Hell on Earth: Futures Divided: Chapter 1: Atonement
by Timan
A girl walked silently through the graveyard. Her pace was casual and unhurried. As she passed by a grave she failed to notice the ground slowly moving. A hand pushed its way through the soft earth and grip hard to what ever it could find. This was accompanying by the other until the head of a twenty-something male pulled himself out of the ground. The girl stopped. The male stood and looked around. He saw the girl and smiled. His face morphed and he walked up slowly baring his teeth. Just before he stuck another girl knocked him down from the side. The first girl rolled her eyes and turned around.
“What the hell Nighthawk!” Shona yelled
“You were taking to long.” Nighthawk replied as she pounded on the vampires face.
“I was wafting for my moment. god!”
Nighthawk looked up and shrugged playfully
“You snooze you . . . “
The vampire pushed Nighthawk off him. He jumps up and kicks her in the Chest. He moved in and attacked with a series of body hits.
“Little help.” Nighthawk called out
“Oh no you have everything under control.” Shona replied annoyed
The vampire sweeps Nighthawks legs and she fell hard. The vampire leaped on her. Nighthawk struggled against the vampire as it inched its way to her neck. Shona sighed and paced up angrily and grabbed the vamp by the hair. She dragged him to his feet and kicked him in the face followed by a spin kick to the stomach. Shona swung in with a left hook and clipped him across the jaw, which sent him spiraling to the ground. Shona pulled a stake out from behind her jacket and pierced the vampire’s heart. As it turned to dust Shona jumped up and stormed over to Nighthawk.
“What is you problem?” She yelled
“Is it my fault you have no sense of style?” Nighthawk replied
“Don’t you dare go their girl. I’m aint the one trying to leap over tall buildings.”
“Hey! You would have been vamp food if I didn’t show.”
Shona looked at her sister slayer in shock
“I would have been vamp food? Who was it that dragged frat boy off you ass? If you don’t pull you head out of wherever you have it stuck and start concentrating you’re gonna be dead by . . .”
Two vamps tacked them both. Shona and Nighthawk struggled against them but they had the securely. Just before both vampires bit down they were kicked in the face. The vampires flew back against a couple of tombstones. Rebecca ran up and attacked both vamps completely focused. Rebecca punched one across the face and elbowed the other. As they stumble back she pulls out two stakes and stakes them in tandem. Rebecca dust herself off and stares casually at the sheepish girls. Nighthawk smiled awkwardly
“So . . . the hero team lives for another night.” Nighthawk says sweetly
Shona swings around and scowls at the girl.
“Oh I am so gonna hurt you.”
Knowing where this was going to end up Rebecca moved in and physically separated the two of them.
“Alright,” Rebecca said to the both of them, “I think we’ve seen all the vamps were gonna see. Lets call it a night.”
“Fine by me just keep mask girl away from me.” Shona snapped
“It’s called hiding my secret identity.” Nighthawk yelled back.
Again Rebecca had to separate the two girls.
“Stop It.” she said, “let’s check back in with the club and head home and I don’t wanna hear anything else about this k?”
The looked around awkwardly.
“Okay?” Rebecca said more insistently
The girls nodded and Rebecca releases her grip and the slayer trio headed out of the graveyard.
Rebecca shook her head. She’d been working with Shona Myers and the girl who called herself Nighthawk for the past to years. Rebecca would have loved to have said that she ran the most dedicated slayer team in her zone but since she spends half her time playing referee between the two girls she has to settle for what she gets. Shona was roughly about Rebecca Age. The young African American was dynamic and dedicated. When she was called she jumped into the work with both fists flying. As for Nighthawk she is almost mirror image to Shona. The slender white nineteen year old loved the superhero part of the work almost to the point of Obsession.
“Why the hell do you let her wear the mask for Beck?” Shona asked in an annoyed tone
“It’s her thing Shona you know that.” Rebecca replied
“I’m gonna give her a thing she doesn’t get her head in the game.” Shona
Rebecca shook her head slowly.
“Shona . . . “ She started
“And another thing. Why are we still calling her Nighthawk?”
“She thinks Penny isn’t a cool enough name for demon fighting.”
“Remind me to kick Xanders ass for suggesting it the next time we see him.”
Rebecca sighed in mild frustration. Some days she thinks she should just throw the two of them in a ring and let them fight it out. Just then Rebecca’s cell started to ring. She pulled it out of her pocket and answered.
“Hello? . . Oh hey . . . Yeah I think I can make it tomorrow . . . how big is it? . . Okay . . . so it has more then two arms . . . I’ll be there early see ya Angel.”
As she put her cell away she caught the look Shona was giving her.
”What?” Rebecca asked
“Got another gig with ‘the Angel’ huh?”
“Not you to.”
“Hell no. I respect the guy but hero worship isn’t my thing,” Shona said casually, “Don’t get me wrong I’m glad he stopped that demon destroying the slayer power just don’t think I should start jumping all over him. Just don’t tell Nighthawk you talked to him if you wanna get any sleep tonight.”
Rebecca laughed. She slung her arms over Shona’s shoulder as they exited the graveyard.
It was about nine in the morning when Rebecca strode through the front door of the Hyperon hotel. She walked down the steps and waited in the center of the room.
“Hello?” she called out to the empty room.
From the top of the staircase Charles Gunn walked slowly down the stairs. He was running through some Case files when he noticed the woman in the center of the room. He smiled and leant against the banister.
“Damn girl,” he called out, “is it my imagination you do you look finer every time I see you.”
Rebecca swung and smiled at Gunn.
“Gunn.” She said happily as the lawyer made his way down the rest of the stairs.
They hug happily.
“Hey Rebecca how you doing?”
“Good. Collage is keeping me busy. How you going? How’s the pro bono work?”
“It’s getting there. The kids are more willing to listen now which makes my job a whole lot easier.”
Rebecca smiled.
“That’s great.”
Gunn smiled in return. He shook his head playfully and pointed at Rebecca.
“Oh don’t go all miss modesty on me Rebecca you had a big hand to play in this.”
Rebecca shrugged Lightly.
“I helped.” She replied.
“You did more then help. That counseling in south central really open a lot of these kids eyes. I just sorry I couldn’t have been there when UCLA gave you that award.”
Rebecca looked at him suspiciously
“You wouldn’t have had something to do with that have you?”
“I . . . might have talked to some or all of the committee members. But hell you deserved it.”
Rebecca smirked. She punched Gunn playfully in the arm.
“Where’s the big man?” she asked
“Where do you think?” Gunn replied
Rebecca looked out to the back yard. Angel sat quietly on the water feature and just soaked up the sun. Rebecca excused herself and headed out the back. Sitting in the sun became a ritual for Angel now. Ever since Willow gave him the best present of his life
~ Christmas day - two years ago ~
Angel held the small box uncomfortably. He looked up at Willow in an awkward fashion.
“I didn’t get you anything Will,” he said softly.
“Don’t be silly Angel you didn’t need to. Besides I think you’re gonna love what I have for you.” Willow said excitedly
Angel smiled briefly and opened the small box. For the longest time he just stood there and looked at the gift. Finally he reached in and pulled it out.
It was the Gem of Ammara.
“Willow. I can’t wear this if any of the vampires in town even know I have it . . . “
“Who says you’re gonna wear it?” willow replied
Angel looked confused. He stared at Willow carefully to try and guess her plan.
“When Buffy, Xander and me found the gem under Sunnydale we were gonna destroy it just in case. But then I got to thinking if Vampire me used the gem to turn all the vampires in the world I could do something similar but, you know, more specific.”
“What are you saying Will?” Angel asked
Willow didn’t reply she walked up to Angel and held her hand over the gem of amarra. She closed her eyes and began to concentrate. Angel watched as the gem began to glow. The light grew bright and brighter until the gem exploded. Angel was struck by a wave of overpowering energy. He stumbled back and looked around confused.
“What just happened?” he asked hesitantly
“Go out and see.” Willow said pointing to the sunny back yard.
For the longest time Angel looked at the witch. Eventually he made his way out to the backyard he stood just out of the suns reach and hesitated for a moment. He looked back at Willow who was ushering him on. Slowly he reached his hand out until it passed into the sun.
Nothing.
The sun felt presently warm against his pale skin. He stepped out into the light and closed his eyes. Willow joined him outside and watched the vampire get is first taste of unfiltered direct sunlight in years. Angel smiled in ecstasy.
“I don’t know what to say.” He said
“I do,” Willow, replied, “one word ‘Atonement’”
Angel opened his eyes and looked anxiously at Willow. Willow smiled back
“I know the shanshu prophecy was fake but if you think about it. It kinda came true.” Willow continued, “think about it Angel if it wasn’t for the star doing the weird time reset thing we wouldn’t have know about Wolfram and Hearts plan. You stopped the final apocalypse from happening and got rid of Angelus at the same time. And if I hadn’t remembered what vampire me did I wouldn’t have know how to give you your present. Like the shanshu said ‘the vampire with a soul with stop the apocalypse and get to live’.”
“No the prophecy I would be come human.” Angel corrected sadly
“Did it say that exactly?” willow replied
“Well, no, the word it used was ‘live’.”
“You can go out in the sun now,” willow replied lightly, “I’d call that living. It may not be exactly what you were expecting but you can have a life now buster and now that you don’t have that perfect happiness problem hanging over you head I say it’s time for you to go have some fun.”
Angel beamed happily at Willow. He walked over and gave her a big hug.
“Thanks Will.”
Rebecca Walked out the back door and leaned against on of the veranda poles. She leaned up against it and watched the vampire enjoy the sunny day
“You know, if you were human, I’d suggest you wear sunscreen.” Rebecca commented
Angel opened his eyes and smiled at her.
“Becky. Didn’t hear you come in.” Angel replied
Becky folded her arms and looked annoyed at the Vampire. Angel thought about what he said.
“Oh, right, it’s Rebecca now.”
Angel patted the spot next to him. Rebecca walked over and sat down.
“You knew that Angel.”
“You used to like being called Becky.”
“Yeah. When I was sixteen and I thought I could get boys with it.”
Angel laughed. He was so glad that this Rebecca turned out better then the original one.
“How’s things?” he asked gently, “I have seen you since the award.”
“Things are good.” Rebecca replied a little skeptical, “mind telling me why I’m here.”
Angel nodded he shifted himself into his ‘to business’ pose and looked seriously into the slayers eyes.
“A homeless guy spotted an Oskius Demon heading into a storm drain near Marine Avenue. Oskius are tricky to pin down so I need slayer assistance.”
“So? Call Michelle This is her teams zone.”
Angel looks away for a moment. Rebecca folds her arms impatiently
“You know she gets pissed every time you call me in Angel. The slayer team zoning is there for a reason.”
“I know,” Angel replied, “ I need someone I can trust.”
“ You’ve worked with Michelle before and you said you were happy with her work.”
“I am. She very good at what she does.”
Rebecca looked at angel very closely.
“What’s the real reason I’m here Angel?”
Angel looks down sadly.
“ I just want to make sure you’re okay is all,” he replied, “you know if you need anything.”
“Please, stop,” Becky replied, “Between you and Aunt Buffy ringing me every five minutes I think I’ve got enough attention. I know ever since Mom . . . “
She caught herself. Rebecca knew that if she kept going it was going to end up in tears. Angel held her hand and looked at her sweetly
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make the funeral.” He replied
“Yeah, everybody’s sorry.” Rebecca replied Softly
“The cancer was a shock to us all Rebecca. If Dawn got checked out earlier.”
“It’s not easy co-coordinating slayers in a large city like L.A. I remember Mom saying she didn’t want to leave her post.”
Angel moved in closer and put his arm around Rebecca. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“Buffy told me it was like the way Grandma died.” She continued
“At least she went peacefully.” Angel replied
The back door opened again and Spike and Nancy walked out. They look at the scene and hesitate.
“Sorry mate we interrupting?” Spike asked
“No spike,” Angel replied as Rebecca pulled away from the hug, “what’s up?”
“Breakfast is. Apparently us humans have to eat or we die. Got enough for you to Rebecca if you like.”
Rebecca smiled up at spike. His attitude became a lot less hostile since he was turned human.
“Thanks I’ll be in in a moment.”
Spike nodded and he and Nina went back inside. Angel patted Rebecca on the shoulder and started to make his way back inside.
“When are you going to tell me?” she asks seriously
Angel turned back to her in curiosity.
“Tell you what?” he asked
“What it is about me that makes you so guilty.”
Angel looks at her in curiosity.
“I’m not guilty.” He replied
Rebecca looks up at the vampire and smiles playfully.
“I’m a psychology major, Angel, I know when someone looks guilty.”
Angel smiles in return. Some day he would love to explain that every time he looks at her he also sees the colony leader he tortured for five years as Angelus and how it eats away at him. But today wasn’t that day.
“I still wear it.” Rebecca comments as she shows him the bracelet he gave her for her sixteenth birthday, “I’m still protected by the angels
If she only knew the real reason she got that bracelet Angel thought.
Judson leans patiently against his desk as Notah, the demon of chaos, examines the Star of Asgeroth closely. He turned it over lightly in his hand.
“Well?” Judson asked
“Yes. This is sufficient.” Notah replied
The chaos demon stands out of his seat and holds up the star.
“The essence of the original is strong. There will be no complications with the crossing.”
“How long will this take?”
“I am going to need a day. The essence has to be bound for the ritual to work.”
“Great. That’s good to hear. So do you need a space to work?”
Notah looked around the Judson’s office.
“This place will do nicely.”
Judson nodded. He moved behind his desk and pressed his intercom button.
“Sally, reschedule all my appointment for the next day or so and let everyone know that my office is unavailable.”
“Yes Mr. Fox” sally replied
“I’ll let to get to work now.” Judson said as he picked up his briefcase and jacket.
He walked towards his door and stopped briefly. He turned back to Notah curiously
“Do you want anything before I go? Tea, coffee, blood? I can get you a first born if you’re hungry?”
“Thank you for you generous offer but I’m fine.” Notah replied
Judson nodded and left the office. Notah moved to the center of the floor. He majestically waved his arm and a small cauldron materialized. Notah sat cross-legged and hovered the amulet over the bubbling liquid
“May vox of chaos redimio duos.” He chanted as he lightly swung the amulet in a circular motion.
The liquid shimmered slightly and bubbled. He dropped the Star of Asgeroth in and it began to sparkle.
“ex sulum terra ego dico super custodis ut transpose suum vultus sic est res of transitus”
Rebecca walked back into the hotel. All of a sudden a strange force overcame her and she stumble. Gunn quickly dashed over and caught her just before she hit the ground.
“Whoa. You okay?” he asked in concern
“Yeah,” she replied uneasily, “felt a little dizzy all of a sudden.”
Gunn helped her back onto her feet. She held onto the front desk to steady herself.
The others hearing the commotion came out of Angel office.
“What happened?” Angel asked
“I don’t know man Rebecca was walking then she fell.”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine everybody,” Rebecca replied, “Just felt a little off now I’m okay. I think I need something to eat”
Rebecca made sure the room wasn’t going to spin then moved away from the counter. The phone rang.
“Hello Angel Investigations.” Gunn answered
As the caller talked Gunn started to frown. He looked over to Angel
“The Oskius Demon is on the move,” he said seriously.
Angel looked over to Rebecca who nodded.
“Lets go.”
Angel, Gunn, and Rebecca moved through the sewers as quickly as possible.
“Where did they say it was heading?”
“Cross town. It just finished feeding on some kids on the beach now we think it’s heading to a elementary school in the area.”
“So you weren’t lying about the demon then.” Rebecca commented
“ ’Course not,” Angel replied keeping his senses sharp, “we’ve been tracking this demon for about three weeks, Every time we try to take a move it would disappear. I’ve sent Illyria after it this time to make sure it doesn’t escape.”
From further down the tunnel they herd a high-pitched screech. The trio stops and holds their axes tightly in their hands. The Oskius Demon charged around the corner at lightning speed. It knocked Gunn out of the way and plowed into Angel. The vampire struggled against the slug like creatures strength as he hacked at it from underneath. Rebecca charged in and swung the axe. It severed one of its eyestalks sending it dropping to the ground. She was about to slice it in two when she was hit with a stronger force this time. Rebecca collapsed to the ground. She looked around at the tunnel began to swirl in front of her eyes. The image rippled and shook until it shifted to a completely different scene. Rebecca couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
It was Los Angeles but it wasn’t. All the buildings were twisted and burnt out along with the cars that were abandoned on the road. She picked herself up and looked around. What happened to this place? It looked like a bomb hit it or at least several. The streets were empty. Although the sun was shining there was an uneasy cold feeling.
“Hello Becky,” a voice said from behind her, “It’s been a while.”
Rebecca swung around and looked curiously at the two people stareing at her. One of them looked like Angel but his stance and overall presence told her otherwise. The other looked exactly like Willow but younger and a lot paler.
“Is she gonna be our new plaything Angelus?” Vampire Willow asked playfully
“No Will,” Angelus replied smugly, ”she’s not ready. But she will be soon.”
The force hit Rebecca again, which knocked her off her feet. As the world swirled around again she heard voices calling to her off in the distance. After a few moments the destroyed city disappeared and the sewer returned.
“Rebecca!” Angel called out as he hovered over her. She blinked a couple of times and looked anxiously at both the men standing over her.
“Oh thank god,” Gunn exclaimed, “Thought the demon got you.”
Rebecca sat up slowly. She looked around the tunnel in a confused manner.
“What happened?” she asked
“The demon was about to make you one of it main food groups.” Gunn replied
“Oh.” She replied as she got unsteadily to her feet
“Whoa easy,” Angel replied, “you’re lucky you’re a slayer or else the demons bite would have done more damage.”
“Lucky me.” Rebecca replied.
“We’d better get her back to the hotel.” Gunn commented
Angel and Gunn assisted Rebecca as they headed back. Rebecca thought about what just happened to her. She had never seen that place before but something about it seemed scarily familiar.
Whatever just happened it wasn’t the Oskius Demon that caused it. this came from somewhere else.
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