Fear Rising Series.





Giles was having a seriously bad day, “Bloody hell” he said to himself, and then he realized he was talking to himself. “Great” he muttered. As if his day couldn’t get any ‘better’ Spike barged through the Magic Box door, slightly singed.

Giles groaned, “Spike what the hell are you doing here?”

Unhinged by this form of greeting I’m bloody used to it Spike thought, he said, “Good morning to you cheap and cheerful.” Then Giles walked off and headed to the training room, where Buffy was punching the bag with what passed off for, well, grace. He had been about to tell Buffy about a rather disturbing prophecy he had uncovered, before his attention had been wavered by Spike’s ‘colourful’ entrance. He’d had to pull his wavered attention back to the job in hand.

“Buffy, stop a minute and sit down”

“Why don’t I like your tone Giles, what have you run out of tea or something?”

“No, I haven’t, Buffy please this is serious.”

“Fire away” Buffy said. So he fired. He told her he’d found the ‘Ending Prophecy’. This was the big one, the one that was likely to kill her and end the world. Need you go on Giles? Been there, done that, died twice, been resurrected and pretty much saved the world all in one night. I know the drill, one Slayer dies another is called, Buffy found her thought bitter, but true. Then he moved on to what would actually happen, nearly all the prophecies would come true at once except the one where the Hellmouth opened of its own accord, that would happen last.

“You mean….” Buffy began…

“The one in the newly built Sunnydale High School library, yes that one Buffy,” said Giles gravely.

“When?” said Buffy. Giles stared at the floor for a few seconds then looked at Buffy, with his piercing glare

“Next week, I think it happens next week.” Buffy stared at Giles, with fear in her eyes, and then walked out the training room into the main shop area. With her head in the clouds, Buffy walked straight into Spike, who had heard the entire conversation, “Buffy, we’ll figure this out”

Buffy cut him off, “you were listening. You are unbelievable, just get out of my way Spike, I need to see someone.” Spike stepped aside and watched her go, knowing exactly where she was going.

About half an hour later Buffy was outside Angel’s mansion. Thousands of thoughts raced through Buffy’s head, but only Angel could chase those thoughts away. She entered quietly just in case he was asleep; it was during the day after all. He wasn’t. He was half dressed by the fire. Buffy’s breath caught in her throat, he was looking so natural, not her vampire lover. Angel hadn’t noticed her come in, so turned around and jumped, he didn’t see her during the day that much, and so this surprised him.

“Buffy you startled me.”

“So I saw.” He stared at her for a few moments and saw her loop her hair round her ear, her nervous gesture.

“What’s wrong?” She launched into everything Giles had told her; though she’d been through apocalypses before this one frightened her. The first thing he did was to hold her tight in his arms, trying to comfort her.

“Angel, I’m so afraid, what if it’s true, what if it does happen?”

“We’ll deal. I won’t let you die, I can’t…. I love you.”

“I love you too,” she said with all the passion of her heart. They kissed one another; both their hearts were on fire, then suddenly someone walked in. Way to kill the mood thought Angel well look who it is, wonder what he wants.

Buffy voiced his question by saying, “What the hell do you want Riley?”

“Giles sent me, he figured you’d be here and he was right.” Riley had loved Buffy for a while now Buffy knew this. But Riley knew that she loved Angel, so he was out of luck. “He says to call the gang and arrange a meeting for tomorrow.”

“Why?” said Buffy bluntly “To tell the gang what’s happening? Ok, tomorrow we met.”

“You’d better go,” said Angel, who was staring at Riley, who had his fists clenched. Angel found the corner of his mouth go up in a small smile. Riley hated Angel, Angel hated Riley. Buffy turned to leave, wondering how the gang would take it.



Old rejoices



Buffy had called the gang as soon as she had got home last night after leaving Angel’s. They’d agreed to meet at 10am the following morning at the Magic Box.

It was 10am and as usual Riley was late. Even Spike had been on time (he was still slightly smoking), they all sat round the table waiting for Riley. Who decided to calmly walk in at 10:30am.

“Nice of you to turn up” said Giles.

Buffy rolled her eyes. “Giles just cut to the chase already, tell them,” Buffy said and moved closer to Angel. Angel hugged her closer into his body, it shouldn’t have to be like this, and she’s to young thought Angel.

“Right I’ll cut to the chase,” said Giles, “as I said to Buffy, and Spike who overheard us talking,” Giles glared at Spike when he said this, “I’ve uncovered the ‘Ending Prophecy’.”

Like he’d done with Buffy he explained to the Scoobs what would happen, he looked sadly at them this is the last week they’ll probably be together thought Giles. He watched their faces fall as he got to the end of his explanation.

Xander was first to speak, “So this is it, the big one”

“Yes Xander this is the big one.”

“So we stop it,” said Willow and Tara nodded as in agreement.

“I wish it was that simple Willow, but I’ve called the Council and they’re sending two extra people.”

“Council,” said Buffy, “ as in huh?”

“Two extra people?” said Tara uncertainly. She wasn’t the only one having trouble grasping this, Xander also didn’t understand because he had a vacant look on his face. Angel understood at once, “Faith” he said in a grim tone.

Everyone looked at Giles as if to say are you insane, Buffy voiced their thoughts. “Giles you must be kidding or don’t you remember what happened last time?”

Giles just ignored Buffy and carried on, “they’re also sending a Slayer in waiting” The insane looks turned to those of shock.

“You don’t think Buffy can do this?” said Spike with an edge to his voice she can she’s been through worse things thought Spike.

“Mr. Giles can I come out yet?” said a girl, who’d poked her head out of the training room. She was as tall as Buffy, but had dark hair and dark skin. She was in clothes a lot like Faith’s. “Mr. Giles has filled me in on everything that’s ever happened here, sounds like you guys are living in a constant party, can I join in?” She looked over at Angel, her eyes widened. “Your Angelus, or you used to be,” she taunted.

Angel ignored her, “So here’s the potential Slayer, where’s-,” Angel began, but was cut off by a voice that had just entered the shop.

“Hey B, long time no see.”

“Faith,” Angel finished. Everyone slowly turned to face her; it must have been 11/2 years since they last saw her. That meeting had gone rather badly.

“So this is the chick who might follow one of us. What’s your name kid?” Faith said fully aware of the looks she was getting.

“Hazel and I’m not a kid.”

Faith chuckled just like I used to be when I was young, the clothes and the attitude are much the same she thought.

“The Council’s filled me in, there’s a massive demon party which is gonna go down unless we stop it”, said Faith getting back to business.

“Yes that’s right Faith,” said Giles awkwardly

“ I know none of you are pleased to see me and I ain’t pleased to be here,” said Faith. “Hey its miss states the obvious,” said Tara and Xander together. Everyone else just nodded, lost in his or her own thoughts.

“So what do you propose we do Giles?” voiced Spike.

“I think you, Buffy, Angel and Faith should patrol and see if any vampires have felt whats coming,” said Giles, silently thanking Spike for distracting him and everyone from staring at Faith.

“Right then patrol go we,” said Buffy also together, she thought Fun. Everyone’s fear brought together, not just about the prophecy, thought Buffy darkly.

The sun had just gone down over Sunnydale and they were all on patrol. All four of us thought Spike, like Dorothy & co going to see the wizard expect that there’s no wizard or Oz. Just demons.

“Why did he have to come along?” Buffy asked Angel.

Angel sighed and said, “I don’t know Buffy, I don’t…” Buffy stopped suddenly and put a hand into her long black coat and withdrew Mr. Pointy. Seeing her Faith followed suit. Buffy was just about to start running when Riley burst out of the bush on her right, running after what looked to be a demon. Riley leapt forward and grabbed its coat and toppled it, and then in unison Faith and Buffy body slammed it against a crypt. Spike stood in front of the ‘demon’ and punched it square in the face and roared in pain.

“That’s no bloody demon.”

Buffy had seen that it wasn’t a demon and had kept quiet, until Spike had said it wasn’t a demon then said to him.

“Way to go with the keen observe ness Jessica Fletcher”

“Why do I even bother helping you?”

“Well Spike if you didn’t help us you’d be dead.”

“Hey little sympathy for the man with a migraine here”

“Well that’s what you get for attacking a human,” Buffy chuckled so did everyone else.

Angel stood in front of Buffy, as if to protect her from this newcomer, “If you’re not a demon then who the hell are you?”

“Name’s Pike,” said the newcomer.

Buffy and Faith scoffed, “Pike’s not a name it’s a fish,” they said together.

“I remember you saying that once…Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

Buffy’s eyes opened in shock. Angel turned his head and saw Buffy was slowly backing away.

He stared at the newcomer with a sort of glaze in his eyes and said, “How do you know who she is?”

“Buffy?” said Riley looking at her with a very inquisitive look on his face.

“I thought you were dead,” Buffy whispered, “This can’t be happening…this isn’t real, it can’t be can it?” she said looking at Pike helplessly.

“This is real,” he said slowly so Buffy could take it in, “I came because I know a way to stop what’s gonna happen.”

“How do you…?” Buffy was almost completely speechless. Pike looked at Angel, “Whistler told me.” Now it was Angel’s turn to be speechless. Buffy vaguely knew who he was.

“Who?” “What the hell is going on?” “Who’s Whistler?” said Riley, Spike and Faith at the same time.

“Hey Angel, last time I looked in on you, you were lets just say rocking the boat a bit too violently,” said a man, who had a thick Queen’s accent.

Angel looked at the ground, clearly ashamed, “Angelus.”

“I think we need to check in with Giles and the rest of the gang,” said Riley.

“Think soldier boy has a point,” said Spike stating the obvious.

“Best all night,” muttered Faith. So all seven of them headed back to the Magic Box. All of them ready for war.



Truth revealed



They got back to the Magic Box to see everyone busy researching, they also had another new arrival.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said in a thick Irish accent.

“Waiting for who?” said Buffy, who was by now very confused.

“We tried asking him but he’s the silent type,” said Hazel whose head had poked round the corner of the door of the training room. She now came into view of everyone; she appeared to be out of breath. Then Giles came out of the room who was desperately trying to regain breath. But the look in his eyes told Buffy he was mentally exhausted. Looks like someone I know Buffy thought stealing a glance at Angel.

“I’ve been sent by The Powers That Be,” he said.

“Powers That Be what?” asked Angel roughly, then he added, “You don’t smell human.”

“That’s a bit rude, it happens that I’m very much human,” he sneezed becoming the living resemblance of a turquoise pincushion, “On my mother’s side,” he added. “What’s your name?” asked Tara gently.

“Doyle.”

“Aren’t we all chummy,” Xander muttered, Willow glared at him. He shut up after that.

“She’s only trying to help honey,” Anya said.

“Guys,” Buffy said sharply.

“Sorry Buffy, please proceed,” said Giles.

“Okay. So we were out patrolling, then Riley chases a demon, topples it and it turns out to be an old school friend from LA, then Whistler shows up. The most important thing is that we’re all on the same side. We’ve got to stop this.” Buffy glanced at Pike nervously, “What do you know?”

“A spell that might stop the party and close the Hellmouth forever.” Tara and Willow perked up at the word spell.

“How does it work?” asked Giles.

“Ilubreca Ilcenta,” said Doyle, Pike nodded.

“How does it work?” asked Giles. “Well, it works by transferring part of a person’s essence which acts like a laser shutting the Hellmouth.”

“What ingredients, when and is it the only way?” voiced Tara.

Whistler spoke up, “no ingredients, as to when the actual night of the prophecy and I’m afraid it’s the only way. Thirteen people have to do it but the Slayers can’t.” “But what if one of us dies and we need the extra Slayer on the field?”

Just then Buffy looked at Faith and looked back at her, then in unison they turned to regard the gang. We won’t die, we won’t surrender, they turned at looked at each other, we are the Slayers.

Giles understood, “We have to risk it, it’s the only way. We all play a part, that’s yours this is ours. If we don’t at least try a new Slayer will be the least of our problems.”

Angel pulled Buffy to one side, away from the others, who were busy making battle plans. “I can’t let you do this not alone Buffy.”

“I’m not alone Angel, I’ve got Faith. We’ll keep the demons at bay whilst you do the ritual,” Buffy used Giles’ words, “that’s your part this is ours. I won’t die, I couldn’t can’t leave you, and I love you more than words can say.”

“Buffy I love you.” They kissed, their bodies and feelings becoming one, their souls were burning with a fire and passion neither of them had ever felt before. Angel’s hand started to roam under Buffy’s tank top; her skin was warm and soft. As Angel’s hand went up her top Buffy’s breathing began to quicken. They finally broke apart, both of them breathing heavily. They kissed again, it took Buffy’s entire willpower to pull away and say, “We have work to do.”

“Lets do it.”

They went back to the group, who had finished plan making.

Spike looked up and said, “Look who’s back from the Land of Snogging the Dead.” Angel started towards Spike, fists raised and fangs flashing. He was stopped by Faith who stood in front of him.

“Back off. There’re more important things to do at the mo than pummelling vampires. That comes later, now back off,” snarled Faith.

“Angel she’s right. More important thing to do right now,” said Xander perfectly calm. Riley walked over and said to the two vampires.

“We good?”

“We’re good,” said Spike who wasn’t the least perturbed by Angel’s mood.

“Fine,” snapped Angel.

“Okay, moving on,” said Anya, trying to calm the situation, “until the night of the prophecy, we thought you” she pointed at Buffy, “and Faith patrol every night and on the actual night, patrol round the school so we don’t get disturbed.” Anya seemed very pleased with her suggestion.

“Okay then what happens?” said Hazel curiously. Buffy looked at Pike as if to say she has a point what happens next.

“We see if we get a show or not.”



Day of reckoning



The day of reckoning had come; Judgement day they called it. It’s now or never thought Giles; since the high school had been rebuilt Giles was librarian again. This had pleased him greatly. He’d been in the library all day, cleansing it so it was devoid of evil. Devoid of evil it never will be thought Giles, or tonight maybe our one chance to shut this blasted thing forever.

The school day had passed by devilishly slowing and without much incident, apart from the odd minor earthquake. Just a taste of what’s to come thought Giles. Pike, Whistler and Doyle knew it would start as soon as the sun went down, so they had gone to the Espresso Pump earlier in the day to get to know each other slightly better. Before God knows what happens thought Giles.

Giles had arranged that all of them, apart from the Slayers, to meet up at the school at 5:00pm sharp, this was because sunset was at 5:39pm and none of them wanted to be late when the party started. Himself, Whistler, Pike and Doyle had arrived even earlier to set the circle, cast the runes and position the candles. Giles had told Buffy and Faith to meet him outside the high school at 4:30pm, 4:30pm came and so did they. Faith was wearing all black and so was Buffy excellent for not being seen. We’re the only chance the world has. The Slayers looked at each other and a faint smile played on both their lips. So we ain’t as heck gonna give up, we’ll give the evil down there the fight of its life. They thought as they walked up the steps, possibly for the last time of the high school, where lives’ had been forged, broken, corrupted especially mine thought Faith.

“Thank God you’re on time,” said Giles thankfully.

“’Course Giles, and we also bought along another party pooper who thought he could leave the party early.” As Faith said this, she shoved Riley into Giles sight. “You were trying leave weren’t you?” whispered Faith into Riley’s ear, “you were gonna desert the girl you love when she needs you most and who also happens to be the Slayer, you good for nothing son of a bitch.”

Whistler came out of the school as this little charade took place, he had been stood calmly behind Giles and when the little spat was over he tapped Giles on the back. Giles jumped as though electrocuted.

“Giles were ready.” Pike and Doyle appeared behind Whistler and said one after the other, “Now we need the gang” “And we can shut the Hellmouth forever.”

“Right just give me a minute,” he gave Riley one of his old pissed off Ripper looks, “Riley go and help them,” as Riley walked past him he hissed into his ear, “the Slayer always comes first.”

Faith had watched the tiny argument between Giles and Riley with amusement and downright anger he loves her and he tries to leave, lowly bastard. Buffy saw the mixed emotions on Faith’s face and answered her thoughts.

“I know I never thought he’d even try to run. I really did think he was braver than that. I always thought that he’d try to prove his love of me by doing something ‘Die Hardy’ during the finale battle. But now I guess not.” She lowered on head, checked her watch 4:50pm and looked at the slowly setting sun. Even as she turned to look back at Faith, movement in her peripheral vision caused her to spin around fists raised in a long ago taught fighting stance to find…the whole gang, weapons and all stood in front of her. Buffy’s heart swelled in her chest, all her life she had tried to keep them away from the absolute evil she sometimes fought but here they were now ready to fight the evil she knew many of them dreaded and feared in their heart of hearts, to fight to throw caution and their own lives as it were to the wind as the final battle approached. The swelling moment ended and the reality of what could happen to her long life friends kicked in and the feeling in her and on her face was of worry and doubt I shouldn’t have to put them through this not with everything they’ve already gone through from knowing me. Willow and Tara looked at Buffy; both of them had read her thoughts, as they are well known, highly respected and accomplished witches. We’ll be alright Buffy, we’re prepared for this. Ever since we knew that you were the Slayer we knew that one day there would be a final battle and we’ve all prepared for it in different ways…even Xander and Anya have prepared. We’ve all pitched in. Buffy realized in that one moment, she had never had enough faith in her friends, as if in answer she nodded her head.

“IF I could have your attention please now that almost everyone is here. I have proposed that whilst we are doing the ritual, Buffy patrol outside the library and Faith patrol in the few corridors leading to the library area.”

“Good enough for me c’mon B. Gotta go get ready to kick some serious booty,” Faith said cracking her knuckles in anticipation.

“Okay I’ll be one minute Faith. There’s something I’ve got to do first.” Buffy looked over at Angel who had just arrived, their gazes locked. The look Buffy was giving Angel was ‘we need to talk’ Angel gave a short nod. Faith nodded she knew what B was about to go do.

“Buffy,” she said, Faith rarely said Buffy’s full name, “we are gonna make it. The two scariest Slayers who ever existed…Angel need not worry babe.”

“Thanks.” Buffy meant it. As she walked over to Angel she cast a backward glance at the dark haired Slayer like I said to Will once ‘that could have been me’. But the only way I didn’t become like her is because I have family. Though Buffy would never admit it to herself, sometimes in the past she had envied Faith’s rash lifestyle. Coming and going when she pleased, doing whatever she wanted, whoever she wanted but Buffy knew she never would have survived that lifestyle she had too much of a conscience.

“Hey Angel,” Buffy said, “I love you, no matter what happens out there you have to remember that.”

“Buffy don’t talk like that, you’re scaring me.”

“I just want you to know…just in case something does happen,” Buffy looked away, “I hope nothing happens.” She muttered to herself. Then they slowly looked at each other, two warriors, and two lovers, two souls who couldn’t live without each other. Buffy was looking at Angel with love, sadness and determination, and then she steeled her gaze and started to go into Slayer mode. Angel was looking at Buffy with a fiery passion and worry at what was about to go down and wonder at whether she’d live through this. Angel felt tears coming to his eyes and briefly looked away to calm himself, taking a deep fake breath he looked back at Buffy. They kissed, maybe for last time, during this they clung to each other finding the hope and strength they needed for what lay ahead. They pulled apart.

“Well I guess this is it. Let’s put the Hellmouth out of business forever.”





They walked to the school with so much bravery, Buffy was proud to stand with them in what might be their last night on Earth. They grouped together in the foyer, the warriors, the only ones who could save the world from its worst nightmare. The whole crew are here…here we go. Will we be paying the ultimate sacrifice?