A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 46

 

Fade in EXT: ALLEY BEHIND BRONZE - EVENING

The Mohra have arrived but do not enter. Instead, they listen to one who barks orders and points around the building. They spread out and surround the perimeter. The one in command crosses his arms and stands just outside the entrance. They all stare into the darkness…waiting.

Cut to:

INT: STAGE

Xander:

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Anya:

Isn’t that Faith? She’s the Bad Slayer right? Why is the bad Slayer here?

Xander:

Why wouldn’t she be here? It’s par for the course at this point.

Cut to:

Wesley:

My God. They’ve brought Faith.

Giles:

Isn’t she supposed to be incarcerated?

Wesley:

Lilah.

 

Fred:

How could they just take someone from jail?

Gunn:

Do you really have to ask?

Fred:

Oh right.

Dawn:

She’s working for them. She’s here to help them destroy Buffy.

Willow:

I don’t think Buffy’s the prize here Dawnie.

Connor:

She’s a slayer like Buffy? Then she’ll help us.

Xander:

(walking forward to join the group)

Oh sweet Connor. You have much to learn.

Dawn:

Don’t worry. Buffy has faced her lots of times before and won. She’d be crazy to take on all of us.

Giles:

I don’t think she’s here to take us on.

Willow:

I hope you’re right Giles. Cause Buffy doesn’t look to be in fight mode.

The group looks across the room. Buffy and Angel are still staring up at Faith. Cordelia has stepped closer to Angel and reached up to touch his arm.

Lilah:

Well I never thought I’d be able to render Angel speechless. I’m gonna have to schedule myself in a nice pat on the back if we survive.

Gavin:

Perhaps you could show our guest downstairs Gentlemen?

The two men on either side of Faith step closer and she eyes them peripherally. The first raises an arm and she reaches with lightening speed to grab him by the wrist and pull him forward to elbow him in the nose. He cries out in pain and she smirks when he bends forward. She reaches to grab his ankles and lift him up off balance. He falls over the railing and lands in a broken heap at Linwood’s feet. The second man backs away instantly.

Faith:

(hurdling railing and jumping down landing squarely on her feet in center of room)

I’m not much for escorts.

Linwood:

I can see that.

Lilah:

Looks like someone’s been staying in shape.

Faith:

(shrugs and begins to circle the room, starting with stage)

Now let me see. I think I recognize most of the faces. Giles, Willow, and this must be Dawn. Aren’t you just a pretty young thing? (stops walking and looks at Connor, then Angel, then back to Connor) Connor?

Angel:

Faith, what are you doing here?

Faith:

Not real sure of that one Angel. I got a special pass for this courtesy of your friends at Wolfram and Hart. I see you’re still their main attraction.

Buffy:

So you just took their offer? And damn the motives?

Faith:

(smiles and walks closer)

There’s my B. Still quick with the judgements I see.

Buffy:

Only when it’s you.

Angel:

Lilah, what the hell are you up to?

Lilah:

Just doing my part for the End of Days.

Linwood:

That will be enough from you.

Lilah:

I apologize Sir. I’m not sure…

Gavin:

And what size can your mouth hold Lilah?

She glares at him.

Dru:

(finally speaking up)

Not her fault really. Little birdie in all the ears, telling secrets.

Faith:

No way.

Spike walks forward with a hand still on Dru’s arm.

Spike:

Hello there.

Faith:

(smirks with private meaning)

Long time no see.

Spike:

Sorry I can’t say the same.

Buffy:

What does that mean?

Spike:

Last time I had the pleasure, she wasn’t quite herself.

He looks down and struggles to not say anything else.

Faith:

Don’t be shy. I guess that must have been pretty awkward though. When B came back.

Gavin:

(loudly)

Are we about done with the charming reaquaintance scene?

Willow:

There’s been a lot of that going around.

Giles:

What?

Willow:

Inappropriate statements. It’s happened five or six times now.

Wesley:

That’s right. Several of us have made comments that seemed to surprise us.

Buffy:

You mean, Anya didn’t tell you.

Xander:

(looking at Anya)

Tell us what?

Angel:

She got to grant a wish.

Faith:

There’s wish granting now? Man I have been away for a while haven’t I?

Cordelia:

You have no idea.

Faith:

Actualy, I do have some.

Buffy:

How is that?

Angel:

Let’s tackle one thing at a time. Why aren’t we fighting?

Giles:

Fair question.

Linwood:

This is why my side has been able to last this long in this dimension. You do-gooders always jump to fighting before you even know what it is you’re fighting for. Have you learned nothing?

Wesley:

We’ve learned that you are fools for coming here. If you know what’s to happen, then why would you come?

Gavin:

Its because we know what might happen that we wouldn’t miss this.

Giles:

Shanshu.

Angel:

What?

Cordy:

Shanshu? As in after the coming battles, the vampire with a soul will live, shanshu?

Buffy:

Stop right there. Why do I not know about this shanshu deal? And does it mean what I think it means?

Willow:

We just found out ourselves Buffy. It’s very complicated and Wesley and Giles weren’t even completely sure what it meant.

Wesley:

Actually I knew for some time.

He again seems perplexed by why he spoke up and looks around to the others.

Xander:

Anya?

Spike:

(blurts)

It was me okay? Spike did it, all of you can take your pot shots, I made the damn wish!

Buffy:

Um Spike, no one said anything.

Angel:

But now that you bring it up….

Dawn:

What did he wish for?

Cordelia:

The truth.

Xander:

Huh?

Buffy:

We were fighting, not paying attention, and he said he wished we would tell the truth. Anya was hiding in the corner and did her thing.

Wesley:

Well that’s not so bad then. It might even work in our favor.

Giles:

How is that?

Wesley:

Lilah, did you know the Mohra would be here?

Lilah:

No.

She looks at Gavin and Linwood in surprise and shakes her head.

Linwood:

How do we know they’re here? Angel said they were right behind him. So where are they?

Buffy:

That’s actually a good question.

Faith:

I could think of a few better ones.

Dru:

I know what to ask. No time for fighting.

Lorne:

(stepping off the stage)

Alright Ladies and Gents I can’t take it anymore.

Gunn:

What?

Lorne:

(walking to center of room)

Listen, I know we got lots going on, big things a comin and all that jazz, but my aura sensors are sending signals rapid fire and I just can’t handle it. So if you (looks at Lilah) can handle things without me for a minute, I’m going to grab a breath of the fresh stuff. (looks at Angel and his group) You people need to work through this tension or you’ll be useless in any battle, much less this all important end of days thing. (Looks at Faith) And you, I don’t know you, but you are radiating a kind of power that I’ve only seen in a chosen few, present company included. But you’ve got to come clean and stop walking the fine line. It doesn’t work for you. (Looks at Anya) Sweetie, you’ve been through the ringer. I truly feel for you, and Lord knows, vengeance through truth is the lightest of wishes you could have granted. I think we both know what that means, but you and your boy have some serious miles to walk before you can even be close to dealing with your drama. And little tip, hexing him and his friends, not to mention the rest of the world, is not the shortest route. (straightens and announces loudly) Now if anyone else would like a slight pause in the inaction, I’m always up for company. And please…no fighting to the death until I get back.

He starts to back up holding up his hands and eyebrows waiting for takers.

Gunn:

Maybe I should check the perimeter.

Fred:

I’ll go with you.

Lilah:

Excuse me? I didn’t think this was a come and go as you please party.

Willow:

Lady, you have no idea the way things work around here. If this End of Days thing is gonna happen, it doesn’t matter if we all run as far and as fast in every direction possible. The badness tends to find us.

Buffy:

Go ahead. Giles can you help them check our incoming visitors?

Giles:

Yes. Perhaps we should see what’s holding the Mohra up.

Wesley:

Shouldn’t we not look a gift horse in the mouth?

Cordy:

What’s the big? They come in, fight, worst case scenario, they turn Angel human again.

Angel:

CORDELIA!

Buffy:

What did you say?

Cordy:

(babbling)

Oh, that wasn’t what I… I mean I was just thinking about what they said earlier, I didn’t mean that…

Dru:

Human Angel? That doesn’t sound right. But he’s scared now. Angel, why are you scared?

Angel:

Spike, shut her up!

Spike:

Not so fast. Something’s not jiving here.

Xander:

Did the Mohra come after you when you were human Angel?

Buffy:

Oh!

Dawn:

Oh what?

Buffy:

The Mohra. They are probably hundreds of years old, thats what you meant right Cordy? Angel came across them before he was turned? Is that why you know about them Angel?

Angel:

(looks down with clenched fists)

I don’t know how old they are. I only found about them two years ago.

Gavin:

Now this is getting interesting.

Angel:

Giles, can you check please?

Giles:

Um…of course. Lorne shall we?

Gunn:

I’ll take the back with Fred.

Angel:

Connor.

Connor:

I’ll go with Lorne and Giles.

Wesley:

I’ll go along to the back.

Dawn:

I want to know what Cordelia meant.

Willow:

Dawn don’t.

Lilah:

Come on, don’t be shy. If we’ve got ourselves a truth spell of some kind, maybe we should take advantage of it.

Gavin:

I’m up for it.

Linwood:

Better yet Gavin, why don’t you take a guard and see if we should be concerned about these Mohra?

Lilah:

You two. (two others look at her) You follow the others. We need a minute here.

Soon, Buffy, Angel, Cordy, Dru and Spike stand in the center of the room. Faith watches with keen interest from the side. Dawn and Willow look down from the stage. Xander and Anya are off stage with Xander looking very disconcerted.

Buffy:

Angel.

Angel:

Not now Buffy.

Buffy:

Stop saying that. You don’t get to set the schedule anymore. If you and Cordelia want to have your little secrets, that’s fine. But don’t treat me like you can still call the shots.

Cordy:

How can you possibly make this about you? My God, you’re unbelievable.

Buffy:

Hey Anya, how long is this thing good for?

Anya:

It doesn’t work like that. It is how it is. It won’t change unless the world is changed. But Spike picked this world. Now you have to live in it.

Buffy:

And this world is truth. That’s the deal. We live with truth.

Xander:

Buffy.

Angel:

We have to know what’s happening.

Buffy:

How can I know what’s happening out there when I don’t know what’s happening in here?

Spike:

Bloody Hell. (walks forward and stops in front of Buffy) When are you going to stop this? Just tell him already or ask him whichever you prefer. Just do something!

Angel:

The others should have been back by now.

Cordelia:

Buffy and Spike have a thing.

Everyone looks at her in shock and sees she’s pretty much the same.

Angel:

Anya would never have felt the need to do this if you and Xander hadn’t gotten reacquainted of late?

Spike:

Somebody’s feeling a bit jealous I see.

Soon ,it becomes a verbal contest of who can top the previous statement. Again voices rise and much is spoken over another.

Xander:

Jealousy isn’t what you’ll be feeling when Angel finds out what you did to Buffy.

Anya:

Faith knew Connor. Faith wasn’t surprised to see him at all.

Buffy:

You have feelings for Cordelia and have been hiding it from me.

Then the comments turn inward.

Faith:

Angel is the only one who cared enough to check up on me in that hole.

Cordelia:

I didn’t even see it for the longest time.

Dru:

Not supposed to be like this. None of this is right.

Angel:

I never meant for anything to happen.

Spike:

It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t me in that bathroom.

Anya:

We could have been newlyweds right now. But you left me.

Xander:

I’m so tired of being blamed for this.

Lilah:

You people are so not ready for what’s to come.

Linwood:

Lilah, don’t help them. You want to help them. You’ve been working both sides the whole time.

Xander:

You pushed me. You pushed me until I had no choice but to run.

Spike:

She always wanted it before then. She said no, but she always wanted me. I know it.

Buffy:

You were human. You were human with Cordelia and never even told me.

Faith:

I’ve waited for this for so long. I’ve waited to have you all in front of me. One more time.

Cordelia:

He was ready to tell me. He was ready to hear me say it until you came.

Angel:

You were gone. You were gone and she wasn’t. And they kept seeing things I didn’t see. But then I just looked at her.

Linwood:

What’s that? Hey, Lilah what’s that?

He slaps Lilah on the shoulder staring up at the ceiling. She scowls and rubs her shoulder as she looks up. A cloud of energy is hovering over the center of the room. It spreads until it fills the upper half of the room.

Lilah:

Looks like the party’s about to start. Dawn and Willow, who’ve been silent, look up as well.

Cut to Back door

Fred, Gunn and Wesley are at the exit. Gunn pushes Fred up against the wall behind him and Wes opens the door for him to emerge first. He takes a step and ducks just in time to avoid the swinging mallet. Unfortunately, Wesley isn’t so lucky and he is knocked against the doorjam as he steps up behind Gunn. His head snaps against the metal and he slides down unconscious.

Fred:

Charles!

Gunn backs up and stands in the same maneuver. The Mohra stalks him immediatey and Gunn shields fred from his sight. She looks around.

Mohra:

You do not belong in this fight.

Gunn:

So why you comin after us?

Mohra:

We are here to ensure the end.

Gunn:

And I’m here to ensure another beginning.

With that, he kicks him backwards a step and raises his arm to punch. Fred seizes the opuurtunity to grap a brass light fixture laying on the storage shelf and shoves it in Gunn’s hand.

Fred:

The jewel!

Gunn pauses only for a split second before dodging a blow and striking hard. The Mohra disappears in the usual fashion and Gunn shuts the door quickly as Fred bends to check on Wesley. She feels his neck and looks at Gunn to let him know he’s got a pulse.

Cut to Front entrance

Connor, Giles and Lorne are opening the door. They exit without interference and Lorne takes in a deep breath.

Lorne:

Now that’s better. I tell you, truth or not, the repression in that room is all consuming.

Giles:

(looking around)

Ys, well it seems our friends have taken leave.

Connor:

(he closes his eyes to listen)

No.

Lorne:

(stopping mid stretch)

No?

Connor:

They’re here. They just…

Before he can finish the Leader steps from the shadows.

Mohra:

You are from the vampire.

Connor:

What do you want?

Mohra:

It is not what we want, it is what the world wants.

Lorne:

Ok, then same question but with the world.

Mohra:

He will not emerge from the End of Days. His time is growing near and then the very gates of hell will open to your world.

Giles:

How charming. Is this Angel you speak of?

Mohra:

He does not belong in this dimension. Not as he is.

Connor:

You can change him.

Mohra:

We did change him and he rejected it. Now we will prepare for the others.

Lorne:

Others? You mean theres more to come? Cause I don’t know if you’ve taken a peek or anything, but it’s a pretty full house in there already.

Mohra:

If you stay you will not come out complete.

Giles:

Are you saying we will die?

Mohra:

The end of days is here.

Connor:

I will stop it. We all will fight it and you.

Mohra:

One is already misplaced. Others will follow. You can not fight us all. The numbers are great.

Giles:

But our power is greater. You and yours are no match for the Slayer.

Mohra:

The Slayer has lost sight of her strength. Now she is only another warrior to be defeated.

A noise startles the three men and they look up. A fiery ball hurdles towards them from the sky. They try and move but aren’t fast enough. It slams into the middle of them and they fly in opposite directions. Giles hits a dumpster and is brutally jarred. Lorne lands on the fire escape twenty feet up. Connor flies through the wall and lands in the middle of the roo. He is just feet away from Buffy and Angel and clearly unconscious.

Cordy sees him lying there and recognizes the sight from her vision. She looks up quickly at Buffy and Angel standing over him, looking down. She starts shaking her head from side to side and speaking quietly.

Cordy:

No, this isn’t it. This can’t be it.

Back to Entrance

The Mohra makes a strange guttural sound and two others join him. He points without words and they go to drag Giles into the darkness. Lorne is groggy but sees Giles being pulled away. He stands up to argue but the formerly flaming object now is in his line of sight. It is dark now, barely a glow to it and the Mohra walks to touch it. As soon as he does, it opens and reveals a blinding crystal. He takes it in his hands and holds it to the sky.

Cut to Bronze int.

Willow:

Buffy.

Angel:

Connor?

He bends to try and wake him and sees a gash in his forehead. He wipes the blood and hears Dru moan as if starving. He glares up at her and she steps behind Spike to hide.

Buffy:

(bending next to Angel)

Is he alright?

Angel:

He’s breathing. What happened?

Willow:

Buffy.

Lilah and Linwood are joined by Gavin and the guards who have avoided involvement but observed the exchanges between the Mohra and the others.

Gavin:

One’s down in the back. Two more trying to help him.

Linwood:

It’s so honorable isn’t it? Still trying to help one another. Too bad they will all be alone in the final battle.

Lilah:

We still don’t know that for sure.

Linwood:

I’m disappointed Lilah. You heard what just happened in here. All that strife? These idiots can’t fathom what’s happening beyond their own personal problems. It’s just as we planned.

Gavin:

Who woud have thought one of their own would help us destroy them?

Lilah:

Anya did add an interesting twist. I thought Faith might not be enough, but now she’s just icing.

Linwood:

And what happens when Angel is done?

Lilah:

The senior partners finally get what they’ve wanted all along.

Gavin:

Exactly. Then this tedious project will be over for good.

Linwood:

Here, here. Now perhaps we could move to higher ground?

The guards lead the three up to the catwalk. Just as they start up the stairs the energy shrinks and seems to begin pulsating.

Dawn:

Buffy!

Buffy:

What is it?

She looks to see Dawn, Willow and now Xander and Anya staring up at the ceiling. She looks up as well and sees the pulsating mass of energy directly over their heads.

Buffy:

Angel.

Angel:

Connor, wake up. It’s me. Come on, wake up now.

Buffy:

Angel you better look at this.

Cordy and Spike looks up along with Angel and soon the entire room is watching as it becomes more and more violent.

Gunn:

(from back hall)

Hey I need some help back here.

He sees the others and looks up. Without warning the cloud dissipates with a tremendous shaking and spews matter all over the room. Angel drops to cover Connor and Cordelia ducks under a table. Xander slides under another and Anya sees him closer to Cordy and fumes. Dawn and Willow dive behind the drums on stage. Spike looks up almost irritatedly and notices Dru swinging her arms around and almost dancing as if its rain. The blue ooze covers her form and she smiles at the feeling.

Buffy seems confused by the whole thing and stares absentmindedly at her hands as they are splayed palms up in front of her. She rubs her fingers together and then sniffs the substance. She rears back at the awful smell and wipes it on her pants. The others begin to emerge from their chosen places.

Cordelia:

Okay, eeeww much?

Xander:

Are you okay?

Anya:

(yelling from across the room)

I’m fine Xander!

Angel rises from Connor and stands to look down at Buffy.

Angel:

What is it?

Buffy:

Which part?

Willow:

I don’t feel so good.

Faith:

Somethings wrong with my leg.

Gunn:

Wesley’s hurt back here.

Angel and Buffy go to turn but find they can’t. Their feet don’t move and they begin struggling.

Lilah:

(smiling)

Oh this is going to be good.