A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 35

 

Fade in on Ritual room

It’s the same one that Angel fought Lindsey in before. When he was trying to save Cordelia from the visions.

Angel and Spike walk in to the room which appears empty at first sight. As they go in farther, the boxes are visible with two guards assigned to each one. The contents can’t be seen.

Lilah walks up behind them and Angel turns to see her first.

Lilah:

I see you haven’t lost your edge. Finding us here, I’m impressed.

Angel:

You knew I would get it out of the ones you left behind. You wanted me here. Why? Bringing something else back from hell?

Lilah:

(smirks)

Nah, I think we topped ourselves with the Darla resurrection.

Angel:

Where’s Voca?

Spike:

Who’s Voca?

Lilah:

You didn’t hear? Tsk, tsk Angel. You really should inform your battle alliances of the background before bringing them in.

Spike:

I’m not his alliance. I’m here for Buffy. Nothing more. (shrugs) Well, maybe a couple corpses as a memento but that’s about it.

Lilah:

Ah yes, you are quite the fighter. Angelus taught you well. Well, he and your paramour. She really is special that Dru.

Spike:

Leave Dru out of this. She’s taken care of.

Lilah:

Really?

Dru:

(emerging from shadows)

Hello boys.

Angel and Spike are quite surprised and know its not a good sign.

Angel:

I don’t have time for this, or should I say you don’t have time for this. Lilah, where’s Buffy? I know she’s close, I can feel it.

Dru:

She overwhelms me that one. Always in the way of our family. I don’t think you need worry about her ever again.

Spike:

(looks at the men)

What you got there fellas?

Lilah:

I don’t think you want to look in there Spike.

Spike:

Really? (walks closer and then hears a noise) What’s…is there someone in there?

Angel turns to look at the two boxes and immediately charges. The first guy comes at him and he head butts him hard sending him to the ground instantly. The second is on the other side of the box and hesitates watching for any sign of an opening. Angel vamps out and jumps on top of the box kicking a leg out almost instantly. He connects with the guys chin and he slams against the wall behind him with a groan.

Angel jumps down and tries to pull the lid off.

Angel:

Buffy!

There’s no answer.

Spike:

Um Angel.

Angel:

Spike, help me! She’s in here I know it!

Dru:

(laughs haughtily)

Not that easy I’m afraid. She’ll not get out until we’re ready.

Angel:

I will kill you Dru. If she’s hurt, you’ll die. (looks at her for a sec then Lilah) What are you up to? And why did you call on Voca?

Spike:

(insistently)

Angel.

Angel:

(snaps)

What?

Spike taps his ear and Angel stops straining to listen.

Connor:

Father.

Angel hears him this time and rushes to the box that Spike is closer to. This time Spike cuts off the first attack and Angel takes the second. After only seconds both are dead and Angel is struggling with the lid on Connor’s box.

Lilah:

You’re wasting you’re time. Do you think we’d just use plain old locks? There’s powerful magicks keeping those boxes sealed and the longer you wait to listen to what I have to say, the less air they’ll have.

Spike:

So its true. You’ve put Buffy and the boy in these boxes. What is wrong with you?

Lilah:

I never got a pony when I was little. I think that was the turning point.

Angel:

Tell me what you want.

Dru:

(claps)

It’s time then! We get to play now?

Spike:

This isn’t a game Dru.

Dru:

Oh but it is. I’ve been playing all alone but now I have playmates. It will be just like before. We’ll play and love and be and no one will bother us!

Angel:

You’ve got five seconds Lilah.

Wesley:

(steps forward wearing the robes of Voca)

She won’t need it.

Angel and Spike look at him standing in his robes and holding an ancient text.

Cut to Other place

Cordy:

Listen to me Skip, I can battle. I’m always up for a good battle. But how do They expect me to do anything when Xander is dying?

Skip:

For the umpteenth time, he’s not dying. He’s here! He can’t die here!

Cordy:

And when we leave here?

Skip:

(nonchalantly)

Oh well that’s a whole new ball of wax. He’s on his own then. Earthly existence is a tricky thing.

Cordy:

But They let me bring him here! So They must think he’s worth saving. Why don’t They just do it already?

Skip:

Tell you what? How about if we make it easier to deal with?

Cordy:

How so?

Skip waves a hand and Cordy feels a tap on her shoulder.

Xander:

Where are we?

Cordy:

(startles and screams)

Xander? Xander!

She throws her arms around him and he exhales sharply at her pressure.

Xander:

Wow! Hello there.

Cordy:

(steps back and looks down)

Look at you! You’re alive and not bleeding.

Xander:

Um…yeah. Thanks for noticing.

Cordy:

(frowns, looks at Skip, then over Xander’s shoulder)

Or not.

Xander:

Huh? (turns around and sees himself lying there still bleeding) Whoa! That’s me Cordelia! I’m all bloody and stuff. (looks closer) And I am not of the svelte!

Cordy:

Skip, you said he couldn’t die here1 You said he’d be safe! But he’s a ghost.

Xander:

Excuse me? You mean I’m…like…dead?

Skip:

Would you stop thinking like a human for once? This is the world you live in now Cordelia. Things aren’t the same here. He’s not dead and he’s not a ghost. He’s just here to show you that he’s not in pain and you can concentrate on what you have to do.

Xander:

And what happens to me while she’s discovering her higher purpose? I’m just hanging?

Skip:

Pretty much.

Xander:

Thanks Cordelia.

Cordy:

What? I saved your life you moron! If I hadn’t brought you here, you’d be making some coronor work late.

Xander:

And again…thanks.

Cordy:

Oh. You mean you weren’t…?

Xander:

I know it’s easy to fall back into old habits, but I really don’t live to insult you like I used to. I can appreciate a good life saving without bringing sarcasm into it. (pauses) Just keep that between us though okay?

Skip:

So They will allow him to stay. But you must listen to me now Cordelia.

Cordy:

Ok. What is it? What’s this big battle I have to prepare for?

Skip:

Spike has interfered into something that he never should have been part of.

Xander:

Tell me about it.

Skip:

The scroll, the prophecy of shanshu, it was to be Angel.

Cordy:

Yeah, we already knew that.

Skip:

But as with any ancient prophecy, there are loopholes.

Xander:

Don’t I know it.

Cordy:

And Spike is the loophole?

Skip:

He wasn’t supposed to be. He never should have had a soul. But he earned it. He was given a soul and that soul and the effects of it are causing a ripple effect that if not stopped will change the path for all humanity.

Xander:

Spike responsible for all humanity? Uh-oh.

Cordy:

So what do I do? Are you saying I have to battle Spike?

Skip:

No. He will only come to play in the end. It will be then that you will find the place you have been searching for. It is only then that you will know exactly why you were called to be a higher power.

Cordelia:

So what do I do until then? How can I help the Powers and still keep my friends safe?

Skip:

You will go to them. You will go to them and tell them everything I tell you. It is imperative that you do this.

Xander:

So just go with her and watch her back. If she flubs a line, straighten her out. Problem solved.

Skip:

It doesn’t work that way. They called me away to tell me this and now I will be done.

Cordy:

Done?

Skip:

You will no longer need a guide after I tell you what you need to know. You must be your own guide from this point on.

Cordy:

But I’m not ready!

Xander:

Yes you are.

Cordy:

What? How would you know?

Xander:

Cause one thing hasn’t changed since high school. You’re still an amazingly strong and stubborn woman who can handle anything from anyone. Now with this new gig, I can only imagine that’s amplified like mega.

They exchange a look and Skip clears his throat.

Skip:

Okay, listen up kids. Pay attention.

Cut to Hyperion

Sajhan:

Something’s coming.

Giles:

(stands from the desk)

What was that?

Gunn:

Something’s coming.

He stands and grips his hurling axe tighter and pulls Fred back to the counter with Dawn and Willow.

Gunn:

Wait here, all of you.

Sajhan:

I really hope you’re not looking for me to back you up.

Gunn:

I aint looking for anything from you except maybe telling me what to expect.

Sajhan:

It’s not like I can see it. I’m a demon, I sense other demons. And there’s one heading right for us.

The door opens and Gunn and Giles rush to challenge the intruder.

Lorne:

(walks in fanning himself and still smoking)

Why do They keep doing this to me?

Fred:

(running forward)

Lorne! Down boys. Are you okay?

Giles and Gunn stand down as Fred helps him to sit.

Lorne:

Why do people always ask that when it’s so obviously a resounding no?

Fred:

Sorry.

Lorne:

It’s alright kid. I swear, I’m supposed to just get the weird readings and vibes they send my way no questions asked and when I do finally try to ask something they treat me like a red-headed stepchild. What’s that about? They’re lucky I’m not union.

Giles:

Did you find anything out?

Sajhan:

Other than your low tolerance for pain?

Lorne:

(to Sajhan)

Oh look, pizza face made a funny! (back to the others) I got some scoop, and its not of the pleasant variety.

 

Dawn:

Is it ever?

Lorne:

We got trouble. And its not on the side of little.

Willow:

So once we get everyone back here together, it will be dealt with. At least we have aheads up, that’s a good thing right?

Lorne:

It would be great except we don’t get to be together for this one.

Gunn:

Say again?

Lorne:

We’re about to be split like a 7-10 folks and we might never all be together again.

The group looks at one another uncomfortably at his words.

Cut to Ritual room

Spike:

What are you supposed to be?

Lilah:

It’s not as important as what he can do.

Dru:

Confused hearts and minds, this one might just take the prize!

Wesley:

Can’t you shut her up?

Angel:

You didn’t call Voca. You didn’t have to.

Lilah:

Cool huh? See I knew that Wes’ mind and our resources would be an unstoppable combination.

Angel:

So what’s the play? Wes? What are you trying to bring back?

Wesley:

I thought she told you, that’s old news. See our friend Voca wasn’t just a bringer. He was a taker. He had the power to send as well as receive.

Angel:

What does that mean?

Spike:

It means he’s the one holding them in there. He’s responsible for keeping those bloody boxes closed. I’m thinking, he dies, the magicks die with him.

Wesley:

Perhaps.

Angel:

You took my son away once and I spared you. You take him again, I will spend my life making you pay.

Lilah:

So Connor is worth more to you than your soul?

Angel:

(without hesitation)

Yes.

Wesley:

So you would do anything to protect him?

Angel:

You know I would.

Wesley:

Then I can begin.

Spike:

What?

Lilah:

Let’s just do this.

Wesley:

(reading from book)

Intante porlmeg veckhas.

Spike:

What is that?

Angel:

What is he doing Lilah?

Lilah:

Just watch. It’ll be fun.

Dru:

(sing song)

One away, one to play. Will you let her go then? To save the brother.

Spike:

Angel.

Angel:

What?

Wesley:

Detarm arignam flodwen.

Spike:

He’s not bringing something. He’s sending something.

Angel:

So whos’ he…(looks back to boxes) No.

Lilah:

Surprise.

Dru:

(dancing and gliding over to hug Angel from behind)

Good choice Love. You’ll see. You did well without her before. She only causes trouble.

Angel whips a hand up to pull Dru in front of him. He takes her by the throat and squeezes.

Angel:

Don’t.

Wesley is still chanting and Spike goes to stop him. Lilah raises a hand and three vamps come in the room. They all jump Spike and Angel throws Dru down to help. Dru grows angry and runs to the box that Buffy is in. She starts screaming and beating on the box trying to break through.

Dru:

It’s your fault! Destroyed my family! Hell too good for you!

Lilah:

Wesley, you better hurry this up or Dru might get rid of her in the conventional way before you can send her to hell.

Angel dispenses of one and looks to watch Dru, then Wesley, then Spike still fighting.

Lilah:

My, my what to do first? Let’s see what I can do to help.

She walks out of the room and joins Gavin in the hall.

Gavin:

Is it set?

Lilah:

Of course. They’re all fools really. Can you believe Wesley actually thought I would ever trust him?

Her and Gavin laugh and walk away down the hall.

Fade out on chanting, grunts, sounds of fighting.