-
“My fingers still smell like bleach,” Xander said as he and the rest of the Avengers returned to the house. He, and Faith had just finished the last minute clean up job of the apartment. They even rented a carpet shampooer to clean the carpet. The place even looked better than when he had first moved in. Xander was more than certain he was going to get the cleaning deposit back.
“Better than your hair smelling like peanut butter,” Ace said and ran his fingers through his now shorter hair. He did manage to get a good amount of the glue out and what he couldn’t get out he cut out.
“I hope you learned an important lesson,” Xander told him.
“Don’t go crazy with the glue brush?” Ace had asked.
“Not exactly what I was going to say. That is good advice to have. What I was going to say would be do not place your hands in your hair when it is full of glue.”
“All solid forms of advice,” Ronnie said. “Now if only he will listen and apply it.”
“Oh ye of little faith,” Ace said.
“I still get chills coming here,” Tyler said as Xander tested the knob to see if it was locked. “And the fact that traumatized girl is in there alone with them.”
“You need to do some more meditation,” Faith told him. “As soon as you get home you should do twenty ohms, twenty chakras and a good round of koom by yas.”
“Do not insult the way of the ninja,” Rissa said as soon as her cousin gave Faith the stink eye. “It is all sacred and stuff to him.”
“I will admit that I’m not the biggest fan of Spike,” Xander spoke up and opened the door. “But it has been proven that he has a soul now and there was a time when he was deeply in love with Dru. A part of him still loves her and does not want anything bad to happen to her.” He walked into the house and he could hear voices coming from the entertainment room. It sounded like arguing.
“What’s going on?” Lyra asked in a worried tone. She ran past Xander.
“Wait,” Xander called after her and followed her into the entertainment room.
“It’s stupid,” Charley said from where he stood behind the couch. “You are throwing logic and reason out the door.”
“Logic and reason is not going to win this, Brewster,” Evil said. He was in front of the television. Neither of them were paying attention to Spike who was lying, on the black leather couch.
“If they use it and considering what they are they will succeed,” Charley said.
“In this case it’s brawn that will win over brain,” Evil said. “It’s all about strength and power.”
“Knowledge is power,” Charley shot back.
“What is going on here?” Lyra asked.
“What did you do?” Xander pointed at Spike.
“Where is Dru?” Ronnie asked.
Spike sat up. “First of all the only thing I did was ask a simple question. I already know the answer but I wanted to see if they knew and secondly, Dru’s in the kitchen.
“Alone?” Faith asked.
“Without supervision?” Ronnie added.
As if on cue Drusilla entered the room from the direction of the kitchen with a big plastic bowl in her arms full of popcorn. She smiled at the sight of her guests.
“I made this,” Drusilla said. “The entertainment was getting good. I used two bags, but not at the same time and I used fake creamy butter and gave the shaker just two shakes.” She held it out to them. “Would you like some?”
“I would love some,” Rissa said in a sugary sweet tone and took a small handful.
“Thank you, Dru,” Xander said as he took some of the popcorn. He looked back at Spike. “You shouldn’t really leave her alone in the kitchen.”
“All she had to do was push the bleeding button.” Spike held up his hands. “You keep treating her like she’s a porcelain doll just like Boy Next Door over here.” He pointed at Charley. “No wonder he siding with Angel on the question.”
“What question would that be?” Xander asked.
“Who would win in a fight between astronauts and cavemen?” Evil asked.
“What?” Xander and half the Avengers asked.
“Cavemen and Astronauts get into a fight,” Evil tried to further explain. “Who would win?”
The room was silent save from the munching sounds of popcorn.
“Do the astronauts have any weapons?” Faith asked.
“No,” Charley, Evil and Spike said.
“What about the cavemen?” Tyler asked.
“No weapons,” Charley explained.
“Where is this located?” Lyra asked.
“Dropped off in the middle of the woods,” Spike answered.
“No brainer,” Lyra said. “It’s the astronauts.”
“Oh of course,” Evil said as he rolled his eyes. “Brewster’s woman would be siding with him.”
“First of all lackbrain I am no one’s woman but myself,” Lyra said as she pointed at the idiotic vampire. “Secondly I had no idea who he backed until you said it and thirdly I still would choose astronauts even if he went with the cavemen.”
“It has to be cavemen,” Ace said. “Astronauts are too logical. They would be trying to figure out how to fight and meanwhile the cavemen are like ‘Me see rock. Me throw rock.’ It’s simple really.”
“Not exactly,” Lyra told him. “As a Slayer you learn to fight smarter not harder.”
“But sometimes you have to use strength,” Rissa said. “Primal fierce strength which the astronauts do not have.”
“Actually the astronauts do have a good physique,” Tyler said. “They go through a rigorous physical training exercises.”
“And several of them were in the air force,” Xander added. “These guys tend to be in good shape.”
“Some of them are also scientists,” Faith pointed out.
“But it’s not scientists verse cavemen its astronauts verses cavemen,” Ronnie said. “The astronauts can also regress if pushed hard enough to tap into their primal fighting instincts, but they also have the advantage of evolution which is what the cavemen are lacking.”
“Oh Spike,” Dru said as she chomped on some more popcorn. “Look what you have started.”
“Fun for the entire family,” Spike said as he stood up. “Time to get some more beer. Let’s go hyena boy.”
“Hey,” Xander snapped and stared at Spike. When did he know about the animal possession?
“I’m not talking to you.” Spike stared at him and blinked. “You don’t laugh like a hyena.” He turned for the back door and Evil followed behind.
“I better get going too,” Charley said. He grabbed his coat from where it was hanging. “I have rehearsals.”
“Knock em dead,” Lyra told him.
“I’ll knock them deader.” He gave her a small kiss.
Xander barely watched him leave. Most of his attention was driven towards the teens and Faith who were deeply engaged in the argument.
-
“Rarely have the kind I like,” Spike grumbled as he selected a case of Shiner Bock. He took Evil to the nearest gas station to get the beer. Next time he was going to the grocery store. They had his kind of brew there. “Some Heinken for the Vixen.” He grabbed another case for Faith. The last he got was several bottles of Sam Adams for Xander.
“Got our beer,” Evil said. He was carrying a couple of cases of Coors.
“You and your friend drink that panther piss?” Spike asked in disgust.
“The first time we snuck some beer from my old man’s fridge in High school was this stuff.” His grin looked even more mischievous than usual.
“Good idea. Good for the nostalgia and not the flavor.”
“Oh I am going for the flavor.”
“Whatever makes you happy, mate,” Spike said. He set down the bottles and picked up all the cases, including the ones that Evil had selected. “Just don’t be swiping any of my bottles.”
“Can I sneak some from the humans?”
“Knock yourself out, although I wouldn’t try it with the former Dark Slayer. Now don’t follow me, but don’t stray too much either.” He carried the beer to the front and set it on the counter. “Sorry about this, but I need to carry some more.” When he was sired he was in his twenties. Evil was still a teen when he was turned, still under age, meaning he was to be the one buying the beer and to be paying with it, of course Evil had his ID stating his birth year, but some might think it’s fake.
“I need to see some ID,” the clerk said when Spike had brought up the bottles.
“No problem with that mate.” Spike pulled out his wallet.
“Big party?” The clerk asked
“Different people in the house like different kinds.”
“Oh I can get behind that. I-“ A dart appeared in the side of his neck. His eyes closed and he fell forward.
“What the bloody hell?” Spike asked before he felt something in his shoulder. He pulled out the dart and stared at it for a full second before the effects overtook him.
-
The movie for Saturday evening was something that should have been made fun of on Mystery Science Theater 3000. In fact Charley was certain it was on that show. That still wasn’t enough to keep Fright Night Saturdays from showing it.
“Let’s make sure I have everything,” Charley said as he checked his attire. He was wearing his trench coat, his heavy boots. He also wore blue jeans and a black shirt. He usually wore black or red when he was in Chaz Broker mode. He was able to wear a cross around his neck due to it not being powered by faith. He also had leather gloves with crosses painted on the back and he wore a pair of dark sunglasses since vampire hunters these days either wore shades or a large hat or even both.
The last thing he needed was his copy of the script. The studio liked to mail him a copy. They also had another copy for him to use at the studio in case he forgotten his at home.
“Chaz Broker?” Someone asked as soon as Charley had stepped out of the car.
“Yes?” Charley asked. “Can I help you?”
“I know you get this a lot,” the person said. He was standing in the shadows “But I’m a real big fan and just want to talk and stuff.”
“I do have a few minutes.” That would be how long it took until security had arrived. Charley would tell the guards that the fan was just harmless if all he did was talk but if he was a little bit aggressive then Charley would be thankful for security, not that he had anything to be afraid of. With his strength and speed he can take care of himself.
“I just want to know if you had any help on your adventures.”
“You mean if I had a sidekick?” Charley asked as he approached him. “I pretty much work alone.” He froze when he got close enough to see that person’s face. “And you’re a real vampire.”
“You really are good,” the vampire said as something struck Charley from behind and in the behind.
“What the?” Charley pulled out the dart that struck his butt. He felt his consciousness oozing away.
“Awesome,” the vamp fan said as Charley fell to his knees and into the arms of the vampire. “I get to catch Chaz Broker the amazing…” His vice grew even more faint until everything went black.
-
Charley felt groggy when he came to from the effects of the tranquilizer. He had no idea where he was but it smelled musty like a basement after a good rain. He could also smell cheap cologne and hair peroxide. He was lying flat against something most likely a stone or cement ground. He tried to move and found his wrists and ankles were bound to the floor in chains and cuffs.
“No,” Charley croaked. He all too well knew what the chains meant. It was time for his punishment. Regine was still alive. He had only dreamed that Lyra had killed her. The last five weeks have only been a dream. How much was also a dream? Did Lyra even exist where there Slayers here. Had he dreamt the entire thing out of sheer desperation and the worlds have remained unmerged. He really was losing his sanity.
He screamed and tried to rip himself out of the chains but they held him fast. He repeated the attempts, thrashing each time until his body wore out. Once he realized he was not going to win he broke down and sobbed.
“Jesus Brewster, pull it together,” Ed’s voice came from his left side. The other vampire was chained down next to him.
“It wasn’t a dream?” Charley asked. “It was real. I’m free and we live together with Spike, Drusilla, Xander and Faith?”
“Yeah. You reliving your nightmare? Don’t worry, man. That bitch is gone.”
“This is rich,” one of their captors said. He was a tall beefy looking vampire with long dark wild hair, matching facial hair and wore a black leather Harley Davidson jacket. He leaned over Charley to gloat. “Sounds like somebody forgot the safe word.”
Charley glared at the vampire before he spat in his face.
“In case you guys didn’t hear me the first time,” Ed shouted at him. “Go fuck yourself, and where the hell is my god damned water?”
The biker vamp growled and slapped both of them in the face.
Charley felt his canines lengthen but he closed his eyes and kept his mouth shut. There was a good chance these guys did not know what he was and he wanted to keep that secret. If these vampires decide to kill their “human” hostages they would most likely do it by slitting their throats, breaking their necks or shooting them.
“Lay off, Axl,” the fan boy vampire that spoke with Charley in the parking lot had grabbed the biker vamp’s wrist. “I don’t care what you do to the other one, but leave Chaz alone.” He looked down at Charley. “Do you need to anything drink?”
“I’m fine,” Charley said. “But I appreciate it if you can get some water for Ed here.”
“Sure,” the fan boy skipped away. “Anything for you Mr. Broker.”
“Anything for you Mr. Broker,” someone else said in a falsetto.
“When are we getting started?” A fourth voice asked.
“Now,” a raspy voice said. It sounded like Marge Simpson when she was whispering.
There was the sound of a door opening and closing.
“Dude, your late,” the fan boy vampire said.
“Sorry,” the newcomer said. “I think someone was trying to follow me. I had to give them the slip.”
A figure stood over Charley an Ed dressed in a large cloak. “Don’t worry boys. This will not take long.”
“And then what,” Ed asked as the fan returned. “Are you going to let us go?” His question was met with laughter. “Doesn’t have to be unscathed.”
“The boss is going to take what they need and we get the rest,” the fan said as he helped Ed drink his water. “I get the honor of siring Mr. Broker.”
“Siring?” Charley feigned stupidity. These guys had no idea what Ed and Charley were.
“We are going to turn you into one of us,” the fan explained. “I know it’s kind of ironic but it might be great for your career. You will never have to worry about aging.”
“Enough.” The cloaked figure said. “If it is true about the servant then he is already one of you.”
“Which one is the servant?” Axl asked.
“The one with the dirty mouth.” The cloaked figure stood over Ed and jabbed something into his shoulder.
“Ow, hey,” Ed complained.
“Essence of the servant.” The cloaked figure held up the blood filled syringe. He quickly put the liquid into a vial. “And last I need is essence of the killer, or should I say one of the killers.” He stood over Charley and plunged the needle into his shoulder.
Charley cringed as his blood was extracted. He glared at the figure as he filled the vial. “What do you need that for?”
There was the sound of banging in the background.
“To bring back and old friend,” the cloaked figure was barely over heard the banging.
“What is that?” One of the minions asked as the banging grew even louder. There was the cracking sound of wood splintering.
There was one more bang followed by the sound of doors slamming against the walls. The place was flooded by the headlights of a large black car, even washing over the two figures that stood in front of the vehicle. It was hard to make out but even charley could see that Lyra and Faith were leading the charge.
“Who the hell are these chicks?” Axl asked.
“You don’t know who they are?” Ed asked. “Oh you are so going to get your asses handed to you on a platter.”
The vampire minions assaulted onto the two Slayers. Both Lyra and Faith launched their long rang weapons before the engaged in physical fighting. Behind them, Spike vaulted over them, staking another vampire upon landing before he spun around, shoved another one against the wall and staked that one as well.
Xander and Tyler followed up close behind. The more seasoned of the two attacked another wile the younger one used some of his kicks to deflect against another. The last three members of the Avengers pinned down another vampire and staked it.
The battle did not last long before all of the minions were dusted and Lyra was kneeling down besides Charley.
“Lyra,” Charley gasped her name.
“I’ll try to get you out of this.” She grabbed some of the chain and tried to pull it apart.
“What’s wrong?” Faith asked. “Can’t snap a chain?” She tried to break it but had the same amount of luck as the others. “What the hell kind of chain is this?”
“Adamantium?” Lyra asked.
“Can’t find a key?” Ace asked. He crouched down besides them and pulled out what looked like a multi-tool. He selected a small screwdriver head and inserted it into the hole. After a few twists and turns he unlocked it.
“Thanks,” Charley said as he removed his free hand from the chain.
“One of the few tricks I know,” Ace said with a smile and went to unlock the other cuffs.
“So you are actually good for something,” Faith said and stomped on the loose chain. “I don’t like losing, especially to a chain.”
-
Charley sat back and opened his can of Coors. After what had happened earlier that night he could use the drink.
“Just like old times?” Evil asked before he took a sip from his.
“It certainly brings back memories.”
“I still can’t shake the feeling we lost in some way,” Tyler said as he stirred his hot cocoa with a candy cane. Ronnie and Drusilla brewed plenty of hot chocolate for everyone who was underage.
“I see it as a win,” Lyra said. She took some of the whipcream that was on top of her mug of cocoa on her finger and licked it. “We rescued our friends and we got to kill a bunch of evil vamps.”
“As long as we get to kill something,” Faith said. “That always makes me happy.”
“Still can’t shake the feeling that one guy got away,” Xander said as he stared at his beer bottle.
“I wish I knew why he wanted mine and Ed’s blood,” Charley said before he took another sip from his beer. “That is the most perplexing thing about this. She called him the servant and I was the killer.” There were a handful of people he helped kill over the years. He thought about them while he tried to figure out the servant part. He barely listened to the others.
“A spell,” Rissa said. “This person needed your blood for a spell and speaking of which I can work on one to try and fix the cuff on Spike’s ankle.” A spell did make sense
“No need for that, love,” Spike said. He was seated in one of the large armchairs and he had Drusilla sitting in his lap. “I think my biggest fan can behave himself.”
“Yeah, Brewster knows where there are cows,” Evil said. “We can feed off of them.”
“Dandridge,” Charley said as he stared at his can. “I think these are the people you were trying to warn us about.” He closed his eyes. “They needed some of my blood and Ed’s to bring back Dandridge and if one of them did escape…” He couldn’t finish.
“We’ll try to find him before they can cast the spell,” Lyra said in a reassuring voice and took his hand.
“And if this Dandridge vamp does come back then we’ll just kill him again,” Faith said.
“There is a possibility they’ll bring him back as a human,” Spike brought up.
“Grandmummy,” Drusilla said and frowned. “They brought back alive, but she was sick and dying. Angel couldn’t save her and I became her mummy and she became a real mummy.”
“Not your entire fault, love,” Spike said as he brushed a finger under her chin.
Xander looked up at one of the clocks. “Getting late. As soon as you finish your cocoas it will be time for you to go home.”
-
Abigail Rayne had succeeded again in gathering the essence. While her minions were fighting against the so-called noble heroes she had escaped out the back with the two vials. She now had everything. Now all that she had to do was reunite with her father and the two can work on the resurrection.