Disclaimer :

BTVS and Angel belong to the Great, Munifecent Joss Whedon! I own my wife and she owns me! We aren't doing this for money, fame, or fortune (more's the pity) but we are doing this for the recognition of our peers, peons, and loyal subjects. We need to lord it over someone!

The End of The Beginning

"Now tell me again how we're supposed to fight these demons off?" Spike's complained. Swishing through the air his sword severed the head of the demon nearest him. Tirelessly he snatched the one crawling up his back. After snapping its neck, he implored, "Got any more brilliant ideas, oh great one?"

Angel stood against the horde with his back to Spike doing his best to ignore him. But finally couldn't resist. In between punches and sword strokes he called out, "Oh come on, aren't you supposed to be 'All Champion of the People' …where's the champion now?"

"Well maybe I was, but not anymore. I'm just trying to survive like any other normal bloke." Spike took the head off a slimy green demon in one quick slice. The severed head thudded to the ground.

"Now, that's some thing we have in common…neither of us will ever be normal."

Fighting side by side with the members of his team in the Hyperion Alley, Angel studied the mess in front of them. He knew they could not take on all these demons one by one. Especially with Wesley gone and Gunn near death but still managing to do what he could. Angel, Illyria and Spike were the only ones left strong enough to endure this driving force raining down upon them.

The dragon screeched impotently above trying to get into the alleyway. Angel kept a close eye on it while struggling to survive the melee and assist Gunn. Occasionally he would throw a weapon from a downed demon to keep the dragon at bay. Illyria simply crushed the monsters; an unstoppable juggernaut. Demons all around her were de-spined and pulped. Spike seemed to be the only one having a "grand ol' time". Gleefully welcoming the onslaught he invited, "You want some more of me? Well come and get it you sops!"

The heroes trudged over a battleground of blood and carnage. The stench of putrid death, floating through the air. The sounds of blood spilling and bones breaking echoed mutely through the narrow pathway. Still it was as though they hadn't even taken a step. The demons were coming upon them by the hundreds, maybe even thousands. It seemed what little they were doing just wasn't enough. Thankfully the rain held the dragon's fire from desecrating them. Angel couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream escaped Gunn as he fell to his knees. Angel raced to the mortals side. Slamming his sword into the neck of a "ubervamp" Angel decapitated the monster that was biting Gunn . It disintegrated; ashes washing away into the darkness. Released, Gunn fell face first to the ground, blood trickling from his neck. Angel helped him to his feet noticing that the wound on Gunn's torso was again opened.

Ripping his own shirt off Angel did the best he could to stop the bleeding even though it was hard to tell Gunns blood from the Demon and Vampire blood covering him. Wrapping it around the abdominal wound he chose not to worry about the slight laceration on Gunn's neck. He patted his friend on the shoulder making sure Gunn was aware and not falling into shock. "That ought to hold for now." Angel thought silently. "I'll be back soon my friend." He reassured Gunn.

"Take…take your time." Gunn's whisper was forced "I just need to rest." Gunn closed his eyes only intending to rest for a moment and instead passed out. Looking around Angel searched for a cubbyhole, something to hide Gunn in. Angel needed to get the injured man out of sight if there was even the slightest chance that he could be saved. His eyes lit up espying a nearby Dumpster.

Angel tucked Gunn out of the way as well as he could. Rejoining the fray thoughts, idea's, and tactics flew through Angel's mind. They had to get out of this mess. He knew he'd have to hold the demons at bay as long as possible. There just had to be a way to stop this madness! Angel knew if Wesley were here, he'd know what to do. Angel felt all out of ideas and was coming up empty.

Facing the horde of demons descending upon them, Angel killed the ones nearest him. In a brief lull, the quiet rage simmers within his soul. Rain pours down from the heavens upon him. He watches as the horrid demons sniff into the night air, the rains and winds carrying the scent of Gunn's blood. He knows they can smell him, a man. Not just any man, but one he'd sworn to protect with his very life.

The anger within boiled over when he realized the he could smell the blood as well and remembered that he was no different than these savage beasts. A soul or not, the blood still drew him and his mouth salivated. His stomach churned in disgust and the beast within him rose. The man within unleashed that beast, no longer caring for his own survival. The only thing that mattered anymore was his friend and he'd defend him until the very last whisper of his soul.

Standing bare-chested against the rain, gripping the sword in both hands, his face took on the aspect of the vampire within. Growling deep in his throat, "Yes I can smell his blood too. But you can not, will not, have him! I will defend him until I draw my last unneeded breath." His eyes glowed with rage into the night.

A vampire spoke out, "What is this human to you? Why defend him and face destruction against the likes of us? He is just one lone human, and you could survive this if you wished."

"Because he is human and alive and most importantly he's my friend. That is something you will never understand. It's only over my ashes that you shall even taste his blood. Now, are you going to stand there and talk me to death? If not then come over here and get a piece of ME!"

The vampires rapidly charged him, eyes bright in bloodlust. With renewed vigor bestowed upon him by one lonely soul, Angel withstood the demons with all his might!