| Buffy Season 8- The Next Step by SinisterChic |
| Chapter #6 - Episode 3- Tell-Tale Moon (Part A) |
| First off, thanks, Max! You are a huge help! Second, anyone who heard about the scare of Spike sleeping with someone else, false alarm. I’ve figured out an alternate way to do my idea. This’ll be Spuffy all the way. I invite big sighs of relief. Episode 3- Tell-Tale Moon Scene 1 It took awhile for Nina to bring herself back into the world. It took longer before she was ready for a conversation. Until then, the kind man who called himself Oz fed and clothed her. He talked little, but when he did it was gentle and soothing. For over a day she lay still, huddled in a ball. She refused to leave the cage, even when the sunlight filtered in through the window, bathing her in its orange glow. It should have assured her that the monster was gone, but still she was frightened at what she was capable of. Nina was currently in a sitting position. She donned the newly purchased outfit Oz had picked out. It fit her for the most part. The skirt was a tad bit longer than she preferred, but it was fine. Clothing was the farthest thing from her mind. She jumped when she heard the squeak of the metal door. “Do you like chicken? It’s KFC,” Oz said. She heard him take a step inside. She gathered that he wasn’t much of a cook. He had served her nothing but takeout. Slowly, Nina scooted around to face him. He stood there, holding a plate with fried chicken, potatoes, and a biscuit. Why is he doing this? Nina thought. Was she a magnet for knights in shining armor? She didn’t want to be saved. She didn’t deserve it after . . . Angel should have killed her right after the change. She was a lost cause. Oz looked at her with concerned eyes. His hair was reddish, gelled up messily in spikes. Hadn’t it been black the last time she had seen him? Must have been her imagination. He offered her a small smile. “Hey.” Nina just stared. Oz set the plate of food before her. He shrugged. “For whenever.” He turned to leave. “Why are you doing this?” Nina’s voice was hoarse. The man turned. His expression didn’t show much, but she thought she could detect slight surprise in his gaze. “It’s what I do,” he said. “I don’t deserve this.” She closed her eyes. “I-I killed a man.” When her eyes opened she expected to see disgust or fear. Instead she saw understanding. “So have I,” he said. A connection swam over them. Somehow Nina knew what he was then. He was like her. She could feel it. But if so . . . How is it that he rescued her when a full moon had been out? He must have sensed her thoughts. “I’ll teach you,” he promised. Scene 2 Buffy collapsed upon her bed, exhausted. She slept soundly without any dreams. It was the first time in weeks she hadn’t been visited by her ‘bleached angel’. She woke slowly and stared up at the ceiling. She stayed in that position for over a half-hour, processing everything that happened last night. She went through the day with a sinking sensation in her chest. She felt disconnected from the world. She responded to others automatically. Her sister seemed to be having some difficulty as well. Dawn hardly said a word to anyone. Scene 3 The last time Spike died, the brilliant glow from the amulet faded to black as he succumbed to the hereafter. This time it was the complete opposite. The darkened alley disintegrated to an expanse of white light. The intensity should have blinded his eyes, but instead they drank it up with wonder. “Don’t tell me this is the bloody good place,” Spike muttered. Out of the white two shapes began to form. One was a woman with striking blue hair, who was dressed in a skin-tight leather outfit. The other was tall, had brown hair that stuck upward with gel, and a caveman-like brow. “No, my mistake. This must be hell. Where’s the fire and brimstone?” Angel scowled. “Figures my eternal torment would involve you,” he said. Illyria glanced around at the nothingness. “This place bores me. I wish to escape it.” “Doesn’t look like there are any doors leading out of here. Doesn’t look like there is much of anything besides us.” Spike directed his gaze toward Angel. He pointed to Illyria. “I don’t get why Blue is here. Would be much more horrifying just us.” Angel shrugged. “Maybe our sacrifice earned us a point or two.” “Maybe more than that,” a voice said. “I detect someone venturing forth,” Illyria informed. Sure enough another embodiment emerged. All three stared at the new arrival, Spike and Angel with awe, Illyria with curiosity. Cordelia looked back with her soft brown eyes. The light around her seemed even brighter than everywhere else. She floated along in a silken cream dress that made her appear angelic. “Hey, guys,” Cordy greeted. Angel stepped forward. “C-Cordy?” “That’s me.” He hesitated a moment before reaching out to hug her. She embraced him back with a smile. They parted, both gazing at each other. “You look. . .” She did a twirl. “Oh, I know! I always shuddered to think of wearing those hideous long robes they describe angels in. But this . . . “ She ran a hand down her dress. “It’s so better than Armani.” A grin formed on Angel’s lips. “I missed you.” She grinned back. “I missed you.” “So, I take it this must be the pearly gates afterall then,” Spike said. Cordelia drew away. Her expression turned serious. She shook her head. “No. This happens to be a dimensional divide between spaces. I’m here to send you all where you belong.” Spike chuckled. “So it’s to the fiery depth afterall, is it?” Cordelia regarded Spike with dark eyes. “I’m surprised that you would think in such black and white terms.” “The half-breed speaks truth. The creatures of the vampires are destined for the underworld,” Illyria said. “Ah, but souled vampires are a different breed entirely,” Cordelia replied. “I have no knowledge of this. Teach me.” “Spike and Angel have demons, yes, but they also have human souls. Humans have the ability to enter heaven.” “What is so rewarding of this dimension you refer of?” Cordelia huffed. “I don’t have time for twenty-questions.” She turned back to Spike and Angel. “Is she always like this?” “Yes,” the vampires answered at the same time. They then glared at each other. “Okay, anyways . . . Ugh, I’m supposed to give this long speech about how it doesn’t matter what you are but what you do. Blah, blah, blah. It’s pretty cryptic, as always with the big guys. It’ll only lead to questions I’ll have to answer. I on the other hand, really want to get this over with.” She raised her head. “Sorry, guys, but I’m going to tell it quick and to the point.” “Sounds good to me,” Angel agreed. She took a deep breath. “Well, here goes. Congratulations for saving the world ‘again’.” She crossed her arms. “But we’re not so pleased with how you did it, mister!” The outburst made Angel jump in surprise. He blinked. “Yes, you!” Cordy pointed straight at Angel. “I gave you those visions of the Black Thorn so you could get rid of them yeah. But not to become one of them and sign your shanshu away! The powers aren’t too thrilled over that one. They’re considering actually voiding it for real.” “Huh?” “Oh, you dope. A piece of paper can’t erase a prophecy. The Black Thorn knew that too, but they wanted you to believe it could. They were testing you.” “So, I can become human?” Angel asked hopefully. “No, not yet at least. It depends on future acts.” “But I’m dead. What kind of future acts can I do?” “I’m getting to that!” she said. “Where was I? Oh . . . And killing off Lindsey!” Spike narrowed his eyes. “What?” Angel asked. “He was a liability.” “Liam’s been a bad boy,” Spike said. “How do you know he didn’t mean the truce?” Cordelia questioned. “You were there. Lindsey likes to play musical chairs with sides.” “But he might have meant it this time, Angel. It doesn’t matter if he meant it anyway. It matters that you didn’t know if he did our not. People can change.” Spike raised his hand. “And finally someone agrees with me.” Cordelia ran her eyes over Spike and Illyria. “And the rest of you-“ “Our turn, huh? Okay, I’m ready to hear my list of sins.” “Nothing.” “What?” “You heard me,” Cordelia said. “You’ve been on the path of good and haven’t strayed. The powers have no problems with you.” Spike smirked over at his grand-sire. “Hear that, peaches? The powers have no irks with me?” “The only thing is that you got your soul only about two years ago.” “And whose fault is it that I died and didn’t make my soul-having days longer?” Spike’s voice relayed his annoyance. Cordy smiled. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” “What are you on about?” “The powers can’t send you to heaven because none of you have earned it. They are granting you the chance to return and do so. If you choose to, that is. The alternative isn’t pretty, though.” “Well, gosh darn it; I’m not sure what to choose. Let me think,” Spike quipped. “Of course I’m in.” “I can’t believe the powers want more out of me,” Angel murmured. Cordelia whacked Angel on the head. “Okay, I’ll go back!” he growled. “What about Blue here?” Spike asked. He gestured to the demon queen. The ancient demon tilted her head. “Your civilization intrigues me. I desire to investigate it further.” “That was Illyria talk for ‘yes’,” Spike translated. “Great,” Cordy chirped. “Let’s go.” Angel froze. “What?” “Oh, I’m going too. Did I forget to mention that?” He just gaped. “Well someone has to make sure you don’t get corrupted by another evil law firm.” _______________________________________________ Hehe, I just love Cordy. Any comments on Illyria would be helpful, I’ve never done her character before. |