~ The offices of the New Council of Watchers, Sussex England – 2 days ago ~
Giles sat and watched the news disapprovingly. The Californian government was labeling the shut down of the city a response to a terrorist threat but he knew better. The words of the prophecy of the divine still fresh in his head he watched as the footage of the Police ushering people off the streets. This was going to get worse before it gets better.
A moment later there was a light knock on Giles’ office door.
“Come.” He called out
The door opened at a nervous man with immaculately brushed hair stepped in. Giles looked up at him seriously.
“Davis,” he said,” I want you to try and contact Buffy again.”
“That’s why I’m here sir. She’s on line two.” Davis replied
Giles moves swiftly over to his phone. He picks up the receiver and pressed the flashing line.
“Buffy, thank god, are you alright? Is everybody alright?” Giles said anxiously, “I’m watching the news now . . . I’m sorry can you repeat that? . . Yes I can organize that but it’s a pretty tall order . . . how are you going to transport them? . . A portal? How did you get access to a portal? . . Alright, calm down, I’ll make sure they’re all ready to go when you need them.”
Giles hung up the phone slowly a bewildered look on his face. Davies looked at him curiously.
“Is everything aright sir?” he asked
Giles looked up to his assistant.
“I need you to clear my schedule for the next couple of days.”
“Is there a reason why sir?”
“Yes there is,” Giles replied picking up the receiver again, “I have a lot of phone calls to make.”
~ The Hyperion Hotel, Los Angeles – now ~
Rebecca lay silently in her bed. Her mind was busy as she studied the wedding ring on her finger. Although the wedding was rushed last night and most of the guests were armed it still didn’t make it any less special. Rebecca looked over as Alex stirred then turn to face her. He smiled at her brightly
“Good morning Mrs. Whitfield,” he said playfully
Rebecca smiled. She leaned down and kissed him lightly. Alex leaned up on his elbow and studied his wife closely.
“Couldn’t sleep?” He continued
“I’m just tense,” Rebecca replied, “I keep running the plan through my head and each time it doesn’t end well.”
Alex gestured for Rebecca to move in closed. They both lay down again and Rebecca snuggled in close to her husband.
“You’re over thinking it Rebecca. What you need to do is stop and take a moment.”
Rebecca sighed heavily. He was right but sometimes the weight of the world get a little too heavily. Rebecca looks as her ring again with Alex.
“You don’t regret the decision do you?” he asked
Rebecca turned to him in surprise
“What? No of course not.” she replied
“I just wanted to give you a reason to come back after this war.”
Rebecca looked deeply into Alex’s jade green eyes.
“Hey,” she replied, “You never need to give me a reason to come back to you.”
“Do you hear that?” Xander asked cautiously
Connor looked around the empty lobby curiously.
“No.” he replied
“Exactly.”
Connor looked at Xander curiously
“Did you hit your head or something?”
“No,” Xander replied slightly annoyed, “What I mean is no sound equals no police.”
“Guess they must have left with everyone else.”
“I don’t like it. Silence never goes well for us.”
“C’mon how bad could it be?”
Upon hearing that Xander rolled his eyes and shot Connor a look.
“Why did you have to go and say that for?” he said
“You’re a very strange man you do know that right?” Connor replied
“That’s what kept me alive for so long.”
At that moment Buffy and Angel walked down the stairs. Noticing the two males in the center of the room they went and joined them.
“Morning Buff.” Xander commented
Buffy nodded in acknowledgment. She looks over to Connor who was sharpening his tenth sword.
“How the coming?” Buffy asked
“About half way through this box,” he replied, “I should have the rest done soon.”
“Good.” Buffy replied as she moved over to the table to go over the strategy. Angel looks around the silent lobby suspiciously
“Hey do you guys hear that?” he asked
“No,” Xander replied
“Exactly.”
Connor and Xander exchange a look.
I took about an hour before the lobby was completely full. Each of the groups whether they be slayer or colonist were anxious about what was going to happen next. At the strategy table Rebecca stood with Angel, Buffy, Willow and Byron. The Divine One looked at each of them seriously.
“Our first challenge is getting to the office,” she said seriously, “Knowing Wolfram and Hart they are not going to make that an easy task.”
“With Los Angeles shut down this gives us a lot more room to fight,” Angel commented, “We could try and dived their numbers as best we can.”
“Let’s not forget about the slayers that are in jail at the moment.” Buffy continued
“Don’t worry about that,” Byron replied, “my team brought enough explosives to level five city blocks.”
The rest of the group looked at him curiously. Byron shrugged
“We didn’t know what we were facing. It’s good to be prepared.” He continued
Rebecca smirked at Byron briefly but returned to her game face.
“The next problem’s the building itself.” Rebecca continued
“I’ve been working on that,” Willow explained, “my guess is that they’re going to have a stronger barrier just incase.”
From a small pouch Willow produced a small artifact, diamond in shape, with strange tribal carvings on the outside
“It took me most of the night but I managed to work Testara mirror spell.”
“What does it do?” Rebecca asked
“Place this charm on the barrier and it should invert its energy. Basically it flips the direction of the barrier.”
“Doesn’t that mean nobody gets out?” Angel asked
“Usually yes but I didn’t have enough time to give this charm a full charge. You have about ten minutes before the spell ends.”
“That should be enough time to get you in.” Byron commented
“We need to find the code for the white room as well I’m guessing they changed it from when I was running the office.” Angel continued
“No we don’t,” Rebecca replied, “I can handle that part.”
Angel was about to protest but the look on Rebecca's face told him that she was capable. Buffy took one last look at the plan and nodded.
“Looks like we’re ready.” She said
“Not quite,” Rebecca replied with a touch of anxiety, “there’s one more thing that needs to be done.”
“What?” Angel asked
Rebecca looked around the group. She’d been avoiding talking about this but there was no more time for procrastination.
“When I get into the white room I want you guys to retreat and get out of the city.”
Buffy and Angel gave each other a worried look
“Rebecca you can’t be serious.” Willow said
“I’m deadly serious,” she replied, “I don’t know what’s going to happen when I get into the white room and if I fail you guys are going to be their next targets. I’ve been talking to Brother Gabriel and I have arranged for the monks to portal everybody.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.” Angel said
Rebecca glanced over to Angel with a stony expression
“This isn’t a request Angel this is what’s going to happen.”
Again Angel was about to protest. Buffy place a hand on his arm indicating him to stop.
“We understand,” Buffy replied.
Rebecca nodded and moved away from the table. Buffy picked up the scythe that as leaning against the wall and caught up to her. Rebecca looked at her Aunt mystified as she handed her the scythe.
“Trust me,” Buffy said softly, “You’re going to need this more then me.”
Penny picked up her sword and tested it. It had nice weight distribution and good balance. While she was swinging it experimentally Alex walked up. He looked at her awkwardly.
“So . . . Are you ready to go?” he asked
Penny stopped swinging her sword and examined it.
“Yep just about.” She replied
Alex looked at his sister in silence. Penny brushed back her neck length red hair as the light from the blade reflected in her deep blue eyes. These are the moments when Alex felt the most useless.
“I’m not exactly sure what to say,” Alex said hesitantly, “I don’t think hallmark make a card for demon battles.”
Penny turned to her brother and smiled. She leaned the sword against the wall and hugged him tightly. Alex leaned his head on his sister’s shoulder
“Stay safe.” He continued
“I’ll try.” Penny replied
From the table Rebecca watched this scene and smiled. She wandered over and joined them.
“You ready Pen?” she asked
Penny picked up her sword and held it lightly in her hand.
“I think so.” Penny replied
Rebecca nodded thoughtfully. She looked at the both of them together and her heart sank slightly. Rebecca sighed she couldn’t hold off on telling them any longer.
“Before we go there’s something I have to tell you two.”
Both Penny and Alex looked at Rebecca worried.
“Your dads company . . . it’s owned by Wolfram and Hart,” Rebecca explained, “If they’re destroyed today I don’t think it’ll survive.”
Both brother and sister thought about this. Alex shrugged lightly.
“Okay,” he replied, “thanks for telling us.”
Rebecca frowned. She was expecting more of a reaction then what she got. Sensing her disappointment Alex smiled at his wife.
“Did you think mom was stupid enough to leave dad with all the money?” Alex replied
“What about your father?” Rebecca asked
“He’s going to get what he deserves.”
Rebecca smirked at Alex. Just then she felt a tap on her shoulder Rebecca turned to see Buffy.
“If we’re going to go we better do it now.” She commented
Rebecca nodded. She turned back and looked at her Husband and her Sister-in-law.
“This is it.” Rebecca said, “We better get going.”
“I’ll meet you out the front . . . Sis.” Penny smirked
Penny walked off leaving Alex and Rebecca alone. Alex embraced her at tight as he could.
“Don’t you die on me again.” He said softly.
“I’ll try,” Rebecca replied
After a moment they pulled Away. Alex sighed heavily as he watched his wife, possibly for the last time, wander through the crowd. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Angel and Buffy standing. He walk over and stared at them seriously. In return Buffy and Angel look at him curiously.
“Something on you mind Alex?” Buffy asked
“See those two women up there,” Alex replied gesturing to Penny and Rebecca who were on the front steps with Shona.
“Yeah?”
“That’s my sister and my wife,” He explained, “if anything happens to either of them I’m going to be kicking both your asses you understand?”
Buffy and Angel smirked at each other.
“We’ll make sure their safe.” Angel replied
“Why can’t I go?” Gunn Protested
“I already explained this,” Rebecca replied, “No humans. Only Slayers, Vampires, Hell dimension and . . . Whatever Connor is.”
“The hell dimension people are human.”
“Yeah but they have big guns.”
Gunn folded his arms and glared at the Divine One.
“I want a big gun.” He replied.
Rebecca sighed.
“I need You, Xander and Alex to hold the fort okay?”
Gunn rolled his eyes.
“Alright but you better give me somethin’ to kill later on.”
“Deal,” Rebecca replied, “we’ll go find a big vampire nest for you.”
Xander and Alex walked up and joined the pair.
“Don’t worry Rebecca We’ll keep Gunn occupied.” He said
Rebecca nodded. Her attention was shifted to Alex. They stared at each other for a long moment. Although they said nothing the look in both their eyes spoke volumes. Neither of them was willing to say it but they were both thinking it.
‘Goodbye I’ll always love you.’
Rebecca turned and headed for the door.
“Move out.” Rebecca ordered.
The crowed filtered out of the hotel until all that was left was Xander, Gunn and Alex.
“Yep fort holding duty,” Xander mused, “if a horde of rampaging demons decide to take the hotel we’re the one’s the stop them.”
All three smiled and nodded. Suddenly the meaning of Xanders joke sank in and the smile dropped from their faces.
“Anybody else get the feeling we got the worst part of this deal?” Xander asked
The combined army marched out of the hotel. In the front of the group Rebecca took the lead. She was flanked by Shona and Penny.
“How long d’you think ‘till we see our first demon?” Shona asked
The army passed through the gates and hit the street. A moment later they stopped dead in their tracks.
“I’d say right about now.” Penny replied as she surveyed the scene in front of her
Meters away from the combined army stood the demon forces that stretched as far as the eye could see. The demons ranged from five foot right up to twelve foot and all looked vicious and blood thirsty. Rebecca gripped the scythe tightly in her hand. Byron walked up to Rebecca and stared at the opposing force.
“They don’t look very friendly” he commented
“No they don’t.” Rebecca replied
Byron turned at smiled at the Divine One.
“I guess someone should do something about them.”
From his belt Byron pulled out a small short wave radio.
“Bring ‘em around.” he ordered
Rebecca looked at him curiously.
“Bring what around?”
“Just watch.”
Suddenly the roar of car engines echoed through the air. From two side streets five retrofitted Hell dimension Pickup trucks raced out and skidded to a halt between both armies. On the back the tazer riflemen stood ready for action. Rebecca looked stunned at the sudden appearance of the vehicles.
“You didn’t think the rifles were the only toys we brought with us did you?” Byron gloated, “What’s the order commander?”
“We need to get the slayers out of jail.” Rebecca replied
“No problem.” Byron replied
Rebecca turned to Shona.
“You know where the main holding facility for the LAPD is right?”
“Yeah,” Shona replied
“Take one of the trucks,” Rebecca ordered, “we need those slayers out and armed as soon as possible, also if you can draw a few of the demons with you that’ll be handy.”
“You got it,” Shona replied, “Pen your with me.”
Shona took Penny, a few assigned slayers and some of the colonists over to one of the pickups. Rebecca stared down the demons as Buffy and Angel joined her.
“Everybody’s ready.” Buffy commented
“Good,” Rebecca replied, “I say it’s time we divide a conquer.”
Rebecca gave the order and the army charge in. some of the troops jumped onto the pickups as they charged into the fray.
It took a few minutes for Shona’s pickup to swerve its way through the demon forces. Once it was clear the truck picked up speed and headed for the jail. Shona was jostled around violently as the pickup screeched around the corner.
“Hey watch it!” she yelled, “we aint gonna be much use dead!”
“Sorry,” Xander replied, “little Depth perception problem.”
Penny looked at Xander curiously
“Xander?” she asked, “I though you stayed back at the hotel.”
“Girl this is hell dimension Xander don’t you remember?” Shona replied
Xander smiled.
“I like that,” he replied, “makes me sound like an action figure.”
“Yeah, well, keep your kung fu grip to yourself and watch the road.”
“Yes ma’am.”
They arrived at the holding facility. Xander brought the Truck screeching to a halt just outside the main doors. Shona Stepped out and frowned. The place was sealed tight. Every door and window under heavy bars.
“Damn it.” Shona yelled, “You got something to get though this?”
Xander looked at the bars. He turned at moved to the back of the pickup. Just before he started to look a slow rumbling sound distracted him. He looked up and saw a good portion of the demon army charging at them.
“Ah . . . guys.” Xander said
“What?” Shona asked as she moved in next to him.
It was then that she noticed the demons approaching.
“Oh shit!” she exclaimed, “we gotta get in now!”
“I think it’s time to use my universal key.” Xander commented as he climbed back into the cab of the truck.
The slayers and colonists jumped off the back just as Xander started the engine and floored it. The pickup jerked forward smashing its way through the front entrance of the holding facility, through the offices and out into the cells. Shona joined back up with Xander a moment later.
“Universal key huh?” she asked
Xander shrugged.
“It opens most doors.”
Shona rolled her eyes and gestured penny to help her with the main door. As that came crashing down the group of slayers moved into the cells. Inside the incarcerated slayers looked anxiously out at them. Shona tried one of the cell doors but a moderate electric shock jolted her back.
“Damn these guys were prepared,” she exclaimed.
“There has to be someway we can get them open.” Penny replied
Xander looked around. Down the end of the hall was a generator. The cables lead to the cell doors. He turned and rushed back to the truck returning moments later with a wad of plastic explosive. Moving swiftly he attached the bomb to the generator he lit the fuse and bolted. A moment later the generator exploded sending metal fragments flying down the corridor. Right before they were about to celebrate their small victory the sound of tazer fire came from outside the building. Wasting no time the slayers kicked down the doors and piled out into the hall. Shona and Penny lead them outside just as the Demons arrived.
The fighting was intense. Swords swung everywhere as tazer blasts accompanied them. Around them members of both sides fells. Shona charged in blade flying. She stabbed one demon while kicking back another. Pulling her sword out her spun it around with expert precision removing the head of a third demon approaching from behind her. she ducked under a forth demons attack barrel rolling across the ground then piercing it’s heart as it tried to strike at her on the ground.
Penny was having equal luck. She forced back two demons who were trying to make a move on a coupe of the colonists. After that she spun kicked another sending it flying back into the crowd. Just before she was going to charge that demon a larger one struck her on the back of the head causing her to fall to the ground. Fortunately she managed to swing herself around before his demon finished her off. Shona saw Penny struggling with the demon. Punching two other demons out of the way she charged in tackling the large demon onto the ground. She punched it across the face knocking it out cold. Shona turned and helped Penny back onto her feet.
“Thanks,” penny said in relief, “I wasn’t gonna last very long.”
“Nobody hurts my main Girl,” Shona replied, “Let’s go we still have a lot more demons to . . . “
Shona stopped suddenly. Penny looked at Shona’s shocked expression on her face with curiosity. A moment later she noticed the sword blade protruding from Shona’s chest. The tall demon pulled the blade out and Shona collapsed to the ground. Penny looked up at the demon in a fiery anger. She swung out with her blade with lightning speed. At first the demon deflected the shots with his own blade but, a moment later, Penny got the upper hand stabbing the demon through the heart.
Penny scrambled back to Shona and lifted her up onto her lap. Although weak Shona could see the tears forming in Penny’s eyes.
“Wow that really hurts.” Shona joked
“Don’t you die on me.” Penny screamed
Shona looked up to her and smiled.
“Sorry girl it sounded better when I said it.”
Penny laughed. She didn’t mean to but Shona always managed to make her laugh. In between a coughing fit Shona looked at Penny curiously.
“What the hell are you still doin’ here?” she asked slightly annoyed, “you got to get these slayers back to Beck.”
“I-I can’t,” Penny replied anxiously, “not without you!”
“The hell you can’t, “Shona replied getting weaker by the second, “You’re more then ready to do this. Just one thing . . .”
She reached into her jacket pocket. She pulled out a small mask and handed it to Penny. Penny looked at it in surprise. This was one of the masks she threw away when she dropped her nickname. Shona smiled up at her.
“. . . they don’t need Penny to lead them they need Nighthawk.”
Shona began to cough violently. She looked up at her slayer partner for the last time.
“Go get them.” were her final words
Penny felt the life fade from Shona’s body. She laid it down carefully onto the ground and stood up slowly. In one swift motion she slipped the small mask back over her eyes.
Nighthawk had returned.
Nighthawk kicked Shona’s sword up into her spare hand and charged at the demons. Swinging her blades out she fought like a woman possessed in one single motion she stabbed one demon while deflecting a strike from a second. After the first fell she swung around severing the head of the second. This continued until she made her way to Xander.
“Get the truck out of the building. We’re moving out.” She ordered
“Got it Pen.” Xander replied firing off a couple of shots.
Penny looked at him seriously.
“The name is Nighthawk.” She replied
The demons spread across L.A. like a tsunami. Almost every street was covered by the Wolfram and Hart forces. It had taken Rebecca and the others the better part of a day to make it to the offices of Wolfram and Hart. Once the Divine One reached the front path the demons realized their plan and doubled back. It didn’t take long for the main force to be overwhelmed.
“You know what would be good right about now,” Angel commented as he knocked back some of the demons, “reinforcements.”
Just then Xanders pickup screeched around the corner. It was followed by a large swarm of slayers who plowed into the demons. The most vicious of the slayers was Nighthawk who managed to cut her way to Rebecca.
“That’s all of them.” Nighthawk said seriously
Rebecca nodded. Suddenly something occurred to her which made her look around.
“Where’s Shona?” she asked
Nighthawk gave her a look which explained everything.
“Oh,” was the only reply Rebecca could give.
It took about another three hours before the main demon force was taken care off. There had been heavy casualties on both sides but in the end the combined forces of the slayers and colonists survived. Nighthawk sat angrily on her own. Rebecca noticed this and wandered over.
“Penny?” she asked softly.
There was no response. Rebecca noticed that Nighthawk was wearing her mask.
“Nighthawk?” Rebecca asked
Nighthawk turned and looked at Rebecca. There was pain in her eyes that Rebecca had never seen before.
“You okay?”
Nighthawk thought about this question.
“I will be soon,” she replied giving Rebecca an insistent look, “After you kill the three bastards that had Shona killed.”
This surprised Rebecca. She had never heard Nighthawk talk like that before. it almost sounded like a touch of Shona had sunk in. a sly smile crossed Rebecca's face.
“Don’t worry,” she replied, “I will.”
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