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Skitty
Angel
Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 15
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 Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 5:59 am Post subject: Broken Wings |
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Title: Broken Wings
Rating: R {Warning-Character Death}
Summary: When the battle was over, the war began.
Author's Notes: This story is my huge, post Not Fade Away undertaking. It's still in progress.
Prologue
Demon carcasses lay in pieces all around them. The alley reeked of death and destruction, not to mention a few less than pleasant smelling creatures. Layer upon layer of demon flesh oozed different colors of blood on the pavement. The blending of hues might have seemed artful, even lovely under normal circumstances. But the decay of hundreds of demons was anything but artistic. The heroes, or what was left of them, stood amidst the chaos and waited tensely, as though the bodies of their foes could yet rise up to strike them down.
The sound of a metal lighter flicking open broke the silence. The amber glow of the flame illuminated a blood smeared face, contorted into the mask of the vampire. Spike growled appreciatively as he lit his cigarette and took a satisfying drag. He held it for a moment before blowing it out slowly, relishing the feel of it.
“Now that was fun.” His voice seemed loud in the darkness and the others flinched. They were beyond the point of exhaustion, and wounds, both large and small, complained bitterly.
Gunn sagged against a dumpster. For a moment, he was grateful that the stink of the garbage covered the choking smell of the demons. At least this stench was something familiar. Something safe. “You call that fun? We’re lucky to be alive.”
“Gunn’s right.” Angel stood stock still, staring down at his fallen enemies. “I’m amazed to be here, to tell you the truth.” He spoke quietly, without emotion. “The senior partners must be losing their touch.”
“Balls. They haven’t lost anything. They just didn’t know what they were up against.” Spike strutted as best he could, the effect being somewhat marred by a rather pronounced limp. Blood dribbled from many other small wounds, leaving a trail behind him. He stood up straight, not wanting to seem quite so much smaller than his sire. He smirked at Angel, blowing smoke in his face. “You don’t mess with the Big Bad. I reckon they’ve learned they’re lesson, they have.”
“Spike, don’t be a fool. This couldn’t be all they had to offer.”
A cool, feminine voice suddenly spoke from the shadows further down the alley. “Couldn’t be all?” Illyria walked calmly out of the darkness to stand beside Angel. With the exception of a rather large gash across one cheek, she seemed relatively unharmed. “They wasted their army. Threw them uselessly at our feet. They are peasants. It demeans me. They have insulted my strength by showing such a meager opposition.”
“Meager opposition?” Gunn stood as best he could, wincing and clutching at his side. “Okay, call me crazy, being the only super-powerly challenged person here, but that was not what I’d call meager opposition. I’d call it a damn good attempt at wiping us out. I mean, we lost Wes, isn’t that enough? And I notice none of you are exactly doing back flips right now.”
Illyria cocked her head to one side. “Back flips. Is that the appropriate thing to do after victory? In the old days, we would eat our enemy’s heart right from their chest.”
“’Ello to the imagery there, Big Blue.” Spike chuckled. “I’d settle for a bottle of tequila and a nice shag right about now, but maybe that’s just me.”
“Shag? What is the meaning of that?”
Spike grinned in a feral way. “Maybe I’ll show you some time.”
“As fascinating as this discussion is,” Angel interrupted, “I think we should really be going. If nothing else, I’d like to get out of the stench for awhile.”
“Party-pooper,” Spike grinned.
“I’m with Angel,” Gunn said, grunting with effort as he moved away from the dumpster. “Besides, I know I can’t handle a second wave right now, so, if it’s coming here, I’d rather be elsewhere.”
Angel nodded. “You have a point. Alright, let’s get moving.”
Limping and stumbling, the four moved slowly down the alley and out towards the main streets. They knew they couldn’t go home. That would be too obvious. But there were always places to hide, and that was what they intended to do for the time being. They all needed time to rest and heal before they went into whatever their next battle would be.
None of them noticed the single shadow on top of the building overlooking the alley. Even if they had looked up, there was no way to tell for sure if the shape was that of a gargoyle, or something more sinister, until it moved. Opening its wings, it glided from building to building, following its prey as quietly as the wind. When they reached the more populated areas of the city, the hunter paused. It now stood a good chance of losing them, as they moved through the crowds. No human bothered to look at the four struggling, bleeding individuals. So much easier for them to pretend not to see, and continue on in their hopelessly normal lives. The creature had no choice but to follow on foot.
It jumped from its perched and floated quietly down into the dark alley beside the building. Lowering into a catlike crouch, the demon grunted with effort, and its wings melted away into the flesh of its back, as though they had never been there. Small horns on the top of its head shrank down until they, too, had completely vanished. Slowly, it stood. With hurried steps, it exited the alley to continue the chase. A light from a street lamp fell, for the briefest moment, on the creature’s figure. She was a young woman, clad in black, from the tips of her toes to the base of her chin. The only skin showing was that of her face and a large diamond on her back, through which her wings had sprouted. Her short brown hair slid forward to hid her eyes as she glanced around, seeking her prey. They had not gone far, and they stank of blood. Her targets in sight, she melted into the limited shadows surrounding the street and followed.
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Skitty
Angel
Joined: 09 Jan 2007
Posts: 15
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| Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 6:08 am Post subject: Chapter 1 |
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Chapter 1: Lady Death
The building had seen better days. It was the kind of place even bums steered clear of. The façade had decayed to such an extent that the windows looked like shapeless holes which revealed nothing of the interior. It was to this decrepit building that the four exhausted champions turned their steps.
Gunn balked at the stoop.
“Yo…I don’t know about this. I mean this place looks about two steps from death anyway. What’s to stop the partners from just sucking the whole place into the ground?”
“Nothing,” Angel replied quietly. “But we need a place to stay. I’m hoping they won’t notice us here.”
Spike sniffed the air in a predatory way. “That’ll be easy enough. The whole bloody place smells like three week old piss. If nothing else, that’ll keep all but the most mindless of demons away.” He shook his head. “And even those will have trouble sniffing us out.”
Angel looked down at Gunn. The young man had only been able to go so far before his wounds made it impossible for him to go further. Angel was practically holding him up, and the smell of his blood was thick in the vampire’s nostrils. Gunn would not survive the night without help.
“Spike, take Gunn,” Angel said softly. “I’m going for help.”
Gunn blinked blearily. “There’s no help for it, man. I’m not a fool you know.” He clutched his side in sudden pain and inhaled sharply. “It’s not looking good. Can’t say this is how I pictured it, though. I always thought I’d go out fighting.”
“You will,” Angel said harshly. “But not if you don’t let Spike help you inside, while I go get a doctor.”
“You actually think you can get one into this hovel.” Gunn tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace.
“More than a few of them owe me favors. I’m sure I can find one or two who’ll be willing to help.” Angel shifted Gunn into Spike’s waiting arms. Spike, said nothing, but refused to look at Gunn. He held the man up as though he were a sack of garbage that was best not touched.
“Right, you three get inside. I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
Illyria stood mutely in the door way and nodded.
“Pick up some beer or something, huh big guy? We should at least celebrate.” Gunn chuckled a bit, but sagged in Spike’s arms.
“Just hang in there.” Angel touched Gunn’s arm lightly. “We’ve lost enough today.” And with that, he turned and moved swiftly down the street towards the more brightly lit areas of town.
“Right,” Spike said, disdain in his voice. “We sit home and wait like the good little housewives we are.”
“You know that’s not what this is about,” Gunn said quietly.
“Look, you can follow the poofter like blind little kittens if you want to, but I’ve been around long enough to know better.” Spike hauled Gunn roughly up the short steps of the stoop, making him yelp in pain. “Always playen’ the hero. Bloody bastard. If he gets himself killed out there and leaves me to defend your worthless hide in this rat hole…”
“You’ll do what?” Illyria asked calmly. “There is nothing any of us can do now save rest. It would be wise to go inside now.”
“Whatever, Blue. But you can’t tell me the thought of going out like that doesn’t get under your skin.” Spike snarled as he roughly guided Gunn up the last few steps.
“I have no intention of dying.” She turned and walked through the gaping hole that had once been a doorway, and cast her final remark over her shoulder. “And you are already dead, so what is there to fear?”
Finding no way to argue with her, Spike merely growled and followed behind her, supporting Gunn at his side.
* * *
The room at the top of the stairs held a tangible darkness, made all the more menacing by the smell of blood and impending death. It did, however, have several discarded blankets, and other bits of rubbish, which would serve as a much more comfortable deathbed than the hard floors downstairs. Spike lay Gunn down on a makeshift bed of old, moldy blankets. Many of his wounds continued to bleed freely, making shiny puddles which twinkled in the darkness.
In the corner of the room, Spike lit another cigarette.
“Un-uh, man,” Gunn wheezed. “Take that shit outside.
“Then who would be here to hold your hand and say things like ‘Oh, you’re looking fine’ and ‘everything’s gonna be tip top in no time.’” Spike rolled his eyes in the darkness.
“Don’t patronize me. Aren’t you supposed to not smoke around dying people or something?”
“That’s only if they’re on oxygen.” Spike puffed with relish. “The way I figure it, a little more smoke isn’t gonna make any difference, far as you’re concerned.”
“Anyone ever tell you that your bedside manner is terrible?” Gunn attempted to raise his arm, to emphasize his point, but lowered it quickly with a sharp inhalation of pain.
“Not like I’ve had a lotta practice now is it? Most people are me are just…” he shrugged and smiled wickedly, “dead.”
“You’re very comforting.” Gunn breathed deeply through his nose, straining to keep his voice normal. “Just take it outside, will ya?”
“Awwww, you afraid of the Big Bad, are ya?” He leaned over Gunn’s prone form and smirked.
“No! You’re just pissing me off, now get out!” Gunn struck at Spike’s arm feebly.
“Fine by me,” he growled. “I’ll just be disappointed when I don’t get to watch you die.” He jabbed Gunn sharply in the side, causing him to cry out, as stars burst behind his eyes.
Spike slammed the door behind him, leaving Gunn moaning and whimpering in the darkness. Lancing pain ran up and down his side, renewing pains that had begun to diminish ever so slightly. For a fleeting moment, Gunn wished he would just die. He could think of nothing in his life worth enduring such pain for. He couldn’t even blame Spike for his hatred. Each attack the vampire made on him was entirely deserved, and he knew it. He closed his eyes, welcoming Death.
A piece of the darkness separated itself from the wall. It moved across the floor with feline grace, radiating power and tension with each quiet step. It crouched over Gunn’s body without disturbing his repose.
Gunn drew in a remarkably calm breath and held it for a moment. Letting it go, he whispered quietly, “Death…”
A deep, yet innately feminine voice spoke close to his ear. “I am here.”
He gasped and opened his yes. A young woman gazed back at him, her face grim. Her eyes shone brightly in the darkness. “I am here for you,” she whispered.
Gunn grunted slightly as he felt a blade punch into his stomach, and let out a strangled grown as she twisted it. So close to death already, blackness gathered around his sight almost instantly. He watched as the figure stood, wiping his blood from her weapon on a bit of refuse from the floor. He smiled, intending to thank her.
Suddenly, the door burst open and Spike strode resolutely into the room.
“Look alive…or, well, as alive as you can. Our fearless leader has returned.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he walked briskly across the room. “Got a doctor and everything.” The vampire froze. The smell of death was even heavier in the room and Spike could see the glow of eyes looking back at him, widened in surprise.
Without warning, the creature attacked. She launched her blade at Spike’s head with amazing accuracy and force. As he moved out of its path, he felt its passage across his cheek. A loud thud resounded through the room as the weapon embedded itself in the wall behind him. In the meantime, the stranger had fled to the window. Spike stared, open mouthed, as wings sprouted from its back. With one backward glance, the creature leapt from the window and escaped.
Almost as an afterthought, Spike leaned over Gunn. He could smell the fresh blood leaking from his gut, and could almost see death stealing over the young man’s features. And yet, still, he clung to life.
“What was it?” Spike asked urgently. He gripped Gunn’s head, forcing him to focus. “What did this?”
Gunn smiled. “Lady Death,” he whispered. His eyes closed and he exhaled. He did not breathe again.
Angel walked in quietly and eyed the tableau in front of him. He sighed and shook his head. “I didn’t have much hope for him, but I had thought if he could just hold on until a doctor could get here…” He trailed off and fell silent for a long moment.
“He was stronger than I thought, I’ll give him that,” Spike admitted grudgingly, releasing Gunn’s head and standing with a dissatisfied sigh. “And he might have made it, but it would seem someone had other ideas.”
Angel shook his head, in a confused sort of way. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Spike said, “he didn’t die. He was killed.” Spike sauntered over to the wall, still limping slightly. Even advanced vampire healing could not erase the traces of the battle in so short a time. He stopped just short of the place where the attack’s knife protruded from the wall. Gripping it tightly, he heaved it free of the plaster, and held it up for inspection.
“But who? Was it one of the senior partners’ demons?”
“Dunno,” Spike said, noncommittally. “Barely got a chance to look at it before it was out the window.”
“Wait a minute,” Angel growled. “Are you telling me you weren’t in here? What the hell where you doing?”
“Look, I am not here to play nursemaid to some waste of space backstabber!”
“What are you here for then, Spike? No one forced you to be in this fight. You don’t even care about any of this. I have lost friends tonight, and you’re acting like it’s nothing more than some goddamn inconvenience!” Angel drew in an unnecessary breath to calm himself.
“Well it is a bloody inconvenience, if you ask me. It’s not like he was going to make it anyway.” Spike huffed indignantly, gripping the knife in his hand tightly.
“That’s not the point…” Angel shook his head in frustration and walked slowly to Gunn’s side. He knelt beside the young man’s body. “It just doesn’t make any sense. I mean, I don’t smell even a whiff of demon in here. How could it be possible?”
“I don’t know. I was in here before it even got out, and I couldn’t smell it. But I saw it, just before it jumped out the window.” Spike tossed a glance over his shoulder, expecting Angel to disbelieve him. His sire merely shook his head again.
“Did he say anything?”
“Yeah,” Spikes face took on a confused look. “I asked him what the demon was. He told me it was Lady Death.”
Angel reached out his hand and Spike laid the knife on his palm. He gripped the handle tightly and stared at it for a long quiet moment.
“I guess there really isn’t a place to hide then,” he whispered. “They’ll find us wherever we go.” He sounded defeated. Even desperate. He looked at Gunn’s body, sprawled on the floor and said, almost to himself, “Lady Death…”
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