Was screamed from several throats with two voices raised in angry disbelief.
“Yep, in the flesh,” quipped the dark-haired slayer as Xander helped her sit up, before passing her to Angel. “Yo B, looks like you ain't got a monopoly on coming back from the dead!”
“How? I mean...why?” Giles stammered out, looking at the Protector's coolly blazing eyes.
“Yeah, I thought with Faith being dead and all, that I was gonna be the only Slayer. I was here first!” Buffy screeched then hastily tried to modify her tone of voice when those white eyes drifted over to her.
“You know, I never really contemplated having you remain as the only Slayer,” the Protector stated calmly, its eyes a little thoughtful as it regarded the blonde Slayer.
“I beg your graciousness pardon, but don't you think you should consider it...now?” Giles ground out, his hands clenching slowly into tight angry fists at his side.
“You misunderstand my words. Whether Faith lived or died, your Slayer was NOT going to remain a Slayer once the battle was over.”
Giles froze, his mouth dropping open in astonishment. And Wesley slowly turned to gaze at the Protector in awed silence.
“Y...y...you can't do that,” Giles stuttered out, backing away from the Protector with slow steps. As did Buffy once the meaning of it's words filtered through her mind.
“I fail to see why not. It's my power. And if I choose to take it back from her, who in this room can or will stop me?” It raised a brow, skepticism etched all over it's face.
And while Cordy snickered, still her eyes were dark and uneasy as she regarded Xander. Not being stupid, she knew that he had to have known.
“Think past the confusion that clouds your mind, little girl,” Ethan whispered harshly to her. “The Protector undertook the risk of it's daughters, what was Xander willing to risk to insure the safety of this world? This is no game it is playing, and our young friend must be taught that now before it is too late. And someday the price he pays to protect this world, our world may be your life, or any of his friends lives. Willingly or unwillingly, that's his responsibility and duty. He cannot afford to allow sentiment or love to sway him from making such a decision.” The Chaos mage watched the young girl with cold relentless eyes, trying to drum what he had said into her very fiber.
Cordy shivered and nodded slowly. She turned and looked at Xander with fresh eyes, and shuddered at what he was going to have to go through.
Meanwhile, the Protector was continuing it's dispassionate reply to Giles' question. “Furthermore, had you maintained your regard as her Watcher, I do not believe this step would have been necessary. However, you chose to ignore Buffy's behavior. In fact, at every turn you've passively encouraged many of her more disreputable habits in an effort to keep her dependent on you. Her volatile temper, her disrespect for authority and her extraordinary disdain for learning how to be a true Slayer. Turning to you constantly for guidance and answers, when these are the very things that you should have been teaching her to look within herself.”
The energy being surveyed the furious Watcher for a few moments, then spoke. And it's voice was like a cold icy wind. “The duties of a Watcher are as sacred as is the calling of a Slayer. It can almost be equaled in terms of a Parent/Child relationship. A parent teaches and counsels their child, admonishes the child, showing them the proper way to adulthood. Helping that child to grow with all the necessary tools it needs to take its' proper place in society.”
“I did what I thought was necessary,” Giles ground out, his eyes defiant as he glared about him.
“You are correct. You did what you thought was necessary...for you. To maintain your power. And you are sadly mistaken if you think I will allow this travesty to continue any longer.”
Its hand began to glow as it finished speaking.
“WAIT!” Angel shouted out desperately, grabbing at the Protector's hand.
Buffy closed her eyes, trembling with relief. She knew it! Angel would never let her get hurt. He still loved her! She gave a contemptuous look at the angry people.
Everyone looked at Angel in disbelief, even the energy being. “Surely you're not proposing to protect her?!”
“Get out...” Angel snorted. “What I want to do is beat the living shit out of her while she's at full Slayer strength.” And pure Angelus was in the sweet, angelic smile he gave Buffy. The blonde Slayer tried to run and was hit square in the back when she attempted to flee. But rolling to her feet, she slammed a foot in Angel's gut, doubling him over. However, he recovered swiftly and moved like lightning towards Buffy. He spun and kicked her in her face and Buffy staggered back. But unlike Angel, she hadn't been in a brutal fight for her life. She was as fresh and in full possession of her strength.
She planted a roundhouse kick into her former boyfriend's face. A blow he only flinched slightly from. She swung at him again, this time with a closed fist, but Angel sidestepped the blow. Buffy attempted another punch, and he grabbed her arm. The vampire swung her around and threw her into the metal weapons' cage. Buffy hit it high and hard, both she and it making a high screeching sound. And Giles winced in sympathetic pain. Buffy fell to the ground, but quickly scrambled to her feet, her eyes grimly intent on either beating Angel or simply killing him.
Angel swung at her again but hit the metal door with his fist when the blonde Slayer ducked his punch. Buffy blocked the vampire's punch and held on to his arm, tossing a vicious grin over her shoulder at the others rooting for Angel.
“Hit her again, Angel!” Cordy screamed, her eyes alight with passionate intensity.
Buffy punched the vampire in his face again and again, slamming a solid right then to his chest, expecting her blow to drop him to the ground. But Angel was fighting for more than just his unlife. He was finally able to let out all the rage and hatred he felt for his erstwhile ex-lover for all the pain she had caused Xander. He was finally able to champion his mate's honor. It was all well and good to let his boy take care of himself, and he was certainly proud of Xander. But still it chaffed at him, to sit back idly, watching as his lover made one difficult decision after another.
And using moves unseen in centuries, Angel got loose from Buffy and landed a punch onto her surprised face. She went spinning down to the ground and laid there, momentarily stunned. The vampire loomed over her, then bent down over her only to receive a brutal kick in his face. Angel staggered backward as Buffy vaulted to her feet, just barely ducking a roundhouse kick from her. Then they faced each other once again, ignoring the cheering, shouting people.
The fragile looking blonde felt the taste of bitter ashes in her mouth at the grim, hateful look on Angel's face. In his golden glare at the sight of her. She felt her fury raging almost out of control at the bleeding contempt in his eyes. Eyes that used to look at her with so much love and longing. Eyes that now looked at Xander, but with a difference. There was also fierce pride in the gaze Angel gave Xander. Like what was so special about HIM? If it wasn't for that damn Protector protecting Xander, that stupid boy would be back to being nothing.
She leapt at Angel, her body moving with sleek deadly grace. And they danced. Trading increasingly vicious blows. Then in a surprising move, Buffy pulled a stake from a hidden pocket and thrust it at Angel, but he caught her arm and held it up, backhanding her across the face with his other, his hand clenched into a fist. Angel followed his move up with a sidekick to Buffy's face, breaking her nose and sending her stumbling back into the wall.
“Enough...” the Protector stated mildly as Angel started towards Buffy. “Enough...” it repeated quietly.
Buffy had time for a brief vicious tired smirk before she was caught in the grips of a powerful force. Then she rose into the air, screaming imprecations and lurid curses on their heads, what she would do to them once she was free.
An uncaged Oz bounced and rocked excitedly at the end of his leash. Clawing at his muzzled snout with clumsy paws, and whining. Dru squatted and looked at him sympathetically. “Poor lil' puppy, all locked up. Mommy's sweet lil' wolfie, wantin' to growl and snarl but he can't. Bad puppy, mouth shut tight, tight. Grrrr...can't speak, can't howl.”
And smiling, with madness swimming vigorously in her eyes, she removed the muzzle. Laughing as her puppy yelped and howled at the sight of a screaming Buffy suspended in the air like a balloon.
Buffy screamed in sudden pain, tears springing to her eyes at the immense agony radiating from her bones...her soul. She felt like she was being twisted and squeezed like a washcloth. Something was pouring out of her and she couldn't stop it, she couldn't fight it. All she could do was yell as agony scoured her spirit. Her soul.
The others looked on in fascinated, horrified awe. Flinching with each anguished cry of pain from Buffy. Willow had a hand to her mouth, weeping in sympathetic pain; Giles' face was harsh and grim as he watched, no visible emotion in his eyes as the Slayer that he invested so much of himself was stripped of her powers.
And Ethan watched Giles with cold, vicious satisfaction in his eyes. Everything he had bargained for was almost coming to pass. Only one more thing was left to do. His eyes glowed with luminous intensity, causing Spike to look questioningly at his lover. At the nasty little smirk on the Chaos mage's face, the vampire glanced at the senior Watcher in icy amusement. 'Bloody wanker!' was his silent, damning condemnation.
Protector closed his hand abruptly. It was done. Things were back to the way it intended. One active Slayer in existence.
Buffy fell to the ground with an audible thump and internally Xander winced with a pained expression. And with a resigned sigh, Protector gave in to the waves of worry from its host and its' hand opened again. Buffy whimpered, her eyes fearful and desperate. And with shaky limbs, she tried to scrabble away. Grunting as energy pulsed softly through her. But this time, revitalizing her.
Easily she rose to her feet looking around at the somber faces and laughed, feeling strength coursing through her. Recharging her. “So, wasn't so easy to take the power back, huh?”
With a raised brow, the Protector simply looked at her. “Actually, it was surprisingly easy. What you feel right now is what your normal human strength would feel like. You are no longer a Slayer.”
Then while Buffy was goggling at those words, the energy being turned to Cordy, effectively disowning the blonde girl. “Cordelia, while I cannot make you a Slayer, I was wondering if perhaps you would care to have a portion of the strength and power without the added onus of being a Slayer?”
Buffy gasped, her eyes turning wide in astonished fury as the truth of Protector's words settled in her soul. She looked with desperate eyes to Giles. He would help her, he always had before. He merely shook his head warningly at her, urging her to remain silent.
Cordy hesitated then she began speaking slowly, picking her words with care as she struggled on how to express her thoughts and feelings. “You know, I usta wonder how it would feel to have that kinda power, but watching her,”....the contempt and derision in her voice left no doubt as to the 'her' she was referring to.“...I mean, other than the super strength what good did it do her? For a while she was good and did her job, but somewhere along the line, she starting going bad. You know, like when you have those beauty sponges for makeup...at first it's all clean and white. Then you add a little bit of makeup, smudging the sponge. And every time you use it, you have to add just a little bit more makeup to it, so by the time you finally have to throw it out, the sponge is all brown and yucky.”
At the uncomprehending, blank looks on their faces, she sighed. “No, I think I'll stick to just being an ordinary human. At least when I take advantage of people, and I know I will, it'll just be me...being a bitch.”
Protector's eyes glowed brightly. “You are much wiser than you look.”
“Thanks...” Cordy responded brightly with a smirk at everyone. Then it faded as her brain deciphered its words. “Hey, there was an insult in that remark.”
“I know, Xander's been teaching me...” it replied smugly. Its' eyes glowed even brighter at the groans that remark brought.
“What about us? What are we to do now that you've stripped Buffy of her powers?” Giles asked bitterly.
“Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn,” Protector smoothly answered.
There was stunned silence.
Then first Cordy, followed by Faith began to laugh and soon after Angel removed his chortling family from the Library. Leaving behind one venomous girl, a shaken Willow and one glacial Watcher watching their departure. And two pair of eyes promising vengeance against the circle of friends.
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