Outsider Chronicles: This Bites

Getting reborn into the dark ages isn't exactly my idea of a 'good time', but nearly getting my throat ripped out by my own brother, then recruited as an Immortal bodyguard for a crazy vampire with a chip on his shoulder? Really not fun either. Surviving 300 years then getting sent to investigate odd occurrences in America in the same town as a goddamn Vampire slayer? Really not fun.

And we're back. Nothing to say here, so lets dive right in. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Do you know what the main difference between Demonic and Corvinus type Vampires is? Actually, its rather simple. The answer is instinct. Despite our changes, Corvinus Strain Vampires are still mostly Human. Sure, we do have some altered instincts, such as our need to seek out blood and darkness, along with our predisposition to getting up high when startled, but other than that, we have far fewer powerful instincts than the Lycans.

Demonic types on the other hand have a relatively simple set of instincts. They feed, they Sire and, more than everything, destroy. That more than anything is what makes Vampires so damned dangerous, not the lack of Soul. After all, a sudden lack of morality does not necessarily mean that a new Vampire would simply start slaughtering people for fun.

This difference was proven more than anything in the clash between Angelus and I. While he was a very skilled combatant, it was rather obvious that his training had been slapdash and sloppy, likely because he didn't tend to wait long enough to actually learn before moving on. However, 200 years of experience, a complete lack of restraint and the sheer brutality of his attacks more than made up for it.

On the other hand, I had spent 200 years training as a warrior, fighting monsters capable of ripping me limb from limb with ease. As a result, I was able to easily match the animalistic fury Angelus was attacking me with with little to no problem. The fact we were equal in strength certainly helped. Actually, we were perfectly matched in every way, so our initial clash resulted in a standoff as our fists slipped past the others guard and sent us both flying back into the walls. Still, Vampire durability meant we were back up and circling in moments.

"How did you survive?!" hissed Angelus, "I tore your throat out!"

"Sheer dumb luck," I hissed right back, "And a convenient Vampire Elder who decided to turn me for some reason."

Angelus growled.

"Of course, I should have known," he growled, "The damned Corvinus bloodline! They always seem to be getting in my way."

"Actually, that's just me," I said, "I spent the last 200 years chasing you around trying to keep the damage to a minimum."

I paused.

"Then again, Amelia really doesn't like your kind, so I guess it wouldn't be totally surprising if she sent some Death Dealers out to deal with you."

Angelus snarled and pounced at me again, his claws aimed to gut me. I jumped back out of range and flexed my fingers. Almost immediately, Angel froze and I landed on what looked like thin air, causing the wires I'd been weaving around the room since the start of the fight to shimmer and become slightly visible.

"W-what the hell is this?!" spluttered the Vampire as he struggled against the wire.

"This is why I'm known as the Spider," I said with a smirk, "Thin, razor sharp wire made from incredibly strong experimental material. I've got very good with it over the years and now…"

I smirked and spread my fingers, causing more wire to appear between them.

"...You're trapped in my web."

I went to close my fist, which would tighten the wire around his throat and decapitate him, but before I could, Angelus clenched his muscles and pulled. As he did, the display cases the wire was attached to came loose or outright shattered, sending glass and merchandise flying everywhere, including a black light that hit the ground nearby and turned on. Now, there had been a few times in the past 200 years when I had been exposed to sunlight and let me tell you, it HURT. I had once been thrown into a burning building by a Lycan, one of the few times when I had come incredibly close to death, and even that didn't hurt anywhere near as much as exposure to sunlight. With that in mind, I think I can be forgiven for getting rather distracted when the UV lamp's rays hit my leg and the feeling of my entire left leg getting set on fire, electrocuted, stabbed with red hot needles and sawn off by a rusty chainsaw shot threw me.

I let out a howl of pain that probably sounded more animal than Human as my trouser leg burnt away, quickly followed my my skin blistering and blackening. I immediately collapsed, my fingers instinctively twitching to slice the lamp to pieces, freeing Angelus in the process.

I'm not entirely sure what happened next since I was a tad delirious from the pain, but when my vision returned, I found myself being carried by Buffy with my arm over her shoulder.

"Oww, that hurt," I groaned, "Angelus?"

Buffy glanced over her shoulder and I followed her gaze back into the room where I'd fought him and snorted when I saw him curled up in a ball.

"Ahh, seeing him like that brings back memorys," I said, before wincing as I tried to put weight on my burnt leg.

"Are you OK?" asked Buffy.

"I will be," I said, "I just need to feed and rest and this should be healed by tomorrow."

Buffy looked a tad uncomfortable at the mention of feeding.

"Don't worry, I don't feed on Humans," I said, "Actually, its against our laws to do so, unless we're Turning them."

"What happened anyway?" asked Buffy, clearly wanting to get of the topping of blood sucking, "It looks like you stuck your leg in a fire."

I snorted.

"Trust me, that wouldn't hurt nearly as bad," I said, "Sunlight is one of the few weaknesses Corvinus Vampire shair with our demonic counterparts, but in our case its actually a form of hyper photosensitivity. Basically, we're allergic to UV radiation, so when a blacklight accidentally turned on and I stepped into it...this happened."

I indicated to my ruined leg.

"Ouch."

"Indeed."

We stepped out into the atrium where the Judge got blown to smithereens where the rest of the Gang was finishing up gathering all the bits they could find. As we entered Xander looked up and hurried over when he saw us.

"Buffy, we've finished gathering up...holy cow, what happened to you?" he asked as he saw my leg.

"Long story," I said, "I'll be fine though. Just need a full meal and a bit of rest."

I grinned, showing off my fangs.

"O-oh, well, thats g-good to hear…" stuttered Xander as he rapidly back up and hurried back to helping the others pack up the Judges remains as I snickered at his reaction.

"What?" I asked as I caught the glare Buffy was sending my way, "I was only kidding."

Buffy scowled and dropped me on my behind.

"Ouch."

"Alright, that seems to be everything," said Giles, "Now, we should leave."

"Er, I don't suppose I could bum a ride of someone?" I asked, "I kinda can't walk and I really don't feel like burning to death when the sun comes up."

"Of course, where do you live?" asked Giles.

I told him the address and Buffy looked mildly surprised.

"Thats the same building as Angel's apartment," she said.

"Hnn, small world," I muttered.

"I'll drop you off on the way to Buffy's house," said Giles.

"Thanks."

The trip was done in silence, as was the journey up stairs that Buffy helped me with since my leg was still a total mess.

"Thanks," I said as the Slayer dropped me onto a chair, "Could you pass me a pack from the fridge?"

"Ziodex industries?" asked Buffy as she read the label on the blood pack she tossed to me.

"We own it," I said, "Its a pharmaceutical company thats focused on research into synthetic plasma and hematology. Blood research."

That last part was because of the blank look Buffy was giving me.

"Oh, well, thanks for the help tonight," said Buffy.

"No problem," I said, "I was just doing my job and it was...nice to see Liam again after so long."

"Liam?"

"You didn't think Angelus was his real name did you?" I asked around the top of the blood bag as I drained it.

Buffy opened her mouth, paused and closed it again.

"Good point," she said.

I grunted and got to my feet, stretching out my newly healed leg. Vampire healing really is amazing considering the only indication that it had been burnt black a few seconds ago was a slight reddening.

"Great, I need some new trousers," I muttered, "Good thing these safe houses have plenty of spare equipment."

I glanced at Buffy and saw that she was staring at my fully healed leg in shock. I smirked.

"Vampire healing, very handy," I said, "Now, its late, a school night and Giles is waiting for you downstairs, so get going."

"O-ok," said Buffy, "Um, I guess I'll see you around…"

I shrugged.

"Don't know how much longer I'll be here," I said, "My mission heres over after all. But until I go, you know where to find me if you need to talk."

Buffy gave me a look.

"200 years have given me a lot of insight," I said, "I know what its like to lose someone you care for."

Buffy flinched and turned away.

"Um, I should go," she mumbled and hurried out the door.

I sighed. Something told me that things were gonna get rather annoying for me. I got to my feet and headed for the phone to make my report.

"Corvin industries, how can I help you tonight?"

"For the Elders," I said.

"Very well sir, I'll put you through."

There was a click and a moments silence before Amelia's voice came down the line.

"Report," she said.

I did as I was told. Once I was finished, Amelia let out a sigh and I got the distinct impression she was rubbing her eyes.

"I see," she said, "So, the Slayer's in Sunnydale is she? Well, I guess thats not entirely surprising."

"Your orders?" I asked.

Amelia was silent for a moment.

"You said Angelus is back?" she asked.

"Yep."

"In that case, I want you to stay put," she said, "Considering what you just told me and knowing his MO, I think we can guarantee he'll be sticking around for a while to try and take 'revenge' against the Slayer. Keep her safe and alive."

"Understood," I said.

"Best of luck kid, I think you'll need it."

There was a click as Amelia hung up. I sighed and put the phone back on the hook, absently rubbing my leg as I sat back in my seat. Well, it looked like I'd be here for a while. This was gonna be fun…

Third Person POV, with Amelia

The Elder sat back in her seat, steepling her fingers as she stared up at the ceiling.

"The Hellmouth huh?" she muttered, "Something tells me he's going to need all the help he can get...hmm…"

She got to her feet and walked over to a bookcase where she pulled out a book, causing the entire thing to turn, revealing a room full of weapons, books and covered in runs and circles that would make no sense to virtually everyone on the planet, including her fellow Elders. Amelia stepped into the room and walked over to a chest in the corner. She opened it and started rummaging around, moving aside scrolls, what looked like a partly burnt staff and a sword with the Cross of St George on the hilt until she found a long, wooden box with a five pointed star embossed on the top in bronze. She picked up the box and opened it, smirking slightly when she saw what was inside.

"Yes, this will do nicely," she said, "Still, there are only five left...oh well, I trust him to use them well."

She shut the box and returned to her office to have her secretary send the package to Lucas.

And done. So, what did you think of the fight? Maybe the end was a bit of a copout, but Angel needs to stay alive for a while longer.

I have no idea if a Blacklight would actually do that to a Corvinus strain Vampire, but it is stated that its the UV rays in sunlight that hurt them and blacklights give out UV rays, so its not that much of a leap.

A bit of bonding with Buffy.

Hmm, I wonder what it is Amelia's sending Lucas? You might be able to guess if you consider my reputation. It promises to give both Buffy and Lucas a headache, albeit for different reasons.

And with that I'm done. Next time, we'll see what type of lycanthrope I'll use to turn Oz into. Until then, please leave a review!