20.  We're Getting Hitched

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

England…

The sun was fading away through the trees, but Angel was taking no chances, having worn his Twilight outfit to the forest. About ten vampires were following him, as well as Icarus and Non, the former carrying Dawn over his shoulder fire-fighter style

“Stop. We’re here,” Angel said

A large tree stood across from them with a large split in the centre. Yelling could be heard from inside the large hole, as Angel smiled. Armoured demons came charging out of the hole, wielding swords and axes. Icarus placed Dawn in the care of another vampire, before joining in the fight. Angel dodged a sword and slugged the demon across the jaw, then kicked it in the stomach, winding it completely, before knocking it to the ground with his elbow. Another demon slashed at Angel, but he caught the demon’s wrist and snapped its arm, before taking the sword and impaling the demon. Non uppercutted a demon, as a second demon slashed her across the stomach with its axe. Angered, Non punched the demon, before grabbing it by the throat, then draining its life force, healing her wound, then taking the axe and blocking another demon’s axe, before beheading the demon. Meanwhile, Icarus had punched a demon in the jaw, then landed a spin kick in the demon’s stomach, before picking up a bloodied sword and splitting the demon’s head open. Angel cut down a demon, then whirled around and slit another demon’s throat. As it fell back, gurgling on its blood, Angel blocked another demon and slashed it across the stomach, before looking around at the bloodied scene. They had lost only one vampire, while about thirty dead bodies lay around them. Seeing that the sun had completely set, Angel removed his mask

“Alright, now that the welcoming committee has been taken care of, let’s get going. Hope you’ve got a strong hold on Dawn”

“Sure have, boss,” the vampire grinned, before carrying Dawn

Angel smiled and led the way into the hole, coming out into a massive cavern overlooking a colossal hole channelling through the world. The walls were imbedded with hundreds and hundreds of coffins, as Angel looked around with a small smile

“What the hell are you doing here?” cried the new guardian

He marched towards Angel with the intent of throwing him out of the Deeper Well. However, Angel simply impaled the guardian through the stomach, and then threw him off the boardwalk. The guardian screamed as he fell into nothingness, as Angel faced his small force of vampires and grinned at Dawn

“Don’t worry, Dawnie, it’ll be all over soon. Only need a few drops of blood”

Drawing out a small dagger, Angel approached Dawn, as a vampire forcefully held her arm out, showing off the numerous cuts on her flesh. Dawn whimpered, then hissed in pain when Angel drew another cut in her flesh, this one across her wrist. Her blood dripped down into the hole, before creating a large portal, thanks to the spell that Angel had chanted when he drew the blood

“Right then, hopefully, that will take us back to Sunnydale. I want all the coffins”

A few vampiric mages stepped forward, before reading from their scrolls. The Deeper Well began to quake, as hundreds of coffins were torn from the walls and sucked into the portal. Dawn watched on in horror, before realising what was going on. Giles had told her about the Deeper Well and what resided here. She knew what Angel was intending to do, especially with all the people he had captured

“You’re bringing back the Old Ones, aren’t you?” she asked

“Well, aren’t you a clever little girl?” Angel asked, “The final battle is coming, Dawnie. Can you feel it? The anticipation? It’s delicious. I can’t wait”

With a striking grin to his evil self, Angel stepped off the boardwalk, falling down into the portal, as Non did the same, disappearing from sight. Icarus grabbed Dawn and jumped off with her, as the vampires followed suit, reappearing in the massive crater that had been once Sunnydale. By now, the cavern that housed all the caged humans were filled with the coffins of deceased Old Ones, as Angel removed his duster, before jumping down into the cavern with Icarus and several vampires

“Alright, open them all up,” Angel ordered, “Open them all”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

“God, I’m so nervous,” Spike said, adjusting his bowtie, “And it completely sucks that I don’t have a reflection. So, how do I look?”

“You look good, Dad,” Elena replied, “Mommy will like it”

“Organising a wedding in like twenty-four hours is not a good idea”

Ever since Illyria had announced her desire to get married before the final battle, she and Spike had been racing about, trying to get things organised. Luckily, Illyria already had her dress, while Spike had his tuxedo. There wasn’t going to be many guests and Spike was sure that there wouldn’t be a wedding cake. Wesley and Dracula hadn’t come back yet, so Lindsey was going to be the only best man, while Kate was going to be Illyria’s only bridesmaid. Elena was going to be the flower girl, while Aidan was to be the ring bearer. And that was another thing Spike was thankful about, that he had been able to secure the wedding rings about a month beforehand

“Okay, I think I’m ready. You ready, Nibblet?”

Elena’s reply was to simply roll her eyes in a sarcastic manner

“Okay, fine, smart-ass, let’s get going then”

Elena hopped off the bed, before taking her father’s hand in hers, as Spike left the room and headed downstairs. Thankfully, the sun had now set, as Spike, Elena and Lindsey got into the DeSoto

“Everything’s ready,” Lindsey said, “Nervous?”

“What? No, not at all, mate. Just get us there”

Lindsey chuckled and started driving away from the apartment. Spike, wrapped up in nervousness, kept himself busy by smoothing out his tuxedo, while trying to keep his mind off the upcoming hurried wedding. He wanted it to go all right. It was the one thing he wanted to end well, unlike everything else as of late

“We’re here, Spike. Ready to do this?” Lindsey asked

“Yeah, of course”

Spike, Lindsey and Elena got out of the car, before heading towards the church. There weren’t many guests, just mainly Slayers who had been able to get dressed up in time for the occasion. Willow stood at the front of the small crowd with Faith by her side. Aidan was standing next to her, along with Andrea, while Faith was holding Jadyn. Spike stood his place in front of the altar, as Lindsey stood next to him, while the priest was next to Spike, holding his book

“Nervous?” the priest asked

“Don’t ask,” Spike replied

Just at that moment, a car pulled up outside and Illyria stepped out of the backseat. Spike couldn’t help the smile on his face when he saw Illyria in her beautiful dress. A small smile twitched at Illyria’s lips as she started to walk down the aisle to HIM ‘Join Me in Death’. However, a portal opened up behind Illyria, causing Spike to frown. Willow noticed this and magically stopped the music, as everyone turned around to face the portal. Illyria had an angry glare on her face when Wesley and Dracula came flying out of the portal, which closed up behind them

“So, are we interrupting something?” Wesley asked, straightening, “Oh dear”

“I am not pleased, Wesley,” Illyria growled

“Oh, so you’re getting married right now. Sorry. Please, do carry on”

Wesley covered himself in red magic, which transformed his clothes from a jacket, sweater and slacks to a tuxedo, as Wesley took his place beside Faith. Meanwhile, Dracula made his way to the priest

“I’ll take it from here,” he offered, taking the book

“Hey, you two, come here,” Spike said to Wesley and Faith, “Take your places. Red, resume”

Willow clicked her fingers and the music started again, as Illyria resumed her walk. Her stepdaughter had covered the aisle in rose petals and was now smiling at her, as Illyria took her place beside Spike. He beamed at her, taking her hand

“So, we are all gathered here today to witness the union of William ‘Spike’ Pratt and Illyria Y’strygmatni. Wow, complicated last name,” Dracula read, “So, Spike, do you take Illyria to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, at least until the final battle wipes us all out?”

“I do,” Spike replied

“And you, Illyria, do you take Spike to be your lawfully wedded husband? For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, til the final battle do you part?”

“I do,” Illyria replied

“Before we continue, does anyone have a problem with these two getting married?” Dracula asked, briefly showing off his vamp face, “Good, then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you vampire and wife. You may now kiss the goddess”

Spike and Illyria both smiled as they kissed each other. Everyone started clapping their hands, as Willow clapped hers, creating sparks that transformed into either streamers or fireworks. Spike and Illyria finally drew back, as Elena ran up to them, hugging them both. Spike grinned, patting his daughter affectionately on the head, all the while thinking about the inevitable that was coming

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX