AresJoxerCupidStrife - Kate

Prologue Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14

Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one used in this story.
Title: Beast/War
Author: Kate
Rating: uh…no idea
Summary: I suck t these.

Ares was in a very bad mood. It was black, so black in fact that it made the deepest pit of Tartarus look like a sunny day at the park. It had happened again. Those idiot Knights of Byzantium were threatening his Key again. He'd thought he'd made it clear to them the last time that threatening his Key was a bad idea. Ares began to plan a way to protect the Key and suddenly had an idea. What would make someone, a human want to protect the Key? What form did he have to place in the Monks' minds: A human being. A human being would garner the most protection…But where to put her? What place, with what person? Ares watched the world and let him mind choose for him.

/Why not? / Ares asked himself as he watched the town called Sunnydale. /Why not indeed? /

Ares reached into the minds of the monks who now held his Key from the Knights of Byzantium and the Beast. He whispered into the mind of the abbot a form that would beget protection form the Slayer and others in her group.

One sentence was placed in their minds. One all encompassing idea: Protect The Key.

After he put that into motion, Ares waited. He knew he needed some rest but he also knew he would have to protect the Key personally this time. Glory was getting too close now. Glory, the Beast, the only of Zeus' bastards that the old goat regretted. Sure enough, less than an hour after the Key had been made into human, Zeus appeared in Ares' Olympian temple.

"Go and protect her, Ares," Zeus said coldly. "Keep the Beast from touching her." Ares vanished from Olympus and reappeared in Sunnydale where the Key now resided. Into the minds of each of those he had chosen to protect her Ares placed memories and images. Basically re-writing time to make her fit.

'Dawn' that was to be here name. Dawn, sister of Buffy; The Vampire Slayer. Into Dawn's life was added Arry, her imaginary friend and protector. A place Ares himself had to fill. Ares knew that in time the last players would come into the game agaist Glory. People he did not yet understand the significance of in his own cold, lonely life as of yet. but hemknew they were coming. he knew.

Title: Beast/War 1
Author: Kate
Rating: uh…no idea
Summary: Ares' plan changes when he has to make Dawn Xander's sister A.N. This is season 3 of Buffy until the Glory thing re-written. Ares had to re-write time to make Dawn fit into the world. Buffy did not come home that summer and there are male Slayers. And more than one slayer can be activated at a time. I think that was about the same time as Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" came out.

Jenny looked up at the high school in the town she, Jason and Richie had agreed to come to with Darius.

Something about it gave both her and Jason the creepy-crawlies. Jason stood next to her almost growling. He had a really bad feeling abut this place. He'd told her the entire town was freaking him out and last night, after the vampire thing Jenny called a demon spawned had attacked them for attacking another vampire. Well, he wasn't liking this place at all. Jason knew they'd have to get Billy registered for classes soon but he needed to be sure Billy was well. Jenny just knew without a doubt Jason was thinking about Billy right then.

"Soon Jase," Jenny told him. "He'll be well again soon."

Jason nodded and followed her into the school. Both their records had transferred already. Jason followed Jenny to the first class of the day. They had parallel schedules for the most part so they walked down to the classroom that had the number they were looking for.

"Good morning," the teacher said. "Are you the new students I was told to expect?" Jenny nodded and she and Jason walked to the back of the classroom where there were two empty desks. They sat down and realized they were in the middle of a group. Jason shifted his desk slightly so the people could talk without him being between them.

"It's okay," the girl on his left told him "We're good. I'm Willow by the way. This is Xander. The girl next to your sister? Is Cordelia. Oz is next to Cordelia, and we're the scoobies--" Willow was cut off by a blond girl suddenly speaking snidely as she tried very unsuccessfully to flirt with Jason.

"The losers you mean. I'm Harmony. And you obviously don't want to hang with this group. Why don't you join us here?"

"Thanks no," Jason answered coolly. "I know where I want to be." Harmony stared in insulted disbelief. Jason just grinned maliciously at her.

Jason turned back to Willow and her friends. He shrugged at Harmony's put out face. "She does know she looks like a retard when she pouts right?"

Jenny snickered and then they sat taking notes for the class. Jason wrote the notes down having already read the story they were doing. He and Billy had done it for Miss Applebee in Angel Grove. After another class that they shared with the four kids form English, Jason and Jenny found themselves being led to the library with the group for free period that they had together. They had no idea what the group was talking about but it sounded like Willow had picked up vibes from both of them.

"Wonder if Dead boy is joining us for free today?" Xander remarked to Cordelia as they entered the library. Jenny heard Willow squeal with happiness before she and Jason entered the library.

"ANGEL! You're all better! This is great! Uhm how is Spike?"

"Hi Willow," Angel said softly. "I wasn't the one hurt, I'm stronger today than I have been and Spike is--What is she doing here?" Angel growled looking at Jenny. He knew what she was but last night she had attacked his Childe in his city. He wasn't going to stand on protocol this time. Jenny, for her part had shifted into vampire mood. Pure blood vampire against demon spawned but Angel was a unique case. The only vampire with a soul but not a slayer growled.

"Explain why you are in my territory girl," he growled as his demon came out to play. Jason grabbed Jenny by the arm.

"Jenny, not here. Darius will be pissed if we get in trouble on the first day," he said. He looked at around the library as Xander and Giles spoke to the bigger man.

"Angel, lets be reasonable. We don't know why she's here-" Giles was cut off by Angel's growl.

"She's the one who attacked Spike last night when he was killing that cop who uses children in dark rituals. Right now I don't care if she's part of that damn prophesy of yours. No one hurts my son."

"He was killing kids?" Jenny asked feeling sick as she reverted back to human.

"Yes," Angel said caustically. "Which, if you had bothered to ask we would have told you. Instead you acted like every other prejudiced pure blood and assumed you knew what was best. If I can't catch him, if the Blood Hunt on that man isn't successful, it'll be your fault if another child dies."

"I'm sorry," Jenny said really upset. "I didn't know--I--No one said there was a Master here."

"No one the vampires like you are a hybrid of would acknowledge me. But I challenge any full pure blood vampire to try to control this place. It takes the demons in those like me to master the minions here." Angel looked at Jenny seeing her almost in tears and sighed. It was a misunderstanding and he knew he would have done the same.

"Look, it's okay," he said tiredly. "I didn't mean to snap. I just--Spike is more than just my Childe and I hate it when people come into my territory and don't ask permission just because I'm Demon Spawned. If you want, you can help me catch him. And I may have over reacted a tad with your arm."

"It healed. Is your Childe okay?" Jenny asked. She realized the man had called the vamp she'd attacked his Childe and it was obvious now that she looked at him that he was a Master Vampire. He was very likely the Master of this town.

Jason looked at the group warily. "Are we done with the threats guys? Cause I want to let jenny go and I don't want any blood spilled on the floor."

"We're good Jase," Jenny told him. "I just goofed. And he's right, I didn't ask permission to come into the town or ask about him before I did anything. It's kind of a breach in protocol--"

"Not really, I am odd for a demon spawned vampire as is Spike. But I do get fed up sometimes. Just because we have demons in us doesn't mean we're beneath the Pure Bloods." Angel told them trying to be diplomatic now. He still burned at the way Pure Bloods looked down their noses at his kind. Even if most of his kind were minions it shouldn't have mattered. They were vampires.

"No one said there was any Master here at all. Just that this place was overrun," Jenny told him.

"They should have asked before sending any one here. I am the Master of this City and no one, Enforcer or otherwise is going to come in and try to take it from me. I have enough to do trying to make the vampires the Master made try to obey the Laws without having to deal with Enforcers who think I'm weak because of my demon."

"Besides, Jenny," Willow said quietly. "Angel and Spike both have souls. Angel's was gypsy curse and Spike's cause Angel said Slayers never lose their souls…Uhm, Angel…What did you mean Spike is more than just your childe?"

"I-I guess you could say I raised him Willow. I found him as a small boy in the abusive place the Watcher's Council left him and I raised him."

"But," Giles began, "You were soulless then. How could you have raised a child?"

"Just because I didn't have a soul didn't mean I didn't have a heart. Giles, the Council is full of shit. Look at all the humans who beat, starve and abuse their children. And they have souls and pulses. So what does that tell you? As that new Disney Movie says. 'What makes a Monster and what makes a Man?' Does a soul really make someone good?"

"I…I never thought of it like that Angel. There are reports of you ripping council members and a slayer apart for no reason. Was there one?"

"Yes," Angel hissed as he watched Jenny and Jason look at books Giles had out for research. "They came to murder a six year old child. They came to murder my boy who didn't even have a name until I gave him one. My William whom I loved as I loved nothing else then; Even without a soul." Giles backed up at the vehemence in Angel's voice. Apparently the council had done some horrific things if even the Scourge Of Europe was sickened by their actions.

"Not to change the subject," Xander began. "Okay, to blatantly change the subject. I have a prophesy Dawn was muttering bout this morning when I got up at Joyce's cause dad got drunk last night and I wanted Dawn not o have any more bruises. Not to mention Arry would have killed the bastard if he tried anything with her. Dad's been looking at Dawn in a not fatherly way so we went to Joyce's house."

"Did he hit you?" Angel asked. Jenny was a little surprised to find a demon -spawned vampire behaving like a pure blood in regards to the humans under his care. This Angel was something special. Willow grinned.

"Wait until you meet Spike. He's the only Slayer we have right now, since Buffy left." Willow trailed off sadly and Jenny looked at her. She was angry on behalf of these teens that the person who was supposed to protect them had abandoned them.

"So, you wanna help us kill the evil dead?" Xander asked. "Does anyone know if Dawnie's coming here today or going home?"

"You just want to see if Arry will make more pizza and sweet stuff for you to stuff your face with Dweeb boy," Cordelia fired at them. Jason watched kind of shocked as the group began to laugh and joke as they pulled books down off the shelves.

"Who is Arry?" Jason finally asked out of curiosity. Xander responded as he lifted another heavy book down.

"Arry is Dawn's imaginary friend. She brings him everywhere. Says he's protecting her from something big, bad, and evil. Most of the vamps avoid Dawn. They say something about her being marked by a sword. They also say they rather like un-living so they'll just walk the other way when they see her."

"And the food Cordelia mentioned?" Jenny asked

"Last week, we were here late and Dawn was with us. We were going to send out for Pizza when the kinds of pizza and donuts we liked just appeared on the table we usually eat at. Dawn said Arry made it for us. There was also some kind of pastry that we'd never had before that Dawn called Sweet-cake. Didn't taste like any sweet cake I'd ever had before. It tasted better."

Jason chuckled and looked up at Jenny. "Do we help?" He asked.

"The least we can do," Jenny replied. "I screwed up last night. So, what are we researching? Hi daddy."

"Hello Jennifer, Rupert, Angelus. How is your boy?"

"Darius?" Giles asked

"Father Darius?" Angel choked.

"You guys know daddy? Cool," Jenny said as she led Darius over to the table. Darius sat down comfortably and waited for the questions to begin.

"Yes, I know both of these men. Although that may not be correct in Angelus' case. He seems different now but I am curious to know how his boy turned out."

"He's all grown now," Angel said. "He's a Master Vampire himself. He was a Master before he was even a century old. And he's still a Slayer…That confused him before but it doesn't now." Darius nodded at Angel as he pulled a book over to him. "What are we looking for Rupert? I imagine it's a prophesy of some kind."

"Daddy," Jenny said quietly. "Did you know Angel was a vampire?"

"Of course I did Jenny," Darius told her. "Liam brought his boy into my church to keep the Watcher's Council away from him. I simply accepted their presence and made sure there was something for them to eat. As a result, Angelus left me in peace to do my ministry and I did not comment when he went out at night."

"You're gonna yell at me then," Jenny said.

"Really? Why?" Darius asked.

"Because I kinda attacked William last night. I thought he was killing indiscriminately and because he was…"

"Demon spawned? Did you think to ask or did you assume?"

"I assumed," Jenny said contritely.

"It was a misunderstanding," Angel spoke up. "I don't like it but I understand it. No harm was really done and she said she'd help me find the bastard. Which is repayment enough. And I owe you a belated welcome to my territory Jenny."

Darius watched the group ad finally nodded. He looked at the six teens in the room and nodded.

"I believe I have history with you six in twenty minutes. Jenny, I handled the detention you got today, Jason, you will not be bothered by the football coach again."

Jason sighed. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," he said. Jason looked at Darius hopefully. "Will Billy be good to come here soon?"

"He should be soon Jason," Darius told him. "Another few days I think."

Jason nodded and went back to his homework.

The rest of the school day passed quickly and everyone met in the library after school. Angel was still in the shadows avoiding direct sunlight and Giles was getting his books down and the snacks ready. Angel heard the library door open and saw Xander's little sister, Dawn, come in. Dawn looked a little unsure until she saw Angel in the shadows.

"Hi Angel," She said. "Arry wants to know what we want for dinner tonight."



"Hi, Angel," Dawn said as she came into the library.

Angel chuckled as he came down from the stacks, being careful to stay in
the shadows. He let Dawn come to him and hug him, though. Angel tended
to wait for people to come to him. He waited for people to come to him
particularly because of how he'd acted last year. Angel let Dawn lead him to a table in the back still in
the shadows and sat with her.

"Now," Angel began to himself, "What I want for dinner. Hmm, maybe some O+ with a pepperoni pizza for desert. Think we can do that?"

Dawn giggled and nodded as the rest of the Scoobies, plus Jenny, Jason,
Darius and two new people came in. Angel waved them over to the table he
was sitting at while Dawn had a conference with Arry.

"How was class?" Angel asked the Scooby Gang. They shrugged as he was
becoming used to and he chuckled. "Not fun, huh?"

Xander made a face at Angel as Dawn came back to the table and sat down. As
soon as she did, food appeared. Jenny jumped back form the table in shock
while Darius had a look on his face as if he was remembering something.

"Darius?" One of the new people asked softly. Darius looked at him after a
few minutes and nodded to himself as if deciding on something.

"Dawn," Darius began, "Can you describe our friend for me? I'm guessing you
can't just come out and say his name, correct?"

"I can't describe him, but if you want to try, you can," Dawn said
softly. Darius nodded and began to think, his memories of his God
coalescing properly in his mind.

"He's a tall man, well built. He wears black leather pants and a
black leather vest. His boots are almost knee high; he has a pair of
leather wristlets that are studded with silver metal like the designs on his
vest. He wears a pendant of some kind around his neck, a heavy leather belt
with an ornate buckle, and a sword at his side and an earring. Correct?"

Dawn looked at Darius with amazed eyes. She was curious though. "How do
you know what Arry looks like?"

"Well, I forgot to mention his beard but I know what he looks like simply
because he is My God. I haven't seen him in a very long time but he is the
God I have always called on in times of need. During WWII when I was hiding
Jews in the basement of my church, he fed them for me, when I became enraged
with the SS he prevented me form becoming the Fire of the Goths, again,
lest I turned Paris into cinders. He did, however, allow me to
remove the spine of one soldier for attempting to rape a child in my church.
He helped me reduce Rome to a cinder when they killed my life mate her
first time around, oh, I have many reasons why I call on him but the
most obvious one is that he is my friend."

"Do you know his name?" Dawn asked. Darius nodded.

"I do. But I feel calling him might not be the safest thing for him."

Dawn nodded and waited, knowing Arry would tell her what to do now. She
hoped he would let her tell someone now because he was really pale.

Before anything more could happen though, an attack came from vampire
minions and the new evil on the block. One lunged for Dawn but never
touched her. Instead it was thrown out the doors into the hall by seemingly
nothing. Angel, however, was watching and he saw a brief shimmering of
the man Darius had described to them just moments before. His Demon however
saw something more.

Something Angel had only begun to suspect, by the way Angelus behaved
whenever Dawn said Arry was near. Angel turned and grabbed another thing as
it tried to get to Dawn and then a bolt of blue/black lightning hit almost
all the minions that looked like diseased rat people and a thundering voice
spoke form nowhere.

Apparently, the rat people understood it was speaking to them because they
all fled in terror of it.

Slowly, very slowly, after the voice faded, a man began to fade into
existence in the library with them. He looked tired and bit worn a round
the edges but he was there. Dawn ran over to him at the same time Angel's
demon took over.

"Arry," Dawn said at the same time Angelus said "Da'." The man looked at
all the people blankly just before he started to collapse. Angelus caught
him before he hit the floor and sat holding him for a while. His Da'. He
remembered everything that had lead to him being joined with Angel.
Everything about his birth, to the shining man tearing him from his other
father, the man he now held, to his feeling of rage when he saw his daddy's
blood on the floor of the room. Angelus sat holding his father refusing to
allow anyone to come near him. Dawn was allowed eventually but only Dawn.

Eventually, what he was crooning became clear to the others in the room.
"It's okay now Da', I'm here. I'm right here."

After a considerable amount of time, Arry began to wake up again. He'd
forgotten how much energy it took to do what he did while invisible. Now,
he heard a voice, crooning to him over and over calling him Da'. Ares, God
of War, shifted against the arms holding him, feeling a presence he'd not
felt since Apollo had torn the last child out of him.

The most beautiful of his children born in that time, the last child he was
able to carry himself. Ares felt his beautiful, Angelic One just holding
him. Somehow, he found the strength to acknowledge him.

"I'm okay, son," Ares choked wearily. He knew he was visible and that
father would not be pleased, but just for now, he couldn't care less.
Ares looked at the faces around him. As well as Dawn and her friends, he
saw five new people. Only one of whom he knew.

"Darius?" Ares said softly, just before he blacked out again.



Everyone in the library stared dumbfounded as Angelus continued to cradle the injured God now lying on the floor by the checkout desk. Angelus, the cruelest, most evil vampire known according to the Watcher's Council, was disproving even more theories about vampires and their emotions. If the way he held on to the man he called Da' was any indication, the council had lied through it's collective ass for years. Centuries even. Giles noticed Spike had arrived sometime during the fight and was now sitting on the floor near his sire. Angelus did not seem to take Spike's presence as a threat, which further proved what Angel had told them about just a few hours ago.
Giles watched as Darius walked over to Angelus and knelt next to him. He knew what the Ancient Guardian was capable of; he'd just never witnessed it before. Darius spoke a simple healing charm into the Ares' hair and waited. The healing was small but in the case of a collapsed god, anything would help according to Giles' books. Darius stood after a moment or so and walked back to the table setting a stone in a bowl of sand. Giles knew the stone would have to be buried in the earth as Darius had used it to remove some of the injuries to the God. Somehow, they all knew that what Ares had done should not have caused an all out collapse.
"Angelus?" Dawn asked softly. "Angelus come on, we need to get him to a bed someplace. He needs to rest."
Slowly, ever so slowly, Angelus released his death grip on Ares. He let Darius take Ares from his arms and slowly slipped back into his human guise. Everyone breathed a sigh f relief until Darius cursed violently. Ares seemed to be pulled away from them. Ares hung suspended in mid air and thrashing in pain. Angelus roared as he vanished. The roar finally diminished as Angel managed to reassert control over his other half and give him comfort. Spike joined him in that endeavor and the group cleaned up the mess in the library and headed home. Dawn and Xander again went to Joyce Summers' house where they stayed when their father was being particularly abusive.
In another place, Zeus, King of the Gods of Olympus, was torturing his son Ares saying it was just punishment for being visible to other mortals save the Key. He was unnerved a great deal by the roar that succeeded him taking Ares from the library. Athena wanted to know why Ares was even in a library when she had set barriers against him going into any library and touching any book not on war and battle. She knew the human girl Dawn sometimes gave him her books to read before she returned them to the public or school library and although it angered her, Ares could not be punished. Especially when he protested the loan of the books desperately.
Zeus was unaware of the eyes watching him from the shadows. Eyes full of rage and fury: eyes that belonged to his older brother Lord Hades. Hades had watched for eons as Ares was punished by Zeus for no reason other than he was there and a convenient whipping boy. For centuries and millennia Hades had watched and tried so hard to help when he could. Hades knew the roar of the man/vampire/godling that had occurred after Zeus removed Ares. And he could not have been happier to hear it. He'd waited for nearly three hundred years for this. He'd had to interfere only once to help Ares and Apollo's last child. The most beautiful, angelic looking of the children, the one who had frightened Zeus so much that the bastard had sent him away after attempting to deform him.
Ares had protected the child as much as hew as able. But Hades knew something. Something Zeus did not know. Angelus knew, Angelus remembered the faces and names of the people who had torn him from Ares. And Angelus hated them. When Hades had pulled Angel out of hell and had the knock down, Drag out fight with Lucifer about it, it was Angelus who came and got him. Angelus who remembered Hades who took him in and found him a guardian in the ranks of Lust's people. Hades had hoped they followers and children of Lust would help Angelus and keep him safe. They had by placing him in the body of Liam O'Rourke, grandson of Ares, son of Duncan MacLeod, the Solstice Child. Hades was certain it was almost time for the fall of Zeus to come.
As he watched Aphrodite, Cupid and Strife gather Ares when Zeus finished, all he could do was pray Ares would get well. Hades watched as Hera joined the efforts to heal Ares and so he added his own energy. When all is said and done, and the others leave Ares to rest in his room, Hades comes and sits by the bed for a time. Gently stroking his hair, Hades whispers the only words he has to offer, the words he dares not speak aloud in Zeus' presence.
"I love you my son,"



Strife quietly backed out of the room they'd put Ares in to heal before they took him back to his friends on Earth. He could hardly dare to believe what he'd just hear: Hades was Ares father? How could that be?
Strife walked down to the sitting room where everyone was gathered and looked at Hera calmly and mustered all the courage he had to speak to her.
"Who is Unc's father grandma?"
The whole room seemed to freeze when Strife asked that question. Hera looked at him for a long minute before the extra energy signature in the Temple of Love registered.
" Why did you ask that Strife?" Hera asked. Strife shrugged and gave her one of his secretive looks before he answered.
" Cause Uncle Hades is with Unc right now and he called him something other than Nephew."
" Mother?" Eris asked suddenly hopeful. "Who is our father?"
Hera looked at her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren and knew she couldn't lie any longer. She sent a quiet summons to Hades who was still in Ares room and he appeared holding the still unconscious Ares.
"Do you need something Hera?" Hades asked before realizing who all were present in the room. He looked at Hera who looked at Strife. Hades looked confused momentarily but then understood.
"Answer their question, Hera," Hades said as he guessed why Hera had called him. He sat on the couch Aphrodite made for him so he wasn't standing holding his son.
Hera looked at Eris and Strife knowing they were waiting for her answer anxiously. She looked at Hades and he gave her a reassuring smile as he shifted Ares closer to his armor-covered chest.
"Your father, Eris," hear began, "Your father is Hades. Zeus threatened to kill you both if he claimed you. You were made in love before Zeus raped me."
"Did you want us Hades?" Eris asked him uncertainly. Hades nodded softly. Hades was unable to speak around the lump in his throat. His daughter and son and grandchildren, all in this room, all were accepting him in.
"Does Persephone know?" Cupid asked.
"Yes," Hades replied. "She gave me some energy to help with Ares. We should take him some place safe."
Hades was cut off by the arrival of the fates who spoke only to them for once.
"It is time," Clotho said.
"The time of the Prophesy is upon us," Lachesis said
"Zeus will fall form power by the hands of the children of War," Atropos said. The all three began to chant something Hera and Hades had not heard in years but that answered, finally answered why Ares had suffered so in his life.
"When the Dark Queen Comes, and the Angelic One is revealed.
When the Heir of Shadow is mated to the Guardian of War
When the bright and Shining Son of Death rises to his calling
When the Eternal Guardian Returns form his retreat, the Iron Fits and the Peace Maker in one.
The will the Sky King fall as the lost children return home and ascend in their places, fall and rise of the sun and moon, Cloak of Darkness to restore Balance with the Light. Wolf in Shadow brings the fight
The Sky Kings mind, reduced to blight."
Lachesis then looked at Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Eris calmly
" Lovers of War, your children live. Hidden from Zeus by War to save them. Slayer, Seer, and Wizard all."
"The Child of three houses Wizard and Watcher. Fire and War and Love all is he." Clotho said.
"Slayer as they belong, daughter of War and Discord, she is the chosen of the Precept/ Anointed One" Atropos added.
"Child of Love and War, Beauty and Passion, daughter of yours, she shines and leads those who need to see." Clotho said at last.
Hades smiled as he lifted his son. Knowing it was time to go to the lost children. In a flash of light, hey appeared in the middle of a very large house. It was obvious the inhabitants were still in the process of moving in.
"Arry!" A young voice cried in alarm. Hades knew her to be Dawn, his son's Key.



Jenny was pissed. Three days ago Ares, Dawn's friend, had been taken from the library where he'd protected Dawn's life. Now, he was missing and very likely hurt. Angelus had gone out every night for the last two nights and beaten the snot out of any demon he came across. No reason given. Angel said he was working through his rage at losing his daddy again. The fact that Angel was letting him appeared to be a show of support from the soul to the demon.
Jenny watched Darius come into the room and sit looking through a book. He'd been building an altar the last two nights and dedicating it to Ares, his God. Until three days ago, Jenny really didn't know who Darius' God was. Just that there was a world of difference when he said in church "Pray to almighty God" and I "I pray to you my God, Lord and Guardian". Jenny just hadn't known what until Darius told them in the library and she had seen the God Darius called on. She hoped the poor guy was okay. He'd looked beyond rough when Angelus had held him.
Jenny would never forget the agonized roar of rage when Ares was taken away from Angelus. And the absolute hate in his eyes whenever anyone spoke the names Zeus and Apollo. No one knew why but Angelus himself and he was keeping his own council for now. Jenny hoped they got Ares back soon. Dawn had missed her friend and Darius was worried. He was remembering more and more of what he'd lost to small pox and what he'd remembered in regards to Ares was not reassuring. Particularly Ares' home life.
Giles had finally translated the Dark Queen Prophesy. After Ares had vanished twisting in pain, Giles had made it his priority. Jenny now knew she was the Dark Queen the Prophesy spoke of. And that meant she could protect Ares from his father; she could bar or allow in anyone she chose. And she chose not to let Zeus or Apollo in after Angelus' reaction to their names.
Jenny looked up as Angelus came in from the tunnels. He walked over to the table and had some coffee. Looking at her, the demon face faded into the planes of Angel's human countenance. Duncan MacLeod came in from his workout. He'd only just met Angel/us last night when he'd arrived. When he'd seen the souled vampire standing next to Jason he'd known whom the vampire's father was. When he was told about the curse Angel had been given by the gypsies, he'd been furious. He knew it was Angel's own mother who had cursed him. After she had thrown him away. Then, this morning, the elders of the clan had come to the house demanding to know why Angel was living among humans being joyful. Duncan had almost torn their throats out on principle. Jenny had forestalled the attack by having them thrown off her property.
"Did you get any information Angel?" Giles asked as he joined the group gathered around the coffee maker. Angel shook his head as he thought about the ramblings he'd gotten out of the demons.
"Only some babbling about some prophesies that are coming to pass. And that Glory is apparently scared shitless of Ares. Of course, if I was she, I'd be afraid of Ares too. Especially considering she has tried to take his Key repeatedly."
"His Key who is Dawn, right?" Jenny asked. Angel nodded adding all the facts they had together.
"We need Ares back soon," Angel said quietly. "If for no other reason than Angelus is hurting so much about him being taken away and Dawn loves him."
All talking in the room was suddenly silenced with the arrival of twelve people. One of who was the unconscious God of War. He was held in the arms of a man in black armor that bore a strong resemblance to Ares. Dawn came in just as they appeared and she ran to them worried.
"Arry!" She cried. The armored man stood calmly in the center of the room waiting for someone in charge to come forward. Jenny did finally.
"What the hell happened to him?" She demanded. Angel walked forward and took Ares from the armored man and sat on the floor. His demon came out and began to purr. For once, everyone steered clear of him. Angel looked up at the man as he finally recognized him
"Hello Hades. Is this two I owe you?"



Hades looked at Angel as he sat on the floor holding Ares. He saw clearly the fact that Angelus was purring but Angel was speaking. Angel shifted a little so Ares was propped up against his shoulder and then looked at Hades again.
"So, is this two I owe you or not?" Angel asked again. Hades looked stunned for a moment that Angel remembered. Some nights he didn't want to remember. But his mind unconsciously drifted to the action Angel was talking about.
*Fb*
Hades looked up from his paperwork hearing Cerberus howling again. His dog had been doing that for the past three weeks but Hades didn't know why. Deciding to investigate, he walked to Cerberus' cave where he found his three-headed dog barking, snarling and lunging towards Lucifer's hell. When Cerberus had become aware of Hades' presence, the dog had begun to whine and tug on his chain. Hades, curious, decided to investigate. He put Cerberus on his leash and the two of them went into hell. In the first circle, Cerberus had gone crazy with rage and lunged at some demons hunched over a still form. Hades became enraged himself when he realized the form, the man/vampire/godling, should have been sent to him. He broke the chains holding his grandson/great grandson to the rock and lifted him.
"Hades!" Lucifer shouted becoming angry with the Greek Lord of the Dead. Hades turned an icy, laser eyed glare on him.
"This is my Grandson, he does not belong here!" Hades had stated angrily. Lucifer lunged at Hades who set Angel down in Cerberus' care and faced him. Hades caught the mad fallen angel mid swing and smacked him down.
"He is of my line, Lucifer. I am taking him with me."
Lucifer sputtered and spat but after three more failed attempts at jumping Hades Lucifer gave up. Especially when the last attempt ended with him getting bitten by not one, but all three of Cerberus' heads. Lucifer was smart enough to realize after that and watching each head eat one of his demons that he'd better quit. Hades did not look as if he was very amused at the moment and Lucifer knew he was right, Angel/Angelus belonged to Hades line. Michael had been a fool to mess with the balance of Vampires and Slayers and Lucifer dearly waited for the day the arrogant fool paid for it.
Everyone in hell knew who the Father of Slayers was: The same man who was Father of Sentinels and The Defender of Greece. Watching Hades leave carrying Angel, Lucifer knew a big change was coming soon.
*End FB*

Angel looked up at Hades as if to say:"Of course I remember"
"Excuse me Dead boy," Xander said, "What did you mean?"
Angel chuckled and looked at Xander "Never wondered why I looked so healthy for someone who'd been in hell for three months Xander? Hades took me to Asphodel where I was resting when Spike called me. I was sick when I came back because I was still in shock. I guess a dimension shift'll do that to you."
Xander quieted and watched as Hades shook his head before continuing.
"You owe me nothing Angel. I couldn't protect your grandfather or your uncle Angelus from what Zeus did but my great grandson was not going to be hurt on Zeus' mad whim."
"Great grandson?" Angel squeaked. Hades nodded and carried Ares over to the couch and laid him down.
"Yes, Ares and Eris are not Zeus' children. They are mine. I was forbidden to claim them on penalty of their deaths," Hades told them. "Now, we need to figure out this prophecy. I know who the Son of War is. I know who the Angelic One is. I even know who the Iron Fist is. But who are the sons of Death and which one has risen to his calling?"
"That'd be me mate," a bleached blond vampire said. "Spike, son of Methos: Death on a Pale Horse, and Vampire/ Slayer. Xander is me brother and so is Connor over there. He's the Magician who bends reality ta his whims in our version of yer prophecy. Mumsie here is the Dark Queen, Mate of Death."
"And the Wolf in Shadow?" Hera asked.
"Me," A young man with blond hair said. "I'm Billy Cranston, this is Jason Scott, the Grandson of War and Guardian of Shadow. I'm Connor's son. Jason is Duncan's son. Duncan is The Solstice Child.
"What about our missing kids?" Eris asked. Faith stood up from the back of the room.
"We're right here. Giles and Me and Cordy and Graham and Wes right Darius? The missing children of Olympus ya called us?"
"Indeed," Darius said. "The anointed one is here as well Eris. He is of a Nordic line."
"Who is mine and Heph's and Ar's kid?" Dite asked. "And mine and Ar's"
"That would be Cordelia and myself," Giles answered. I belong to the three of you and Cordy belongs to you and Ares. Faith belongs to Ares and Eris through one of Zeus' sick games if what we interpreted about her conception is true."
"Everyone is in place then but the missing Slayer."
"Buffy ran away. We hope she comes back soon."
"Not her," Hades said impatiently. "There should be two male Slayers here. One is of the Iron Fist's line."
"Billy?" Jenny whispered. Everyone in the room knew she was not speaking of Billy Cranston.
Darius looked at her knowing she was speaking of one of his missing children.
"Uhm," Xander began, "There was another Slayer type guy here. His name was William Heart. He left a few months before Buffy came. Him and his twin sister. Buffy's mom bought their old house.
"We could try calling him if he's important," Graham said. "Walsh is the one who sent him away."
Graham had met this group of people only a few weeks ago and had been amazed at how they'd accepted him when he'd joined them on a Slaying Session one night. After seeing how they did it, he quit the Initiative and joined Jenny's clan. Seeing the look on jenny's face caused him a moment of malicious glee. He knew what the Initiative was doing was wrong. Wrong and perverted. Now he had just given jenny yet another reason to shut them down.
"He is," Hades said softly. And we cannot move forward until he is here and Ares is well. I suggest we all get some rest and then start tomorrow with getting in contact with this 'Billy'
Everyone agreed and went up to bed. No one saw the girl looking in the window with jealousy written all over her face.
/How dare they, / she thought. /How dare they accept Spike and this Faith girl as Slayers. I'm the Slayer. The only Slayer needed. /
Buffy Summers had come home, and after watching the group all night she was full of jealousy at how well they did without her.
/I will get back what's mine, / she thought. /My friends and Watcher and town. No one takes what's mine away form me. /



Jenny slept badly that night thinking of where Billy was and what had happened to him and Emmy. She remembered the day the people in green uniforms had taken Billy and Emmy away. They had wanted her and Richie too but Billy had hidden them and told them to stay put until Momma came home. Then he'd gone out and deliberately let them catch him. Jenny had been touching his mind when the pain hit him. Something slammed into the back of his skull and that was the last Jenny solidly felt of him. Whenever her temper got to almost self-destructive level though, she got glimmerings of him. Always the calm one, same as he'd been when they were kids.
Now, Hades said Billy was needed here. Xander had called him William Heart but Jenny knew his last name had been Ryan, same as hers and Richie's. So what had changed? Graham said Walsh had sent them away. Did that mean Walsh had taken them? If she had, Jenny was going to make her pay in blood for it.
When morning came, Jenny found Graham working at Willow's computer trying to remember all the codes to establish a communication to where Billy was. He stopped after a minutes and thumped his head against the table.
"Bitch changed the codes. I can't get to the branch of the Military I need," Graham said dejectedly.
"What branch is that?" Jenny asked joining him.
"A buried one. Much like the Initiative but everyone in government knows this one exists," Graham told her.
"Just a sec then. I think I know someone who can get us in there," Jenny said as she picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Yeah, Hey, Control, I need your help. And we need Gryphon, Grayson and Paul if you can tell us where they are. We need to get into a program called--Uhm--Silverhawks, Graham said."
Graham's jaw had dropped hearing mention of Control. Everyone knew who Control was. Everyone with even an ounce of common sense was extremely wary of him too. And Jenny just called him up and asked for information, just like that. Right now he wondered just who Jenny was. He was even more shocked when Jenny was given codes that would allow her direct contact with Commander Stargazer. Now that, he thought, was impressive.
When Jenny hung up with the promise of Control bringing the others and a request for a family dinner, Graham just looked at her.
"How did you---?"
"Control is one of my oldest brother's sons. He has two and Gryphon has two. Control's gonna bring his father, uncle and brother to help with this place while the rest of us deal with Zeus."
"Okay, Jenny, why did Faith include me in the children thing? I mean, I know I'm an orphan but why would she think--?"
"She knows her Uncle Graham. You and Wes belong to Persephone and me," Hades spoke quietly from the doorway. Zeus lost the two boys Persephone and myself had. He said they had been killed. Now I know that was a lie but--."
Graham nodded his understanding as they waited for the others to wake up. It wasn't long before everyone was downstairs. It appeared that no one had slept well. Faith, Giles, Cordelia and Derek looked as if they hadn't slept in their own beds. Jenny wasn't surprised, surmising they'd stayed with Ares. Helping to keep watch over him. She knew Derek would stay by Faith's side, also, his visions would warn of any danger coming in the night. Giles looked as if he'd been practicing his fire control because the room Ares had been in was warm now. And it wasn't Hephaestus because Zeus would have been able to trace it. Cordelia had just been with her father. Visions not withstanding, but then Doyle had said TPTB could wait for a while.
"Control gave me the means to call Will's boss," Jenny said using the name Graham had used figuring that was the name he was called in this Silverhawks Program.
Darius nodded to Jenny and they booted up Willows computer again. Jenny put in the lines of code Control had given her and then hit enter. A screen came up while the connection was being made. A second later, the image of a man with a gold plate over half his face and a camera lens over his left eye appeared.
'Can I help you?' He asked them. Jenny looked to Darius and he nodded at her to go ahead. He trusted her to say what was necessary but if needed he would speak.
"I'm Jennifer Ryan MacLeod. I'd like to talk to my brother or sister. William or Emily Heart."
'The twins don't have any living family according to their records.'
"Bullshit," Graham spoke. "You knew, like everyone else in that program that those two were taken from their foster mother by Maggie Walsh. Unless you want me to make that information public, you are going to get Will in your office now Commander."
Jenny looked at graham in amazement. He was new to the Clan and to immortality yet he was doing something for them.
'Mr. miller, to what do I owe your presence there?'
"Walsh is a psycho," Graham replied. "You know this and I know this. Now where is Will? His little sister is about to be the least of your worries. Their Daddy is here too and boy does he have an impressive record for military."
'What would his record be?' The older man asked. Darius grinned almost shark like. Not an expression seen on his face in 1,400 years.
"Lets, see, he sacked Rome, lead the French resistance during the second World War, he's the man who wrote that book you modern military types are so fond of bandying about. Now, where is Will?"
Apparently, the man realized Graham was not joking because he called for someone to come into his office. Jenny grinned when she saw him. Damn but did he ever look like Darius.
"Hi Billy," Jenny said quietly.
The young man looked at Jenny for a few minutes then smiled. Something the Commander obviously didn't see often by the look on his face.
'Hi Jen-Jen.' He said softly. Jenny smiled happily.
"We need your help, Billy," Jenny said. "We're kinda-Uhm-well-"
"They live on the Hellmouth now Will," Xander spoke up. "Apparently we're facing another save the world or else prophesy and we need the other male Slayer who is active here. That would be you by the way."
'Guessed as much. When do you need me Jens?'
"As soon as possible if you can," Jenny said. "It's gonna be great to see you when ever you get here. I thought you were dead."
'Almost kiddo,' Will said. 'But not quite. Be there soon Jen-Jen. Is Rich there?'
"And our real father. I can't wait for you to meet Daddy. You look a lot like him."
Will shrugged uncomfortably and looked at the commander who was already writing Leave orders for him and his sister.
'I'll have him and Emily on the next trip back to earth tomorrow," Stargazer said. 'Is that soon enough?'
"Yeah," Jenny said. "Thanks."
They broke the connection before Willow's computer shorted and then Jenny looked at Darius and grinned. "They're coming home, Daddy," jenny said. Darius pulled her into a hug before her emotions overwhelmed her.
Before that could happen, there was a pounding on the front door. Billy answered and found himself face to dark roots with a petite blond.
"Can I help you?" Billy asked. The petite girl shoved past him into the house and came nose to chest with Angel.
"Hi Angel." She said.
"Buffy," he returned coolly.
Everyone in the room who knew Buffy winced at the tone of Angel's voice and backed up knowing that if she hit on him, there would probably bloodshed.



"Buffy," Angel said coldly as he slapped her hand away from his face. "What do you want?"
Buffy looked at Angel in hurt surprise. How could he push her away like this? She wondered. He was back from hell, with his soul. They could pick up again where they left off.
"I said what do you want?" Angel asked again. This time his voice was as cold as an arctic wind. Buffy again tried to touch him and this time he ripped her hand off his shirt.
"Don't. Touch. Me." Angel said coldly as he backed away from her. Buffy tried to follow him but was stopped by Jenny.
"Excuse me, who the bloody hell told you that you could come in my house?" Jenny demanded furiously. "Who told you that you could come into Angel's town? Who told you that you could push Billy into a wall and barge into my home as if you owned it?"
"I'm Buffy," Buffy responded as if that explained everything and was reason enough for her behavior. However, the people living in Ever Keep were about to disabuse her of that notion.
"Congratulations on being Buffy," Methos said. "Not that we know any Buffy but the girl who ran away from her friends and duty after sending her boyfriend to hell even though she knew all it would take was his blood to close Acathala."
Buffy looked at her friends wondering why none of them were happy to see her back. She'd thought just by showing up, they'd abandon Faith for her. Like everyone always had in her life. She was the center of everyone's universe. She was The Slayer. Not this Faith girl or Spike. Come on, she said to herself. A Male Slayer? No way. Only girls were chosen as Slayers, everyone knew that.
"Well, I'm Buffy and I'm back now," she said confident that she would be greeted with open arms. So, of course what happened next was a total shock to her.
Willow walked up to Buffy but instead of the hug the blond girl was expecting, the red head slapped her hard.
"You conceited bitch!" Willow all but shrieked. "What makes you think we want you back?!? You left us Buffy and we moved on. How Dare you just assume we'd take you back!"
"B-but Willow---" Buffy began. She was cut off by Xander's voice.
"But nothing Buffy. You left us. We survived and made a crack team of our own. We almost died before Spike came. Do you understand? Spike saved our asses. Not you, Spike. Spike; the Vampire/Slayer who has a soul, who actually never lost his soul. And the Watcher's Council is just so full of shit and lies! They left Spike in an abusive home not caring what would happen just because they wanted to deny the existence of Male Slayers and keep their dirty little secrets! Well, Angelus fixed that."
With that said, Willow walked over to where Angel and the others were, leaving Buffy in the center of the room alone. A growl started just before Buffy found herself tossed across the room by a burly boy. The blond she'd shoved into the wall was standing behind him still rubbing the shoulder that had had the most and hardest contact with the wall.
"How Dare you?" he growled obviously enraged. "How dare you touch my Guide!"
Buffy was shocked to say the least. This boy had just caught her completely unawares. Buffy turned to find Spike standing quietly in the doorway and all her anger was directed at him suddenly.
"You!" She screamed as she ran at him. "You are the reason all this is happening! It's your entire fault! You turned everyone against me!"
Buffy drew a stake as she ran at him and everyone froze knowing they'd never get to her in time to stop her.
"STOP!" a voice suddenly screamed. Buffy turned just in time to meet Methos' fist. Methos looked down at where Buffy lay crumbled on the floor and then to Connor MacLeod. At the last second, Connor had bent reality around Methos, moving him from next to Darius to behind Buffy in a split second.
"You're timing is impeccable, Connor," Methos said relieved. Connor mock bowed and then joined Methos looking down at the stunned Buffy. Jenny came over next and lifted Buffy to her feet.
"Get. Out. Of. My. House!" Jenny said forcefully as she shoved Buffy away. "Come back when you can act mature and stop blaming innocent vampires for your screw ups and failures."
"But I---" Buffy began to protest. Hades grabbed her arm.
"You Heard Jennifer girl, Leave! I cannot believe such a selfish little bitch like you was chosen to be the Slayer!"
Buffy left the house in a huff as Hades went back upstairs to Ares. Apparently, he'd only come down because Buffy's attitude had disturbed his son's rest. No one wanted to be in Buffy's shoes if her little tantrum caused Ares more hurt and Hades caught her.
"So," Angel said once Buffy had left and Hades returned upstairs to Ares, "How long before the twins get here?"
"Oh, Dear God," Giles said suddenly from the Library. He came out holding a piece of parchment and the look on his face was anger.
"Damn the ministry. Jenny, could we put up some friends of mine? Both need a place to hide and one needs a place safe from Werewolf hunters."
Giles gave jenny the letter to read and by the end of it she was swearing.
"You mean cause he got bit but didn't kill himself he's ostracized? Shit Giles, of course we can put him and your other friend up. Send a message to him if you want."
Giles left to do just that. He kept muttering imprecations at something called The Ministry of Magic while he did it too.
Jenny turned to Joyce and smiled softly.
"Wanna help me make some rooms up for the people coming?"
Joyce nodded and followed Jenny. While she loved Buffy, what Buffy had done a few minutes ago had deserved the reaction she'd gotten. How could she just assume that they would want her to come back? Even Joyce helped with the Slaying now herself. At least when it wasn't a full moon, those she spent with her mate Oz.



Jenny stood by the front room window the next night waiting impatiently. Darius chuckled as he watched her from his place in an armchair by the fireplace. Jenny was determined to be the one to open he door for her elder brother and sister. That Darius was almost certain of. He had watched her all day as she and Joyce checked to make sure the rooms she had set up were perfect. Also for the two guests Giles was expecting. The full moon had passed a few days ago so they knew the werewolf of the two would be tired. And very likely cold if Giles' memories served correctly.
Darius smiled as Jenny turned to look at him. She was sometimes impatient and while he was not exactly settled and calm waiting for this, time had taught him patience would see everything done. Jenny looked up suddenly hearing an unfamiliar car pull up. Actually what turned out to be more of an S.U.V. Darius watched her close her eyes and then suddenly grin like an idiot. He smiled ruefully knowing it had to be them. He followed Jenny as she bounced down the hallway in an almost childish fashion and then opened the front door and run out. He was most amused by her reaction to seeing her older brother and sister. Richie joined her a few minutes later and Darius simply stood and watched. He knew they needed time to strengthen the bond that was between the four of them. What he did not expect was jenny suddenly bounding over to him, almost gliding but she wasn't really high enough, and grabbing his arm. Darius knew he'd best give into her so she didn't hurt herself trying to budge him. He had not been called the 'Iron Fist of Alaric' or 'Ares' Right Hand' for nothing.
Darius found himself looking at the last of his children that he knew of. Jenny grinned as she introduced him as 'Daddy'. Darius was uncertain how he would be accepted until the older girl hugged him tightly. The boy hugged him as well but not as bone crushingly. Darius chuckled thinking he knew where the abnormal strength he carried had gone. He knew Jenny's was a combination of her vampire and his own but these two had the strength and when he looked closer, the empathy and telekinesis. He knew he and Connor and Methos would have to train them in that if they hadn't been taught any. He smiled as he looked at the four of them. For some inane reason, these four looked the most like him and yet he had no idea why. Grayson certainly had his eyes and gryphon his hair and height and Kenny---well, the less said about Kenny the better.
"Well, come on in," Jenny said as she led her siblings into the house. Richie looked back at Darius and they looked at each other and shrugged. This was family and Family was -The- most important thing to Jenny. Jenny looked back at Darius and grinned.
"So, Padre, any ideas about this prophesy thing now that all your kids and grandkids and your one living great grandkid are sort of together?"
Darius looked at Jenny for a few minutes trying to think of an appropriate response.
"Jenny," Darius finally said, "Having all of you together was something I never thought I'd see. I don't quite know what to say or do right now."
"You really didn't know?" The older girl Emily asked. Darius shook his head mutely. Jenny smiled.
"Darius told us something when we asked what he'd have done if he had known. Tell them too Padre."
Darius looked at Jenny before meeting the gazes of both his older children squarely. "I told Jennifer and Richard when they asked what I would have done if I had known about you four that Had I known, the Pope himself would not have kept me from you. I ask you to try to believe that. As Jenny is so fond of saying I cannot lie and besides, why would I lie? I love all of my children. Even the one who has tried to kill me on numerous occasions."
"Who tried that?" the older boy, William, asked. Jenny answered before Darius could.
"Kenny. If you see the little brat, get clear of him. He's a complete sociopath. Jenny grinned at them both happy that he family was pretty much together and basking in the glow of family. She looked at Darius and then at Will.
"Damn if you two don't look alike. Well, not exactly cause Daddy was a priest for awhile so he lost some weight but yeesh!"
Darius chuckled at Jenny and turned to the two new children he had to get to know.
"Are you both hungry?" He asked. Receiving affirmative responses, he and Jenny and Richie led them to the kitchen where Joyce had prepared a small dinner for them. Joyce smiled as she headed back to where Oz was waiting for her.
"I'll let Angel know we have two knew people in the clan so he doesn't freak when he gets home from skull cracking. And---warn them about Buffy." Joyce then left the kitchen area.
Darius nodded knowing how hard it had been for Joyce to say those words. Darius had been surprised when Buffy had turned up that morning in attempt to sneak in and stake Spike. If jenny's reaction was violent, Angel's had, for once, been worse. Darius was surprised Buffy lived through getting tossed through the wall. Angel had been furious.
"Who is Buffy and who is Angel?" Will asked. Darius sighed almost tiredly. It had been a long day and was heading for a longer night as Giles was still waiting for the arrival of his guests.
"Well," Jenny started to explain, "As you know you are an active male Slayer. Angel is a Master Vampire with a soul. He's also the Master of this town. No vamp is usually dumb enough to cross the Scourge of Europe because if they do, they deal with me. Beside the point right now, anyway, Buffy is one of the female Slayers now active. She did not take well to there being more than one Slayer or that there are male Slayers too well. She also sent Angel to hell right after Willow restored his soul and ran away just when the Hellmouth went crazy almost. What we heard is before we got here, Xander and Willow were nearly killed but Spike, Angel's Childe, another male slayer with a soul, turned up in time to save them. That's when they found out Angel was back from hell because that's why Spike was here."
"Jenny," Will and Emily said together after trying to get attention for a full two minutes. She looked at them startled.
"Breathe." Will told her. Jenny blushed and giggled and took three deep breaths. "Anyhow," She continued, "Buffy's friends made a team up to fight vamps and then we came and then---Uhm---well, we found out Dawn's friend isn't so imaginary. Then a lot of other stuff happened that I can tell you later but Buffy came home two days ago and she is not happy that everyone did so well without her and then of course, she blamed it on Spike."
"Okay," Will said exhaling, "Dawn's friend Arry is real? I heard that right?" He asked.
Jenny nodded and he thought for a moment before nodding himself. "Next point, Buffy is like me only a girl. Then, let me think, Spike had to have been not so nice the first time he was here and Buffy is of the opinion that only someone with a soul can change," He said. Emily said the next thing as they processed things through their own bond.
"And that the lack of a soul means Evil automatically? Glad she never met Walsh or Hitler."
Darius nodded at his elder daughter and they all looked at Jenny who had seemingly finished her rant. Jenny had her head cocked in a listening pose as Jason came flying into the room.
"Buffy has Giles' guests cornered outside. She grabbed the one that looks sick. Giles said if he goes out, he'd turn into a lion and kill her."
Will moved automatically to follow Jenny. He figured this was part of his Slayerly instinct: To protect those that were supposed to be under his and the other slayers' protection. Skidding to halt on the marble entryway, he and Jenny watched a dark haired man he didn't know but who jenny called Angel slam Buffy across the courtyard.
"Jenny told you to stay the bloody fucking hell of her property Buffy. I plan to make sure you adhere to that law. That and these two men are expected guests of Giles'!"
Buffy opened her mouth to protest but the frailer of the two men suddenly moaned and started to fall. The healthier, though not by much looking man caught him and started to head for his winged horse-like creature when Giles came out of the house.
"Sirius? What in…Dear God, who did this?" Giles asked the man who was still upright. Jenny trotted over to Giles while Angel practically threw Buffy off the property.
"Well, the worst of the damage was done by Death Eaters. I hate to tell you this Ripper but Voldemort is back. And after Harry. I was sent to gather the old crowd. Remus wanted to give me time to escape when the Death eaters attacked his home but I couldn't leave him. He loves me Ripper---I can hardly believe what I read in his eyes but he loves me."
Of Course he loves you Sirius," A voice said from behind. "He always did. Hello Ripper. You can beat me into the ground after we get Remus here situated. I think our petty squabble can be put on hold for awhile."
"We'll help him," Giles stated firmly. Turning to Ethan he said, "If you promise not to cause too much trouble you can come in. And perhaps we can help Remus in another way as well. There are after all four of us here plus Oz and Joyce. We can watch Remus when he changes and the Marauders can perhaps ride again. Jenny, could you take Remus to Darius please?"
Will watched as Jenny carried the unconscious man into the house he followed and watched as their father examined him. A few minutes later there was aloud stream of Germanic and Greek curses from the room set up like an apothecary. Then, Darius came out and looked at the man Giles called Sirius.
"Who gave him Wolf's bane?" Darius asked in an ice-cold voice.
Everyone winced knowing that whomever had done this thing was going to be in deep shit when Darius got a hold of them. Sirius gave a wolfish smile and growled
"The Ministry came up with it. As a way to make werewolves safe."
"WHAT!?!"


"ARES! ATTEND NOW!!" Zeus bellowed. And for the seventh time in as many hours, he was not answered. He sat on his throne in a right fury thinking of his dark son deliberately ignoring him. And it wasn't just Ares. Cupid, Strife, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Psyche, Hades, Persephone, Asclepius, Hera and Bliss were not on Olympus either. Lust never answered him and Dionysus had gone missing too, although, he was probably suffering a mind break. Zeus had known placing that piece of Bacchus inside Dionysus would give him some entertainment and possibly give Bacchus back Debauchery if he succeeded in mentally destroying Dionysus. Zeus chuckled evilly thinking of that.
Finally, Zeus scanned earth. He found Ares power signature but when he went to pull him he hit a wall of power. A wall that he thought would never be there. For in all the universe, only one being had the ability to block him and she was supposed to have died. The Dark Queen was apparently not dead. And if he read the energy correctly, there was another presence there. One he had not felt since Rome burned. The Iron Fist was with his daughter and so was---Methos? His younger uncle, Gaia's other son. How could Methos sill live after 10,000 years?
Zeus turned back to his attempt to summon Ares home. Why could he not reach his most hated son? Even through the Dark Queen's shield Ares should have at least heard him. Zeus growled angrily and summoned Athena.
"Yes father?" She asked as she appeared.
"We need to find someone to send in to Sunnydale after Ares. I've been blocked and he refuses my summons as his father," Zeus said.
"Perhaps we need to call others. I seriously doubt Hercules will be any more welcome than you are," Athena said to him
"Who would you suggest daughter?" Zeus asked interestedly. Athena smiled coldly.
"Xena and her friend Gabrielle and Eve and that fool Joxer. They can go in and invite us in as their gods. Then we can bring Ares back here and leash him like we should have done centuries ago," she told her father. Zeus nodded and reached out through time. He moved Xena and her friends from a camp in Ancient Greece to Sunnydale California with a godly thought. Then he sat back to watch.
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Xena, Gabrielle, Eve and Joxer were confused. One moment they were fighting one of Ares plots to destroy the world and the next they were in a strange place that was completely unknown to any of them.
"This is Ares' work," Gabrielle hissed venomously. She hated Ares. Even when she knew he was not always responsible. Joxer watched quietly as they walked down the strange road. Gabrielle continued to harp. Xena started to come around to her way of thinking and Eve just walked thinking this was something she could do since she was Michael's favored. She was supposed to make the old gods die.
As they entered the town down the road, they were suddenly faced with some very evil looking thing. Gabrielle of course screamed and drew her sai blades. She and Xena prepared to fight when suddenly; something else hit the evil things.
"Hello," a tall, dark haired man wearing leather pants and a velvet shirt said. "Welcome to my town. Who the hell are you?"
"I am Xena," Xena said. "These are my companions Gabrielle and Joxer and my daughter Eve. Who are you?"
"I'm Angel. Now, since I know you don't belong here, how did you get here?"
"Ares sent us of course. The evil God of War," Gabrielle said. The man called Angle laughed coldly.
"Oh, I doubt he could have seeing as he's been unconscious for three days. Try again," he told them not liking the way Gabrielle spoke about his grandfather. The little blond twit had already begun to grate on his nerves but as they were apparently lost travelers, Angel took them to Everkeep.
Gabrielle looked up at the huge sprawling almost castle and started to say "Zeus". Something covered her mouth before she could.
"Not in my town Jenny hissed in her ear. That bastard's name is never invoked here. He isn't allowed."
"Oh, you follow the Way then?" Eve said assuredly.
"Not hardly," Darius spoke. He ignored Xena's gasp of recognition and turned to Jenny. "I need you to contact LaCroix and ask him to call the Ulfric in Jean-Claude's territory. Tell him we have an injured lone wolf here. And that we are going to have to awaken the King of Wizards to deal with Minister Fudge's attitude. The Gods knows that King Wolf is going to be pissed about this seeing as Sasha and Misha are both werewolves as well as wizards and Prince Grey Wolf is going to help his father. Everyone knew King Wolf could assume the form of wolf. Majestic looking Beast he was too."
"Where is Ares, Darius," Xena said challengingly. Darius turned to her.
"That is none of your concern, Xena," He said icily. "Back off before I'm forced to whip your ass again. I may not have been a War Lord for 1,400 years but I can still put an arrogant little hussy like you down for the count."
"Xena," Gabrielle almost whined. "Who is this?"
"This is the Iron Fist," Xena said to Gabrielle and Eve and Joxer. "He is Ares greatest Warlord."
"I thought you were," Gabrielle said. Xena shook her head.
"His greatest mortal Warlord. Darius is a deathless one. He was, is and always shall be the best there is at what he does."
"Be it War or Peace," Cupid said from behind them. "I smell the old goat's power all over you. You aren't bothering my father. He needs his rest."
"His father wants him," Gabrielle said becoming Athena's mouthpiece. Cupid laughed harshly.
"His father is here with him. The old bastard is not my father's father. That honor belongs to Lord Hades," Cupid told her. Her shocked face was something Cupid would treasure seeing as how he knew Athena looked the same way as she related that message to Zeus.
On Olympus, Zeus bellowed in impotent fury as he realized he had just lost his claim to the throne. Remembering Gaia and the Mountain itself had proclaimed Ares a prince but none of his other children made Zeus scream. His scream of rage echoed around them as he realized Hades had claimed his children.



Jenny looked up from where she was speaking to LaCroix on the phone when Zeus' scream echoed around the house. She gave a humorless laugh.
"Someone just got some disturbing news," she said to herself.
Going back to her conversation she nodded. "Yes, I mean it. Tell Jean Claude we need the memories of the Munnin of Richard's pack. We need to know if the collective memory holds any answers to where the Sleeping King of Xanthus is. No LaCroix, Darius was specific about which king. King Wolf. I don't know why except that King Wolf was apparently a Werewolf like Giles' friend Remus. Just get back to me A.S.A.P. all right? Thank you." Jenny hung up the phone and sighed. "Now we hope this Pack Memory can help Padre," she said to Darius who was behind her. Darius nodded.
"Your brother and Angel have some things in common. They both like to draw," he said. Jenny grinned and nodded.
"Billy---I mean Will, was always good with lines and shading. How are they daddy? You're the healer around here," she asked him. Darius shook his head tiredly.
"William needs to sleep for awhile. He's exhausted. Emily is tired but more worried about Will and about some jerk named Quicksilver coming down to harass them. Someone named Moon-Stryker as well."
"We'll just have to make it clear to them that Em and Will are on vacation. Meaning, leave off badgering."
"How are we going to convince some soldier boys of that?" Spike asked. Jenny grinned.
"Depends on whether or not they're stubborn, bright boy," Jenny said to him as he walked across the room.
"Lupin woke up for a few minutes. Wondered where he was and why we haven't locked him in a cage yet. Poor guy seems awful sure that's what we're gonna do to him for being a werewolf. Seems that's how the Wizarding world handles them. Locks them in cages or kills them and if they don't, they treat them like second-class citizens. Course, Black said Lupin was living in poverty because werewolves aren't people to this Ministry place. Hi Hades," Spike said as Hades materialized in the room.
"Good afternoon Spike. Jenny, Zeus is the one who hid the King of Wizard's resting place. I believe Hera and I could perhaps cause it to be found and perhaps Methos and Darius could go and translate what it says on the gates of the city? I believe the Royal Palace was hidden from all until the King and his children were needed again. I believe they are needed now."
"Make it happen Hades," Jenny said seriously as she turned to go check on Remus Lupin to convince him they were not going to hurt him. Jenny grinned when she saw Ethan and Giles talking instead of trying to beat each other senseless. The two of them were discussing things they were going to do n the next full moon with Remus and Sirius and Oz and Joyce.
"Hey, Giles, can you and Mischief Incorporated over there maybe help us too? I figure Ethan could do reconnaissance some times. If he's going to stay that is."
"I don't cut out on Remy. I never have and I never will," Ethan said almost indignantly. Giles chuckled.
"Ethan will be staying Jenny. Any ideas on where the Sleeping King is?"
"Hades is going to have it be found. Gee, wonder if Blair could be the one to discover it? That would shut that bitch Edwards up," Jenny mused. Hades, having heard her, decided it would indeed be Blair who found Xanthus. As he worked, Hades reflected on how good it would be to see the great City of Wizards again.
Jenny arrived in the guest room where Remus was laying in bed. The pale man looked at her and sighed. He'd figured he was in a room this nice by mistake. He looked utterly amazed then when Jenny asked: "Do you like the room?"
"Uh…yes?" Remus said uncertainly. It was a nice room and he really didn't want to offend her.
"Good," Jenny said. " Because this is going to be your room for as long as you're here."
"I'll be packed at the full moon then," Remus whispered hoarsely.
"Why?" Jenny asked. "Joyce and Oz can't wait for you to join their pack."
"M-me?" Remus asked confused. He'd never been in a pack of werewolves before. The ministry forbade it. Now this girl was saying not only did someone want him in his or her pack, but also that he was going to get to stay here in this nice place. Remus smiled tiredly.
"Thank you," he said softly. For the first time in years he felt accepted. The girl he knew to be named Jenny grinned at him.
"No prob wolfie. We got all kinds of outcasts here that we call ourselves a clan of leftovers. You'll fit right in trust me," she said. At that moment, Oz and Joyce entered the room wanting to meet their new pack mate. Oz smiled.
"Coolness," the dyed licorice haired boy said. "An alpha. We need one of those since there's more than two of us now."
Jenny noticed the odd look on Remus' face as he realized it wasn't a joke. He really was wanted. It was a look she knew had been on her face when Duncan adopted her and Richie. A look bordering on unadulterated joy and hope mingled with fear that it was a joke.
"You---you really want me?" He asked uncertainly.
"Course we do," Oz said. Joyce brushed his hair off his face motherly.
"We wouldn't have said yes to Darius' request if we didn't," she told him. "Now, what do you like to eat? So I can start dinner."
Remus gave her a blank look as he tried to remember the last full meal he'd had. It had to have been last year at the school. Joyce sighed.
"I'll just make up a lot of things and you can tell us what you like okay?" She asked. Remus looked at her gratefully and nodded. Joyce smiled and left to make dinner. Oz looked at Remus for a few minutes before going after his mate. His eyes had conveyed a whole lot of things to Remus. Most prominent though, had been acceptance. Remus lie back against the pillows and felt himself drifting off. He tried to apologize to Jenny for being so tired but it just didn't happen.
Jenny looked around suddenly sensing Cupid and Strife returning. Cupid looked at the new guy and chuckled.
"You seem to be a magnet for strays Jens," Strife said teasingly. The three of them left Remus to his rest and went down to where Joyce was preparing food. Joyce looked at them as they came in.
"Whomever hurt that man deserves a slow, painful death. How could he think we would put him in a cage?"
Jenny shook her head at Joyce's question. Although she knew most human beings were assholes, sometimes what they did to people who were different still disgusted her. She knew though, that they would do everything in their power to fix it. Hades and Hera were already working on finding the Sleeping King of Wizards.
"Hey, guys," Jenny said to the two gods, "Could you help Hades and Hera find Xanthus? Darius said there was someone there who could help."
Strife grinned and nodded. He remembered Xanthus. Vaguely from one of his mother's stories he remembered it as a shining, magical place where the very stone and buildings were shaped by magic. He looked at Cupid and the two of them flashed out heading for the place Eris had described to him. He hoped he remembered right.
Jenny looked at the remaining people in the kitchen and sighed. They had a lot of work to do either if Xanthus was found or if it was not.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Strife and Cupid looked around the mountainous pass they had appeared in. According to what he remembered of his mother's stories, this was where the City of Wizards was located. Now, to find it.
Cupid launched himself into the sky to see if he could see it from the air. Strife hoped he saw something of the way to go because he sure didn't know which way it was from here.
Strife looked up seeing Cupid waving at him to go towards the north. Strife followed Cupid's directions and soon came across a huge set of gates. Even five feet away from them, Strife felt the tingle of powerful, elemental magic. He and Cupid looked at each other when Cupid landed and then kissed Jubilantly. They'd actually found it. They'd found Xanthus: The City of Wizards.
The hard part now was going to be getting in and finding the Sleeping King.
"Who calls the immortals?" Strife asked. Cupid shrugged wondering how Gabrielle and the others were getting on at Everkeep. Joxer had looked happy enough to help take care of Ares but Eve and Gabrielle had been spitting mad about not being able to use their "We're servants if the Way so bow down before us" attitudes in the presence of the immortals in general and the Iron Fist in particular. Darius had laughed insanely when they tried to play that card. Strife assumed 1400 years, as a priest for the Way would give him perspective on it. Course, his laughing at it hadn't endeared him to the Mentals in Fundamentalists as he called those three. Strife looked at the gates, and then remembering what Jenny had asked of Hades, he brought Blair Sandburg to them. Blair of course, came with Jim.
"Here's your ticket to the big leagues kid. Courtesy of the Olympian Gods. Read what's on the doors," Strife told him. They stood back while Blair translated what was written on the gates. The young anthropologist suddenly hollered in joy. He knew he'd just been given one of the greatest finds in this century or any other. The lost city of Xanthus.
Jim grinned hearing Strife's request that they be allowed to find the king before the thundering hoards descended. Blair agreed happily. Knowing this was -his- find and no one would take it from him.
He could wait. After all, he'd waited his entire life to find his Sentinel.
Strife and Cupid went and fetched Methos and Darius as well. Jenny would join them with Unc and the werewolf soon. Anything to get away from Gabrielle for a few hours.



Hades watched as his family began to pull themselves together to fight Zeus and to
seal the Prophesy. Already, Jenny was on her way to Xanthus with Remus. But
besides that, the Angelic One had been found, the children of War were together,
the Lost children had been found and that was a huge surprise. All of them had
been together in Sunnydale including Hades and Persephone's own boys Graham and
Wesley, and Heph's bot through Ares love for both he and Dite was there too.
Rupert Romulus giles. Hades had never been sure if the Romulus came before the
Rupert or after it but since most just called him Giles it didn't really matter.

The other thing, Apollo was going to be made to pay for what he'd done to
Ares. If Hades hadn't been alerted to the fact that Zeus and Apollo had thrown
Angelus towards tartarus, the baby would have met the same fate as Hephaestus,
or even worse, died. Hades felt guilt about missin Heph when he saw Hera's boy hit
the ground. It would have been worse if his own son's child had died. Hades sighed
and picked up the damp cloth to wipe the forehead of his still sleeping son. Ares
was waking for a few minutes at a time but he was still not completely well.
Hades was determined to take care of him now as he had been unable to all of
Ares' life. Some days, Hades truely despised Zeus. Actually, make that most days
Hades truely despised his brother. Raping Hera so she had to marry him, punishing
Ares and Eris for not being perfectly blond like his other chidren when he knew full
well Ares and Eris were not his children. And then this latest discovery. how many
times had Ares been hurt because Zeus' pull over all on Olympus was so great? How
many times had Ares had to take the rage adn hate of eveyone around him even
when he was already overloaded? Oh, Hades wanted Zeus to pay for what the
bastard had done to his beautiful Ares. He wanted Zeus to pay in buckets of blood.
A drop of blood for every tear Ares had shed. A whiplash for every ounce of blood
his beautiful baby boy had lost to one of Zeus' rages.
Hades watched as Ares woke again. It had only been the last time he'd woken
that Hades had told him he was Ares' father. Ares had seemed almost relieved by
that. Hades had then promised Ares he would still be there when he woke next
which led to Hades not having moved from Ares bedroom even when Joxer had come
in awhile ago to see him. Hades knew who had brought Joxer here. And he also
knew if Joxer was here, so were Xena and Gabrielle and very likely Eve. As a result,
Hades had been on guard ever since seeing Joxer.
Hades looked up as the door opened and dwn came in. Dawn sat down in the
other chair and just sighed. She was really having trouble with Gabrielle and Eve.
Although, both had been silenced by a look from Jenny's older siblings and Darius
himself. Darius pretty much laughed at them and their "We're servants of the Way,
bow before us" attitudes. Xena wondered why until Darius told her just what the
Way had done to him. And then he informed her of what had been done in the name
of The Way and even Xena had understood his cyancism. Of course, she also had
memories of him as The Iron Fist. Eve knew him as the Butcher of Rome. Both
names spoke of a calling much different than that of priest but even Xena knew
people could change. She had come in with Gabrielle a few hours ago and seen Ares
laying in the bed and she had been sickened. Gabrielle had said it served him right
and then found herself across the room. Hades had been impressed by the distance
Joxer got when he hit her. Xena had, for once, said nothing in Gabrielle's defence.
She had just shook her head in disgust of her friend and walked out of the room.
Hades had smiled then but the murderous look on Gabrielle's face had him on
high alert for trouble. He looked down as Ares suddenly moaned and opened his
eyes. his son's first words to him almost broke his heart.
"You stayed," Ares whispered. Hades suddenly realized just how often Ares had
had promises broken to him. Hades was glad he had kept his. Ares smiled weakly at
his father and then coughed harshly. Still recvering from the last beating he'd
recieved from Zeus. However, this had to be the first time Ares had been allowed to
recover fully.
"Hi Arry," Dawn sid quietly. "I want you to know you can rest for awhile. With
all your family here to elp you Glory hasn't even tried to come near me lately.
COurse Bufy is another matter altogether."
"Buffy---will be dealt with---in time. She needs to be made to--- face--- life.
Can't--- do it--- myself right now," Ares whispered. Dawn nodded.
"I know," she told him. "Angel's already had it out with her about the way she
attacked Giles' guests. Did you know the people who raised Giles had a son who was
bitten by a wrewolf and they made him hate himself because of it? Like there is
anything wrong with lycanthropy? Oz and Joyce seem to do good with it. they're
happy and everything.
Hades nodded knowing why Darius had wanted The King of Wizards woken.
Now he looked down at his still exhausted son and gently brushed his hair back.
"You get soem rest little one. I'm going to use the bathroom adn then I will be
right back. I promise you that. I have never lied to you Ares adn I don't intend to
start now."
Arees nodded adn rifted back to sleep while Dawn and Hades went to take care
of personal buisness. When Gabrielle tried to sneak into the room, she was thrown
out by none other than Persephone herself.
"And stay out," the Queen of the underworld said as she threw Gabrielle out of
the room.

When Ares next woke from the half sleep, his uncle---No, he corrected himelf, his Father, was still sitting with him. Ares was elated. All his life he'd wanted a father who loved him and now he had one. Hades, he knew, had always loved him and now he knew why. Ares smiled at his father, he would have spoken but his mouth felt so dry still.
"Hello, my sweet one," Hades said as he brushed the hair off of Ares face. "Feeling better?"
Ares nodded and slowly pulled himself to a sitting position. For the first time in a very long time, he really did feel better. Hades helped him up and smiled as he saw the improvemenmts in Ares with just one undisturbed rest. his boy looked much healthier now and the shadows in his eyes had faded some. All in all Hades was pleased.
Ares slowly got up and went to the bathroom. When he came back into the room he'd been sleeping in, he noticed Hades had his head bowed and he heard the prayer of thanks for Ares' survival.
"I'm gonna be fine dad," Ares said to him. "Like I always am when you add your energy to help me heal. but I am kinda hungry if we could get something to eat. And I need to see how Dawnie is."
So saying, Ares headed for the door. He knew Hades would follow him and so they went. Down the steps to the kitchen where Ares found a great many people all ecstaic that he was going to be alright. Such was a new experience for him.
Joyce Summers laid out a plate of food for him as he sat and he ate. His father joined him at the table. Ares looked around the room confused for a few moments when finally his father spoke.
"Angelus is here Ares. The lost child. And he hates both Zeus and Apollo."
Ares stared at his father in shock as Hades nodded and pointed to Angel who let his game face slip out. but even that seemed to be changing as Angelus was allowed to finally know who and what he was. he was to be God of Redemption and Vengence but Zeus got rid of him before he was officially born. Angelus smiled at his father as he moved from his place by Spike.
"It was not your fault Da'," the Master Vampire said as he hugged Ares. "The only ones at fault are Zeus and that bastard of a half brother of yours. You are my only parent as far as my acknowledgement goes."
Ares simply held onto Angelus in shock as his boy hugged him. his sweet, innocent baby boy. Angelus purred against his father's shoulder.
"Isn't that just disgusting," a voice said from the doorway. Everyone looked up and saw Gabrielle standing in the door with a look of distatse on her face. Jenny growled at her as Strife dropped her back in the kitchen.
"No, actually, I think seeing a child reunited with a parent is kinda sweet," Spike said. "You're the only disgusting thing we see in this room. Go back to your room and stay there."
Gabrielle went to lunge for Spike nd was suddenly picked up off the ground and slammed into the wall.
"Hey, they said go away," a female voice said. That means go away."
Buffy Summers held Gabrielle against the wall until someone came and got her. then she turned to look at the group assembled in front of her.
"I'm sorry," she finally said. "I reacted badly and i guess I am spoiled. But I am sorry."
everyone looked at Hades who had read the truth of her statement and when he nodded, Buffy found herself being hugged.
"Welcome home then Buffy," Giles said. "Welcome home."
Ares head snapped up suddenly hearing a noise outside. he walked out the door to face Glory who stood there screaming for her Key.
"Excuse me," he said. "Whose Key?"
Glory took one look at the thunderously enraged expression on her half brother's face and started to back off in fear. Ares looked beyond pissed this morning. Glory knew she couldn't beat him in a fight so she backed off. Ares looked at her little diseased rat people followers and chuckled in that evil, "I am the God of War and I'm going to hurt you" way of his. They too backed off. Apparently facing Ares in the mood to kill was something they did not want to do.
"Go. Away." Ares said in a calm voice that really scared them.
He watched them leave glad to have at least another day to plan Glory's death. he went back in, ate his breakfast and smiled when he was done.
"That was good Miss Summers, anything else to eat?"

Ares sat in the den after lunch the day he woke up plotting. Killing Glory would be easy. Killing Glory and sparing Ben...now that was tricky. Ares sighed looking at his new cross stitch kit Dawn had gotten him. Gaea had taught him this a long time ago and he still loved to do it. It helped him think.
Ares looked up suddenly as he got the idea. Maybe it would work. Maybe... "Dad!" he called. Hades appeared immediately.
"What Ares? he asked. Ares looked up at him as he looked at his sword.
"My sword is a double edged blade right?" he asked. Hades nodded and watched him plan.
"Then I could use it to split the aspects of Ben and Glory?" he asked. Again Hades nodded. Ares stood then.
"I know what to do then. Come on. We need some bait to lure her out and I need your help," he said. Hades nodded and they went out to where the immortals, vampires, Scoobies, and sentinels.
"I need one of you to lure Glory to the alley behind the Magic Box. I know what to do to get rid of her and save Ben at the same time."
Jenny nodded and watched as Darius stood and walked out the door. His power was the most appealing to a hell goddess right now. Hades and Ares vanished to the back of the Magic Box and waited. It didn't take long. Glory came after Darius as if he was the blue plate special.
"So, you want to be my dinner tonight Light Bringer?" she taunted.
"No," Darius replied. "I'm going to be the harbinger of your downfall. Lets dance."
Glory's hands curled almost claw-like and she attacked Darius. Darius seemed to almost flow out of her way. He was 'Dancing' her right into Ares and Hades if she would have bothered to extend her senses.
Glory turned sensing something wrong and felt pain as Ares' sword sliced right through her stomach. She stared at him as he pulled the sword out of her then cleaved her in half with it. Ben fell to one side and Glory to the other.
"War is a two edged sword, Glory," he said just as Hades stepped up behind her and snapped her neck.
"As is Death," Hades added.
Her body suddenly burned itself away to nothing and Hades looked at Ares.
"Lets go home," he said. Darius nodded and followed the two gods back to Everkeep where everyone was waiting. They proceeded to party. Ares looked out the window and sadly left while the party was in full swing. He wasn't needed here now. But maybe someday again...
He faded out on that note.

A. N: Yes, there will be a sequel, I promise.
However, this was starting to run long so I ended this piece.

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