A Fighter's Love by Cheri

Chapter 47

 

Fade in INT: BRONZE

Buffy, Angel and Faith are struggling valiantly to move. But for all their struggling only inches of movement are evident. Buffy throws her entire body weight to one side and only succeeds in losing her balance. She falls against Angel’s chest and he catches her.

Gunn:

(entering room looking around)

What the hell was that? Angel?

Angel holds tight to Buffy neither of them sure what to do. Willow and Dawn sit on the stage by the drums able to move more than those in the center of the room, but still not able to stand.

Anya watches Xander and Cordelia rise from under the tables apparently unaffected. She looks down at her arms covered in the blue ooze to see her fingers wiggling but no other movement. Cordelia looks over to Buffy and Angel in each others arms with Connor still at their feet. Her vision is here.

Angel:

(to Buffy)

Are you okay?

Buffy:

Let me get back to you on that one.

Faith:

Hey guy, why don’t you help me out here?

Gunn:

Probably cause my name’s not Guy.

Dawn:

Buffy?

Buffy:

Dawn, Willow. How are you guys over there?

Willow:

Not as bad as you it looks like.

Xander:

Cordelia, we have to find something to clean them off.

Lilah:

(from upstairs)

That’s not gonna do the trick I’m afraid.

Faith:

Is this your trick?

The three walk downstairs from the catwalk.

Linwood:

I wish I could take credit, but I’m afraid I can’t.

Gunn:

You three are really starting to push my buttons.

Gavin:

Just starting? We must work on that then.

Cordelia:

Gunn, where are the others? You said you needed help.

Gunn:

Right. Wes got knocked cold. Fred is with him now. But now I’m thinking you all might be the ones who need help.

Angel:

(finally releasing Buffy slowly and with great effort)

Take Cordelia. Maybe she can help. Get them and come back here.

Buffy:

What about Giles? He and Lorne are still out there. Whatever happened to Connor might have happened to them.

As if on cue, Connor moans and begins to stir. All eyes look down on him and Lilah starts to walk closer.

Xander:

(stepping up in front of the trio)

Lady, not all of us are oozed. I suggest you back up away from him.

Gavin:

Interesting. Defending one of theirs. I’m intrigued.

Xander:

That’s where you are at a disadvantage. He is one of ours. We’re all together here.

Connor:

(sitting up abruptly)

What happened?

Xander holds out a hand to help him up.

Xander:

Which part?

Connor:

Angel? How did I…? (eyes widen) The demons! It fell from the sky and…

Cordelia:

What fell from the sky?

Angel:

Cordelia, go with Gunn. Connor, are you okay to check on the others with Xander?

Connor:

And you?

Buffy:

We’re kind of involved in something right now.

Connor:

(noticing the blue stuff)

What is that?

Angel:

Maybe you can help us figure it out when you get back.

Connor looks around the room.

Connor:

(sees Dawn and Willow)

You too?

Dawn nods and tries to move her arms with no luck.

Xander:

Connor, show me where you were when it fell.

Gavin:

Yes, that should help waste more time.

Linwood:

Shut up Gavin.

Cut to Back hallway

Fred is holding Wesley’s head in her lap.

Fred:

Wes, this is no time to rest. Come on, wake up.

Gunn:

No progress?

Fred:

(looks up to see Cordy)

Cordelia! No, he’s still out. He took a horrible knock on the head.

Cordy:

(kneels down)

Let me see.

She feels his head and finds the knot. She checks for blood and when none is seen, she begins slapping him.

Cordelia:

Wesley Wyndham-Price, wake up this instant! You get knocked out more than anyone I know. Won’t you ever learn?

Gunn:

Cord! I think that’s enough slapping. Give him a sec to react.

Fred:

I think he moved.

Cordy:

(slaps him again)

Hey Wes! Darla’s having her baby! Wake up!

Wesley snaps awake and grabs out to thin air to help. The three others hide a smile at the familiarity of it.

Wesley:

Darla?

Fred:

Not quite Wesley.

Gunn:

Yeah, that was a couple concussions ago.

Cordy:

But at least you’re awake.

Wesley:

(deadpan)

Funny. All of you. Utterly hilarious.

He allows them to help him up and looks to the door.

Wesley:

What is that?

The others look as well and see a strange light emanating from outside.

Gunn:

Xander and Connor were heading out to check on Giles and Lorne. Maybe we should check it out.

Fred:

Can you manage Wesley?

Wesley straightens forcibly and takes the point position.

Wesley:

Don’t be absurd. Let’s move.

 

Cut to opposite side of building

Lorne sees the crystal glowing brighter and launches into his highest note. The crystal shakes and the Mohra startles losing his grip. It rolls off his fingertips and he reaches desperately for it. He’s too slow though and it shatters on the ground.

A white energy escapes from it in a circle and annihilates the Mohra in an instant. Lorne shields his eyes from the sight and doesn’t see what happens next. Wesley rounds the corner underneath the fire escape that holds Lorne just as the energy enlarges and dissipates. It seems to run through him unbeknownst to anyone. Wesley only stops at the strange feeling but doesn’t know why.

Lorne finally looks down and sees the group just under him.

Lorne:

Thank you!

Gunn:

(startles and looks up)

Lorne? What are you doing up there?

Lorne:

(climbing down the ladder)

Don’t ask. We have to find Giles.

Wesley:

What happened to Giles?

Lorne:

They took him. Two of the Mohra. They dragged him that way.

Cordelia:

Let’s go.

The group walks around the other side of the building and allows Lorne to lead the way. After only a few steps into the darkness, they hear something. The Mohra are speaking.

Mohra:

It is done. The others will come.

Mohra 2:

Then we will move quickly. Check on the warriors.

One Mohra exits into the Bronze just as Connor and Xander come from inside. Connor holds a dagger to the throat of the Mohra who just entered and brings him close to the other.

Connor:

Where is he?

Mohra:

His death means nothing. We are expected to die for our cause.

Xander:

So the knife to the throat bit not gonna do it then huh?

Connor:

Killing him is not the only option.

With that he slices his face and the green blood pours. Cordelia sees it and steps forward.

Mohra:

(turns to see the group behind him)

You all are not strong enough for what must be done.

Gunn:

I’m feeling pretty good.

The Mohra escapes from Connor’s grip and joins his friend.

Mohra:

We are only hear to welcome him.

Xander:

Him? Could you be less specific?

Giles:

Maybe I can help.

Everyone sees Giles walk from the side carrying a large volume and flanked by two more Mohras.

Fred:

We came looking for you. We thought you were in danger.

Giles:

That’s actually quite an accurate assessment I’m afraid. But I’m not alone.

Connor:

Are you working with them?

Giles:

Quite the opposite.

Gunn:

So why aren’t they killing you?

Giles:

It would seem they haven’t the knowledge to finish the task at hnd.

Xander:

Maybe you could cut the homeland speech on this one Giles. Time is not of the abundance.

Giles:

Right you are. This…(he holds up the book and the light hits it) is the answer.

Wesley:

Is that…?

Giles:

Yes.

Fred:

And for the rest of us?

Wesley:

The Mohra are only hear to fulfill their duty. They were soldiers of darkness to welcome the End of Days. Trained assassins to anyone who would threaten the conclusion of what was foretold.

Giles:

Only our Mohra friends here didn’t read the fine print. When the End arrives, as it is destined to, they will not sacrifice themselves in the name of the power of evil, but will be cast aside to suffer alongside mortals. They carry the blood of eternity. It is what gave Angel life once before and what will guarantee theirs in what’s to come.

Xander:

So it’s true. Angel was human after he was…not human.

Wesley:

It was just after he came here. Before I arrived. Cordelia told me about it. He never speaks of it. It was too painful.

Connor:

If he was human why is he not now?

Wesley/Giles:

Buffy.

Xander:

(amazed)

Buffy was there.

Wesley:

Technically it never happened. The Powers turned back the day. It never was. Only in Angel’s memory. (pauses) Wait.

Gunn:

What?

Wesley:

We have to get back to them.

Xander:

You have no idea. But don’t worry, they’re not going anywhere.

Giles:

Pardon?

Cut to Bronze

 

Faith has worked herself free. She marches to Lilah and her entorauge.

Faith:

Ok, you’ve got about two minutes to tell me everything you know before Buffy and Angel get loose like I just did.

Lilah:

Watch your mouth. I didn’t bring you here to threaten me.

Faith:

(grabs her by the throat and lifts her off her heels)

Did you forget? I don’t play by the rules…of either side.

The two bodyguards step forward but Linwood holds up a hand. They wait.

Lilah:

(struggling to breathe)

Some good it did her…huh Angel?

Faith drops her and she falls to the ground breathing hard stroking her neck.

Spike:

Don’t think you want to test the girl Lady.

Dru:

Spike, I don’t want to play here anymore.

Buffy:

Oh God, I actually understand what she’s saying. And I agree.

Angel:

None of us want to be here right now.

Spike:

And none of us would be if not for you and the nice people you’ve met in Los Angel-es.

He makes a point of making the word sound like Angelus.

Gavin:

I would have thought it would have started by now.

Linwood:

Can you please just shut your mouth!

Willow begins to move a bit more but still not completely freed.

Sounds are heard and everyone looks to see the other group entering the room. As soon as they do, the doors slam shut.

Lorne:

(trying to open the door)

Guess we’re here til the curtain drops folks.

Another sound is heard and the group looks around in confusion. Scraping, then thumps before the floor vibrates. Everyone looks down and Lilah is the first to make the realization. A hand breaks through the floor and grabs her ankle. She reaches for Linwood but he steps back and watches her fall.

Buffy and Angel see the vamp come through the floor just as more are heard around the room. They struggle anew as do Spike, Dru, Dawn and Willow.

Xander, Cordelia, Giles, Wesley, Gunn and Lorne all spread out to assist. Gunn follows Fred to the stage and Gunn kicks the first vamp to emerge. He falls against Dawn who screams in fear.

Fred:

Gunn!

She tosses a drum stick to Gunn and he catches it to dust the first one.

Willow:

Fred behind you!

She spins and is tackled by another falling on top of Willow.

Willow sees the other stick laying just inches away. She strains terribly and manages to knock it towards Fred’s hand. Before Fred has a chance to do anything with it, Gunn bends to grab it and drive it through the demon’s heart.

He helps Fred to her feet and checks her over with concern looking for injuries. He kisses her forehead quickly looks down waiting for the next.

Just a few feet away Lilah is down and crawling backwards on her hands to try and get away from the thing still holding onto her ankle. Faith steps up and kicks it in the face and it loses it’s grip. Lilah scurries into a corner and Faith takes it on.

Faith:

(smiling)

Oh I’ve been waiting for this.

Vamp:

Let’s see what you got.

He lunges and Faith sidesteps which allows him to reach Buffy. He snarls in Buffy’s face and Angel head butts him sending him backwards off balance. Faith straightens and catches him from behind. She helps him to recover so she can take him one on one.

Faith:

No fair Angel. I called him first.

Vamp:

You’re a fool.

He rushes again and this time Faith flips him over her shoulder. He lands on his back and she straddles him pulling a stake from her pocket.

Faith:

I’ve been called a lot worse.

She buries the stake in his chest and watches with satisfaction as he turns to dust.

Buffy seems transfixed by the sight for a second before hearing another commotion.

In another corner of the room, a vamp breaks through and goes after Anya. Xander is there in an instant with Wesley. Wesley pulls it away from Anya and Xander searches for a weapon. Wesley takes a hit in the chin and barely moves.

Wesley:

You know, I have about had it with the hitting.

He steps up to the vamp and punches him hard.

Wesley:

How do you like it? (Grabs a decorative lamp off a table and hits it over the head) How’s about a concussion for you? Does that sting a bit?

The vamp falls backwards and Wesley realizes he has nothing to stake it with. Xander is checking Anya out and then looks back to Wesley. Wesley breaks the glass shade of the lamp and grabs the largest section of it in his hands. The vamp starts to push against just as Wes drives the shard down against and through his throat. It stares wildly for a second.

Wesley:

Now I know that hurts.

With that he places one hand on top of the other and shoves it the last bit. The head rolls only centimeters before disappearing in the familiar cloud. His hands are bleeding and Xander takes off his flannel to wrap them up.

Spike cries out when two more emerge from beneath he and Dru. Giles rushes forward.

Spike:

Dru first!

Giles heeds his words and hits the vamp upside the head with the large volume he’s still holding. It falls backwards onto a broken chair and is done. Giles turns just as the other grabs Spike.

Vamp:

You stink of humanity! You were supposed to carry on the line that Angelus abandoned. You are worse than he. His was not by choice, yours was.

Spike:

No it wasn’t. (frees a leg to kick him against the back wall) And I’m tired of hearing that name.

Buffy:

Look.

Angel looks down to see the holes created by the vamps growing larger. The vamps have stopped coming but now the ground is forming one large hole that is sending out an unrelenting heat and darkness.

Angel:

Connor get back!

Connor sees the opening steps backwards ending up close to Linwood and Gavin. It keeps growing larger and soon it is clear it will swallow the ones who can’t move. Wesley calls out loud enough for the entire room to hear.

Wesley:

Cordelia! Call the powers!

Cordelia:

I can’t!

Th hole gets closer and closer to the main four in the center of the room. Spike watches Buffy and then looks to Dru. The others all step back further and further.

Gavin:

This isn’t part of the research.

Linwood:

I think we are beyond the scope of our research at this point.

Dawn:

Buffy! Move! You have to move now!

Buffy and Angel both struggle as they are closer to the opening. The heat is great and Angel begins to show signs of pain. Spike and Dru though in danger seem to watch more than try to free themselves. Angel stops struggling and begins to look around the room.

Lilah sees him and stands up against the wall watching closely.

Cordelia:

(closes eyes and speaks softly)

Please. Let me do something. Please.

Xander and Anya move to stand next to Dawn and Willow by the stage. Connor moves to help his father.

Angel:

Connor no.

Connor:

It’s too hot.

Wesley:

Giles, the text.

Giles:

This will happen. The End of Days has arrived and can not be stopped. The auguries…

Lorne:

(speaking in a strage tone)

The auguries have spoken. It shall remain until he is done. There is one left to arrive.

Cordy:

It’s them.

Gunn:

What’s that about?

Fred:

I don’t think we’re supposed to know yet.

Lorne:

The great darkness is coming and only one can stop it.

Faith:

And who’s that?

Lorne:

It is already decided.

Lorne closes his eyes and passes out. Fred jumps off the stage to help him. Wesley watches the hole in the middle of the room move a bit closer. Buffy’s foot hangs over the edge and she struggles to maintain balance and not fall in.

Cordelia:

Angel!

Angel looks at her and seems to find a calm within. He smiles and Cordy’s jaw drops.

Buffy:

Angel?

Angel:

And then the demon found love.

Giles:

My God.

Angel:

They told me what would happen in the End of Days. All this time, I thought I had averted it. But I only ensured it. What happens to all mortal beings.

Buffy:

What are you saying?

Angel:

And if a demon is first, what then?

Wesley:

The End of Days was supposed to take all mortals. The Mohra, the book of Themura, it all pointed to one thing. Demons would inherit the earth. After the coming battles…

Cordelia:

There’s been no battle! How can They do this without the battle?

Dru:

(feeling the heat)

It hurts so!

Angel looks to her and the rest in the room. He grits his teeth and his leg moves. He reaches out to touch Buffy’s hand for an instant.

Buffy:

You moved? You’re free. Get back Angel!

Lilah:

(to herself)

Not your style is it Angel?

Angel:

Giles, you have the book.

Wesley:

It was the day. I felt it outside, but wasn’t sure. Now I know. Angel, I know.

Angel:

That almost seems appropriate doesn’t it?

Cordelia:

What is happening?

Angel:

(looks down at the hole now just under his left foot)

You taught me to believe in friendship Cord. You taught me that beneath anything else, it has to be there. Higher being. You earned it. And I would never take that away from you. No friend would, not over love.

Cordelia begins to cry and shakes her head without speaking.

Angel:

Connor, you have to keep fighting. There’s always someone in trouble. There’s always a place for you in this world. You’re the true miracle here. Your place is on this side, in this world, with my friends. You will protect them and the rest. They’re your family now.

Linwood opens his mouth to speak and Connor doesn’t even look before backhanding him.

Angel:

Spike, I don’t envy you. You’ve only just begun to feel your soul. It will bring you pain unlike any you’ve inflicted on this world. And you will long for the days of simplicity. And even if you deny your past, and blame others for your actions, it will never let you forget. That is your reward. No one else would be strong enough, I hope you can be.

Wesley:

Angel.

Angel:

I know. It’s time. Giles, good working with you again. (looks at Xander) All of you.

Xander nods and Anya takes his hand.

Xander:

I’m liking this truth thing.

Giles:

It is the right choice. The only choice.

Buffy:

What are you talking about? And why are you saying these things Angel? What’s going on?

Angel:

(turns to her finally)

You know why. You’ve lived why.

Buffy:

(shakes head)

No, I died for why. Don’t be a copycat.

Angel:

(smirking)

I can’t be, I’m already dead.

Buffy:

Stop this. Just help me get free and we’ll figure this out.

Angel:

Look down Buffy. There’s no time. And this might be the only chance there is. If this is the darkness that the Mohra spoke of, and you all are the mortals that the soldiers of darkness are to defeat, then I can only think of one shot. Sending a demon into their world first.

Cordelia:

No!

Buffy:

(sees him glance again at Cordelia)

She’s right. I should never have come. All that time you were down there, it wasn’t me that brought you up. It was them. They wanted you to sacrifice yourself. You’re just giving them what they want. It won’t stop the battle. And it wont stop the End of days.

Angel:

But if I don’t do something, none of us will make it to find out for sure. Everything happens for a reason. I got that day, the Mohra gave me that day because I would never see the real thing.

Buffy:

I don’t understand.

Angel:

It was a test. (looks at cordelia and echoes Doyle’s words from so long ago) You never know until you’ve been tested.

Cordy cries anew and Xander swallows hard. Wesley removes his glasses and Gunn moves to comfort Fred who’s crying as well still holding Lorne’s head. Willow puts an arm around Dawn’s shoulder.

Faith:

Angel.

Angel:

Faith, you did it. You made it and now matter how you got out, you can start repairing it now. I told you it was one day at a time. Well, today’s your day.

Buffy:

Why are you avoiding me? Why won’t you talk to me?

Angel:

(clothes start smoking)

There’s no avoiding us Buffy. How can I avoid myself? You were me the second I saw you. Dead and living, we were one. And we’ve both been back and forth and it still didn’t change anything. This is just another…

He doesn’t get to finish before dropping suddenly as the hole spreads beneath his feet.

Buffy:

Angel!

He doesn’t answer and a huge flame springs from the hole blowing everyone back before dropping almost as quickly. The hole seals itself shut and the room is left bare. Buffy rolls onto her back and finds that she can move. She jumps up and looks at the cement floor. All are free to move now and look at the floor in shock.

Wesley:

Did that really just happen?

Buffy:

No. Giles, you know something.

Lilah:

Angel’s dead.

Linwood:

He was supposed to be there. He can’t be dead yet.

Buffy:

Stop saying that!

Cordelia:

How could you let him do that?

Buffy:

What?

Cordelia:

You were right there! You could have done something. You should have done something!

Buffy:

What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t move! And you? You were just fine! Higher being my ass!

Cordy:

Or maybe you were ready to finally be done with him. Found a new vamp to tickle your fancy!

Before Buffy can respond, the room fills with light and a roar deafens everyone for a moment. Cordelia is knocked to the ground. A voice is heard over the noise.

Voice:

It is the last battle.

The doors swing open and the windows shatter in the building. From every possible point of entry, demons, vamps and Mohra descend. Connor is the first attacked and finds himself fighting alongside Linwood and Gavin for survival.

Within seconds, the fights are brutal and seemingly sprout up every second. For every one they defeat, another comes in it’s place. No one has time to worry about others. And when Lorne finally stands and tries to grasp what’s happening around him, he’s too late. A Mohra sneaks up behind him and staps him through and through with a broad sword. Blood trickled from his mouth as his eyes close over the scene of brutality and pain before him.

No one notices him take his last breath. Only their own struggle to survive.