3Ultimate challenge chapter 1
2nd October 2006. San Francisco, C.A.
Buffy imagined that her time of stalking in a cemeteries had passed her by now. On the high side of her twenties, and left with an increasingly dwindling number of responsibilities now. The Slayers created by Willow's spell had been paramount in the aiding of carrying the burden of duties; Once a Slayer always a Slayer it seemed. Buffy hadn't expected to find herself in northern California, as she wandered the uneven terrain of the San Francisco graveyard she had chosen to patrol within the Chinese community. At least she didn't work alone. Somewhere to the east was Faith and her demon hunter boy toy. They had damn well better be working.
A smile quirked Buffy's lip. She couldn't talk about stealing kisses Had she done any less over the years? She'd sneak one now if Spike crossed her path, but her vampire was on the west side of this damn graveyard. Buffy's smile grew as her mind drifted to thoughts of Spike; the only guy who always came back. Looking at you, Dad. Angel, Riley.
The English vampire treated her like an equal. And was that a once-in-a-lifetime event when it came to the men in her life. Angel, treated her like a damsel in distress rather than the Slayer he knew she was. And Riley, had issues with her being stronger than him, or maybe just strong women in general also, he had a hero complex for suckers. Literally. Buffy couldn't judge him on the arousal factor, she'd been marching in the Vampire Groupie Parade since Highschool.
Buffy's cell vibrated against her hip. She pulled it free and leaned on a nearby palm tree. The text was from her vampire asking if she'd like to go back with him or if she wanted to wait for Faith instead. Buffy messaged Faith and said that they were going back. They had done what they needed to do.
Buffy woke the following morning and checked on Spike. Her handsome vampire mate was purring like a contented lion next to her. She resisted her desire to scratch Spike's abdomen as if he were the feline he resembled in sleep as her own rumbled. It was time for Breakfast. And a slayer's metabolism is never wrong. Buffy wanted to get that slogan put on a t-shirt, or maybe a mug. The petite blonde got lightly out of bed putting on her robe before heading downstairs.
Dawn smiled at Buffy over a mug of tea.
"Breakfast is in the kitchen."
" I'm starving." Buffy smiled before eyeing her sister.
" Wait. Did you cook it?"
Dawn's lip curled at her sister's slightly, "I'm not that bad, a cook," she replied weakly. Buffy had eaten Dawn-cooked meals, "And no."
Buffy walked into the kitchen to find Connor working the griddle. He wasn't wearing a shirt. Oh god, Dawnie was here. Why wasn't he wearing a shirt? In all the months she had known him, he still looked lean as ever. However, she saw scratch marks on his back and what looked like a hickey on his neck. New concern, why did he have a hickey?
Connor gestured to a big measuring cup on the counter. "Strawberry poppyseed pancake batter. Help yourself, Buffy."
"Thanks," = Buffy replied, "But remember to put on a shirt before coming downstairs-"
"Morning tiger! That was a great workout last night, blue eyes," interrupted a new voice cheerily. Faith was leaning on the door with a cheeky smirk on her face. The brunette was the one who put the hickey on Connor's neck Buffy thought.
"Must you talk about last night's 'workout' with your boy toy?" complained Buffy with a grimace. She preferred not to hear about Faith's sex life, "Wasn't the noise level enough?"
"He isn't a toy B," replied Faith, "And must you be as prissy as ever?"
Connor blushed at the mention of last night's activities. He had vivid memories of Faith riding him. Connor turned to leave with his plate of pancakes, the Slayers should be alone right now.
"I never thought that you would be robbing the cradle Faith," commented Buffy, snarkily.
"Yeah well, you should see my guy throw down B," remarked Faith with a lascivious grin. "He's like a boy Slayer. Strong as us."
Buffy sighed before she started flipping her pancakes in the frying pan. She didn't want to deal with Faith's nonsense this early morning. The brunette Slayer had been her friend, mortal enemy, and rival all rolled into one throughout their turbulent history.
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3rd October 2006 in Thailand.
Angel entered the Marriott hotel in Bangkok looking for Nina. They had been on the run from the Senior Partners, who had sent assassins to take him out. The dark-haired vampire thought about the friends he had and lost during his unlife, especially Wesley, Fred, Cordelia, and Gunn. He had lost friends like Doyle and killed a few of them when the demon Angelus walked through his life rather than him. Suddenly, he was surrounded by a glowing light.
The light engulfed him, before it; and Angel, swiftly vanished much to the shock of the hotel's guests. a pair of scarlet red eyes materialized and looked at Angel before a disembodied voice said, "Greetings vampire."
"What the hell are you?" Angel snarled as the pair of eyes became a giant-sized man with bushy eyebrows and a beard.
"I am the Beyonder," answered the giant.
"I have been studying the conflict between good and evil and have decided to put you in a little experiment,"
The Beyonder and Angel reappeared in a lab of some sort, and the being conjured up a visual screen.
"Look at this perfect world. These people have no concept of hatred or violence. It's what you people would call Utopia."
Angel observed the images, and it almost brought a tear to his eye. It was one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. People helping each other. Children laugh and play in the streets without fear. Everyone was so joyful. It was paradise.
Suddenly Angel felt manacles attach to his wrists. The vampire tried to free himself, but they appeared magically reinforced to restrain him. Angel felt strangely alarmed at this. What had this being planned?
"They are to keep you in line while I complete the next phase of my experiment," the Beyonder told him.
"First, I will introduce three beings who weren't born evil but were infected by it, The Master, Darla, and Drusilla.
"Next, I will add a man who doesn't think he's evil but who thinks that losing his family is an excuse for his behavior. Daniel Holtz along with his demonic ally Sajahan.
"And what about that one powerful goddess who wanted to bring about world peace, but to maintain her power corrupted your son and seer? And ate people? Jasmine, and her ally Skip.
"Lastly to represent the human desire to gain wealth and power we have the law firm, Wolfram and Hart. I will select three of my favourites Marcus Hamilton, Lindsey McDonald, and Lilah Morgan."
Angel worried about the Beyonder's next move before the Beyonder spoke again, "Computer, bring the beings that I have selected to the dimension."
"Are you insane? They will tear the place apart," shouted Angel angrily.
"That's the idea, Angelus." The Beyonder fast-forwarded the tape to show a year later. Angel watched in horror as the perfect society was now a war zone.
"You bastard! What did these people ever do to you?" screamed Angel, vamping out in his anger.
"It's unfortunate for them but I am giving you and your associates a chance to set everything right again," replied the Beyonder who had released Angel before he disappeared. To the brooding vampire's amazement, people started materializing out of thin air. He pulled his human face to the surface.
The first people to appear were his wayward grandchilde Spike and the woman that was meant to be his reward from the powers, and now his grandchilde's mate Buffy they were followed by Connor and Faith., Fred, Gunn, and Wesley close behind them.
A final spasm from the teleportation device and Cordelia emerged looking slightly confused
"Where the hell are we?" his dearest friend and seer asked.
Angel opened his mouth to respond to the Sunnydale prom Queen but his words were quickly eclipsed by a loud Cockney baritone.
"What the bloody hell have you brought us into Captain Forehead?" Spike growled.