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Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing used herein.
Title: After Every Twilight, Dawn Must Come
Author: Kate
Pairings: A/J, C/S, A/S, H/P, Hera/Giles, Joyce/Darius (eventually) Bliss/Dawn (Eventually) Did I forget anyone?

Greece, C. 2,000 years ago
The fires raged around them as Zeus threw bolt after bolt of lightening. He knew this day would come. He'd always known. Now it was upon him but he'd taken steps to ensure he wouldn't be lost.
"You've lost Zeus," Moira said coldly. "Now, where is the Soul Seeker?"
The mother of the Fates was furious with her brother. He'd tried to kill the Soul Seeker and failed. He'd tried to damage his mind and failed. Now, the child was missing. Lost in time Moira suspected but they could do nothing about Zeus until he was returned to them. Zeus cackled insanely as he fired one last bolt. nailing Ares' most favored War Lord. What happened next though, infuriated him. Eli, Xena and Gabrielle lifted Darius and carried him into a church. Out of Zeus power area.
"You have truly lost brother," Moira said. "One day, we will find the Seeker. And when we do, woe be to you for what you have done. To your sister, your brother, their children and their children's children. You will Pay in Blood when we find the Seeker. This I say. I, the Mother of the fates."
Zeus' scream of rage and denial echoed the world over. In the church with Eli and Xena and Gabrielle, they were implementing a part of the plan all their own.
"Rest, General Darius," Eli said. "Rest until your Lord calls upon you once again."
In a temple of Artemis, the Huntress and Bacchus laid their part of the prophecy in a basket and sent her down a river. This was something Artemis had chosen against Apollo and Zeus and Athena. They were all insane. Those that still lived on the Mountain.
"Go in beauty, our Slayer," they said together.
In another part of greece, Eris laid the sould of another child in a demon's shell.
"Good rest Angelus. Until you are needed," she said. Sje placed one final soul and returned to Bacchus and Artemis. "Goodbye, William."
Ares, Joxer, Strife, Jett, Jayce, Cupid, Bliss, hades, Persephone, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, and Hermes carefully began a placement of things in their mortals' minds. In time, Ares' Warlord, Darius would be called upon again. He was the Immortal Generl. the Eternal guardian. His Brother in Arms, Methos, would be the one who carried the messages to him from Ares. This had been decided in meetings. They'd known Zeus would strike at him. Darius had plotted his downfall.
Persephone watched the Underworld while the battle raged on earth. She had refused to return to her mother again.
And for a time, the World Slept. Gods adn giants and Monsters became fairy stories. Unitl...Now.

Disclaimer and everything: See Previous parts
Response to Calidragon's challenge. I used two other shows. For my own reasons.
A. N.: The Hunters never happened. Methos saved Darius from them.

Paris, France 1999
"Darius...Darius! Pay attention old friend, you'll burn yourself. You seem not all here today. Are you all right?" Duncan MacLeod asked of his friend. Darius sighed and nodded. Something was coming he knew. But it did not concern Duncan.
"I'm fine my friend," Darius told him. He began to pay attention to what exactly Duncan was saying. As per usual, Duncan was decrying paganism.
"Oh, for the Lord's sake, Duncan, grow up. People are entitled to their own beliefs." The old priest finally said harshly. Duncan stopped and looked at his friend. Darius looked tired so Duncan let go of the uncharacteristic snapping. Even Duncan knew that last remark he'd made deserved some comment.
"Look, Darius," Duncan said. "You look tired and sound exhausted. Get some rest and we can continue this conversation tomorrow. All right?"
Darius nodded and laid down on his bed. Duncan turned out the lights as he left. Darius sighed and laid back against the pillows running through his dreams until he fell into a light doze.
//Darius!// a voice called in his sleep. //Darius, my greatest general. It is time!// The voice left and Darius woke to Methos shaking his shoulder lightly. In Methos' hand was a package with a symbol Darius had waited 2,000 years to see again.
"It's time general Darius," Methos said deliberately using his old title. "Your Lord once again calls upon you, his greatest, most favored warlord."
"I come Thanos," Darius spoke the return phrase. "Where do we go?"
Methos gave a relieved sigh as he began to pull the clothes out of the box. He'd been waiting years to remove Darius from this place. That's why he hadn't left Europe in centuries. Too busy safeguarding Darius against Zeus.
"We're going to California," Methos told him. "There is much to do. Zeus has found the Seeker. We have to gather our forces and protect him."
Darius nodded and pulled his new clothes on. He'd never been very self conscious in Methos' presence. Why show modesty to your own teacher?
Also in the box were new weapons for him. Mostly they were copies of his old weapons but made of Steel instead of iron.
"Bet you can't wait to see your sons again, eh Thanos?" Darius asked as he slid the trench coat on. Methos chuckled thinking Duncan MacLeod would die of shock if he knew Darius had been working out for centuries and had never lost his skill with the sword and other weapons he'd used.
"No," he said. I can't wait to see them again. They are in California now. As well as Bliss and Cupid. Strife will be there soon I think. He's guiding the Slayer to Sunnydale."
"Thought she was already there?" Darius questioned. Methos shook his head.
"No, she died. She should have lost the powers when she came back but Zeus interfered. The new one. She who is the reincarnation of the First. She's on her way there."
Darius nodded and they left the church together. Darius dropped a note in the mail for Duncan and left one on his desk for his friend. It felt good to finally be doing things again.
Methos drove them out into the country where there was a long forgotten temple dedicated to Hades.
"Lords," Methos said. "We're here."
There was a flash of light around them and they were suddenly elsewhere. Darius found himself being hugged by one of his best lieutenants.
"Hello Jett," Darius said. Perhaps you should hug your father as well eh?"
Jett grinned maniacally, released Darius and hugged Methos. Darius meanwhile turned to face his Lord. Ares.
"I am ready, Lord," he said. Ares nodded.
"We knew you would be Darius. Welcome to California," he said.
Darius smiled long used to Godly travel. Looking out the window, he saw an interesting town. Interesting in that it looked nice but he could feel the evil under it.
"Where do we start?" he asked. Ares chuckled and looked to Hercules and Iolaus.
"You, Herc, Iolaus and Thanos will become teachers at the school. Darius will teach History, Iolaus will teach English, Herc will teach PE, and Thanos will teach Mythology. In each of these classes there students named Cordelia Chase, Alexander Harris, Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers and Daniel Osborne. You four must guard Alexander, Cordelia, Willow and Oz away from Buffy as subtly as you can. Hermes is going to pull Rupert Giles away from her. She influenced mentally by Him and that we cannot have. The Seeker's life depends on our success in this. Good luck my friends."
They nodded and took their packets from Ares. He had everything in order for them. They went to the houses he'd set up for them and found wardrobes suitable for teachers in a high school setting and food to their tastes in the fridge and freezers. Darius chuckled and made a hamburger. Something he'd not had while in the monastic life. Then, he took the files on the four he was to get away from Buffy Summers. Other names were there that he knew. Angelus, and William the Bloody were here also. It truly was time.
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In Chicago, a man wrapped his beloved in a blanket and lifted a bag from the floor. He whistled for the huge black dog and they left the mansion. Armond Marceaux knew nothing but that he had to protect Hugh. Something was after his beloved. Something the Warrior was afraid of. So, Armond trusted the Warrior. Especially after Ronald had been killed. Hugh had been exhausted searching for Ronald's killer. Armond had simply waited for sleep to claim his beloved and then wrapped him up warm, packed them a couple of bags, wrapped the two wristbands of Hugh's in silk and a hand full of gems from the room into his pockets and they were ready to move. Armond had packed the car already. Now, he carried Hugh out to the front seat and whistled for Cerberus to get into the back. He wouldn't leave the dog here alone. Armond belted Hugh in, got into the driver's seat and drove west. He didn't know where exactly he was going but he was trusting the Warrior now. Hugh had to be protected.
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California the next morning found the students of Sunnydale High greeting four new teachers. Buffy felt odd around them but the rest of her friends were comfortable in their presence. She especially didn't like the History teacher. Something about him rubber her wrong.

Angel woke up to Spike nuzzled against him as always. They had both felt the General's presence in Sunnydale so they knew it was time. Angel hugged Spike tightly to him and kissed his forehead. Soon enough he would have to get up. They would both need to gather their weapons and prepare to face Zeus. It seemed that Zeus had found the Soul Seeker early.
Hades had said Ares was guiding the Warrior to them so they needed to be ready to shelter them. Something told Angel Zeus had already struck at the Seeker once. Maybe more.
Angel felt Angelus look into the room to check on him and Spike and chuckled. Boy would the others have conniptions if they knew 'Angel' wasn't always who they thought he was. Ever since returning from hell, he and Angelus had been split into two seperate beings. but the were still best friends. Anggelus had gone insane because he lost Angel. Lost his best friend. Angelus shut the door quietly and Angel thought it was nice to have his best friend and also, Spike now had the man who'd raised him back. Angel smiled thinking it was good no one had seen the two of them at that party. but it had been so much fun. Although he and Angelus argued like cats and dogs about somethings, they were friends adn they cared about each other. And even the Scooby Gang which was why they didn't know Angelus was seperate from Angel...yet.
Angel rolled to his feet eventually and thought on what he'd been told last night. He was to get Xander, Willow, Cordelia and Oz away from Buffy. He wouldn't be alone in that endeavor though so he felt some relief. Giles was already pulling away from her.
Ever since Xander had resurrected her, Buffy had been getting more and more bitch like and so was doing half of Ares' job for him. Angel sighed. Things would move very quickly from her on out.
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In France, Duncan MacLeod was looking at the letter Darius had left him in the Rectory of his church. It scared him badly. Darius had never, in all the time Duncan had known him, left his church for any reason. Now he was gone, his habit was still there and the note had said -If-. not -When-. that frightened him. What kind of business would Darius have in California of all places. And when had he left? Well, obviously yesterday. At least now Duncan knew where his mind had been. If Darius got himself killed, Duncan was going to be very displeased. Duncan sighed and went back to the barge. He packed a bag, left a note in case Amanda or Richie dropped by and left. He would be in California by Sunset the next day.
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Still on the road to Sunnydale, Armond had gotten Hugh to wake up and eat something. Hugh knew why they were moving but he wasn't quite sure where they were going either. Armond made him rest saying Hugh was in no shape to drive. Even Hugh knew that was true. His last vision had left him flat exhausted for a long while. And he still didn't get it. He'd never seen the Ancient past before. What made this so different? He settled in for more rest as Armond started the car again. Armond was being very protective of him. And Hugh had to admit, in Armond's arms was the only place he felt safe anymore. The old man had tried to rape him the other night. Maybe Armond couldn't see him but Cerberus certainly had. And the man had Really Seen Cerberus. All Three heads. Hugh eventually let the car's movements lull him to sleep secure in the knowledge that Armond was with him. Protecting him.
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Willow Rosenberg walked into History class Tuesday morning to find a new teacher. Tall, very well built, about 35 with ageless eyes and dark brown hair. She and Cordy both almost wolf whistled seeing him. He chuckled at them as they took their seats and then wrote his name on the Board. "Darius"
When asked if he had a last name he said he'd never bothered with it so they could just call him Mr. Darius. Xander almost made a stupid comment but Cordy and Willow both kicked him hard in the shins to shut him up. Ticking off a teacher on the first day they had him didn't strike her as being smart.
By the end of class, they all knew that Mr. Darius was going to be an interesting teacher. He had style, pinnace and talent.
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On Olympus, Zeus and Athena, Apollo, Demeter and Poseidon stared at the world. Something was ruining their plans. Something not seeable yet. However, Zeus had the feeling that whatever it was, it was staring him in the face. He looked t the image of the Soul Seeker and fumed. So close. He'd been so damn close before Hades' damn dog had attacked him. And the other man...the other man who...
"Who was wearing Ares belt," Zeus finally realized and cursed himself for his own stupidity. A son of Ares was guarding the Seeker. Was mated to the Seeker. And Zeus knew he'd have to wok around that. No one could break the Warrior's Bond with his mate. Zeus swore though, that he would have the Seeker soon.
"Soon," he rambled to himself as he walked o his throne and sat.
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In Hades' mansion in Sunnydale, the gods were preparing as well. They had been warned by the fates that the Warrior and the Seeker were coming soon. They knew to be ready to shelter them.

Xander, Cordelia, Willow and Oz sat in the library after school helping Giles research. Buffy had gone on one of her "Bitch out my friends rants" and then stormed off and for once no one knew why. No one had even said anything to her today. They looked at Giles as he sat down at the table with them and rubbed his temples.
"I think we need to discuss what's wrong with Buffy. She's been like this since Xander did CPR on her and has steadily been getting worse since."
"What's wrong with her?" Cordelia asked. "Why is she being like this?"
"Influence from someone you don't want to run up against right now, Miss chase," the voice of Darius said from the doors. "Relax, I know about Slayers. No secrets from me. In fact I probably know more about the true purpose and job of the Slayer than your Watcher's Council."
"How could you?" Xander asked. Darius chuckled humorlessly.
"Because I'm older than I look," he said
"How much older?" Giles asked. Darius laughed amused.
"About, oh, 2 &1/2 thousand to 3,000 years or so. I'm not a vampire, I'm an immortal. I am also the Chosen Warrior of the people trying to save this place from more of the old bastard's insanity. He got Buffy. But he has no hold on anyone else."
"Can you help us?" Giles asked for some reason trusting this man. Darius nodded. he looked at the five of them in the room and then looked into the distance as if speaking to someone else.
"We can help you. But you must do one other thing. Get Buffy's mother away from her. Buffy is very unstable now and I'd rather not have to ask Hades to return her if Buffy snaps."
Giles nodded and immediately called Buffy's house. When Joyce answered, Giles told her to pack an overnight bag and come to the school. She did, arriving to find the usual group plus a man she didn't know until Giles introduced him as Darius. She sat down and Darius began his explanation of Zeus' madness and what they were now trying to do, Joyce offered to help in any way she could.
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On the road just outside of Sunnydale, Armond Marceaux smiled and brushed a lock of hair of Hugh's face. This was the place, the Warrior told him. He and Hugh would be safe here.
Armond put the car in gear and drove into the town looking for the place the Warrior was directing him to. He found it after a few minutes. The mansion stood tall against the dark sky in this town. A man Armond would have mistaken for Hugh is he didn't know his love so intimately came out of the house and took Hugh out of the car. Cerberus licked the man's hands, a mark of trust, so Armond simply followed him.
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Duncan MacLeod looked around the town f Sunnydale as he investigated it the night he arrived. Shortly after sunset, he found himself in this town and since it was still early, had decided to try to find Darius before going to bed.
He walked through one of the many cemeteries in this town where he sensed an immortal's presence. He saw a tall man standing with his back to Duncan as he stood in the graveyard seemingly waiting for something. Duncan, going to investigate, got the shock of his life when the immortal turned sensing his presence and stabbed him in the stomach. He looked up into the face of the immortal who'd stabbed him and met eyes as surprised as his own.
"Damn!" was the last thing he heard as his life faded for the time being.
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Darius looked down at his best friend's dead body and cursed in several languages. Of all the times and places he wanted to do this, here and now was not a good one. A graveyard, on the hellmouth, at night. Darius sighed and waited for Duncan to come back from the dead. He didn't have to wait long. Duncan woke with the typical gasp for breath.
"Feeling better?" Darius asked as his best friend sat up. Duncan looked at him in shock. From the way he was dressed to the ability he had with the weapons he wore.
"Darius?" he asked incredulously.

Duncan stared up at his friend in total and complete shock. Darius had stabbed him? Darius was here doing God knows what, with a sword and varied other things Duncan could see on his belt and Duncan had not even seen the move that killed him a few minutes ago.
"I asked what you're doing here Duncan. I said in the letter this does not concern you..." Darius began and Duncan knew he was angry but the...thing...coming up behind him looked angrier.
"DARIUS, WATCH OUT!" He finally found his voice to scream. Then all he could do was stare as Darius spun and met the demon head on. Drawing a sword Duncan had never seen the like of before but that Darius was obviously familiar with.
All he could do was stare as Darius calmly fought and parried the demon's claws with the sword all the while seemingly chanting something under his breath. Duncan watched in shock as Darius got the creature on the ground almost appearing to be effortless about it, and finished his chant or whatever it was. The Demon-thing exploded into ash. He looked over at Duncan and shrugged. Duncan continued to gawk.
"Come on, you're here. You might as well come home with me," Darius said taking his arm and leading him to a motorcycle.
"Get on behind me and hold on," he said as he pealed out of the cemetery. He didn't see Willow staring after him in awe as she stared at the pile of ash that was a demon.

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"Wow," Willow thought as she had watched Darius fight the demon she was trying to herd to Angel. Seeing him using magic while also holding a sword and knowing how to use that had gotten her mind moving into the triple and quadruple wows.
"Willow! Are y' alrigh'?" Angel asked coming up to her. Sometimes she wondered if he knew his brogue slipped sometimes. She'd noticed it happened every so often. She also noticed sometimes he seemed to change clothes before patrol but after briefly checking in at the library.
"Y-Yeah," she replied. "I just...did you know Darius was a mage type wizard?" She asked. Angel shrugged. He'd suspected apparently. I guess we'd better tell Giles he knows more than just legends from old times. That sword he uses, I saw it in a book somewhere...Oh well, I'll...I'll figure it out later."

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Angelus sighed and followed the little red head back to the High School. There were nights he wondered why he did this but then he remembered Angel was at the mansion caring for Spike after what his loony tunes childe had done to him. Drucilla would be punished for this outrage. That he swore.
Angelus looked around the town he was walking through seeing it again as he always did now as not the place that cost him his best friend, Angel. But as a place for a new chance. As soon as everyone was ready to know about him anyway.
Entering the library, Willow ran to Giles and began to babble about what she'd seen. Angelus paid close attention so he could tell Angel about it. Otherwise it would look strange if 'Angel' didn't know since 'Angel' was standing in the library with them when she told him.
Giles had a stunned look on his face when Willow told him about the sword and Darius being able to use magic while he fought. Angelus didn't want to tell Giles that most immortals who were as old as Darius was could very likely use magic while they fought.
He watched as Giles began to look for the sword Willow told him about. Something about it told Angelus it was important too. As important to what they were doing as gearing up to protect the Soul Seeker. Angelus knew they'd find all the answers in due and proper time. Just like he and Angel getting Spike back. All in good time.

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Across town in Hades' mansion, Ares was sitting with Armond who refused to leave Hugh's side. He'd seen the belt and been astonished by it. Xena had kept it being one of the most amazed thoughts running through his head. She'd given it to a son shortly before she left to travel. Ares sighed wondering if she would be joining them here? She and Gabrielle and Eli would all be needed in this final fight with Zeus. They'd been there at the start after all.
Ares chuckled looking up as Joxer bounded into the room from his spy mission. he hugged his consort Ares tightly knowing that soon Zeus would pay for what he'd done to them. Ares kissed his lover and Armond smiled. He felt the same way about Hugh.
All three awake in the room looked up as Hades and his wife Persephone walked in. She'd just gotten home from a flower show she was running and wanted to see their son. When she got a glimpse of Hugh, her eyes filled with tears and she fell against Hades weak from joy. He was alive! Their darling, wonderful, beautiful son was alive.
Hercules and Iolaus, watching from the doorway, smiled as they watched Hades and Persephone's long wait end. Now that they had him though, they had to keep him safe. Zeus had to know he was with them now. And they knew he had to be kept safe from Zeus.
Ares looked up sensing Darius anger and irritation with his best friend and sighed. He knew it was too much to hope that Duncan MacLeod would butt out of this. He wasn't needed here but since he was here, he was in.
"Tell him," Ares sent to Darius. "And teach him what he needs to know. We can't have him wandering around this town at night like the immortal buffet he'd be if he did."
Everyone in the room, including Armond, chuckled at that statement. he could feel something in this town was way off and he thought maybe he and Hugh could help with whatever was wrong here.

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At Darius' house, Joyce Summers was making him some dinner. Darius had taken the most active patrol time in the most active cemetery in Sunnydale and she thought he'd be hungry when he got home. She was here because this was the safest place for her to be. Darius scared Buffy so Buffy wouldn't come here.

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A mile outside of California, a sleek, black and silver car pulled to a stop by the road for a moment. A tallish, brunette girl got out and stretched her legs. She looked back at the other two people who were in the car, Her foster parents, Dio Bacchai and Artem Apollonia. She knew who they really were but on her legal papers those were there names. She knew them as Dionysus/Bacchus, depending on the moon and his mood, and Artemis. They had taken her away from her uncaring mother and the dirty New England apartment she'd been living in and offered her a real home. She'd jumped at the chance. Of course, she'd only been 12 at the time but she knew her life was bad so she took the new one the state offered.
When she looked at these two, hat she saw amazed her. Gods, yes, but not cruel or evil or vindictive.
"Faith, honey," Dionysus said. "We need to get going. Hades is expecting us."
Faith got back in the car and pulled out her stake and her Walkman. Her stake she always kept on her. Any good Slayer did. Her Walkman was one of her most prized possessions. It was the first thing she'd had the guts to ask her new parents for when they took her in. Now she had a stereo and a diskman but the Walkman was special to her. She settled in for the last 30 to 45 minutes or so of the drive.

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On Olympus, Zeus realized things were moving faster than he'd originally thought. He'd thought by merging Dionysus and Bacchus, one would dominate the other. That hadn't happened. They were now and had been for millennia, one being. And they had chosen to be against him. His two loyal children, his sister and his brother could do nothing but watch now and wait for their opportunity to strike. Zeus felt he was still missing something about someone in that town but he was to insane to realize what it was.

Darius sighed as he led Duncan into his house and saw the food Joyce had made up for him on the table. he chuckled thinking she was good woman and told Duncan to have some of the food on the table while he changed and contacted his God. He knew Duncan was upset about this but he had to get the all clear form either Ares or Hades before Duncan was brought into this. He also called Methos knowing he would need the old one's help with this. Returning to the dining room, he saw Duncan had made two plates up and so he sat down across from him.
"What's going on Darius?" Duncan asked as Darius took a bite of his food. Darius calmly chewed his food before responding with a question of his own.
"In regard to what Duncan?" He asked.
"In regard to all of this. You left your sanctuary unprotected, you came to this place with no word to anyone, you go armed..." Darius cut him off then
"Duncan, I do not need protection. Where I am, I am always guarded. Now, what else would you like to know?" he asked.
"Well, what was that thing in the cemetery? And what did you do to it?"
"I killed it obviously and it was a demon. They live here. Try to kill people every night. What did it look like?"
Demons aren't real Darius...Ahriman was a figment..."
"Duncan, do sit down," Darius said as his patience began to fray. "I have no time to deal with this now. Things are moving quickly. I left my church because my Lord called upon me again and it was far past time for a change. Now, please, be quiet and I will try to explain this when I have the time. Yes, Angel?" he asked looking at the kitchen doorway where the dark vampire now stood. Duncan spun around not having seen him or heard his approach.
"Giles said we needed you at the library after school tomorrow. There is one more person involved in this legend thing that everyone needs to know about," he said. Darius nodded and smiled as Angel left as suddenly as he'd arrived leaving Duncan gaping even more. Darius sighed and led him to a bed room. He was in overload apparently. Too much had happened to disrupt his world in too short a time.

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Across town, Methos was finishing his own patrol after his conversation with Darius. Now Thanos Death God of the Titans was pissed. Insolent Child was going to get them all killed. And thinking Darius needed a protector as he obviously did to have come here was a good way to piss the general off. Darius did not need a protector. Darius was more skilled and powerful than Duncan MacLeod knew. But then, Duncan had never tried to see the real Darius. He saw only the man he wanted to see. And that man was only one aspect of Darius. Methos sighed and kicked a demon into a crypt wall before casually killing it. He was Death in the here and now. As Darius was Strategy as he had been for all time. But Duncan with his morally Christian high ideals would never want to see that. Methos sighed as he completed his circuit and headed for Darius' house. He thought he'd seen Angel a moment ago but Angel didn't wear leather. He sighed and continued on his way. Darius would be expecting him and Methos had to admit to being curious about how Darius had killed Duncan when he arrived in town.

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Strife and Cupid flashed into Hades' mansion to see Hades sitting by Hugh's bed gently stroking his son's hair. They knew this was an important day for their Dark Uncle. His son was home.
"Grandpa," Strife said gently. "You gotta stretch soon or your stomach muscles will cramp up. You know that hurts ya a lot."
Hades looked at Strife finally realizing he and Cupid were there and nodded. He stood for a moment and stretched his muscles feeling the beginnings of the pain leave. Much longer and it would have hurt. Hades then returned to his seat sensing Ares and Joxer returning.
"Armond in eating dinner with Persephone," Ares told Hades, his real father. He looked at Cupid and Strife and grinned. Bliss had come home a few hours ago from school and gone straight to his room. He was now eating with Armond and Persephone while Dite and Heph finished checking the foundations of this place fro cracks as they did every night and Jett and Jace were in their rooms plotting things to help Darius and all was quiet. Hades smiled thinking of Hermes being with Giles now. Ethan Rayne was his greatest character Hades thought. Hermes played him well. Bacchus and Artemis were in town but would not arrive her until tomorrow and they had Faith with them. Angelus was patrolling now. Hades of course knew the two beings were separate. He had split Angel and Angelus when he removed them from hell.
He had made sure the bed was big enough for Armond to join Hugh in it and all he was doing now was waiting for the Warrior to come back up. Cerberus had done an excellent job guarding Hugh. Somehow the dog was aware of the moment Hugh reentered the time stream because he was there when Hugh needed him. Hades had praised his dog's instinct as it was thanks to Cerberus Zeus had not managed to rape Hugh before Armond could get them here. Hades was very glad for his dog's intelligence.
Hades," Ares said quietly, "we should get some rest. We're all in the town limits now. We're safe here. You need to rest as much as they do."
Hades nodded and smiled when Armond returned to the room. He stood, wincing as his stomach muscles pulled again. Persephone was there instantly soothing Zeus' ultimate torture to his brother. Something he wasn't ready to think about right now. He had no time for it.
Ares and Joxer and Cupid and Strife went to their own rooms bedding down with their lovers as they had every night for last several millennia they were together as a family now. Everything was good

Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing used herein.
Title: After Every Twilight, Dawn Must Come
Author: Kate
Pairings: A/J, C/S, A/S, H/P, Hera/Giles, Joyce/Darius (eventually) Bliss/Dawn (Eventually) Did I forget

anyone?

"Not everything is good, children," Zeus rambled to himself as he held Apollo against the wall.

He'd figured it out, finally. He finally understood why he hadn't seen things coming.

"You little bastard!" Zeus was snarling. "You did this! You dared to lie to me; your father!!!"

Apollo laughed in his face. The little bastard had the audacity to laugh at him.

"And you were so easily fooled, 'father'," Apollo sneered, making father sound like a curse.

"Your own arrogance led you to take everything I said at face value. But you forgot something. Oh,

yes, you forgot something big."

Zeus roared in fury and slammed Apollo hard into the wall again while Athena held a knife.

"What?" Zeus demanded angrily. "What could I have forgotten? Tell before I have that lying

tongue of yours removed!"

"By your own laws you can't," Apollo taunted him. "But I'll tell you anyway since you're too

stupid to realize. I destroyed Delphi, several thousand years ago."

The look on Zeus' face was one of shocked surprise before he had Athena stab Apollo with a

knife. Not hind's blood but painful still.

"You will suffer for this treachery, Apollo," Zeus sneered. "You won't die of course, as you are

right, no damage that cannot be healed is permitted to any god . . . but you will pay for 'daring' to

cross me."

"It's not treachery if you aren't a real king, now is it, Old Man?" Apollo sneered. Athena looked

at Zeus who nodded.

"Do it. Send him to them when you finish as a warning of trying to cross me," Zeus spoke.

Athena nodded and turned back to her bright brother, calling more knives. Apollo didn't blink when she

began to cut. And he swore to himself he would not scream. He would not give her or that crazy loon

of a father of theirs the satisfaction . . . unfortunately, that was one promise he couldn't keep . . .

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

On the Hell Mouth, in Hades' Mansion, Artemis was speaking with Dionysus when she suddenly

screamed in agony.

"APOLLO!" She cried out. "Polly, no! I begged you not to do this! Please, Gaia, no. Don't let

him die!"

"Artemis?" Ares asked, catching her as she stumbled into him. "What is it? What's happening?

Why are you so concerned about Apollo? He betrayed you."

"No he didn't!" Artemis screamed at him. "He chose to cover our asses!"

"What?" Hades asked.

"Apollo chose to save us," Artemis told them all. "Zeus would only be interested in Apollo's

words. Also he can mask all of us. He's that powerful. That's why we were never found. He lied

about what was coming and how much time Zeus had, he lied about who he saw winning, he lied to

Zeus' face for all these years and he finally got caught. And now . . . now Athena is torturing him.

Making him scream for them. And I can't get to him!"

tbc