Road To Ragnarok

“Road to Ragnarok” by Merlus & tnbella

Based on the Angel ™ and Buffy the Vampire Slayer ™ series from the director/writer Joss Whedon.

CHAPTER 1 Best Laid Plans [Wes and Illyria have developed quite a camaraderie. Angel is suspicious of Illyria. It’s been three months since Fred’s death, but Angel worries Illyria is deceiving Wesley. Little does he know, her plan is already in motion.] _______________________________________________________________________ _ **Fred’s Lab** Wesley and Illyria spar in the recently converted laboratory. All the equipment is gone, and in its place are punching bags, mats, and various weapons for training. Angel, Spike, and Harmony stand vigilance at the window overlooking the lab. Angel gets called away on business while the two remaining vampires continue to watch. “How can they still be going at it?” Harmony asks. “Oh that’s nothing, luv. Dru and I used to-“ Spike begins to answer, but after realizing the inappropriateness of his tale, he goes quiet. Below them, Illyria and Wes block each other’s moves. The Englishman circles Illyria, taunting her. “Is that the best you can do?” Wes challenges with a lascivious grin. His sparring partner lunges at him, knocking them both down. Illyria pins Wesley to the ground, leaning over to whisper in his ear. “You were saying?” she inquires to the man beneath her. Harmony is shocked at their behavior and asks Spike, “Uh…what is she doing?” Spike admires the power play, then replies, “Looks like she’s making sure he keeps his end up, luv.” The pretty blonde screws up her face in obvious disgust, and the two of them walk away. **Hallway** Spike and Harmony meet up with Angel outside to discuss what they saw. Standing with his arms crossed over his expansive chest, Angel asks, “What happened after I left?”

Before Spike can answer, an alarm sounds in the building. The intercom announces a Code 4 breach in the front lobby. They take off to see what is going on. **Front Lobby** Two demon creatures chant as blue energy holes pop up all around them. One of the demons turns as a guard charges him. The guard turns to ash. Angel and Spike arrive with a squad, then a battle ensues. “Don’t look at their eyes!” Angel shouts. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the building… **Basement** Illyria strides to a door, opens it, and enters a dark cell. A familiar man is strapped up, watching her with beady eyes. “Get him ready,” she instructs a medic standing beside her. The person nods, and begins to remove electrodes from the man’s head. At the same time, back in the lobby… **Lobby** Angel and company detained the demons, and as the cleanup team finishes up, Harmony rushes over to him. “Boss, we have a big problem,” she says. Angel sighs wearily, and then replies. “Oh, good, we haven’t one of those in a while. What is it this time?” “You know that guy who went crazy, and hacked up all those people, and tried to kill Blondie Bear?” she rattles off, flustered. Spike thinks for a moment, then asks, “Which one, luv?” Harmony huffs in agitation. “The ghost guy?” “Dr. Pavayne?” Angel questions while Spike’s face goes even paler than normal. Harmony squeals, “Yeah, that’s him! He’s escaped!” Spike comes out of his stupor, railing at Angel.

“Wasn’t he supposed to be locked up forever? What kind of show are you running here, Peaches?” Angel ignores Spike, and tells Harmony to page the others. They disperse to Angel’s office. **Angel’s Office** Once Wes and Lorne join them, Angel goes into a full-blown rant. “For the past few months, every demon that Wolfram & Hart have dealt with has been trying to take us down.” “Excuse me, but we’ve taken down everyone that’s walked through the bloody door!” Spike exclaims with exaggerated hand motions. “Clearly, not everyone, because someone got in and released Dr. Psycho. Obviously, we’ve got a leak,” Angel continues. Turning to his anagogic friend, the broody vampire says, “Lorne, I want you to re-read everyone. No exceptions.” “You got it, boss,” the colorful demon responds. Just then, Harmony enters and tells Angel that there have been several sightings across town. Spike and Harmony investigate the location of the sightings, while Angel interrogates the guards in the basement, but as they leave the office, no one notices Wesley’s departure from the group. **Front corridor** Wes meets up with Illyria. They nod in the affirmative and make their way to the vault. He bypasses security, and when he spots his prize, they carefully open a box. Wesley removes a similar object from his pocket, handing it to Illyria. With a wave of her hand, she slows time, switching the two items to avoid tripping the alarm. He pockets the stolen parcel, grins at Illyria, and exits the room. Mission accomplished… _______________________________________________________________________ _

CHAPTER 2 Pieces of a Puzzle… Spike and Harmony are walking through a park, when Spike notices something moving in the trees. He realizes where the movement came from, and lunges at the dark figure. Harmony shakes with fear, when Dr. Pavayne emerges out of the shadows. “I’ll be with you in a moment, my dear. I have to take care of some unfinished business first.” The two start throwing punches as Angel arrives on the scene, yelling to get Spike’s attention. “Spike!” The platinum blonde vampire continues to pound on his nemesis. “What?” Angel stands in front of Spike, and says, “Remember, we need him alive.” Spike releases the doctor. “Who helped you escape?” “You can’t make me talk. I’m not afraid of you.” “Oh, really.” Spike twists the evil man’s arm behind his back. “You better answer soon or you’ll wish you never left that cell.” {Snap!} The doctor cries out in pain as Spike snaps his arm. “All right, all right! It was a strange, blue-eyed girl.” “Wearing a leather getup?” Spike questions. “That’s the one. She wanted me to distract you.” “Distract us?” Angel exchanges a worried look with his vampire companion. “That doesn’t sound good. She’s up to something. Let’s go.”

**Fred’s Lab** Illyria and Wesley walk up to the sarcophagus with their stolen item. Illyria traces the symbols with her finger, and begins to speak. “I’ve waited a long time for this moment. That primitive, Knox, was unworthy to be my Qwa’ha Xahn. He was nothing more than a parasite to me.” She spins around, running her hand down Wesley’s chest. “You, on the other hand, will do just fine.” Illyria grabs his shirt, and in one swift tug, rids him of his clothes. She places the item over his heart, directing his hand to touch the tomb. The jewels on the sarcophagus begin to glow, shooting beams of energy toward Wesley’s body. Illyria watches as his skin turns bronze, his eyes from blue to a red-gold hue, and finally, his hair changes from brown to a deep auburn. The glow intensifies to a blinding light, and encases him in gold body armor, complete with a sword and sheath. She removes the item as the transformation comes to an end. “It is done,” Illyria announces. **Elsewhere in Wolfram & Hart** Lorne, exhausted from reading all the employees per Angel’s request, sips from his martini, intent on relaxing for a few minutes. Suddenly, his cell phone chimes, startling him. His drink sloshes as he digs the intrusive object out of his pocket. “Yeah?” “Lorne, it’s me. We found Dr. Pavayne. He told us Illyria was responsible for his release. Listen, can you do me a favor?” “Sure thing, Angel cakes. It’s not like I was going to drink this martini anyway. What ‘cha need this time?” “I need you to find Illyria. Check Wes’s office and the lab. I’m betting Wes is probably with her right now.” “What has little Miss-Blue done this time?” “I don’t know yet, but she was the one who let the doctor out.” “Right. Not good.”

“Exactly.” “I’m on it.” Lorne checks the office then heads to the lab. Angel continues to yammer in Lorne’s ear, mostly about the fight between Spike and Pavayne. Lorne starts to say something, but cuts himself off mid-sentence when his eyes land on Wesley and Illyria. At least, he thinks it is Wesley. “Well, that’s not something you see everyday,” he comments, looking out the window in Fred’s office. Wes looks up at Lorne, raises his hand, and shatters the glass. The force propels the whimsical demon across the room, unconscious. To the side, his cell phone lays on the ground with Angel’s frantic voice booming out. “Lorne? Lorne! Are you there?”

CHAPTER 3 Fall into Place As Lorne struggles weakly to get up, a lone figure enters the room and helps him to his feet. He stares at the person for a moment then says, “It’s you.” Charles Gunn smiles at his friend. “I’ll explain everything later. Come on.” **Main lobby** Illyria and the newly transformed Wesley have arranged various talismen in a circle. Wes chants as, one by one, the objects disappear, unlocking the barrier to her temple. As they are about to open the portal, Angel, Spike, and Harmony enter the lobby. “Aren’t you getting tired of this, Illyria. You open the portal, go to your temple, find all your followers dead, and come back all sad…Wes, is that you?” Upon hearing his name, Wesley turns slowly and grins at the three vampires. “Poor Angel always two steps behind. You were too slow to save Fred, and now, everything is falling apart. How tragic for you. Not that I care, of course. I have more important things to do…” He pulls his sword from the sheath, and flames surround the blade. “Like killing you.” “He is my Qwa’ha Xahn now.” Illyria says. The vampires stand ready to do battle, but just as they are about to charge, Wesley swings his sword at them and three fireballs shoot out heading straight toward them. Both Angel and Spike dodge theirs easily, however, Harmony barely manages to evade hers. The two champions swing their swords at Wesley, they are blocked, and Spike’s sword breaks on impact while Angel’s swords remains intact, but is knocked back when he is punched. Spike gets up off the ground, and Illyria kicks him across the room, through the lobby doors. Harmony fires her crossbow at Wesley; he catches the arrow mid-air. He throws the arrow back at her, barely missing her heart. “Well, that was just plain rude!” Harmony huffs. . “Impressive. I knew I had chosen wisely.” Illyria says. Wesley turns to Angel. “With you out of the way, nothing can stop us.” “You know, English, you talk too much.” Gunn announces as he enters the lobby through the damaged doors.

“That’s interesting, coming from a man who I stabbed for lying to me. How are your ribs, Charles?” “Just fine. How’s your head?” Gunn says as he throws a mid-size hammer at Wesley’s head, knocking him down. “Enough!” Illyria exclaims. She uses her power to knock Gunn against Angel and pin them to the wall. Wesley gets up, and uses his new found power to hold everyone back while Illyria opens the portal. As they step through, Illyria gives Angel a look-He belongs to me now-, she projects to him, and then they are gone. **Angel’s Office** Angel, Spike, Harmony, and Gunn have reconvened in Angel’s office. Gunn is explaining where he has been for the past few months. He wanted to make things right between he and Wesley, so he left town and began to research on Illyria. He found numerous references to her in the Norse legends. He read about a temple, long abandoned, that told the story of how Illyria did battle using magical weapons. When he returned to L.A., he received a mysterious letter warning him of Illlyria’s plan, and where the weapons were being stored. It said the worst was just to come… **Illyria’s temple** Wesley draws his sword and drives it down in front of Illyria’s destroyed statue. Massive amounts of energy pour from the sword into the temple and Illyria’s dead followers. The ground begins to shake as the temple rebuilds itself. Columns that have gathered dust for centuries are reformed and look brand new. The temple floor looks as good as the day of its completion. The resurrected followers stand and cheer. Lastly, Illyria’s statue rises again to honor the Old One’s return. “So it begins,” Illyria says.

CHAPTER 4 A Dark Beginning Over the next few days, earthquakes shake through out L.A. Angel and gang begin studying the information Gunn gathered during his time away. “Boss, I just spoke with the mystic guys, and it’s really bad.” Harmony says, walking into Angel’s office. “How bad is really bad?” Angel asks. “Well, according to their calculations, Illyria’s temple is due to arrive any day now. That’s what the earthquakes are all about. She’s coming back.” “Okay, so really, really bad.” “They’re advising that you evacuate immediately.” Angel swipes a tired hand across his face, then turns to address the group. “Lorne, help get everyone out of the building. Alert our people in the police department; have them clear out anyone within a twenty-block radius. Gunn, I want you, Spike and Harmony to clear out the vault. Transfer everything you can to the Hyperion. I’ll go to Wes’s office. Maybe he hid something there.” As the day goes on, the earthquakes become more frequent. The mayor issues a state of emergency, and orders anyone in the affected areas to move to designated safe zones. Most of the citizens have no problem moving out of the area, but the inhuman population is not as understanding. Some put up a fight, while others find a place and fortify it against attackers. Meanwhile, Gunn and Spike finish unloading the items taken from the Wolfram & Hart vault. Gunn sits down to take a break, when he hears something crunch underneath him. He jumps up, and finds a note on top of his seat. He opens it, and begins to read. Spike notices the horrified look on Gunn’s face, and walks over to see what the problem is. “What’s wrong, mate? You look like someone just trashed your ride.” “Worse than that.” Gunn replies, handing Spike the note. After reading it, Spike asks, “You don’t really think this bloody note means anything, do you? Someone’s probably yanking your chain.” “Unfortunately, I do. This is the same hand writing as the last message,” replies Gunn.

“We better go, then.” Spike says, motioning to the door. Looking over at Wesley’s old office, Gunn remembers how things used to be. He walks over to Spike, and together they exit the hotel. **Wesley’s Vault** Angel looks for anything that is overly protected. As he works his way down the aisle, he comes across a door that seems out of place. He makes short work of the lock, and opens the door. Inside, he finds a room decorated with images and symbols. He recognizes the symbols from Illyria’s sarcophagus, and finds that the corresponding images depict her reign before she was imprisoned. He sees an orb on a table on the far side of the room, and decides to investigate. As he crosses the middle of the room, the floor glows in the form of Illyria’s crest, and Angel stops moving. He listens as a recorded message begins to play. “So, Angel, you found my private room. I knew you would start snooping around once we were gone. I thought I’d leave you a little present to remember me by.” As Wesley’s voice pauses, the door Angel entered from closes, and another door closes over it. Suddenly, he realizes he can no longer move his arms or legs. “I designed this trap especially for you. Don’t worry. The spell I have cast on the room will wear off in about ten minutes. That gives you approximately thirty seconds to escape before the room bursts into flames. Good luck.” The message ends. “My day just keeps getting better and better.” **Lobby** “So, did all the sharks make it out of the tank?” Spike asks Lorne. “Yep, even the little guys who work the juice bar.” Lorne replies. “Has anyone heard from our fearless leader since he went to Wes’s office?” Gunn asks. “Nope, not a peep.” Harmony chimes beside him. “Well, if that message you got is right, mate, we best fine Mr. High ‘n’ Mighty before he cooks himself.” Spike remarks.

**Secret room** The spell wears off, and Angel charges toward the door. The temperature in the room is rising rapidly. Unless a miracle happens, he’s toast. Angel exasperates while he’s trying to pry the door off. “It had to be fire, didn’t it, Wes? You couldn’t pick something easy. It had to be fire!” Suddenly, there is a pounding at the door. “Angel, you in there?” Gunn asks. “Wes set a booby trap! I’ve got to get out of here!” “Stand away from the door. I’m gonna try something.” Gunn swings his mighty hammer, and hits both doors so hard it knocks them against the far wall. “Damn! I love this thing!” Angel steps into the aisle way, just as the hidden room is engulfed in flames. The fire continues to spread all the way through Wesley’s vault, destroying everything in its path. Just then the building shakes violently, windows break, the foundation cracks, then as quickly as they came, the tremors stop. “What the bloody hell was that?!” Spike screams. “Nothing good.” Gunn replies. “Everyone out!” Angel orders. As the gang exits the building, they are greeted by emergency teams, and rushed to the nearest safe zone. Above them, the sky darkens. Thick, dark clouds begin to coalesce and swirl. “Let’s go to the hotel. We need to come up with a plan.” Angel says.

**Hyperion Hotel** Angel is pacing in the lobby while the others look on. “Okay, what do we know? Wesley’s been transformed into some kind of super-solider. He and Illyria have gone through the portal, and most likely, figured out a way to bring back her temple, thus causing the earthquakes. Gunn has been contacted on two occasions in regard to this situation. And we’re no closer to understanding all this than we were ten minutes ago.” He groans, and then turns to address Gunn. “You don’t have any idea who could be sending you these messages?” “Sorry, man, it’s like I told ya. They just sort of appeared.” “No name or anything?” “Nope.” “Lorne, have any of your contacts come up with anything yet?” “I’m afraid not, Gorgeous. They’re as baffled as we are.” “Boss,” Harmony says as she joins the group, “the police and national guard are still having trouble controlling that group of vampires and demons on the south side. They’re keeping the media out of the area, and telling them it’s a gang related issue and to stay away until it’s safe.” “Don’t worry. I can handle that lot.” Spike says, volunteering his service. “No, Spike, as much as this pains me to say, I need you here.” Angel begrudgingly admits. “Aw, you really do care.” Spike mockingly replies. Suddenly, another set of tremors rock the hotel and the power fades. At the Wolfram & Hart building, the ground outside cracks as smoke begins to billow out. Nearby, a special ops solider views what is happening, and turns on his radio. “Sir, it looks like it’s coming,” says the solider. “Alright, move your people to the staging area. We’ll meet you there.” Angel replies. “Roger that.”

“Okay, guys, you heard him. Gunn, make sure every squad leader has one of those mystic weapons you found. Lorne, stay here, keep looking for how the Nords defeated Illyria. Spike, find a-” Spike grabs the closest Norse sword. “Right, that just leaves…” “Me.” Harmony squeaks. “Harmony, I need you to do something very important.” “Really.” Harmony beams. “Protect Lorne.” “Protect Lorne?” Harmony moans. “But that’s away from all the action.” “I know that, Harmony, but we need Lorne to do the research, and I need someone I can trust to keep him safe.” “You can count on me, boss.” Harmony says with a new found joy. Angel leans down to Lorne, and whispers, “In case she screws up.” “Go to the sewers.” They both say in unison. **Staging area outside Wolfram & Hart** The human and inhuman soldiers are equipped with the best weaponry, and as the tremors get worse, Angel and Company prepare to fight. The tremors start tapering off as a bright flash of light blinds everyone for a moment. When the light fades, a shinning temple appears where the Wolfram & Hart building used to be. Several thousand burning soldiers are lined up ready for battle. At the top of the temple, stand Wesley and a very pregnant Illyria.

CHAPTER 5 Death and Destruction A small horde of Illyria’s zombie army, attack a fleeing group of soldiers. The soldiers fire their weapons into the horde, with no effect. One of the fighters takes careful aim and shoots a zombie in the eye; it falls down and doesn’t move. The others, seeing their comrade fall, charge the soldiers with blind fury, and slaughter the men. Illyria and her new Qwa’ha Xahn watch the battle below with smug satisfaction. **Hyperion Hotel** Angel, Spike, Gunn, and what’s left of the soldiers, enter the Hyperion. “Looks like you guys were in a train wreck.” Lorne says from behind the front counter. “We wish,” replies Gunn. “So, I guess it’s safe to say things didn’t go well.” “No, they did not.” Angel answers. “They had a bloody army with them, and the Leather Queen has a bun in the oven.” Spike says to Lorne. “Another mystical birth? I don’t like the sound of that. And how can she have an army? Her followers are dust bunnies now.” “They are dead, except now, they’re also zombies.” The broody vampire replies. “Don’t forget the part about them being on fire.” Spike adds. “Oh yeah, and they’re also on fire.” Angel continues. “Flaming zombies, huh? What will they think of next?” Lorne ponders. “Let’s not find out,” replies a female voice. They all turn around to see Buffy with the Slayerettes standing at the lobby entrance. “Buffy.” Angel says with a smile on his usually scowling face. “Buffy.” Spike breaths with heart-felt emotion. “Buffy!” Harmony squeals as she enters the hotel, throwing her arms around the Slayer.

A few minutes later, Angel, Spike, Faith, Giles and Buffy are talking in the main office. Well…not so much talking, as arguing. “How could you let this happen?” Buffy asks Angel. “Oh, right, I forgot. Everything bad that happens in L.A. is automatically my fault.” Angel responds. “You’re the one running the evil law firm, right? Seems like a pretty clear deduction to me.” Buffy snaps at him. “We did what we could under the circumstances! Why can’t you understand that?” Angel replies, raising his voice. “Children, children, please, let’s not get carried away here. We need to work together, and find a solution to our problem.” Giles says, attempting to calm both Buffy and Angel. “He’s right, luv.” Spike says. “Shut up, Spike! You never agree with anything Giles says…and how dare you come back to life without telling me.” Buffy continues, now directing her rant at her ex-lover. “Look guys, I would love to watch the three of you throw down, but we’re losing focus. We need to stay in the game. B, we should listen to what they have to say.” Faith chimes in from her perch on the edge of the desk. Old issues put aside, the reunited group begin to formulate a plan. **Illyria’s Temple** Looking at the city he once protected, Wesley thinks back on the months he spent training, preparing for this day. He knew that any demonic force that could have opposed them had been killed before they left. However, some of the demons and humans that stayed after the initial evacuation did still pose a threat…especially Angel. Illyria was more vulnerable now than when she was first awakened. “Sir, we’ve had a bit of a situation.” A demon minion says to Wes, shaking him out of his reverie. Two demon guards bring in a young man and woman. They are both unconscious and have been beaten badly.

“These two nearly murdered my squad before we could capture them. We almost killed them, until one of my men remembered that this one,” the minion points to the young woman, “is the sister of a slayer.” “Excellent work. Take the intruders inside and chain them up. Secure the temple. Make sure no one can get to our Goddess. She must be protected.” “Yes, sir.” **Hyperion Hotel** Willow and Kennedy arrive looking drained and worn out. Several girls help them to the couch, tending to their wounds. Andrew limps in behind the two women looking pale. “A little help here, ladies.” Andrew moans, but no one is paying attention to him. Buffy, Faith, and Giles exit the main office and head straight for Willow. “Will, what happened? Where’s Dawn?” Buffy asks, frantic at the absence of her sister. “They took her.” Willow answers barely above a whisper. “What!” Willow turns sorrowful eyes to her friend. “I’m sorry. We tried to stop them.” “I know you did. Don’t worry, we’ll get her back.” Buffy says, calming herself. “Them.” Kennedy interrupts. “We’ll get them back.” “Someone was with her?” “Yeah, some guy named Connor.” Kennedy replied. Angel overhears the conversation, and stops in his tracks when he hears his son’s name. “You alright?” Gunn asks, noticing Angel’s reaction. “Yeah. I’ll be fine,” replies Angel in a soft voice. Outside, the dark clouds begin to dissipate and the sun is visible once again. “The sun is coming out.” Andrew tells the others. “I guess their spell is wearing off. Either that, or it’s a sign that something else is about to happen. Whatever it is, it isn’t good, so let’s get moving.” Buffy says.

**Illyria’s Temple** Later that evening, the group leaves the Hyperion. They avoid the countless patrols of flaming zombies, and make it to the outskirts of the temple. “From what Gunn and Andrew were able to find out, this is the best way to sneak into the temple.” Angel says, pulling out a map. “We better do something quick. It looks like they’re starting some kind of ceremony.” Faith observes. At the top of the towering structure, priests begin chanting. The gang proceeds inside, while two figures come up behind the hooded priests, knock them out, and steal their robes. Giles slips away from the others, intent on doing a little investigating of his own. “Wait a minute, guys. Did anyone see where Giles went?” Buffy asks. “We were too busy watching out for guards. That bloody wanker! I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid, and get himself killed.” Spike says. At the same time Angel and company enter the temple, Giles searches for Wesley. He hopes he can reason with the fallen man, before he does anyone harm. If that doesn’t work, perhaps he’ll be able to provide a distraction while Buffy rescues her sister. He comes to a large room with two sets of saber blades hanging on the wall. “Are you lost, Rupert, or just looking for trouble?” Wesley asks from the far entrance. “Wesley, listen to me. You have to stop this.” Giles tells him. “Wesley is no more. I am the Qwa’ha Xahn to Illyria.” “I didn’t want to believe you had fallen this far, but since you’re not going to cooperate, I’ll make sure this is as far as you go.” Giles says, taking a blade from the wall. “Honestly, Giles, you really think you can best me in a duel.” Wesley challenges. Both former watchers circle each other, like vultures going in for the kill. Meanwhile, everyone else has found the ceremonial chamber, and after Kennedy and Faith take care of the guards, they release Dawn. Unfortunately, Connor is not with her. Buffy runs over to her sister.

“Dawn, are you okay?” “Buffy?” “Yeah, it’s me. You’re going to be okay.” She says, stroking stray hair away from Dawn’s eyes. “Buffy…” The young girl begins to speak again, but blacks out. “We better hurry up before Big Blue shows up.” Spike adds. “What’s your rush, vampire? The fun is just starting.” Illyria says, announcing her presence. She came prepared, flanked by heavily armed zombies and demons, but that doesn’t stop the gang from rushing the intruders. One or two demons fall, however in the end, they are captured. Illyria smiles and walks out behind the guards. As the gang is chained up, Giles and Wesley duel. “Not as easy as you thought, now is it?” Giles taunts Wesley, backing him into a corner. “Actually, I find this rather entertaining. You forget, Rupert, I’m not the same man I was before. I’m no weakling.” Wesley says as he counters his opponent’s move. They fight a bit longer, until finally, Giles gains ground, catching Wesley off guard, running the saber through his gut. Giles, thinking he has won, starts to walk away when he hears the sound of laugher behind him. He spins around to see Wesley stand, and remove the blade from his body. “Really, Rupert, you didn’t think I could be killed that easily, did you?” “Well, it was worth a shot.” Wesley goes over to Giles with the bloodied saber in his hand, and stabs the older man. Giles cries out in pain, looking Wesley in the eyes with a sad smile upon his face. “You just sealed your fate, Wesley.” Giles says weakly, collapsing to the ground. “Bring him.” Wesley tells the nearest guards. As dusk approaches, Illyria prepares the final phase of the ceremony. She calls in two attendants to make sure they are ready to assist her in the birth. Wesley enters the chamber to tell her what transpired between he and Giles. Illyria takes him to where his former friends are being held prisoner.

“Don’t look so disappointed, slayer.” Wesley directs at Buffy. “You were a disappointment long before now, Wesley.” She responds, shooting daggers at him with her eyes. “I care nothing for what you think of me, or any of you, for that matter. None of you ever cared for me, so why should I care for you.” Wesley addresses to everyone. “Wesley.” Willow begins, gently. “Will, don’t…” Buffy warns her friend. The red headed witch ignores her and continues. “I know what you’re feeling right now. All the pain, all that rage, but you can’t let it control you. You’re better than that, Wesley.” “You know nothing of my pain, witch.” “Yes, I do!” Willow yells. “I lost the love of my life. Think we’re so different, now?” Wesley stays silent, but the others can tell he’s seething underneath. “Don’t let the darkness consume you. It’s hard to find your way back to the light. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. Power isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” “Shut up!” He explodes. “I will listen to no more of your drivel.” But that doesn’t stop her coaxing. She’s getting to him; she can tell. “Wesley, please. You don’t want to hurt us. You’re a good man.” “You don’t know me anymore.” Wesley ends the conversation with Willow, and directs his attention at Angel. “Didn’t you learn anything from your failed attempt to kill Jasmine? You can’t stop this. My children will be born.”

“Children? You mean, she’s…” Angel starts to say. “Caring twins.” Illyria finishes his statement, coming up to Wesley. “It’s time, my Qwa’ha Xahn.” She informs him. As they leave, guards drop a body in front of Buffy, turning it over for her to see. “Giles!” She screams.

CHAPTER 6 Alpha and Omega The ceremony begins, and the gang watches helplessly as Giles’ body along with Dawn and Connor are taken to a large stone table. The two teenagers struggle, but to no avail as they are fastened to the table. Illyria lies down in the center of the table; it resembles one used by the Aztec for blood rituals. Several demon priests, Illyria, and Wesley begin to chant. During the chant, two priests cut Giles’ throat with a large knife. Blood spills down along a grove toward Illyria. It covers her body, and then is absorbed into her. The priests move to Dawn, and they stab her in the heart. “NO!” Buffy screams. The chanting grows louder as the priests approach Connor. Angel looks on in horror as his son is also stabbed. When the blood mixes together, it begins to glow for just a second before covering Illyria’s stomach. Suddenly, she cries out, going into labor. The attendants move into position to receive the babies as a lone figure from the crowd raises a crossbow, and fires it at Angel’s chains, breaking them. “Who dares?!” Wesley shouts in the direction of the intruder. The figure removes the cloak, revealing their identity. The intruder is Harmony. Wesley grabs the nearest wooden staff, and throws it at the unprepared vampire, turning her to dust. Angel frees the others, thanking Harmony under his breath before charging Wesley. Angel’s comrades fight their way to Illyria, but as they near their destination, a wave of energy erupts from her, hitting everyone within range. The crying from a baby boy and girl break the silence. The two attendants Illyria spoke with earlier take the babies away. Just as they enter the temple, their hoods fall to reveal Eve and Lindsay. They run toward a portal, vanishing from sight. As this is happening, Buffy jumps Illyria, and begins to pound her into the floor. Angel sneaks up on Wesley from behind, and the two of them go at it. Out of nowhere, a loud explosion rocks the temple as the slayerettes lead by Gunn storm their way inside. Gunn throws Angel a mystic sword while a zombie passes Wesley his flaming sword. As Angel and Wesley continue to fight, Buffy is hurled into a crowd of slayers by Illyria. Illyria jumps down near Buffy, grabs the nearest slayer with a weapon, and takes it for

herself. Someone behind Buffy yells out her name, throwing her a weapon. She catches the slayer’s scythe, charging Illyria with full force. To everyone’s surprise, a lightning bolt falls from the sky, and hits the zombies and demons, frying them where they stand. Spike and Faith look over to see Willow, Gunn and Kennedy all holding a mystic hammer. “Now that was cool!” Gunn shouts. Spike looks at Willow and asks, “You mean to tell me, you could’ve done that before we got captured?” “Not exactly.” Willow replies. “I wasn’t sure it would work. I guess, we got lucky.” “Way to go, Will!” Faith cheers. Just then, two figures limp toward the gang. Willow recognizes them to be Dawn and Connor. “Dawn!” Willow exclaims, grabbing the young girl in a hug. She notices Dawn is unharmed. “How did you…” “I don’t know.” Dawn answers. “I just woke up and I was fine.” Willow checks on Connor, and he also appears unharmed. “I remember seeing an amulet glowing. I just assumed that you brought us back.” Dawn tells the perplexed witch. “It wasn’t me. I wonder who…” “Where’s Buffy?” Dawn inquires about her absent sister. As an answer to Dawn’s question, a loud clash of metal-on-metal is heard coming from the other side of the temple. Angel and Wesley are still fighting, neither giving the other any ground, while Buffy and Illyria are locked in a battle of their own a few feet away. Buffy appears to have the upper hand since Illyria is weak from giving birth, thus she is unable to use her time magic on the slayer. Catching her opponent off guard, Buffy drives the scythe into Illyria’s stomach. “NO!” Wesley cries out. This is just the distraction Angel needs to hit his mark, and with one swift move, he stabs Wesley in the heart. “Wesley!” Illyria calls out in Fred’s voice, crumbling to the floor

“Fred!” Wesley exclaims as he limps his way to her side. He takes her in his arms, cradling her broken body as they slowly fade away… *********************************************************************** * Wesley awakens to find himself in a dark realm. He looks around, sees Fred lying on the ground, and rushes over to her. “Fred, can you hear me?” “Wesley?” Fred asks, weakly, looking into the familiar blue eyes of her true love. “Oh God, Fred, it is you!” They embrace, tears of joy and relief running down their faces. He loosens his grip, pulling her away to caress her face, lovingly. The reunited couple takes each other’s hands and walk away.

Epilogue *As Wesley and Fred walk off, a familiar looking blue eye watches the scene play out inside a glowing orb. Wesley sits in a store with the orb in his hand. A man is in front of him, his eyes shining pure white.* The image fades, the orb stops glowing, and so does the man’s eyes. “As I told you when we began, this is just one of the possible outcomes you face, should you stay on the current path.” The stranger tells Wesley. “I understand. Thank you for your time.” Wesley replies, setting the orb down on the table. “You sure I can’t interest you in anything else?” The man asks, attempting to get Wesley to buy something before his departure. “No. I think you gave me what I needed.” Wesley says with a smile, exiting the shop. The man locks up after Wesley leaves, and begins putting the orb away when a dark figure steps out of the shadows. “So, do you think he will change in time?” The figure asks. “Hard to say with humans but with a little luck, he might make it.” “We may need more than luck, if what I’ve seen truly happens. He is going to play an important part in the coming battle. If he hasn’t changed, this world is surely doomed.” “You know, you could be less dramatic about it.” The man says, exasperated with the figure’s grim prediction. “Well, I better finish up or the Miss will have my head.” The figure nods and disappears back in the shadows. He reappears inside an old style workroom, walks over to a desk throwing down a burned out amulet, and then begins to write. His handwriting is identical to the notes Gunn received anonymously. While he continues writing, a woman dressed in white walks up behind him. “I helped your friend as much as I can at the moment.” The figure says, not looking up from his work. The woman startles for a moment, and then speaks. “You know, I thought once I was a ghost, I would be the one scaring people. I hate it that everyone knows I’m in the room. That just creeps me out.” Then she changes her tone, suddenly becoming very serious.

“I just hope what you showed poor Wesley doesn’t come true.” “As do I, Ms. Chase. As do I.” The figure replies, wishfully. He looks to a wall as several points of light move to form one single blue point. It slowly gets brighter, and then blinks out of sight. _______________________________________________________________________ _