Title: Manifest Darkness
Episode 08
Authors: Sovereign and Elizafan568
Rating: R - things get dark fast.
Notes: This story starts half way through season five of Angel in the episode "Damage". It goes AU from there with some cannon parts to it.
Summary: Factions for good struggle with each others existence while something darker this way comes.
Feedback: Sovereign - xsovereignx@yahoo.com and
Elizafan - elizfaith568@yahoo.com
Jill stayed low, leading the girls through the maze that was the forest. She wasn't exactly where she was going and what she was going to tell Buffy when she got to a phone, but she knew they had to be getting close to a town. Thoughts of Raven facing that mechanized horror alone swirled in her head but she pushed them back. She had to stay strong for the rest of the girls, and for Raven.
As they reached a steep incline, Jill signaled with hand motions for the girls to stop and lay low while she scouted the top. Slowly climbing up and being as quiet as possible, Jill didn't know how things had gone this south, but she hoped there wasn't anymore surprises for awhile. As she reached the top and started to peer over, she found a gun in her face, held by a man dressed in green camouflage. She could make out several other figures behind him making their way towards them. "Don't move and don't speak." the man said, his face hidden by a mask and night vision goggles. Slowly he removed them, revealing the face on Riley Finn, Buffy's ex and solider boy. "What the hell?" was all Jill could manage to get out.
"Positive contact." Riley spoke into the headset as he eyed the girl, his original assessment. He wished to hell he could have gotten a positive ID on Raven Raines, but he had only his one time meeting with the girl, the girl with the eyes. Odd eyes! Riley remembered being told Raven had the condition of odd eye. As he looked at this girl, through the sights, he could clearly see there were two hazel eyes, not Raven's mismatched ones.
"Looking for Raven Raines and her group," he said in seriousness, though he was a bit more relaxed as he felt these were what he was looking for. "Do you know of or are you part of her group?"
Around them more soldiers with more weapons seemed to erupt from trees and bushes everywhere, surrounding the group completely, weapons trained and ready, but no shots being fired.
"Yeah, we're the Renegades alright, what's it to you?" Jill said, defiant as ever, as she looked at the odds and didn't like their chances if things turned ugly.
Riley immediately pulled the gun back, gesturing for the others to do the same. "I'm Major Finn, and I came down here to find Raven Raines and her group, establish contact, and offer any assistance on behest of Buffy Summers. I can tell by your eyes you are not Raines. Where is she?" Riley kept it business like, but tried not to be too dry and hostile. The military could sound very hostile if you did not understand their ways.
"Buffy sent you, huh?" Jill responded, her body relaxing as she motioned for the girls to do the same. "Well, you're a little late. We got attacked my some demon robot thing and had to split up. Raven stayed behind alone as a distraction. We gotta go back and help her now. No telling what that things doing to her right now?" she exclaimed, her fear for Raven's life written all over her face.
"Demon robot thing?" Riley asked as he looked at the others who were just as confused as they were. It was then another Renegade snatched Jill by the back of the shirt and pulled her back.
"It was him. Raven said it was him." Bobbie Gordon spat as she looked Riley dead in the eye. "Raven said we find Buffy to warn her he was ... wait a minute.. if you ain't .." she looked back. "You reckoning that really wasn't Riley back there Jill, cuz I sure as hell ain't seein' no demon parts on this one."
"I don't have. I'm not.. wait.. Okay, a little help here ladies. Demon robot attacked you and you think its me?" Riley sounded a bit hurt, but at the same time something tugged at the back of his mind. Something he could not quite recall, and could not quite grasp.
Jill pushed Bobbie away and got to her feet, dusting herself off. "That's right. Huge guy, with arms that turned into guns and skewers. He looked part human too, and Raven said it was you, Mr. Riley Finn. So, either this guy is really smart and fast and has transformation abilities. Or there's two fo you?" Jill said, not understanding any of it herself, and saying it out loud making it make even less sense.
"I don't have mechanical parts!" he said raising his arms.
Another man walked up, slightly shorter, a bit younger, and light colored eyes. "I'm Captain Graham Miller, and I assure you we are only here to help. This one here, he might be a hard ass, but it's not mechanical." he looked at the girl. "Of course, if you think we're lying, we can leave you out here hundreds of miles away from anywhere. We really were only supposed to find you and tell what we found. It's your call hot pants."
Bobbie busted up laughing. "He called you hot pants!" No one really got what made the tall southern girl crack up at some things, but it was just something that happened as she continued to guffaw at Jill's expense.
Jill gave Bobbie a quick slap in the back of the head to shut her up, and then looked back at Riley. Giving him and his companions a good once over. "Well, you don't look or sound evil. I figure we can trust you...don't really got much choice right now. But I saw what I saw and heard what I heard. So maybe someone just made the guy to look like you. All I know is he was seriously powerful and is big trouble. We need to get back to Raven now."Jill said signaling the girls to prepare to head back.
"Back to Raven?" Riley asked. "Unless she is further than twenty miles from this location, she isn't around. We did a complete thermal and infrared scan in the area around here. Other than you and some wild life. There's nothing alive out here." he said as the beginning of an infamous Georgia Thunderstorm let loose a light sprinkle of rain.
"What? She's not...Does that mean she's dead?" Jill asked as tears began streaming down her face, mixing with the rain that was starting to come down. The rest of the girls wore somber looks as well, seemingly oblivious to the downpour.
Riley looked back at Graham and Graham turned to the girl. "Anything could have happened. This demon thing could be masking her heat signature, or he may even have had his own means out of here and just captured her." Graham gave her a very serious expression, the kind that meant no bull. "Or your leader just caught the last train west."
Jill wiped the tears and put on her best strong face. "Your right, know way Raven lost to that big hunk of junk. She probably fooled him good and is trying to meet up with us or the other group. Don't know why I'm worried, it's Raven Raines after all!" Jill exclaimed, overly enthused and once again completely confident in Raven's abilities. There was nothing to worry about. She was sure Raven was fine and they'd see each other again soon.
"You didn't answer my question Miss." Graham spoke, directing the other troops with two gestures to secure the area and keep eyes and ears open. "We can leave you, or we can take you back to Buffy's place."
"Scratch that. Storms are going to be bad to the north. Best to back into Missouri." Riley injected. "We'll make Ohio later. We'll house them at the Initiative, feed them, let them relax. get in contact with Buffy." Riley turned to Jill. "if you'd like to Hot pants."
Again that started Bobbie Gordon on another fit of giggles and guffaws.
Jill shot Bobbie a look but payed it no mind. Being called "hot pants" by a cute guy wasn't so bad. "The name's Jill by the way. We have no intention of rejoining Buffy, but will take you up on the offer for a place to stay and food to eat. I'm starving and I'm sure the rest of the girls are too. We'll stay until we got word of Raven, then were back on our own, if that's cool with you Mr. Finn." Jill finished, her usual cheery tone.
"Sure thing." he spoke into the headset. "Bravo two six this is Alpha one niner requesting dust of from last broadcast coordinates." He gave Jill a slight smile as he waited for the answer. After receiving it he spoke to the headset again. Roger, alpha one niner out."
He turned and looked to Graham. "Get the boys and girls to the dust off site." the man headed out immediately, barking commands. Riley then turned his head to the pretty little thing in front of him. A pretty little thing that could tear his arm off if she so wished. "Ok Hot pants. Get your Slayers together and follow with us. Okay?"
Jill smiled wide and gave silly salute. "Yes sir. Will do sir." She turned and faced the girls, doing her best general impersonation. 'Alright you maggots. Get yourselves in gear and let's move out. And no complaints. This is the first step to reuniting with our leader, so lets see some hustle." she commanded, completely full of herself, but none of the others were in any mood to argue.
"Kiss my grits." Bobbie rolled her eyes. "Bout as ridiculous as lead tubin' for a still." she said going as Jill ordered, waving the others along.
Riley just giggled, making sure a few men stood in the back of the oddball formation to protect the rear. He saddled up to Jill, figuring her as the head of this procession of Slayers. "Can I ask you a question..'Jill'?"
"Anything, Mr. Finn." Jill said, smiling and marching forward while the rest of the girls followed along.
"What are you Slayers doing out in the woods? Are there tree demons or something? I mean, we've killed some pretty impressive creatures since we re-formed, but I never even heard of tree demons. Heard of a demon that was a tree though." he muttered, then turned his head back to pay the Slayer attention to her answer.
"Well, we wanted to keep a low profile, so Raven thought it was best. Beside, I really like the sights and sounds of the woods. A lot of the girls do. Don't think it's a Slayer thing. It must just be a Renegade thing." Jill laughed, happy for things to seeming to be a turn for the better and she just thought Riley was the coolest...second to Raven of course.
"Woodland Slayers lead by Hot Pants." He laughed as he spotted three helicopters nearing. Heavy missile pods on both sides, as well as large caliber machine guns handing out of the side doors. "I think we'll have a long talk, but after some showers, food, and a radio message. I would like to know about the demon robot. It sounds familiar.'
"Anything you need. But right now, I think I might take a little nap on the ride to wherever. I'm beat." Jill said, giving a yawn. She could tell that all of the girls felt the same. Most of them looked ready to drop any minute.
Riley nodded, sending out one of his men into a clearing that was just over the crest. The soldier pulled the pin on a canister, then through it into the clearing, sending up a cloud of blue smoke. The helicopters blinked their lights and began circling as one of thier number landed in the clearing. A group of soldiers, and some of the Renegades got on, then the helicopter took off. The second chopper repeated the process. Finally the third one came to get the rear guard, a few renegades, and the two leaders.
**
Raven watched with mild amusement as she saw the near naked soldiers standing in front of a raving Colonel Miller. Sending that few soldiers against Samara should have worked, at least, according to him and that damned walking washing machine. Raven knew better. She knew Samara would take the reins over. She was a prodigy, and Raven had faith in that kid.
So even now as the Colonel and his pet blender did what ever the hell they thought they did, Raven surveyed the place. Getting a lay out of the who what when where and why of everything she could. She watched, staying quiet, as the empress had instructed. She watched as Miller reached out and snapped a sharp blow into the nose of one undressed soldier. *Stupid people. Get intel where you can, not where you want it.* she though as she rolled her eyes as Cain started in with his supposedly scary antics.
Cain walked slowly in front of the shamed troopers. "You men are disgraces. Each and every one of you. You were more than enough to handle a bunch of little girls. Instead, you come back, your asses in your hands. Disappointing." he said, his skewers shooting out from both wrists. "Very disappointing indeed." he said, his voice a mix of menacing and mechanical.
The empress sat, half watching the scene, half daydreaming. She knew where this was going, but Miller and Cain always had to go through the motions. She'd rather just kill them and get it over with. Maybe torture one or two, but she let them have their way. Who was she to get in the way of a bunch of guys having a pissing contest before getting to the point. She turned her sights to Raven who sat quietly. "So, my new princess, how do you like things so far? Enjoying yourself I hope." she said slyly, her voice reeking of a mix of sadistic glee and sex. They seemed to be almost one in the same thing to this Faith.
Raven had picked up on the boredom effect as soon as the Empress had heard of the failure. So she played along, knowing there was nothing more to be gained from watching the mentally impaired Cain and the emotionally retarded Miller muddle through another long drawn out execution. "I'm bored. Those two dunderheads take forever." she growled. "I know. Wanna see em get really mad?" Raven announced with a wild smirk on her face.
Faith smiled evilly. "By all means, my dark princess. Have some fun and rescue us from this boredom."
"Thanks bunches Empress." she replied casually. During her few hours indoctrination, she caught something about the mechanics of things around here. The two that stuck out. One, referring to anything as being wrong got you glared at and possibly worse. Two, the fastest way to pick a fight was to mention a certain name, then refer to that name as being in relation to the person you are talking to.
Also, Raven Raines was in bad need of a lay. So she sauntered up, yawning wildly and loudly as she looked at the group of men and women about to get sent off to meet their maker. "What's up guys?" she asked casually, scratching at her armpit as she did so.
Cain turned and glared at Raven while the troopers stared at her, fear of their imminent deaths written all over their faces. "What do you want you.." He started to call her name but then noticed the empress and changed mid sentence, "...I mean, what do you want, my dear princess. We were just about to proceed with the standard execution. Perhaps you'd like the honor of the first kill." he said. Cain still didn't trust Raven in the least and was looking for any opportunity to out her. He knew as long as she was in Faith's favor, however, meant that any direct action against her would get him scrapped.
"I was thinking..." she replied, thoughtfully. "I mean these men tried to do their jobs, right guys you tired?"
The group of men and women nodded emphatically. "I thought so." she paced up and down the row, looking at the worthless pieces of garbage, giving each a mild smile as she did so.
"Why do you think they failed. I mean, a triple mean fourteen year old and her fifteen odd companions should have been easy to take right?" Raven looked at the Colonel and Commander. "I mean, after all, these men say one of the Slayers had a gun." she stopped and glared at the two leaders again. "but they seemed surprised that the gun was there. Did either of you 'bother' to tell them Samara St John carries a nine millimeter M92 Beretta in a holster on her back after I told you both that she did?"
Cain and Miller's face went white with shock. "What the hell are you talking about? You told me no such thing." Cain exclaimed, his anger rising once again as Raven always seemed to make it do.
"Princess, I sincerely don't remember you saying as such." Miller said, keeping a lid on his anger much better than Cain. He had an idea where this was going and thought it best to play it cool. Raven was quickly becoming too close to the empress for their own good. Crossing her could mean crossing the empress, and that was something no one in the Insurgence was willing to do.
Raven smiled in a manner that was almost demented, but more of a almost sexual glee. "Look at your papers before you kill anyone. Look at the briefing I had typed for you two feebs." She pointed at a folder on a table that the Colonel had used. Of course, no one knew that she had changed the briefing paperwork with a copy, adding mention of the gun, so they would look even more ridiculous. "Or rather, let's let the Empress look at it, if of course, she would so honor us with such a thing."
Raven knew the empress was lazy in such matters, it's why she had the goonies here watching her back. Play the ends to the middle, then pray you have somewhere to land when you jump. It was Raven's plan, and maybe she could seed enough mistrust to cause a collapse, or at least disorganization when the calvary arrived.
"Really Raven? Well, lets see it." Faith said, as she took the report from Raven and read over it quickly, noting mention of the gun. "Well, it looks like you two have fucked up royally. It's right here in black and white. Anything to say for yourselves." she said as she crossed her arms across her chest, her black robe flowing as always, giving the occasional "free show" to anyone looking in the right place at the right time.
Cain walked up to the empress and bowed low. Taking the report from her and reading over it somberly. Lifting his head up but remaining bowed on one knee, he protested. "Your highness, I swear this was not here when we first read it. You know the Colonel and I read over everything several times before going on a mission. We take everything into account. Your new protégé is trying to sow seeds of destination. I say kill her now and be done with it." Cain exclaimed, starting to lose his composure once again. He couldn't believe this little bitch was causing them this much stress.
"Yes Empress. One single Renegade Slayer is going to single handedly overpower your massive army and kingdom all by herself by altering reports and letting Robbie the Robot here try to shoot holes in her." She put her arms out to everyone and yelled. "Did you hear that everyone? Be afraid, according to the Colonel and the Commander all one hundred and thirty pounds of Raven Raines is going to destroy you with paper work and self sacrifice! Spooky huh?"
She turned back and looked at the two leaders. "Somehow, I just don't think even the dish washers were afraid of me. You two are, and what does that say about you?" she handed the knife to the Empress. "Of course, as in all things, the decision is yours My Empress." she bowed her head, ready to receive a stab that would prove her latest rouse had failed.
Rage overtook Cain. The very sight of Raven was now the bane of his existence. He had worked hard for the empress and served her well. He held his position with pride as wasn't about to let some little Slayer bitch ruin it all. "Why you little bitch!" he exclaimed as he started and lunge at her. Raven braced herself for the worst, closing her eyes. All she heard was what sounded like someone punching metal and then a loud crash on the opposite side of the room. She opened her eyes to find Cain sitting in a heap against the far wall, at least fifty feet ways, a huge dent behind him. He was still conscious...barely. Raven saw empress Faith standing in front of her, facing where Cain had been standing and retracting her fist.
"Not very smart Cain. You two screwed up and you know it. Try to attack my protégé again to cover your own ass and you'll get a hell of a lot worse than that." Faith said in a voice that seemed unsettling calm. Faith turned to face Raven, taking hold of her face in both hands and looking straight into her odd eyes. "Very well done, my princess. I am very impressed. I think you deserve a little reward for bringing their foul up to light." she said with a sexy grin as she bent forward and planted a kiss on Raven's lips, catching her completely off guard.
Raven groaned in reply, while some small voice in the back of her head declared this tantamount to physical assault, another part, surprisingly, was happy with feel of Faith's lips on hers. Of course the conflicting halves showed not one bit as she returned the kiss, letting the Empress run the length and depth of the act, an act that Raven did not want to happen.
There were eyes, however, that saw through Raven Raines' ruse. The eyes belonged to the only person who seemed to see the faux princess for what she truly was. Cain was right, and as she watched the tableau, she went to Cain, as she was expected to do, but not thrilled to do and knelt next to him, a different type of kit in her hands made especially for Cain.
Cain shook the cobwebs from his head, his composure returning. He was glad he didn't have pain receptors, otherwise he'd be feeling that one for quite awhile. He noticed Jenny kneeling next to him with the open kit. He hated having her work on him, but there wasn't much choice. He needed some repairs and time to think. He had to oust Raven...and soon.
Faith at last broke the kiss, withdrawing her tongue and lips from Raven's, who wore a bit of a mesmerized look on her face. "Now, my little princess. There's plenty more where that came from if you want. I'm always up for a lay and haven't had a hot chick in a while. Whaddaya say, are you up for it?" she smiled at Raven, her voice dripping with a desire that both attracted Raven and scared her.
Raven let a lazy smile cross her lips and nodded her head. "Yes my Empress." her stomach curled. She had no problem with committing an act of sex with another woman, but this was not woman, this was a monster. "I'm up for a lot." she licked her lips, letting a desiring look settle onto her face. *At least she is physically pretty* Raven thought as she tried to steel herself.
"I thought you might. I am irresistible after all." She said as she put her arm around Raven and lead her towards her private chambers. "I want no interruptions for the next two hours. None." The empress called back over her shoulder before slamming and lock the door behind her.
A bewildered Colonel Miller snapped out of his daze and back tot he reality of the situation. He rushed over to Cain who was just getting to his feet while Jenny continued to patch him up. "We have to get rid of that girl...fast." he said as he puffed on his cigar.
"I know. Just give me a little time. I think I might have an idea to get rid of here without the empress finding out it was us. That little bitch is gonna pay. And I will enjoy every minute of it." he said, slapping Jenny away and storming out, Miller not far behind, leaving Jenny to clean up the mess.
Jenny was going to say something, but decided against it. As she looked down at a damaged mechanical part in her hand she grinned. However, if he was so damned determined, she'd let him, and if it got the demoniod killed. She wasn't going to be attending that funeral. *Duracell powered dumbass* she thought, then began quietly, and apparently obediently cleaning up the mess.
**
A pair of lawyers walked past down a hall. The same hall they did everyday. It was uneventful as usual until they heard and felt something hit the wall next to them with extreme force, causing some plaster to fall from the ceiling. They knew the training room was on the other side and figured some one with some serious juice was working out. They had no idea who though.
Inside the training room, Faith found herself once again flying into the wall. It didn't hurt much, her new powers saw to that, but the idea that she was being manhandled just pissed her off to no extent. "Okay, this is getting old. What the hell am I doing wrong here? I could at least hit you before the power upgrade, now all I'm getting is countered and tossed. What the hell?" Faith said as she spat, picking herself up off the floor once again.
"These powers you have are not like those of the Slayer." Illyria looked at Faith studiously as the brunette got to her feet. "I would surmise you are attempting to keep the two apart. As if either could be controlled by simple whim. Both sources of power are ageless. You attempt to frame them, instead of control them. Let them fuse with each other, and you with them." She stopped speaking as she was able to easily dodge another attack and floored the Slayer again. "And stop leading with your right. I see it every time even without time altering.
Faith took Illyria's advice to heart, although she didn't really let on that she was. Faith believed her actions would speak louder. "Okay then, unite them all, huh? How about this!" Faith exclaimed, coming at Illyria with a right hook, that was caught easily. Faith, however, quickly followed with a left uppercut, catching Illyria on the chin, stumbling her backwards a step. Faith followed up with a high knee to the face and then a right kick to the side of her head, stumbling her again, but not even closing to knocking her down. Faith charged the dazed Illyria and as she reached, Illyria waved her arm, slowing down time around Faith. Walking around to Faith's back, she kicked her hard in the back, sending her flying into the wall, making a Slayer-sized dent.
"You must be a better teacher then I." Illyria sad as Faith peeled herself off the wall. "I am beginning to understand humor, and you are still where you started." Illyria tilted her head. Her fusing with Faith had showed her some things about humanity, especially about Faith. Perhaps...
Illyria let loose a laugh, a scary sound that seemed to turn the walls cold. "I can understand why your friends are so weary about you. It seems you are not as good as they are at protecting the group. Perhaps that is why you jumped away and allowed the shell to accept me into her body. You fear power, you fear the heights it could take you to, and that is why you allowed Fred to be selected by the Qua-ha-saan, because you fear."
Faith spat and gritted her teeth, an rage building inside her. "I did not let you get Fred. I did not know what the hell was going on. I just jumped cause it spooked me. Anyone else would have done the same. I did not let her DIE!!!" Faith yelled, lunging at Illyria, who braced herself. As she reached Illyria, she stopped and jumped over her, landing behind her and catching her by surprise. She grabbed Illyria's shoulders, and kneed her in the back several times. She pulled Illyria's head back, her mouth to Illyria's ear. "I would have give my life in exchange for her's if I could. As far as fearing power goes..." She said, spinning Illyria around and kicking her in the face as she turned, followed by a series of lighting fast punches to her face and chest, forcing her back.
"Yeah, I fear it. Cause I know what comes from it...from its misuse. Evil creatures like you, and disgraceful human beings like me." she said charging Illyria again and getting backhanded into the wall once again. It hurt, but she could tell she had winded Illyria and surprised her greatly.
Illyria nodded. Taking a moment to recover from the surprising strength. Faith wasn't where she needed to be yet, but she had taken a step with that outburst. "Power is not evil. Neither am I. You confuse the grief for your friend as judgement on me. Remember, I am one of the Ancients. I saw the birth of the Wolf, Ram and Hart. I was there when the first Evil erupted from the ooze of time and I saw the creation of the Powers That Be. I created the vampire but I am not a demon, nor an angel. You would do well to know and remember that I predate either notion."
Faith got up, wiping a bit of blood from her lip. "Maybe, but that just makes you like me. Not really good, but not evil either. I think I'll always blame you for Fred even though I know, you didn't have any choice in it. You would have been reborn in whatever body your servants had chosen. Its not all your fault, but you are not blameless either. So much like me it's scary." Faith said as she walked around Illyria, sizing her up and planning her next assault when a voice came over the intercom.
"Hey, I think tats enough for today. Keep it up and the whole building could come down." Angel said over the speaker, Spike and Wesley standing next to him.
Illyria nodded, then looked at Faith. "I gave you power. Nothing more. It is in your nature to use it to aid or condemn those around you. It is what being a human is about. I understand that now. You have been a good teacher Vampire Slayer." she then began to immediately head out of the training room doors.
"Thus the dilemma of being a human with power. Especially human as messed up as me. I screwed up once, but I swear I never will again. I'd die first." Faith said as she watch Illyria leave, most likely heading to the cafeteria or their room they were sharing. She was sure Illyria would have another torrent of weird questions later tonight like before. Faith shrugged it off and looked up at Angel in the window, giving him a smile. "So what's up, big bro? Anything going on?" she asked.
He gestured her up, and when she arrived he gave them al the briefing, even though Wesley was the one who had received it, and Spike, lingering as always, had already overheard it. "Got a report of odd magic use in Georgia. Wouldn't have meant much except when we sent someone down there, we saw Riley Finn there with a group of soldier boys escorting a horde of Slayers with them."
"What our esteemed leader is trying to ask is, are Buffy and Captain America forging some kind of alliance? and what are they bloody doing down in Georgia?" Spike asked. as Wesley handed Faith a few pictures, none of them all that great, but one clearly showing Riley and Jill Bradford talking to each other.
"Jill? Raven Raines' little buddy. Now that is interesting. Jill wouldn't be there without Raven, and if Raven's there, then I guess its finally happened. Looks like she's taking some of the girls and went of on her own. Though, judging from the fact that Riley is involved, I can only guess that things didn't go over well with B." Faith said, staring at the photo of Riley and Jill, thoughts of the odd eyed girl circling in her head.
Spike lingered for a moment too long and Wesley caught it. "You know something about Raven Raines Spike?" he asked.
"Right I do." He said looking bemused at the brunette Slayer. "When Buffy went on her little crusade to catch wayward super Brownies, the good Miss Winters here went to go retrieve Raven. Buffy in tow. Now, rumors carry fast in the underground, and story goes that these two lost a fight with the little hell cat. Came out bloodied up and all. It's what started the whole group Raven was running. At least, according to rumor. Any truth to that pet? You and Summers get your yourselves topped?"
Faith crossed her arms and looked hard at Spike. "Leave it to demons to stretch the truth to make their enemies look bad. No that's not what happened. Yes B and I fought her but we didn't lose.We just didn't win either. Girl caught us by surprise. She seemed to had mastered the powers of a Slayer upon being awakened. We were a little bloody, but not beaten, and if someone keeps thinking we were, I think I might be getting in more training today after all." Faith said, hitting the wall slightly and making it split, proving she had better control and causing Spike's eyes to go wide. "Nonetheless, the girls's impressive and not to be taken lightly."
"I talked to Buffy pet. I hear that all she did was get you and Buffy into a fight by telling a few well spun stories." Spike looked at Angel and Wesley. "I hear she has magic Slayer eyes. Dunno bout that but anyway."
"Magic Slayer Eyes?" Wesley rolled his eyes in response. "Really Spike. Can you try to be serious here. Anyway, Faith. What can you tel us about this Raven Raines and Jill. Why would they split from Buffy? Are they rogues? Should we be worried?"
"Only Rogue's in a sense that they are off on their own. They're free thinkers, like me, and I knew they couldn't abide under Buffy's iron fist reign for long. Nothing to worry about though. They're good girls, just a little impetuous is all. As for her eyes, they are special. Raven has a case of odd eye, where each is a different color. And looking into, gives you an odd feeling that seems to effect different people in different ways. For me, it always seemed to have a calming effect, and reminded of innocence I have lost but will never forget." Faith said, remembering the girl fondly.
"She seems to be alright." Angel said. "I've met Riley Finn. I'm not a big fan of the man, but he's not evil. I don't think there is an evil bone in him actually. I mean he comes from Iowa for crying out loud."
"Met him too, once while shagging Buffy. Didn't stake me, so he can't be all bad." Spike added, irritating Angel.
"How about we never hear that phrase ever come out of your mouth again Spike, or I'll feed you to that thing downstairs." Angel snarled.
"Aw, don't worry peaches. I was nice and gentle with the girl. Treated her like a princess I did. Didn't even bite her .. much." Spike taunted, just before Angel snagged him and tossed him into the training room via the closed window.
"He bugs me." Angel grumbled, as if that were an explanation for his actions.
"Well big bro, I guess I should do the sisterly thing and go beat the crap out of Spike for the next hour or so." Faith said as she jumped through the window. The sound of flesh being hit and a crash against the wall could be heard. Followed by a "BLOODY HELL" yelled out in a British accent.
Angel smiled at the sound. "Oh yes, now that's music to my ears. So Wes, I think we should keep an eye on Riley and these Slayers. I got a feeling something big is brewing and that this may have something to do with Olvican. I'm gonna give Buffy and call and see what she knows." Angel said as he walked off, the sounds of Spike taking a beating causing him to whistle and almost skip with glee. Wesley watched in amazement.
Illyria thought back, to a time when she was the God King of the Ancients. She remembered Olvican. Very high powered Priest, if one wanted to use human terms to describe him. He had grown massively powerful over the millenniums, and was one of the last to leave before the God King herself. She remembered that time eons ago, as if it were yesterday. Now he ran around this time and place imposing his will on the people she intended to rule, or if not rule, at least live with. It was unacceptable. He would die when they, met again. He would not destroy this place, it had the Vampire Slayer in it, as well as her newest interest, chocolate.
She attempted to see into this place that had been prepared to him using her powers, but found that someone had put up a very powerful shield around the whole area. Illyria thought of breaking through, but it would be messy and evaporate half of LA. Instead, she decided only to send a warning to the caster of the spell. Humans were tiny creatures really, and could not concieve of a time before good and evil. Illyria knew and ruled a time before that, and so, using the power generated by the shield spell, casting a single memory of Olvican being slapped down into submission by the God king Eons ago to the caster of the spell that shielded him now.
Amy was snapped out of her trance by a sudden jolt in her head. She found herself hitting the ground hard, rubbing her head as one image repeated over and over again in her head. The image of her lord Olvican, being completely decimated by someone much bigger and much more powerful. One word came through along with the Image. That word was Illyria. Amy picked herself up off the ground, still rubbing her head, unable to get the image out.
Jackson, the communications commander, looked at her dumbfounded. "What the hell happened to you? One too many memory spells got your balance off?" he said sarcastically. Jackson felt is was his duty to be the ever present smart ass with the dry humor. Amy shot him a look, black magic glowing in her eyes, and he shut up, turning back to his console.
T..B...C...
