23. The Battlefield
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Angel was standing in the middle of the battlefield, dressed in a white shirt, black slacks and black leather duster, his sword tip resting on the ground. He was deep in thought, waiting for Spike and the Slayers to arrive so the battle could begin. He was normally a patient person, but he was starting to become restless with the waiting. The Old Ones were also showing their restless, constantly moving around and growling under their breaths. Icarus was standing nearby Angel, his vamp face on as he waited impatiently for the Slayers to arrive. The portal to Los Angeles was still hovering in the air, as Angel let out a small sigh
“When are they getting here?” Icarus growled
“Patience, Icarus, patience,” Angel replied, “They’ll be here soon”
“The Old Ones are getting restless and if the Slayers don’t get here soon, the Old Ones are going to be killing each other”
“Don’t worry, the Slayers will be here long before that happens”
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Spike and Illyria headed outside, stopping short when they saw the dragons before them. There were about fifty to seventy large dragons all standing before them
“Whoa,” Spike said, “That’s a lot of dragons”
“Mommy”
Illyria turned around and picked Elena up, giving her a quick hug
“See the dragons? They’re so cool!” Elena cried
“And they’re all ready to fight for us,” Wesley said, “You should see what they brought with them”
“What’s that?” Spike asked
Several dragons stepped aside, revealing ten large trebuchets. Spike’s eyes widen, while a small smile of glee appeared on Illyria’s face
“They have tremendous power, capable of hurling a half tonne rock towards the enemy over a kilometre away with deadly accuracy. These trebuchets were created by the dragons, so they are completely reliable,” Wesley grinned, “And there’s something else”
“What’s that?”
“Well, let’s just see being former CEO of Wolfram and Hart has it advantages”
At that moment, twenty assault helicopters flew into the view, all landing in the massive vacant lot that had been created by the Old Ones’ arrival. Soldiers all piled out of the helicopters, forming ranks and saluting Wesley. More helicopters arrived, but there was only seven in this squad and they were from a different company. As they landed, the soldiers all formed ranks, as Riley approached the group
“Got reinforcements. About fifty soldiers, not much, but it helps”
“Thanks Captain Cardboard,” Spike said
Riley rolled his eyes at the nickname, before returning to his men, as Faith came outside, Aiden by her side while Jadyn was tucked up in her arms
“So, when are we leaving?” she asked
“In an hour,” Wesley replied, “Slayers are still coming in from around the world”
“I don’t want you guys to go away,” Elena said, tears forming in her eyes
“Hey, Nibblet, don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” Spike said
“No, they won’t. Cause you’ll go and you might not come back”
“Elena, I promise to you, we’ll be coming back. We’ll be back for you”
Elena nodded, wiping the tears away, as Spike took her into his arms. She squeezed him tightly, not wanting to let go, but she did after a few minutes, as Spike pressed a kiss to her forehead
“Be a good girl until I get back?” he asked
Elena nodded, as Faith took her back inside. At that moment, a portal opened up, as Willow, Oz, Buffy and a pack of twenty werewolves all appeared in the street
“Be right back,” Willow said
She then disappeared from sight, as Buffy looked around nervously
“Hey, Buffy, how you feeling?” Spike asked
“I’m good, thanks to Oz here,” Buffy replied
Oz gave them a small smile, before heading off with his pack. Buffy hefted her duffel bag onto her shoulder, before heading inside the apartment, just as Harmony came out. She was dressed in light leather armour, a sword strapped to her side and her hair tied up in a high ponytail
“Harm, you know how to use one of those?” Spike asked, eyeing the sword
“Just because I’m blonde doesn’t mean I’m a dumb-ass,” Harmony replied, “Besides, I’ve had training over the years with these things, so yeah, I can use one”
“Good to hear”
“I wonder if it’s normal to be nervous?” Wesley asked, “We could all die tonight”
“Yeah, people will die, but if it prevents the end of the world, then I’m for it,” Spike said, “Like Angel said, it’s inevitable”
At that moment, a portal opened up, but it wasn’t Willow. Instead, the Groosalugg stepped out of the portal, followed by at least forty Pyleans
“Groosalugg?” Wesley cried with disbelief, “What are you doing here?”
“I have heard of my princess’ passing. I have also heard of Angel’s desire to end the world,” Groosalugg replied, “I know he will move onto my world once his is gone. And so, I must do what I can to prevent that”
“Well, this just keeps getting better and better,” Spike grinned
“Maybe now we might stand a chance,” Illyria said
“Well, a lot of vampires and demons have passed through the portal,” Wesley said
“Percy, are you always this pessimistic or just feel like it today?”
“Not really sure”
Three portals opened up, dispelling numerous armed Slayers, as Willow and Dracula appeared with them. The ancient vampire had his favourite sword on him and was dressed immaculately, his clothing gleaming under the orange sky
“If I’m going out tonight, I wish to do well-dressed,” Dracula said
Spike rolled his eyes and headed inside the apartment, going to the weapons cabinet and taking out the Vorax sword. He also strapped on a pair of retractable stakes, before sheathing a small sword inside his duster
“Spike?”
He turned around to see Buffy before him. She was dressed in casual clothes: tight-fitting dark red pants, black top and a small black leather jacket. The Scythe was held in her right hand as she slowly approached Spike
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Buffy said, “The end of the world. This really is the end of the world. The one. The Apocalypse. And I can’t stop it”
“Sure we can, pet, but it’s not going to be easy. A lot of us will die, including me, but I accept that. I know that it’s for the greater good. But Buffy? Leave Angel to me”
She nodded and left, as Illyria arrived, joining Spike by the cabinet
“Lorne is here to take care of the children. We are all ready to go”
“Good, good. God, I’m so nervous”
Illyria placed a hand of Spike’s cheek, before passionately kissing him, then drawing back and grabbing her bandolier of knives, before strapping it on, then grabbing a large sword and closing the cabinet
“Let’s go,” she said, taking his hand
Illyria led Spike outside before the large army of Slayers, dragons and commandoes. Faith was holding hands with Wesley, who had a shotgun in one hand and a pair of .45 Colt Magnums in hip holsters. Lindsey was there with Kate, both armed with a pair of swords and M16A rifle respectively. Every Slayer were armed with at least a sword, crossbow and stakes, as Spike locked eyes with everyone for a moment, passing amongst the warriors ready to give their lives to prevent the end of the world. Harmony stood with Dracula, while Willow was next to Kennedy and Buffy was standing alongside the Groosalugg with the small force of armed Pyleans
“So, we’re all ready to rock and roll?” Spike asked, “Now, I don’t expect everyone to live. But remember, this is the fate of the world we’re fighting for. Let’s make it count”
The dragons all roared, as several lifted up the trebuchets and flew into the massive portal in the sky, while other dragons picked up Slayers and Pyleans, before taking them through the portal. Wolfram and Hart’s troops all piled into their helicopters and flew into the portal, as Riley and his men followed suit. Willow wrapped her arms around Kennedy, before flying towards the portal, leaving the others with three remaining dragons
“Well, it was nice knowing you guys,” Lindsey said
He shook hands with everyone, before getting on a dragon with Kate, Wesley and Faith. The giant beast spread its vast, leathery wings and with one flap, was in the air and through the portal. Dracula, Buffy, Groosalugg and Harmony all took a dragon together through the portal, leaving just Spike and Illyria with the last dragon
“Well then, love, shall we?” Spike asked, taking his wife’s hand
“Yes, let’s go,” she replied
The dragon lowered its head, as the couple climbed on. Then, it spread its wings and took off from the ground. Spike looked down, his thoughts on Elena and the upcoming battle, before phasing through the portal and arriving in the battlefield. It was just an empty landscape with a few pyramids built around the place. Already, Spike could see Angel at the front of his army of Old Ones, as the dragons finished up with their trebuchets and started loading them. Fires were reaching up into the yellow sky, as lightning flashed and crows flew above the battlefield, waiting for death
“Here we go,” Spike said to himself, “Let’s go to work”
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