It's All About Power (Unfinished)

[Spuffy]

I started getting reviews for this on FF.n so I just thought I'd share it since I actually updated it recently 4 chapters so far so wait till they're all 4 up to comment or anything
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Chapter 1

The wind was cold, even for him. It was dark when it should have been light, and yet another storm was moving in. Had this not been such a regular occurrence he probably would have been happy to be able to go outside during the day. But it was like this everyday now, and he had yet to figure out why. The weather reporters hadn’t even figured it out yet. This surely was a bad sign.

Normally he wouldn’t have been concerned with the weather, but as before, it had been like this everyday, for about two months now. Plus he had overheard some talk of another apocalypse taking place soon, by a rather diabolical demon.

After walking the streets for almost an hour, he reached his destination. Dave’s Bar. It wasn’t the best, but it was probably his favorite in town. Besides, it sold drinks for vampires and demons as well as humans, something that reminded him a lot of Willy’s back in Sunnydale. When Sunnydale was around, that is.

He entered the place and looked around before taking his normal seat at the bar. “Hey, Spike. The usual?” Was heard coming from Dave the bartender as soon as he sat down.

“Yeah.” Spike’s response was short but that’s all he really needed to say. Dave nodded to him and walked over to make the drinks. He mixed Spike’s usual and then brought it over to him.

“Here ya go.” He said as he sat it down on the bar for him. “Pig’s blood laced with whiskey. You know, I don’t know how you guy’s drink that stuff.”

Spike grabbed the glass downed half of it then looked up at him. “You’re not a vampire.”

“True. That’s probably why I don’t get it.” He looked down at the now half full glass in front of the peroxide-blonde vampire. “I’ll get your second glass.”

He nodded to the bartender and finished off the rest of his drink. He turned around to look out at the other people there. Some were arguing, some completely drunk, and others passed out. Maybe a trip to the bar was something he needed to get his mind off of things.

Today had been the anniversary of the fight against Wolfram & Hart and tomorrow was the anniversary of the fight against the First in Sunnydale. He hadn’t realized the dates were so close together before. It had been one year since Wolfram & Hart and two since the First, and things never got easier when it was time to remember them once more.

He hadn’t seen Angel or Illyria since the fight, they had been the only other two to survive. Angel had gone and found Nina, and they were off in some European country together. Illyria, well, he didn’t know what she was doing, but he was pretty sure it had to be interesting.

And then you had the gang from Sunnydale, who he hadn’t seen in two years. Of course, he had seen Buffy when he went to Rome, but that was only from afar. Andrew was the closest he came to making contact with them. He wondered how they were now. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen them all in years. Especially Buffy.

“You’re spacing out again.” Dave said as he sat Spike’s new glass down on the bar. He grabbed the empty one and Spike turned around.

“Oh, yeah...” This had happened to him before. Whenever he started to think about this stuff he would go away from the real world and just stay in his memories for a bit, no matter how bad they were.

He grabbed the glass off the bar, downed it in one drink and stood. “Put it on my tab. I’m done for the night.” With that the stood and placed his hands into the pockets of his duster, and walked off into the night.

He looked across the street as a demon ran into a dark alley. Normally that type of demon wouldn’t even be out right now. They were nocturnal. The sun didn’t hurt them, but they didn’t like it. But the lack of sun lately because of the abundance of clouds was probably as good a reason as any for it to show up during the day time. Or what was supposed to be day time.

He crossed the street and stood at the entrance to he alley. The demon looked back and he stood off to the side so he wouldn’t be seen. Once the demon started walking again he slowly began to follow him down the alley. It stopped down by a dumpster and another demon came out from the shadows.

“You’re here. Good.” It said then looked around the alley. Spike ducked down behind a rather large box and stayed there as he listened to the conversation.

“Yeah, well, what’s the deal? I’ve gotta be back there for the next part of the ritual. He will not be pleased.” This demon was obviously a loyal follower of whoever this ‘He’ guy was. Probably the demon that was going to cause the next apocalypse.

“I told you to meet me here because this is something he will need to know about. It could put a dent in his plans.” The demon who had been waiting there for who knows how long growled.

“Sorry. Now what’s the problem? Someone out to get him?”

“Probably. He is only starting an apocalypse.” He reached over and slapped the other demon across the back of the head.

“Ow. That hurt!”

“Well, don’t be such an idiot! Of course there’s going to be people after him! But this one...she’s more important. She must be stopped.”

“Why is that?” He asked, completely confused.

“Because, she’s a slayer.”

[Spuffy]

Chapter 2

“So there’s a slayer in town...” Spike said to himself from his spot behind the box. Little did he know, the demons seemed to have even better hearing than him.

“There’s someone here!” The one who had mentioned the slayer before growled.

“I heard it too...” The second said, looking around. He sniffed the air but before he could figure out where the voice had come from, Spike stood and stepped out into the open.

“You guys have got some ears on you, that’s for sure.” He stated as he took a few steps towards him. “Or at least I think you have ears...” He tilted his head to the side as he looked them over, they actually didn’t seem to have ears.

“What have you heard!” The much larger of the two, the one who had been waiting for the other to show up, stepped up and spoke said.

Spike shrugged. “Not much. Just that you guys are working for someone who is gonna start the end of the world, which I can tell you, is not something too special now-a-days. Oh, and that there’s a slayer in town that would probably love to kill your little boss man. Can’t say I’d blame her.” He smirked taking another step towards them.

He looked over as the other demon, whom he had followed into the alley, began to back up. “You know who he is right?” The demon asked the other.

“Yes. I know. Spike.” Was the answer. Spike just let another smirk play on his lips, before cracking his knuckles.

“So I suppose you know I’m going to be kicking your ass then?” He asked, rather innocently.

“I’m not staying for this... I’ve gotta be back to help with the ritual...” The obviously frightened demon ran off through the other end of the alley.

“Guess that just leaves you and me then.” Spike pointed out, and as he did he morphed into vamp face. “Pity, I was looking for a good fight.”

“Oh, you’ll get a fight you filthy vampire.” The demon snarled and rush towards Spike, a very stupid move as Spike stepped out of the way.

“Now, now, you’ve gotta try harder than that.” He criticized as he watched the demon go past him. It snarled once again before moving faster this time and charging at him. Before Spike could step away again, he was shoved into the wall.

“Like that?” The demon had a grin, or what could pass for a grin, on his face. It let out an evil laugh and pulled Spike away from the wall before slamming him up against it again.

Spike rolled his eyes, obviously not caring about this that much. He then used his head as a weapon, head-butting the demon. He staggered backwards and let him go. The vampire dusted himself off and took a step away from the wall.

Spike threw a punch, hitting the demon square on the jaw then threw another hitting the same spot on the other side of the demons face.

The demon, now off balance, tried to reach out and hit Spike, but he grabbed the demons arm, and slammed it down hard on his knee until he heard a satisfying crack.

It called out in pain and Spike took that chance to throw and uppercut to the demon’s chin, causing the demon to make an almost howling sound.

“What? Can’t the big bad demon take the pain?” He kicked the demon in the abdomen, it grunted, then he grabbed the demon’s good arm and shoved him face first into the wall. He held onto its arm as he kept him firmly in place.

“Now, you’re gonna be a good demon and tell me exactly what the bloody hell is going on.” Spike told him, pushing him up against the wall harder, just for effect.

“Never. I am loyal only to him and will not tell his plans.” It tried to get away but struggling only led to Spike pulling on his good arm.

“If you cooperate I can make the death quick and painless, if not, then..” He slammed the demon into the wall, pulling up on his arm as he did so. It growled and still wouldn’t say a thing to him that he wanted to know.

“Who is ‘He’?” He asked, but the demon defiantly shook its head. “Tell me!” Spike growled. He put his other hand on the demons broken arm and pulled down on it. It yelped and he let go.

“He is our leader. He will bring about the apocalypse for all humans and the worthless creatures such as yourself. But I will tell you no more. I’d rather die.”

Spike rolled his eyes, it was obvious this demon was not going to cooperate any further. So he decided to change the subject. “You said there was a slayer in town... Who?”

“I don’t know the girl. I only know there is one here, who must be stopped at all costs.”

“What do you know about her?” He shoved the demon into the wall, hoping to get this done quickly.

“I know nothing other then she is the slayer! I do not know who she is, now let me go or let me die.” It growled.

“Your wish, my command.” Spike pulled back and reached up and in one quick motion, snapped the demon’s neck. He looked down at the dead demon on the ground and then walked off. He had to find that slayer. Somehow. If there was an apocalypse, she could probably be a big help in fighting it.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to find her. Nor was it the main reason. Though he knew it probably wasn’t true, he thought to himself as he walked out of the alley.

What if it’s Buffy?

[Spuffy]

Chapter 3

The clouds from earlier didn’t even clear up as night set in. The only way he knew that it was now night was his vampire senses, the fact that it was just a bit darker, and well, the clock of course.

Spike set off outside for the second time that day. He’d rested up a bit after that fight so that he could go out tonight and possibly find that slayer. Even if it wasn’t Buffy he needed to find her. As much as he liked to think he could handle an apocalypse on his own, he probably couldn’t and a slayer would be a valuable asset.

But if it was Buffy...

He shook his head, trying hard not to get his hopes up. After all, he didn’t even know how she’d react. Last time he saw her she was dancing with the Immortal. That was not fun to see. And as far as he knew, she still didn’t know he wasn’t dust down at the bottom of the one-time Hellmouth in Sunnydale.

He wouldn’t be surprised if she punched him, or hugged him. Or hell, even tried to kill him.

He continued to walk until he found the graveyard. He figured it’d be as good a place as any to find a slayer.

So there he was, walking alone through the graveyard. He kept his eyes open for the slayer or any demons or other creatures walking the night. Right now he saw nothing. Zip. Zero. It was completely empty.

“Well this is surely going to be eventful...” He rolled his eyes and tucked his hands into his duster pockets. One hand firmly grasped a stake inside the pocket just incase anything just decided to show up. He was starting to get bored already. But the night was young, and if the clouds didn’t clear up he may just have yet another day to actually do things.

Then he got the feeling someone was watching him. He played it cool, acting like he didn’t notice anything, but he knew there was someone out there. And he soon found he was correct.

There was a low growling sound coming from the dark shadows near some trees and he turned his gaze that way. It was apparent the demon or whatever didn’t care if he knew he was there now, or he wouldn’t have made his presence known.

The demon stepped out and it was the same species as the one Spike had fought earlier. “Hey it’s one of my buddies.” He said as he started towards it. It just replied with another growl. This one seemed even less talkative than the other.

Spike shrugged the thought off then stepped to the side as it rushed past him. “Do you guys always open with that one? It’s kinda pitiful if you ask me. No to mention predictable.”

It shook it’s head as if it had been dizzy then stomped towards him, then it stopped.

Spike raised a curious eyebrow, wondering why it had just stopped there instead of continuing forward. “Okay...”

The thing began to smile, but then it’s smile turned into a certified evil grin. It lifted its hand and its open palm appeared a little ball of blue energy.

The one earlier couldn’t do that... Spike thought. “This can’t be good.”

The demon laughed and threw the ball down by Spike’s feet. He jumped and nearly missed being zapped as it appeared the grass had been just where he had been standing. Smoke rose from the spot and he stared at it a moment. “Don’t want to get hit by that.” Spike said, shaking his head slightly. He locked eyes with the demon as it threw another one at him, the jumped to the side but then noticed it singed the side of his duster.

“Now you’re in trouble.” He rushed towards the demon as it began to create another ball in it’s hand but before he even got close enough to do anything, or before the demon threw it at him again, an arrow from a crossbow whizzed through the air, getting the demon right on the forehead.

It was dead instantly.

He looked down at the dead demon and watched the ball of energy fade from its hand then turned to the direction the arrow had come from. Standing there was a young woman, probably about 18 or 19, holding a crossbow. She had light red hair that was neatly pulled back into a pony-tail. She wore just a plain red t-shirt and a pair of jeans, nothing too fancy. But of course, why would she need fancy. She was probably just patrolling.

Patrolling. Spike thought. Slayer...Not Buffy.

He sighed and the girl lowered the crossbow to her side. He stepped towards her, not knowing if she knew he was good or not, or if she had even realized he was a vampire.

“Thanks for that, love. Sure I would have gotten him eventually though.” He said, with a small smirk on his lips as he walked towards her.

“It would have killed you.” She said simply. She seemed to study him a moment before holding out a hand. “I’m Christine, the vampire slayer.”

Spike nodded and looked down at her hand. He took it and gave it a shake before pulling his hand away. He was foolish to think Buffy was the slayer in town. Should have known it wouldn’t happen.

“I’m...” But before he could even get it out, she said it for him.

“Spike. I know. I’ve been told about you.”

He arched and eyebrow and gave a slight head-tilt. He was a little unsure now. If she had heard about him, it may not have been good. She might not know he had a soul now, or that he fought on the side of good. This could get ugly.

“Exactly what have you heard about me?” He asked her.

“What I needed to know. You helped to destroy a hellmouth and to defeat Wolfram & Hart along side another vampire who also had a soul.”

Apparently she had heard the good things. Now for the next question.

“And who told you this?” Then, from behind him, someone spoke up.

“I did.”

[Spuffy]

Chapter 4

Spike recognized that voice, he hadn’t heard it in a long time, but he did recognize it. He slowly turned around, a smile beginning to form on his lips as he saw just who it was.

“Little Bit, didn’t expect to see you around here.” He commented. It was another surprise that left him with slight disappointed. He had been hoping that it would have been Buffy, even though he’d recognized the voice as Buffy’s younger sister. It seemed now, though, that seeing Buffy again wasn’t going to happen.

“Well, I’ve been a busy girl.” Dawn Summers replied. She then walked over to Christine and stood next to her, facing Spike. “I see you’ve met our latest slayer recruit.”

“Yes I have.” Spike said simply, then asked the unavoidable question. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m not glad to see you and all that. Just last I heard, you were in Rome with your sister.”

“Well, I was. Until summer vacation started that is. Since there’s no school right now I get to go out and help track down slayers.” She began. “And since we hadn’t been in California for awhile, we figured looking for slayers here might be good. It’s so cool though because I actually get to do stuff now.”

Spike shook his head, giving a small smile as he did so once she made that last statement. “So your sis is getting better at realizing your all grown up?”

“I hate to interrupt your catching up...” Christine butted in. “But I’ve got patrolling to do.”

“I see she’s one of those by-the-book slayers.” Spike pointed out.

“Definitely.” Dawn nodded. “She’s been taught well.” She then turned her attention to the slayer. “Chris, you go on and patrol, I’m gonna stay with Spike. Tell the others I’ll be back at home later.”

With a nod the girl turned around and walked off, crossbow still in hand. For a few moments Spike and Dawn were both silent.

Spike tilted his head to the side slightly, looking her over as if trying to figure her out. He just realized something. She hadn’t said anything or acted weird at all about him being alive, well, as alive as a vampire is.

“What?” Dawn asked, seeing how he was looking at her.

“You don’t seem surprised.” Spike replied, shaking his head slightly. “Did you know I was alive?”

She hesitated a moment before nodding. “You know Andrew...he’s a blabber mouth.” She gave a small shrug.

“Should’ve figured.” He nodded back. But if she knew about him then Buffy would to. She didn’t make an effort to contact him, obviously. Understandable. She did move on with that Immortal.

Just thinking about it made Spike want to rip something’s throat out. But Buffy did deserve happiness, and if he wasn’t a part of that, then...He’d probably just have to be happy for her.

“Buffy knows.” Dawn said, as if she had been inside his head the whole time.

“Yeah...” Spike sighed and walked over to a nearby crypt, leaning up against him. He watched Dawn as she followed and stood in front of him, arms crossed.

“She was pretty pissed, you know.” She stated, matter-of-factly. “For awhile there I thought she’d go find you and kill you again for not telling her. It wasn’t exactly something she wanted to find out from someone like Andrew.”

Spike looked down at the ground then back up to her. “‘S not like I had a bloody choice. I was stuck in LA for the most part. Wasn’t even a vampire...Was a bleedin’ ghost.”

Dawn rolled her eyes. “We knew you came to Rome too. Like I said, Andrew’s a blabber mouth.”

“I’m gonna have to have a talk with that git.”

“Spike, get over it. We know you weren’t a ghost when you came to Rome, or when Andrew saw you in LA. Why didn’t anyone say anything to us? Why did we have to find out from Andrew?”

Spike glared down at the ground a moment then pulled away from his position of leaning against the crypt. He stood up straight and looked back to Dawn. “I would have...I had to.. I was needed here, to fight along side Peaches and his crew. And...And Buffy had bloody moved on. What was I supposed to do? Ruin whatever happiness she had now, by showing up on her doorstep. “Oh, hello. It’s me. I’m alive. Don’t bother asking how. It’s a long story. Can I come in?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“For starters.” Dawn gave a slightly shrug. “It would have been better than nothing. And just so you know, she’s not with the Immortal. That whole thing was just an act to get to him. We thought he had some big evil plan.”

“She wasn’t...with him?” He asked, as if making sure he heard her right.

“She was with him, but she didn’t really want to be. She wanted to be with you, even when she thought you were dead..”

“Oh...” A look of complete surprise crossed his face.

“Yeah. But I think you blew any chance you could have with her when you didn’t let her know you’d come back from the dead.”

“Is she...” Spike couldn’t seem to get it out, but finally managed to finish the sentence. “Is she here, in town..too?”

Dawn paused and shook her head. “No. She’s still in Rome. She only let me come here because I’m with some of the other slayers and Giles is here with us.”

“Why didn’t she come with you? She can’t want to stay in Rome with Andrew always hanging around.”

“She didn’t want to come Spike. She knew that if we came here, there’d be a chance she’d run into you and she wasn’t sure she could handle it.”

“She always did run away from things...” Spike scoffed. “But it’s understandable...”

Dawn just nodded, agreeing with him. There wasn’t much else to do right now. “We’ll probably be in town awhile. So if I ever, like, hear anything from Buffy, I’ll tell you.”

“That’s good.” Spike replied, beginning to change the subject. “I might need your help.”

“Help with what?”

“What else? An apocalypse.” Spike stated. “There’s another one, starting up here. At least I think there is from what I’ve heard from my sources. Some demon’s planning something and they’re doing some sort of ritual. That’s why it’s been so cloudy recently.”

“Whoa...I’ll tell Giles and the others. Get everyone in on it. Buffy might want to know too..I can call her...”

“No. Don’t.” Spike interrupted. “We don’t need to bother her. She obviously has better things to do in Rome.”

“Alright.” Dawn glanced down at the watch on her wrist. “Well, I think I’ll get going. I’ll get back to you sometime about that whole apocalypse thing.”

“You don’t even know where I’m staying. How about I find you? I’ve got those useful vampire senses.”

Dawn rolled her eyes good naturedly and smiled as she walked away. “Fine. See ya Spike.”

Spike nodded to her and watched her leave. He then sighed once she was gone and began back towards his place. He didn’t feel like doing much more patrolling.

[Spuffy]

Chapter 5 is here!!
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Chapter 5

Dawn had some money with her so before she headed back home she stopped at a store and bough some snacks for her and the other girls. She even got some nice English tea for Giles.

He liked that kind of stuff.

After she bought it all she went back home and she was greeted with the sight of Giles on the sofa, rubbing his temples, he obviously had a migraine. One of the slayers that were staying there rushed past the doorway, nearly knocking Dawn back outside and then a second slayer went after her.

“Okay...” She daringly stepped farther inside, shutting the door behind her. The two slayers had ran into the kitchen, so she was safe for now.

“Giles, you alright?” She asked, sitting her bag of goodies down on the coffee table as she sat down next to him on the couch.

“I’d be better if those girls would calm down. They don’t listen to me at all. It’s a wonder that I’m still doing this.” Giles reached over to the coffee table, picked up his glasses and put them on. He blinked a few times before removing them again and doing his trademark glasses cleaning.

“What are they acting so crazy about?” She asked, watching as once again the girls came running through the living room.

“Samantha took Janine’s lucky stake. Janine’s been chasing her about half an hour to get it back.”

“I think that girl’s just a little to attached to a pointy wooden object.”

“Yes, well, for the life of me I can’t get them to calm down. They’ve given me quite the headache with their running around and screaming at one another.” He sighed and replaced his glasses on his face.

“They’ll calm down eventually. No one wants to suffer the wrath of an angry Giles.” Dawn laughed and as if on cue Janine came into the room, stake raised high in her hand.

“And the J-Girl wins again.” She grinned proudly and looked back at Samantha who came in after her.

“Yeah yeah... You cheated. You knew I hadn’t learned how to block that move yet.” She crossed her arms.

“Exactly why I did it.” She smirked then looked towards Giles. “So, G-Man, we the reason for the painful look on your face?”

Giles looked towards Dawn a moment and sighed again. “Why does everyone call me that?” He then turned to the other girls. “I did have a headache before you two began with your evening activities but you surely didn’t help matters much. Now I believe you should do as Christine did and head off to bed. Slayers need their rest so get on it.”

Both girls frowned simultaneously and Samantha stuck her tongue at him. “Party pooper.” She said then headed towards the stairs, Janine right behind.

“Well, that should make you want to get away from me quicker, I’m certain.” He shook his head then looked over at Dawn as he saw her digging through the bag she had sat on the table. “What do you have there?”

Dawn giggled happily as she pulled out a small bag of gummy bears and then looked over at Giles. “We were seriously in need of some junk food here so I stopped at the store and bought some candy and chips and stuff.” She saw the look on his face then reached for the bag again. “But don’t worry... I got you something too!” She pulled out a box of English tea bags and handed it to him.

Giles gave a slight smile as he took the box. “Thank you, I was running out of tea anyway.”

“I know. And you can’t have Giles with a tea withdrawal. Plus it’s all Englishy, like you, so I thought you’d like it.”

“Yes, it’s lovely.” He sat it down on the table. He sat silent for a moment before finally speaking. “Christine told me of your meeting with Spike tonight.”

Dawn had popped a gummy bear in her mouth and was sucking on it, but quickly chewed it and swallowed. “Yeah.. Chris saved him from some demon. I talked to him a little afterwards.”

“Did he say anything of importance?” Giles questioned.

“Um...yeah...Apparently there’s some... apocalypse on the way. He said he’d need our help with it probably.”

“An apocalypse? Again? Wonderful...” Giles said, unenthusiastically. “Did he give you any details?”

Dawn shrugged. “He just said some demon’s planning one and it involves some sort of ritual. He also said that’s why it’s been so cloudy here recently.”

“I thought the cloudiness was a bit odd... And the fact that there were vampire killings during the day should have tipped us off. What else do you know?”

“That’s it. He said he’d get in touch with us later.” She stood up and kept the bag of gummy bears in hand. “I think I’ll head to bed now though.” She began towards the stairs. She paused though at the bottom step as Giles spoke.

“Does he... know?” He asked, quietly, as if Spike were actually somewhere nearby and he didn’t want him to hear. “About Buffy that is...”

Dawn just slowly shook her head. “No... I lied to him.”

“That was probably best.” Giles nodded. The girl still stood there a moment before disappearing up the stairs.

[Spuffy]

Due to popular demand I wrote chapter 6 already. Here ya go!

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Chapter 6

That same night, across town, a demon wandered down the street. He was looking for the right building. When he saw the old brick building that had been described to him, he stopped and looked around, making sure no one was watching.

He walked down the small sidewalk that led to it then went to the door. He knocked three times. Once, then a pause, before two rapid knocks. Just as he was told to do. A small slat opened in the door, around where a peephole would be. Through it he could see just the eyes of the demon on the other side of it.

“Password?” It practically growled at him. Apparently he’d had a long night.

“Ech ite tckcha.” It said then the slat on the door shut quickly. The sound of a few locks on the other side was heard before the door opened. He stepped inside and the door was slammed shut behind him by the other demon.

“Took you long enough.” It said, sounding quite unpleasant again.

“I haven’t been in town long. Took me awhile to find where this was.” He replied. The two of them entered into a large room. There were about ten other demons sitting in a circle, over a pentagram that was painted on the floor. Whoever sat at each point of the circle was holding a candle, as well as there being a candle in the middle of the pentagram.

“And number 13 finally shows his face.” A voice from the other side of the room said. The demon who had just arrived looked that way as the one who had been at the door joined the others in the circle.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t sure how to get here, but I’m here now.” He didn’t look the older, more powerful demon in the eyes as he said it. He wouldn’t dare too. And he couldn’t really do so. The one who had spoken was across the room and had a hood which left his face in shadows.

The demons in the circle began to chant and the master demon walked forward a little. “Join the others in the circle. So we can finally begin tonight’s part of the ritual.” He ordered.

The demon nodded and started towards the circle then stopped, turning back to his leader. “Do you really think this is going to work? We’ve been at this every night for awhile now, and all it’s managed is some clouds. I don’t see an apocalypse in the future if things go like this.”

“You dare to challenge my plans?” The hooded figure asked with a laugh. “You shouldn’t do that...” It growled then a lightning bolt of energy shot from his hand and towards the other demon. The ones in the circle didn’t even seem to notice it.

“Sorry... I’m sorry... master. I... never meant to...” The demon managed to say between cries of pain.

“It’s too late for sorry. And besides...” The energy from his hand grew red and soon engulfed the other demon. His screams were cut off as he soon incinerated from the energy. “You’ve always kind of pissed me off.” He finished.

He let out a growl and kept an eye on the others in the circle. He needed another demon now. There had to be 12, other than himself. He was number one.

He crouched down next to a demon in the circle and spoke quietly. “Put word out. We need another demon.” They nodded and he continued. “And...” He paused a moment. That demon had been right. They hadn’t accomplished much yet. “And we need a powerful sacrifice.”

He’d have to get more energy somewhere. Why not use a sacrifice for that?

He stood back up and walked across the room to his seat. He sat down, closing his eyes as he began to regain his energy. He hated being weakened from using his powers. But he should consider himself lucky. He hadn’t had powers before he decided to do this.

And soon, soon he would destroy everything on this Earth that was human or had any humanity in it. Soon demons would reign.

Soon he would reign.


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Spike had gotten home fine, but he was still a little put off after running into Dawn. Knowing Buffy wasn’t in town made him wonder how she was doing in Rome. She could be in a life threatening situation right now and no one would know about it, except for possibly Andrew.
Andrew. That git. Spike thought, walking to his bedroom and lying down on his bed. He stared up at the ceiling, hands folded under his head.

Andrew told them all that Spike was alive. Couldn’t hold a secret. Yet Spike envied him. Andrew was in Rome with Buffy. He got to see Buffy everyday, whereas Spike only had memories.

He sighed and closed his eyes. There wasn’t much for him to do now. He needed to rest so he could go out tomorrow, find out more about the upcoming apocalypse, and find Dawn again.

For now, he was just going to sleep.


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Dawn had been in her room for a bit. She heard Giles go to bed and as soon as she figured he’d fallen to sleep she uncovered herself and stood from bed. She made her way to the door, opening it a crack and peeking out into the hallway. No one was up, which was good.
She slowly walked down the hallway, careful to not make any sounds as she did so. She found the door at the end of the hall, opening it slowly as she had her door. She walked in and a look of sadness crossed her face as she saw the figure lying on the bed.

She closed the door behind her quietly and made her way over to the bed. She walked around to the other side of the bed and slowly crawled into bed next to the sleeping figure.

This reminded her of the days when her sister was dead and she used to go into her room and sleep with the BuffyBot. Except this wasn’t the BuffyBot. This was her sister.

Buffy.

Buffy who hadn’t woken up in three months.

[Spuffy]

Chapter 7


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Dawn awoke that morning when she heard Giles doing his usual wake up call for the girls. He went to each door, knocked, and knocked again until they got up. They could be stubborn sometimes.

It was too late for her to sneak back into her room now. Giles would understand why she was in there. She missed her sister. But he had told her not to go in there. He didn’t want her to feel worse about Buffy than she already did and he didn’t want to jeopardize Buffy’s condition any.

But Buffy was her sister and if she wanted to stay in there, she would. She’d just have to tell him that this time.

She slowly got out of the bed, not wanting to bother Buffy, even though she knew that wouldn’t happen, and went over to the door. She thought she’d see Giles there when she walked into the hall but apparently he’d already gone downstairs.

She shut the door behind her and walked into the hall just as one of the other girls came out.

“You weren’t supposed to be in there. You know what Giles said.” Christine said. She really was a “by-the-book slayer” as Spike had called her. She did as Giles told her, and not otherwise. She reported to him everything that happened on patrols and always asked him before doing anything of importance.

That’s probably the way slayer’s were always supposed to be. But hardly any of them ended up that way.

“I know what he said, but I don’t care. She’s my sister.” Dawn replied. Christine stood silent a moment before nodding. Under it all, she really understood. She lost her sister when she was younger.

“Come on, let’s get breakfast.” She gave a small smile and Dawn smiled back and the girls headed downstairs.

Once they got to the kitchen they saw Giles leaning up against the counter, a cup of tea sitting there and a newspaper in hand. Janine and Samantha were sitting at the table eating some Cheerios as well as laughing about something or other.

“Hey guys.” Dawn waved then went over to the cupboard and got out a box of Fruit Loops. She just took the whole box with her as she went over to the table and sat down. Christine smiled at everyone then started to make herself some toast.

“Good morning Dawn.” Giles said politely, folding his newspaper and setting it on the counter. He grabbed his cup of tea and took a drink. “Sleep well?”

Dawn looked at him a moment, knowing he knew, but just nodded. “Yep.”

“Good to hear.” He finished his tea then walked towards the table. “After you girls finish up here I’d like you all to go to the basement for some training. It seems...we may have a crisis on our hands that we’ll have to help deal with and I want you all prepared.

The three slayers stopped what they were doing, and all turned to Giles. Dawn already knew what he was talking about so she just popped a couple Fruit Loops into her mouth.

“Crisis?” Samantha asked. “Like what? Demon?”

“Vampire?” Janine suggested.

“End of the world?” Was Christine’s contribution.

“I believe we have a winner there.” Giles gave Christine a nod. “There’s apparently...” He began, but he was cut off as the girls all started talking. Giles couldn’t catch much of what they were saying until Janine said something.

“Whoa... An apocalypse. This is like the major thing slayer’s do, right? Prevent the end of the world?” She said, actually sounding a little proud. “This is going to rock.”

Giles raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think...”

“Apocalypses do not rock.” Dawn stated. “Believe me. They suck. We’re talking about the end of the world here. Not some fun slayer outing you guys are used to.”

“What do you know? You’re not even a slayer.” Samantha commented, then put a hand to her mouth. She lowered it. “I just meant...”

“Yeah, I know. I’m not a slayer, but my sister is and I know what she’s gone through and I’ve helped her quite a few times, so when it comes to this kind of stuff, I think I’m a little more qualified then you to say what’s going to rock and what’s not.” Dawn stood and took her box of cereal into the living room with her.

“She has a point. You girls have not faced anything like an apocalypse. You’ve fought demons, vampires, yes, but nothing this big. You think you’re ready, but you’re not.” He waved his hands as he spoke for emphasis. “You’re new to this. You’re only going to be involved in this because, yes, you are slayers, and yes, this is what you’re here to do, but you are not here to think you are better than anyone else or to have fun. You are slayers, you’re not some members of some stupid club.” Giles gave them all “the look” and each girl slowly nodded.

“Cool down G-Man...We get it... This is big. We’ll head downstairs now.” Janine looked to the other two slayers and stood up, Samantha stood at the same moment.

“Good.” Giles said simply and watched the three girls leave the room. Once they left he sighed and went to find Dawn in the living room.

She was sitting there, every now and then putting another piece of cereal in her mouth.

“You alright? They seemed to have... upset you.” Giles spoke softly as he walked over and sat down in a chair next to the sofa.

“I’m fine... It’s just, they don’t get it, you know?” Dawn sat her box of cereal down on the coffee table. “I’m not even a slayer, but I get it.”

“Well, they’re new to this Dawn. They’ll figure it out sometime. Perhaps they’re even beginning to figure it out now.”

“I know...” Dawn sighed and rolled her eyes. “I just wish... I wish Buffy could explain it to them. But she can’t...”

“We all wish Buffy were with us, but there’s nothing we can do about that yet. We just have to wait.” He hoped to give her some sort of reassuring feeling but knew that may be impossible.

“Giles, I’m tried of waiting. My sister’s in there, in some sort of coma and I can’t do anything about it. The doctor’s can’t do anything about it and you won’t even let her stay in a hospital.”

“This isn’t something for the doctor’s to be involved in Dawn. This wasn’t brought on like a normal coma, this was brought on supernaturally and we must find a cure supernaturally. I’ve been in contact with Willow since it began and she’s searching day and night for something to fix it...”

“Fix it? You don’t fix a coma, Giles. Buffy’s not some broken toy lying on the floor. She’s a human, a slayer. We need her, Giles. I need her. She’s my sister.”

Giles couldn’t believe how much she was like her sister in times like this. “I’ve done all I can to research the demon who did this, and I haven’t found a cure. But give it time, Dawn. We’ll find something. I assure you we will. Buffy will wake up and things will be better again. I promise you that.”

Dawn nodded and stood up. She waited a moment before turning her attention back to Giles. “Maybe Spike could...”

“No. Spike doesn’t need to be involved in this. I know he’s good... and he sacrificed himself for the world, you can tell me that all you want, but I still don’t completely trust him with her.” He stood as well, and took a step in the direction of the basement. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going downstairs to start their training for the day. You’re welcome to join in if you’d like.”

“No... No thanks.” Dawn shook her head. “I’ll just hang out here for the day...”

“Alright then.” And with that he went down to the basement. When the door shut, Dawn stood still a moment, then nodded as if she had just made a decision. Actually, she had made a decision. She was going to find Spike.

She went back up to her room and changed out of her pajamas then, so that no one would hear her downstairs, she snuck out her bedroom window. She was outside and on her way within moments.


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Spike had woken up that morning, actually hoping that the sun would be out. That would mean things had gotten back to whatever state of normal they used to be. But when he bravely opened the door, with nothing really to protect him from possibly sun, he was disappointed to not be burned.
“Bloody well never thought that’d happen...” He scoffed then stepped outside. More clouds. He once again had all day and night to figure things out. Which he should probably see as a good thing. Meant he had more time to get this all done.

He looked around then crossed the street, making his way to the bar. He’d stop in, get himself a couple drinks, then beat up some of the resident demons and find out any information about what was going on.

You know, fun stuff.

Spike got to the bar quickly, possibly in record time, and made his way to his normal seat up at the counter. “Dave, hit me.” He said with a snap of his fingers and Dave nodded to him. He soon brought over Spike’s drink, and once he had downed it, brought two more.

“I see you’re starting to learn the system.” Spike smirked and downed another of the drinks.

“Yeah, well, I get to know my regular customers. And I’d say you’re pretty regular here.” Dave commented while wiping a glass clean. He watched Spike finish off the third drink and nodding towards it. “You want another?”

“No thanks.” Spike said, holding the glass up and looking it over, as if studying it. He sat it down on the counter and looked Dave in the eyes. “You say you know your customers, so tell me what you know about an upcoming apocalypse. What have the more demonic clients of yours been saying?”

“Whoa man...There’s an apocalypse coming?” Dave had a look of sheer surprise on his face. But Spike new better.

“Don’t give me that crock. I know you know something. You have to. All bartenders in bleedin’ demon bars know something. If you’re smart, you’ll just tell me instead of making me beat it out of you, though that would be fun so I wouldn’t mind if you gave me the option.”

Dave’s eyes widened and he sat the glass down that he had been wiping off. “Alright, alright. No need for violence. We’re all pals here.”

“Get to the info, mate.” Spike said in a tone that could only mean he meant business.

“I said alright.” He leaned a little closer to Spike and motioned for him to do the same. With a roll of his eyes the vampire leaned in. “You didn’t hear it from me, but that demon over there...table 6, works for some big bad. I’ve heard him talking about it. He’s been in here calling every demon that comes in over to his table. I think he’s hiring or something... Probably got some job he wants them to do.”

Spike glanced back towards the table and the demon in question was talking to some girl. Like he had a chance in hell with her. He choked back a laugh and turned back to Dave. “That all you got?”

“That’s most of it. Heard him say “Number 13" a few times though. Not sure if that means anything. But I know 13's the unlucky number so, it can’t be good.”

“Not good at all...” Spike commented then pulled back. He stood from his seat at the bar and walked away from Dave.

“I’ll put the drinks on your tab!” He called after Spike as he watched the vampire making his way back to table 6. Spike just waved a hand at him.

Spike got to the table and grabbed a chair. He spun around and sat on it while it was backwards. He crossed his arms over the back of the chair and looked at the girl and the demon.

“I case you haven’t noticed, she’s not interested. And by the looks of her, and the looks of you, you never had a chance in hell.”

The demon glared at him and finally took his attention from the girl. She began to walk away but first mouthed “Thank you” to Spike. He gave her a polite nod and smirked back at the demon.

“So how about we make this as painless as possible. You tell me who you work for and I’ll go kill him. Simple as that.”

All he got in response was a growl.

“Not so talkative now I see. Well, you were real chatty a bit ago when you were trying to chat that girl up. I’ve gotta say, you should set your sights lower. You’re not exactly what women are looking for.” He stated then jumped slightly when the demon stood quickly, giving him the death glare.

“What is your point...vampire?”

“I already told you that. You tell me who you work for so I can go kill him. You got a bad memory as well as looks?”

There was another growl in response as well as the demon flipping the table over and throwing it to the side. Spike jumped up from his seat and shook his head at the demon.

“Temper, temper. You should really see an anger management person about that.” The demon took a step closer and he remained where he was, showing he wasn’t even the slightest bit afraid.

“You’re not going to get anything out of me. Your kind disgusts me.”

“That so?” The vampire asked, raising an eyebrow. “Why are you in a place vampires frequent then?”

“I’m only here for business!” It shouted at him. Spike lifted a hand and rubbed his ear as if the demon had yelled louder than it actually had.

“Mind keeping it down a bit? Fragile ears here.”

“Do not play with me vampire, I’m not in mood for jokes.”

“Who said I was jokin’? And you could use a breath mint too. Just an observation.”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed? That can be easily arranged.”

“Nope, just trying to help you out in the hygiene department.” Spike then looked the demon up and down. “And believe me, you could use all the help you can get.”

The demon charged at him, just as the other demons had done the previous nights and Spike, once again, stepped out of the way. “You see, I tried to tell your buddies before that that was a predictable move. Should start with something different. A nice kick or something, maybe.”

“You’re on my last nerve, vampire.” It growled.

“What’s with the constantly stating that I’m a vampire? It’s alright, I already know I’m one, but thanks for reminding me.”

The demon made like it was going to lunge at him, but when Spike stepped out of the way it dropped down and spun, knocking his feet out from under him.

“You see, now THAT’S a move.” Spike commented, obviously un-phased. He began to get up when the demon tackled him back to the ground. He was now pinned, and that couldn’t be good. But he was Spike and there was no way he’d let the demon keep the upper hand.

“Sorry, mate, I don’t swing that way... I know a nice guy down at the docks though. I’m sure you and he’d get along famously...” For that Spike received a punch in the face. “That all you got?”

“Not even close.” And with yet another growl it punched him once more, harder this time. Spike started to laugh and he hit even harder.

Then, he stopped. Spike looked up at the demon, wondering what had happened. It had a weird look on it’s face. It then collapsed on top of him. Spike made an “ompf” sound and shoved him off. “What the bloody... Dawn?”

Dawn smiled down at him and gave a small wave. “Hi.”

Spike raised an eyebrow and looked over at the demon. There was a broken beer bottle jammed into the back of it’s head. “Nice one... Can’t get any information out of him now though.”

“Sorry...” Dawn held out a hand to help him stand up. “Didn’t realize being punched in the face was a way to get information.”

Spike shrugged. “Do you realize this is two nights in the row I’ve been saved by a girl from a demon? I’m losing my touch.” He laughed a little then looked back at the bar. He gave a friendly wave to Dave who was eyeing up the damage done to the table the demon had thrown and then walked out of the bar with Dawn.

[Spuffy]

Chapter 8


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3 Months Earlier - Rome


Buffy held up her sword as she entered the huge building. A guy at the front had asked for a password, well, he received a run through with Mr. Sharp and Pointy.

She looked around and saw nothing but darkness in the huge room. Soft chanting could be heard though, but she couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

She thought she saw the flicker of a candle out of the corner of her eye but when she turned to face that direction it was pitch black just like the rest of the room.

Suddenly the chanting stopped and she heard laughter from behind her. She turned around and as she did, all the candles around the room seemed to light. In the center of the room was a circle of 12 demons, who were sitting over a large pentagram painted on the floor. Standing in the middle of the circle was a larger demon wearing a hood that covered his face. He was the one laughing.

“Okay, let me guess, some kind of cult thing?” Buffy asked as she took in her surroundings. She kept her sword tightly in her hand, ready for action.

“No, no, slayer. I wouldn’t say that.” The demon spoke as he leapt over the demons sitting around him so that he was now outside of the circle.

“Really? Well, I see candles, a giant pentagram, and hooded figures, and I kinda think “cult.” She shrugged. “Sue me.”

“I’ll do much more than that.” The demon replied, starting to laugh again. Buffy raised an eyebrow at the comment but he just continued his laughing.

“Someone’s had a little too much to drink from what I’m seeing...” She commented and the demon shook his head.

“Do not make wisecracks, slayer. They will not help you at all.”

“I don’t think I’ll be needing any help. You see, I’ve stopped apocalypses before, and honestly, 13 little demons aren’t going to bother me much.”

“So much confidence for an imbecile.” He shook his head, taking a step closer to her. She responded by staying firmly in place.

“Imbecile? Who are you calling an imbecile?” Buffy was far from an imbecile.

“Why you, of course. You fell right into my trap.”

“Trap?” Buffy froze. Giles had told her this could be a trap. She didn’t listen though. Giles had come all the way to Rome to help her figure out what these demons were doing and she didn’t listen to him. What did she get herself into now?

“Yes, trap. Should I spell the word out for you?” He seemed rather pleased to have pulled the wool over the slayer’s eyes.

Buffy looked around now, trying to figure out just how much trouble she was in. She hadn’t taken any back-up with her, but she did leave a note back home saying she was going here to finish this. She didn’t even really know what they were doing. From what she heard, they were just trying to get power or something. But she figured demons with too much power would be bad.

As she continued to quickly scan the room her eyes fell on the circle of demons in the center. She counted them. 11. Not 12 like before. One was missing. Great. Just great. She turned back to face the demon who she’d been speaking too but he wasn’t there.

“More great news...” Buffy said to herself, then her slayer senses began to kick in. Someone was behind her. She spun around, sword raised and it just happened to be high enough to decapitate the demon who had snuck up behind her. “Well, that’s one down...”

“Twelve more to go.” A voice said, sounding rather maniacal. Once again it came from behind her, but this time, before she could turn around something hit her over the head. She staggered forwards a moment then her sword fell from her hand.

She blinked, then everything went black.


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“Aren’t you still a little young for bars?” Spike asked Dawn, curious as to why she had been in that bar back there.

“Yes... but... I was looking for you.” Dawn replied as she looked over at them. The two had walked for a bit and were now about a block from the bar.

“Lookin’ for me? Why? I told you I’d come find you.” He then raised an eyebrow. “How’d you know where to find me?”

“Okay, but before I answer anything can we go sit down somewhere?” She asked him.

“Sure...” Spike eyed her curiously. “We’re almost to the park. They’ve got benches there... I think... Haven’t really been there... But every other park I’ve been to had benches so this one should too.” He nodded.

Dawn smiled and nodded back. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Once they’d decided on the park they got there quickly and Dawn took her seat on one end of the bench, Spike on the other. She turned sideways a little to speak to him, and he did the same for her.

“Now, about those questions I asked you...”

“Oh yeah...” Dawn adjusted herself in her seat once more before she found a comfortable position. “I was looking for you because I needed to talk to you about something. And I knew where you were because I happened to run into some vampires while I was out and I actually beat them up for information.” As she spoke that last sentence she sounded rather proud of herself and Spike couldn’t help but smile.

“Alright then, what did you need to talk to me about?” Spike noticed that as soon as he asked that she looked away, moving around in her seat once more. “Dawn...?”

“Well... I... uh...I wanted to talk about Buffy.”

“Buffy.” Spike repeated her name. He could tell from the sound of Dawn’s voice that something wasn’t right.


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Buffy shook her head slowly back and forth as she awoke. It still hurt a little from whatever they hit her over the head with. She began to try and sit up but she found she couldn’t move.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to see the ceiling. She looked around her and saw she was in the middle of the pentagram that was painted on the floor. Her arms and legs were strapped down to the floor and each limb was on each point of the star that lie in the middle of the pentagram. She tried as hard as she could but even with slayer strength she couldn’t break the straps.

The demons around her began to chant and she began to feel helpless. She didn’t like that feeling.

“Let me the hell go!” Buffy shouted out, still violently struggling against the straps.

“I can’t do that, slayer.” The demon that Buffy had been speaking to before had finally returned. He looked down at her from his position outside the circle. “See, now that you’ve killed one of my men, I’ll need your power more than ever now.”

“My power for what?” She asked. If she was going to be involved in this somehow, she wanted to know exactly what the hell was going on. Then, when she got out, she could tell everyone about it.

“We are a group of 13 demons called the Triatekah.” He saw nothing wrong with sharing this information since she’d be dead soon enough anyway. “We are here to bring the apocalypse to anything that has a trace of humanity.” He began to pace around the circle, which was getting on Buffy’s nerves. That and the constant chanting of the other demons could really get to you.

“Another apocalypse? Been there. Done that.” Buffy commented. “So why don’t you just let me go now before I figure a way out and ruin your reputation with your loyal follower demons here.”

“Can’t do that... I as the number one in this group am the bringer of this apocalypse. I am the one to see that this happens. But to do that... I need more power.” With that he cast a glance down a Buffy.

“And you plan to get that from me... how?” She asked, arching an eyebrow.

“So polite of you to ask...” He smiled, though no one could really see it from beneath his hood, which shadowed his face. “We’re going to do a little ritual here. Your power, your strength, will be transferred to me and only a little will be shared with the other Triatekah members here. It will be modified to suit our needs though. We don’t want just slayer strength and abilities. We’ll end up with powers you may have never seen a demon with before. Energies will coarse through our veins and we will be elite.”

“I’m assuming this all has a point?” Buffy spoke as she gave another tug on the straps. She knew it all had a point though. Apocalypse. Somehow they were going to use her power to bring about the apocalypse. That was just wonderful to know.


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“Spike... Buffy... She’s...”

“Is she alright?” Spike immediately butted in, not waiting for Dawn to finish her sentence.

She young girl slowly shook her head. “No.”

Thoughts raced through Spike’s mind. Buffy was hurt, or sick, or GOD! She could even be dead! “What’s wrong with her? Did something attack her back in Rome?”

“Yeah... but... it wasn’t recently. It was... um... three months ago.”

“Three... Three months ago? What?” Spike closed his eyes, trying to calm for a moment. “What happened? Is she hurt?”

Dawn looked away from him again and stared down at the ground for what seemed like forever. “Buffy’s in a coma.”

And then if felt like Spike’s world just ended.

He should have at least been glad she wasn’t dead but... a coma? That could be worse than death.


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“I believe you’ve seen the point.” The demon answered. “Don’t worry, though. You won’t be around for the apocalypse. Once we take your power, you’ll die. You’ll be gone before the fun even starts.”

“That’s comforting...” She said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. God she hoped that someone at home got her note and would come after her.

That would be helpful.

“It’ll only hurt for a bit.” He spoke once more before going across the room and standing over a smaller pentagram which was painted on the floor as well. There was a line painted from the pentagram he was on, connecting it to the one she was now strapped to.

“Let me go!” She tried again, but knew it was no use. There wasn’t a thing she could do.

The demon just laughed at her. “It was nice to meet you, slayer. Begin the ritual!”

At that command the demons who were surrounding Buffy began to chant louder, faster. Each one held a candle that’s flame grew brighter and brighter with the growing sound of the chanting. Slowly each demon got to their feet, but not stepping away from the edge of the pentagram.

Buffy began her struggles again. There had to be someway to get out, but she just hadn’t found it yet was all. At least that’s what she hoped. The straps began to cut into her wrists as she pulled up against them, and she felt it break skin and a couple drops of blood fell down to the floor.

Suddenly she felt a pain deep inside of her. It felt as though someone lit a fire down in her chest. It was burning it’s way through her and she wondered if she was actually on fire. She let out a cry of pain as it grew inside of her and soon she could see a bright white glow all around herself.

That pain seemed to be unbearable. Every fiber of her body felt like someone had lit a match to it. Her eyes had been squeezed closed tightly after she noticed the light around her and since the pain seemed to affect her more and more. She reluctantly opened them, blinking a few times. She turned her head to the side and noticed that the pentagram around her was glowing the same color she was and the energy seemed to travel through that painted line connecting the two pentagrams and into the master demon. All of the demons around her seemed to be taking in some of the energy as well, only less of it.

She took all that in then began to struggle again but it wasn’t helping. The pain inside her was just too much and she could feel herself becoming weaker and weaker by the moment. Everything around her started to blur so she shut her eyes.

Memories of the past and more recently began to flash through her mind. Everything that had happened up until that moment. She knew then that she was going to die.

But she wouldn’t go down with out a fight.

She used any strength she had left to keep on struggling, her wrists bleeding more each time she pulled. But she didn’t care. She wasn’t just going to lay there and take it.

She pulled and pulled and pulled until she felt one of the straps loosen around her wrist. She kept going until she got one hand free, but it wasn’t enough to really do anything. She had used too much energy trying to free herself that now she couldn’t even move her arm.

What good that turned out to be.

But still she tried. She tried to move but could see darkness clouding her vision. The edges of her site were starting to get fuzzy, darker and darker. The darkness seemed to be closing in.

“No...” She barely got out but now she could hardly keep her eyes open, let alone struggle anymore.

Her eyes began to close, her body giving in to the weakness. She couldn’t even hear the chanting of the demons now, though she thought she remembered it being loud. She wasn’t sure anymore.

But just before things went completely black, she could swear she heard the sound of her sister calling her name. “Da...” Was all she could manage to say, only a whisper, before she was gone.

[JamesMFan]

I thought she was going to say "Dad" for a minute there. Woo, twist.

Pentigram's aren't evil, they're actually wiccan symbols. It's the inverted pentagrams you have to look out for.

I have a pentagram and I'm not evil. At all.

[Spuffy]

Oh, sue me. The symbol doesn't have to be evil for the demons to use it. They could actually be using a spell that was meant for good but they've changed it to suit them! Or maybe they are inverted pentagrams and I didn't feel like writing one extra word. *shrugs*

[JamesMFan]

Do you really want me to sue you, cos I could if you like.

So, like a spell for good that brings about the apocalypse. Go team.

You're very defensive these days.

[Spuffy]

I'm not defensive...I'm just saying. And no I don't want you to sue me.

I was saying maybe the spell was original made to wipe demons off the earth but they changed it to wipe humans off the earth! Simple!

[Spuffy]

Okay, here's a poll for everyone: Who wants Buffy to wake up? haha

[Spuffy]

Chapter 9


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“What?” The anger in the master demon’s voice rang throughout the building.

“He’s dead...” The other spoke. “Number five did as you said and went out to recruit a new member to be number thirteen, but he was killed.”

“So now we’ve lost two men! How could this happen? Who killed him?” The demon stood from his chair and stepped closer to the demon he was speaking to.

“According to our contacts, he was killed during a fight...”

“A fight? A fight with who!”

“That vampire... with a soul, Spike.”

The master demon laughed. “Ah, yes. Spike. I’ve heard much about him. He was involved in the killing of two of our affiliates, was he not?”

“Yes. He killed Claate who we paid to keep an eye on the town, warn us of any coming danger, and I believe he was there when Krale was killed by a slayer.”

“Who was Krale again?”

“He was the demon you hired as a hitman.”

“Yes... him... That didn’t work out, obviously, if Spike just killed our number five.” The demon moved back to his seat, lowering the hood from his head. His grey, almost white, eyes scanned the room, looking over the demons in the circle. Down the side of his head, where an ear would be since he didn’t seem to have any, a scar ran from the top of his head to his neck. It was a scar he had gotten in a battle. Three months ago.

“Spike didn’t kill him... A young girl did.” He corrected, though he knew they usually got in trouble for doing that.

“Young girl?” The demon asked, raising what could be an eyebrow. “Was she a slayer?”

“We don’t think so. No one at the bar sensed that kind of power from her, but they did sense something different. But from the descriptions we think we may know who she is...”

“Yes? Tell me then, don’t keep me waiting.” He growled.

“We think she may be the young girl from Rome who you told us gave you that scar. We think she and the others from Rome, that you spoke of, may be in town.”

“So my Roman friends are in town... How wonderful. I bet they have that slayer with them too... She still has power in her that should be mine!” He slammed his fist down on the arm of the chair.

The other demon stepped back a bit and looked down to the ground. “What would you...”

“Go back to your place in the circle. We’ll deal with this later.”

“Yes sir.” The demon nodded and made his way over to the circle with the other nine demons who sat there.

Now with the circle full there were only ten demons where there should have been twelve. The master demon, who was number one in the Triatekah now had to get two more recruits. Since Rome he had been recruiting the perfect demons to be members, and had only recently gotten them together. But now his plans were being ruined. Again.

Back in Rome he had had the other twelve original members of the Triatekah along with him. They had performed their apocalypse ritual but it didn’t work, so they needed more power. That’s when they decided to use the original slayer as a power source.

But things had gone wrong.

Just before they could finish the ritual the slayer’s sister, and older man the sister had been calling “Giles,” and a few slayers had broken into the place and stopped it. Leaving them with most of the slayer’s power, but not all of it. Not enough, apparently, to bring about the apocalypse. Only enough to cloud out the sun for days on end. Just that little bit of power made all the difference.

There had been a fight and the slayers, Giles, and the sister had successfully killed all of the members of the original Triatekah, except for the number one. The most powerful one. The sister only managed to scar him with her sword. He had fled after that. It was a sign of weakness but he knew he was outnumbered, though he and the others had managed to kill two of the slayers that fought them.

Now he had made it to California, started up the new Triatekah and here he was, being foiled again.

But he’d show them.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spike sat there in a state of silence as Dawn explained everything she knew about what happened to Buffy.
Rome. Three months. Buffy. A note. Thirteen demons. Ritual. Power. A coma. He took it all in by simple phrases. He couldn’t seem to comprehend much else.

“Spike?” Dawn said once she had finished. He was just sitting there, not even saying a word. “Spike?” She said again then reached over and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Hmm?” He shook his head then looked over at her. “So you got all the demons then?”

Dawn replied with a shake of her head. “No... One got away. The big leader guy. I did managed to hurt him though. Wish I could killed him...”

Spike just slowly nodded, still taking everything in. “So he’s still out there. I’ll find him and rip him apart bit by bloody bit!” He jumped up from his seat on the bench and began to rush off, leaving Dawn there. She stood, though, and ran after him.

“Spike! Wait! We don’t even know where he is and believe me, I’m all for the ripping apart and stuff, but he’s powerful and...” She paused as Spike suddenly stopped.

“Did you say there were thirteen demons?” He turned to face her.

“Yeah... Thirteen... why?”

“Thirteen... Number thirteen...” Spike laughed, an almost insane laugh. “I think... I think that demon might be in town. And he’s got some new groupies.”

Dawn just stared at him a moment, shocked. She swallowed and finally spoke. “He’s... here?”

“I’m not positive but I’m thinking he is. Take me back to your place. I’m going to have a talk with Giles about this.”

“Spike, he’ll be pissed! I wasn’t even supposed to tell you about it. He said you didn’t need to know...”

“Didn’t need to know, did I?” Spike raised an eyebrow. “Guess I’ll have to talk to him about that too. Now let’s go.”

“Spike...”

“Let’s go.”

She nodded and started in the direction of the house. Spike followed her, not far behind. Giles was going to seriously be pissed off at her after this. But Spike deserved to know about it, no matter what Giles said.

Spike loved Buffy, so maybe he would actually do something to help her. No one else had seemed to have done much. Sure Giles did some research, called Willow and had her do some research. But Buffy needed people to do more than research, and, well, Spike had never been much of the research type.

Spike looked at Dawn every now and then as they walked, but mostly just looked straight ahead. She had lied to him when they first ran into each other. She said Buffy was in Rome and that she didn’t want to come with them.

But, maybe, in a way, that hadn’t been a lie. Buffy had been in a coma for three months and the last place she was, was Rome. So maybe her mind was still in Rome. He just hoped she didn’t suffer through nightmares while she slept. That would make things even worse.

He was planning on doing no matter what it took to get her better again, and he planned on killing everyone of those demons, even if they hadn’t been the ones who had done this to her. The leader, though, he’d get special treatment.

And Giles, he was going to see things Spike’s way.

[JamesMFan]

I see this fic taking a decidedly Dike turn.