Great. Just Great.
Xander had taken four steps towards the exit when he found his way blocked.
Great, he thought, looking up at the two tall demons in his path. Just great. He
knew he should've walked right over to Spike when he'd arrived at Willy's, given
him the bike keys and left, instead of taking a detour by way of the bar. But,
since L.A., Xander's relationship with the bleached blond had reverted back to
what it was over six months ago, and, at times, his irritation at Spike's
innocuous behavior overwhelmed his common sense.
The demon on the left was a Shroudohf, identifiable by its almost completely
black brain area. The demon on the right was the total opposite, with a bright
white brain area, and Xander had no clue as to its species, which made it the
more dangerous of the two. Immediately, as he did with the Collbox demons, he
used his unique abilities to manipulate electromolecules to give the demon on
the right's brain a small shock, then quickly focused on the Shroudohf and did
the same.
The Shroudohf reacted as Xander predicted, grabbing its head and grunting in
pain at its sudden headache. However, in reaction to the shock, the unidentified
demon grabbed Xander's head between its two clammy hands and grunted.
Xander counteracted instantly. A broken neck was one of the few things that
could kill him, if his opponent was stronger than his enhanced resistance to
injury. Half-watching the Shroudohf, who had shaken off his pain, Xander latched
onto the unknown demon's meaty wrists and released his control.
Xander's pupils glowed with a blue-white light as the electricity constantly
humming inside of him was let free. His thick, rubber-soled boots and the cement
floor grounded him as his hands became two conductors of energy in its purest
form.
"Six in the corner," Spike said, his voice loud in the post-whistle quiet, as
he lined up his billiards shot.
The energy flowed down Xander's arms, out his hands, and directly into the
unidentified demon. The demon began to shake as volts of electricity were forced
into it. The smell of sizzled flesh was quick to reach the brunette's nose. Eew,
he thought. Ode de electrocuted amphibian.
The Shroudohf took offense to what Xander was doing to its companion. It
swung a paw at Xander's back. The sharp claws ripped the brunette's tee-shirt,
but that was it. With a bellow, the Shroudohf attacked again, shoving Xander
roughly. Xander lost his balance from the strong hit and he released the unknown
demon's wrists as he started to fall.
Thwock. Click. Thunk. Spike watched as the six ball dropped into the
designated pocket. The cue ball rolled into the perfect spot for his next shot.
How lovely.
The unknown demon sank bonelessly to the ground, unconscious. Xander hit the
floor with an "oomph," his shoulder taking the brunt of the impact to the
cement. The Shroudohf bellowed again and kicked Xander in the lower back.
Xander felt the pressure of the kick, but it didn't penetrate his dense
electromolecular shielding. He rolled onto his back, his hand shooting out to
grab the Shroudohf's furry ankle. The volts of electricity shot from Xander to
the demon, causing the Shroudohf's fur to stand on end.
"Ten in the side pocket," Spike told his playing partner, resting the cue
stick against his bridged fingers. His partner, though, like the rest of the
bar, was more interested in the fight than in Spike's next shot.
Crack. A staff smacked down on Xander's wrist, the wood shattering where it
connected. He released the Shroudohf and it went down like a felled tree, its
staticed hair crackling as it was crushed under the demon.
The white cue ball rolled in a perfectly straight line across the red felt
table. It lightly tapped the ten ball, knocking it into the side pocket. The
English spin on the cue ball prevented it from following the ten, eliminating
the possibility of a scratch. With a satisfied nod, Spike rounded the billiards
table, eyeing the angles for his next shot.
Xander's focus snapped to the staff wielder. A Harbald demon, poised to
strike him again with the broken point of the staff. Short and stout with a
swirling light pattern, the Harbald squeaked angrily. "Translation," Xander
barked, the end of the staff splintering when the Harbald tried to stake him.
Spike bent over, sighting along the cue stick. "Either you fried her
boyfriend, or you sank her battleship."
"Swell," Xander muttered. He arched his back and jumped to his feet. The
Harbald attempted to skewer him through the stomach, but the staff only grew
shorter as it broke again. With a sigh, Xander yanked the staff away from the
demon and held it above his head. "Stop it," he told her.
The Harbald squeaked indignantly and tried to jump for the staff. Xander
looked heavenward, then reached out and tapped her on the mouse-like muzzle. A
visible electric shock ran from his finger to her nose. "Eeeeeeee!" she squealed
and backed away quickly.
Xander lowered his arm and looked slowly around the room. When no one else
challenged him, he pulled on his control, tamping down the electricity coursing
through his veins. The blue-white glow faded from his eyes, leaving them an
eerie black once more.
Great, Xander thought. Just great. Way to keep a low profile, moron. Next
time, just give the damn vampire the keys and leave.
The broken staff fell to the cement floor with a clatter. Disgusted with
himself, Xander stepped over the unconscious body of the unidentified demon and
stalked angrily out of the silent Alibi Bar.
"Two, corner," Spike called. Plunk.
End
