Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fan Fiction ❯ Her New Family ❯ The Mouth Opened ( Chapter 20 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I don't own. Surly you've realized this by now…

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Willow's unease grew when Riley told them of Nate's plan for the Hellmouth. She couldn't believe that he could be stupid enough to believe that they'd be able to control the demons that were let loose! And wasn't the Initiative's goal supposed to GET RID of demons and not bring more over from hell itself? At least the demons that were here had somehow conformed to how things were in this world—and many of them had managed to live peaceful or semi-peaceful lives amongst humans.

But these other demons would be coming straight from hell and would be a completely different story!

“Stupid stupid man!” Willow growled as she stormed towards Willy's Bar. She'd ordered everyone to stay in the sewers to wait for the reinforcements and bring them up to date on what was happening and the attack plan they'd decided on---and she was on a mission, one she didn't want any of hers along just in case she was captured by the Initiative or pissed by the demons she was now about to talk to.

She wasn't really worried about getting caught by the Initiative though. The redhead knew that if her people discovered that she'd been captured it would fuel their bloodlust and they would attack viciously, setting her free before the morning.

Kicking open the door to the bar, Willow caught the attention of the demons and few vampires who'd been caught there before dawn and had to stay there until nightfall. She'd gotten rid of her fake aura, allowing the darkness around her to be nearly suffocating as she went to the nearest table, climbed up the chair and kicked away a bottle of blood standing on it before climbing onto the table gracefully, her black boots soundless.

She got some catcalls and some `strip, strip!' from a couple of extra drunk demons, but the rest were silent, watching her, sensing that she was a superior demon and waiting to see what she had to say.

“Listen to me and listen good.” She spoke, eyes flickering gold as her vampiric instincts kicked in, letting her see them better in the dark bar. “I'm sure all of you have heard of some boy scouts known as the Initiative.”

That got curses and spits.

“They've kidnapped demons of every kind, and those they haven't killed they've tortured and kept to experiment on.” She announced, hearing the gasps from below. “They've inserted chips into their captives' brains, and those who haven't died from it are completely under their control. They can't harm a human.”

“What?” Could be heard throughout the bar.

“Why do you care about this?” One demon questioned. “I've seen you before and you were able to mingle amongst humans easily. You were undetected!”

“They took my mates, Angelus the Scourge of Europe and William the Bloody.” She raised her chin defiantly, daring them to question this.

Someone laughed to the side. “They took that traitor? Good for them!”

Her eyes bled back as they narrowed on the demon who had dared laugh at her mate's suffering. Chocking could be heard and all heads turned to the blue demon, whose hands were to his throat, eyes bulging as he tried to breathe yet couldn't.

The tips of her hair dyed black, spreading upwards until the darkness of the power that resided in the Hellmouth took over, and the demon's body was being raised from the seat by invisible hands. Said body jerked violently until he finally fell limp to the ground.

All eyes returned to Willow cautiously.

“As I was saying,” she continued as if nothing had happened. “In a couple of hours the Initiative will try to open the Hellmouth and unleash the demons from hell. We have to take them down and stop them from doing this.”

Someone snorted. “Now why would we do that lady?” He asked, standing. “If those idiots want to release more of us, then it's to our advantage. The more demons here the stronger we are.”

“What's your name?” She asked, eyebrow raised.

He hesitated, remembering what had happened to the last person who'd interrupted her. “Hank.”

“Well, Hank, do you enjoy the life you have here? Being able to roam with relative freedom?” Willow asked the vampire, confidently climbing down the table to the chair and then the ground, crunching the remainder of the broken bottle of blood under her heel as she stalked towards him menacingly. “Do you enjoy having an endless supply of food running around drunk and stupid?”

He nodded slowly, gulping as she stopped right in front of him. This woman might be pretty and tiny, but she was down right frightening.

“Do you really think it'll stay that way with millions of rabid demons straight from hell?” She scoffed. “In months they'd have tortured and killed off every human and animal on this planet! You'll be left without any food source and you'll all starve.” She allowed her threatening gaze to roam the room, resting on everyone before returning to his. “Because that will happen if you just let them open the Hellmouth and you welcome your brothers to earth with open hands.”

Turning her back to him, insulting him silently, because what demon turned his or her back on someone who they considered a threat, Willow continued. “And have you all forgotten how they consider you? The Hell Demons?” She asked the whole room. “What's the term they use for you again?” The redhead tapped her bottom lip with her finger innocently. “Ah. Yes. Inferior.”

There were growls and snarls from the demons around her at the word.

“Isn't it the word they use?” She asked innocently. “Don't they lord it over you that they are higher up the demon archaic system because they never left hell—they stayed closer and truer to the few Ancient Ones that still exist they are purer. While every demon here has somehow tainted human in them, even those born demon have some human ancestor, or used to be demon. Not true demons like what the Hell Demons call themselves. Or am I wrong?”

“And how exactly would we go around freeing those captured and making sure those bastards from hell don't make this their second home?” Someone asked neutrally from a dark corner. “We aren't exactly a large number here.”

She tried to keep from smirking. Threaten a demon's `demonhood' and stand in society—demonic society—and they fought like wild beasts to keep it from happening. “My army is on its way as we speak. The Parisian Order of Luna will most probably have arrived, and the rest of my army will be here at sunset.”

“Army?” Hank risked interrupting again. “Lady, who are you?”

The door flew open once more, and Malcolm appeared, growling at the demons in the bar before heading towards Willow and falling to his knees. He was in his early forties, with hair graying in his temples and a peculiar shade of hair that reminded Willow of raisins. “My Queen, I followed your scent here. I am in desperate need to speak with you, Mistress.”

She nodded. “Stand, Malcolm. I am almost finished here.” Turning to the stunned demons who suddenly realized with whom they were speaking (although the very drunk ones in the back were still quite oblivious), she concluded her speech. “We will fight for our freedom with or without you. But if you decide to show the Initiative and your brothers that you have some backbone and won't go down without a fight, then you can join us in the sewers before sunset.”

Turning on heel, she marched out of the bar, with Malcolm behind her.

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They'd been left alone. Spike and Angel's bodies still stung from the countless hours of torture, and at first they'd wondered why the scientists had left them in the cell. That's when they heard the screams.

It was a human male, they were sure of it, and the screams kept getting louder and more agonized. They wondered why the Initiative were torturing a human male, but the screams kept coming, and they suddenly began sounding less and less like a human's and more and more like something Spike and Angel had never heard before.

The vampires, weak from endless torture and loss of blood, shared an uneasy look when the screams became manic laughter.

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Riley Finn wasn't very comfortable surrounded by so many demons.

He noticed Tara discreetly inching away from Malcolm, a werewolf from Paris with an American accent, who was continuously sniffing her.

He'd been surprised at the vast amount of demons that'd arrived from France. And then, to everyone's surprise, right after sunset two more jets had landed in Sunnydale and demons from all over Europe appeared to pledge their loyalty to Willow's cause. It would seem that word of what was to happen had leaked from the Parisian Court all over Europe, and when the demons knew that Willow was off to war they'd come to help.

Then, demons Riley knew lived in Sunnydale, appeared shortly afterwards. The sewers were packed with demons of every type, and while each seemed disgusted with the other as inferior, they all wanted to get rid of the Initiative, and of the Hell Demons they wanted to bring into earth—and everyone wanted a closer look at the mysterious Dark Flame they'd heard so much about before.

Never before had Riley been so glad that he was on the demons' side!

He noticed Oz and Cordelia fighting, Cordelia's mouth going on and on before Oz threw his hands up in the air, growled something at her, and pulled her towards him, covering her mouth with his. The blonde blinked, he hadn't known that Oz and Cordelia were an item.

The werewolf and vampires jumped apart after a couple of minutes, both with eyes wide and quickly excused themselves, heading to opposite corners of the sewers.

Riley smirked at that.

“W-w-why is he s-s-s-sniffing me?” Tara was heard whispering to Anya, eyeing a leering Malcolm with frightened eyes.

“He's a werewolf.” Anya stated, then seeing that the blonde witch still didn't get it, she smirked. “Werewolves are like dogs,” she ignored an eavesdropping Malcolm's growl at that comparison. “They have a great sense of smell. They mostly chose their prey and potential mates by their smell.”

Tara blanched. “H-he wants to eat me?” She huddled closer to Anya as if for protection.

“Not unless you're talking about cunniligus.” Anya replied seriously.

Tara squeaked loudly, face turning bright red, hiding completely behind Anya.

Riley couldn't help it. He laughed. And it was a good thing the demons all around him were speaking so loud because otherwise he'd look like a fool, laughing so hard in such a desperate circumstance.

His laughter stopped when his eyes fell on Willow. She was sitting by herself, looking into the distance. Now that she'd talked to everyone and told them the battle strategies, had formed the groups and their missions and entry orders, she was by herself, looking despondent and so young and vulnerable that Riley realized that she probably wasn't even twenty yet.

She was so young—and yet—look at how much rested on her narrow little shoulders.

Riley'd joined the Initiative because he wanted to know what had happened to the only girl friend he'd ever had and enjoyed talking to. And he'd left the Initiative for her as well.

Walking up towards her, he sat next to her on the ground, silently waiting for her to speak first.

“They closed the connection.”

“Huh?” he asked, confused.

“I'm blood-bonded to both Angel and Spike.” She whispered, licking her dry lips. “Because of that I should be able to feel what they're feeling, but I've tried and hit a brick wall. They're blocking me out.” The redhead whispered, eyes closed tightly, as if in pain. “They don't want me to feel the pain they're going through. They're being tortured and they're still thinking about me.”

When she leaned sideways towards him, placing her head on his shoulder, Riley tensed momentarily before placing his arm around her shoulders comfortingly.

He couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy against Spike and Angelus for Willow's obvious devotion.

While at first Riley had asked Buffy to be his girlfriend because of his job, he'd fallen in love with the funny and self-confident blonde. He'd risked his job to try and keep her out of it, and it'd pained him to realize that Buffy never had felt a quarter of what Willow did for her vampires for him.

“We'll get them out Willow.” Riley squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, never noticing the jealous and resentful expression on the faces of countless demons who'd suddenly realized how close the human seemed to be with their beautiful leader.

“And it better be soon.” Oz's voice surprised them as he appeared, raising an eye at Riley's arm around Willow yet not bothering to comment on it. His worried eyes were on his pale mum. “She needs to feed.”

Riley was surprised at that little bit of news. “Can't you get her a bag of blood or something?”

“That wouldn't help. She needs Spike or Angelus' blood.” The werewolf explained as he bent at his knees, hand cupping Willow's face as he lifted her softly so that she was looking at him. “Maybe you should sit this one out mum.”

“No.” She shook her head forcefully. “I won't sit here while everyone else risks their necks. I will lead this army.”

“You haven't slept and the only rest you got was while you were unconscious!” Oz growled at her, surprising them both. “Mum.” He whispered softly once more. “These bastards are specifically after you for some reason. I don't think we--.”

“Oz, I love you like a son.” Willow pushed away from Riley and Oz, standing. “But you don't have a say in this. None of you do. What does it matter if I go or not? If Angel and Spike die I will too even if I am in the safest place in the world.” She whispered. “And believe me, I prefer to go out like this then to be in agonizing pain and half crazy.”

The werewolf hated to agree, but he knew she was right. He stood along with Riley. “I'm sticking to you like priests to crucifixes.”

A couple of vampires that heard this hissed.

She laughed and nodded. “C'mon. We have a battle to win.”

Xander Harris was nervous.

He knew that G-Man and Mrs. G were beginning to suspect that he was keeping something from them—especially when he nearly had to kidnap them to keep them from going out to dinner in a restaurant they'd had to reserve a table in from months ago—but he'd promised himself that he'd take care of the two people who'd been like parents to him after Mrs. Summers had died.

He couldn't get into contact with Buffy to warn her about anything. And that worried him too. He wasn't sure if he was going to tell her about Willow being the Queen of the Damned, but he sure as hell was going to tell her that her boyfriend was a part of a screwed up organization who were trying to open up the Hellmouth. Still, her cellular only rang and rang.

Also, he couldn't find Amy. Sure, Amy wasn't that close to them, but she'd helped the Scoobies now and then whenever Mrs. G couldn't do some of her mojo. So, Xander felt slightly protective of the annoying blonde.

But most of all, Xander was worried for Anya.

Sighing, he looked out of the window, back to G-Man and Mrs. G, who were both eyeing him suspiciously and whispering amongst themselves.

He didn't like the thought of the woman of his dreams fighting in such a dangerous battle. And what was worst? She'd given up her demonhood to be with him because he'd wanted that. Sure, she still had traces of demon within her because one could never completely purify the demon, but she was relatively defenseless compared to when she'd been full demon, and it was his fault.

And she was in danger.

He knew that. There was no way that she could be fighting against demons and the Initiative and not be in danger. And what was he doing? He was sitting safely in a house well protected against any kind of demon…while she was out there.

Feeling like a coward, he suddenly turned away from the window and headed towards the Weapon's Corner.

“Xander, where are you going?” Mrs. G called as she hurried after him, G-Man following. “I thought you said that for some reason it is too dangerous to be outside tonight.”

“And I was right.” Grabbing an ax he headed towards the door. “But I can't let Anya fight this on her own. I'm going to marry that girl, and I won't let her die before the wedding.”

G-Man's hand on his shoulder stopped him from moving. “What is Anya fighting?” The British asked, serious and determined. “What aren't you telling us, Alexander Harris?”

Xander winced at the use of his full-name. “I have to go, Giles.”

The elder man's eyes widened at Xander's rare use of his name. “Then I won't stop you.” He let his hand fall from the youth's shoulder. “Just—take care of yourself.” He announced gruffly. “I didn't finally give in and agree to be your bloody best man at the wedding just to have you two die.” He winced. “Jenny already made me buy a suit.”

Xander smiled brightly. “G-Man out of tweed—you've just given me the incentive to live.” He chuckled before heading out the door, leaving the safety of the house, and squaring his shoulders, heading towards where he'd been told the Initiative's headquarters were.

“Sir! We're under attack!” A young soldier cried as he entered Nate McGuire's office in a hurry. “Demons are everywhere!”

He sat with his back to the soldier. “The girl, is she with them?”

“Yes sir, she's leading them, sir!” The soldier gulped. “And she's heading this way!”

“She's looking for me.” Nate smirked, clasping his hands over his chest. “Go. This is a private matter.”

“But sir--!”

“I said GO!” He growled, the room shaking and the glass on his desk exploding with the force of his rage. His eyes turned completely purple.

“Yes sir!” and the soldier could be heard running away.

Nate waited. She was close by. He could sense her and knew that she could sense him as well.

His smirk grew.

It was the shouts and gunshots that awoke Angel and Spike. Both vampires' eyes flew open as the smell of blood filled the air, causing them to wince in hunger. Gathering their strength they stood, as did the other demons in the cellblock, and looked around expectantly as the guards that'd never once left their posts in the past, were speaking hurriedly into their walkie talkies, readying their guns, and hurrying away.

What was going on?

They stayed there for what seemed like hours, the demons all excited and anxious, not knowing if the attack on the Initiative would be in their benefit or not.

Suddenly there was an explosion, and demons poured in from the huge smoking hole. Angel spotted Oz and a blonde human hurrying towards them, and the human (who didn't seem to be a hostage but a cooperator) punched in some digits in the security system and the cells all opened.

“I never thought I'd ever be happy to see your ugly faces again!” The werewolf came forwards as if to give them a hug, but seeing the condition they were in, stepped back. He fumbled in a bag he had strapped to him and threw them both cold bags of blood when he noticed how they eyed Riley hungrily, to the human's discomfort. “Mum knew you'd need these.”

Angel sunk his teeth into the bag of blood, emptying it in what would seem like seconds, throwing it to the ground and reaching for the next bag of blood that Oz was now passing him. He quickly emptied three more bags before he was feelings more like himself, and he couldn't help but silently commend Willow for knowing just what they'd need.

“Who is he and why does he have Red's scent all over him?” Spike growled from next to him, eyeing the blonde jealously, obviously ready to attack if he didn't like the answer.

“This is our inside man, Riley Finn.” Oz offered helpfully. “Along with him, Mum and I planned this, so don't eat him or she'll make you regret it.”

“Where is Willow?” Angel's voice was hoarse and he realized that it pained to speak.

Suddenly the ground all around them began to quake, and open up.

“No. We're too late.” Riley's eyes went wide in horror. “They've done it—they've opened the mouth!”

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