Under the Forbidden Sun
Part 11 – Sunrise
Light coalesced around and in the circle, creating a blinding gold beam. The beam of light intensified a thousandfold, then shot out, covering the earth like a blanket. This lasted for several minutes. When the light finally cleared, Willow, Giles, and Tara looked aghast at the scene that was unfolding before them. Wesley and the two strange men were helping the six demons out of the circle. But that was not what had the three so unnerved; it was how everything looked.
Xander shook his head groggily, clearing away the strange light-sparks that danced behind his eyelids. When he opened his eyes, he immediately closed and reopened them. But nothing changed. Everything seemed to be the same, with two major exceptions. In stead of being a yellow ball blazing brightly in a blue sky, a hazy reddish-looking sun hung in a light purple sky.
“What the bloody hell?” snarled Spike. “Why aren’t Peaches and I dust?”
“Welcome to the new world, boys,” said Jericho. “Vampires are no longer limited to night, Spike. With my help, you five will rule in this new era.”
“What era?” asked Xander.
“Why, the Age of Demons,” said Jericho, acting astonished, as though this should have been obvious.
Oz looked on stoically, as the others, excepting Doyle, absorbed this information.
“So, why are we going to rule? Why not bring in your brethren?” asked Doyle, stumbling slightly, still recovering from his death. Angelus caught the half-demon and held him steady.
“Because,” supplied Joholen, “we are not suited to ruling in this dimension. It will be easier to stay now that there are certain differences. But we cannot stay here for longer than a year at a time without risks.”
“Risks?” asked Xander. “Never mind, don’t wanna know. But, how are we supposed to rule? No one knows who we are.”
“Ah,” said Jericho excitedly. “That’s one of the ingenious parts of the Rebirth. When the change came, all demons were implanted with the knowledge of their new rulers. The different clans and communities of demons will be sending envoys to accept your rulership. Humans, on the other hand, know nothing, and, I’m sure, will be finding this quite frightening.”
Willow made a choking sound and Jeriicho turned toward her, “Run little girl. While you still can. You and your kind are no longer in charge. It is we who rule here again and you who will be afraid.”
Willow and Tara ran out of the clearing, with Giles following.
“So what else is different?” asked Angelus, continuing to hold onto Doyle.
“The rivers and bodies of water should be red, some plants will die and others will grow because of the difference in sunlight, and there will be some different animals. Otherwise, nothing,” said Joholen.
“And I suggest you all start deciding who’s going to be in charge of what. Oh, and Xander,” Xander turned to look at Jericho, “you’re going to be taking your cousin under your wing. This will give you some good experience for when the babies are born.”
Willow and Tara sat near Buffy’s hospital bed, while Giles paced nervously.
“So, what are we going to do now?” asked Willow.
“I don’t know,” said Giles. “Start a human resistance group, I suppose.”
“How?”
“We’ll figure something out,” said Giles. “Perhaps the Watcher’s Council can help us. But right now, the most important thing is for Buffy regain consciousness. We can’t leave until she’s able to be moved.”
“Luv, it’s for the best,” said Spike cajolingly.
“No, I don’t care what they say. I’m not going anywhere without you,” said the stubborn boy. “Why can’t we be in charge of Europe and Asia? Then we can make our home on the borders.”
“Because Peaches wants Europe. Some bloody rigamarole about his being the Scourge of Europe making it his by default.”
“But you’re the other half of the Scourge of Europe,” Xander pointed out.
“Well, how about we take North and South America? Then we can live in Central America,” said Spike.
“I want Greece,” Xander gave Spike his patented puppy-dog eyes. “Can we have Europe if I kill Deadboy?”
“That will only make him mad, luv.”
“So? He killed me.”
“Is that what this is about? Him killing you?”
“No,” Xander pouted. “It’s about me getting my way because I’m cute and pouting.”
“Well,” said Angelus, entering the room. “And it’s working so well.”
“Why can’t we have Europe?” Xander turned the puppy-eyes on his grand-Sire. “I promise to show the respect and reverence you deserve. And so will Spike.” Spike growled at this and Xander elbowed him in the stomach.
Angelus thought for a minute, then agreed, “Alright, you two can have Europe and Asia. Doyle wants the Americas anyway. And Oz already ‘has dibs’ ” he made an odd face as he said that, “on Africa and Australia.”
“Now we just have to wait for the demons to come pay homage to us,” said Spike, watching as Xander snuck up behind Angelus.
Angelus nodded, not noticing the boy creeping behind him.
“Bansai!” yelled Xander, shoving the knife he held neatly through Angelus’ heart. “That’s for trying to kill my babies.”
Jericho walked into the room just as Xander pulled the knife out and sighed, “Okay, we have got to have *some* rules about killing each other.”
The End