Hell Is In the Details
Shame the Devil
Hell Is In the
Details – Chapter 20 – Shame the Devil
an end. We have heard enough to make a decision. The trial for Justice wished
for William the Bloody has been granted. The trial against Angelus of Aurelius
has begun!
But
the sweetest words were yet to come:
vampire. We shall recall you as it becomes necessary.
Spike
closed his eyes and dropped his head into his hands in relief. Buffy grabbed
him around the waist and hugged him for all she was worth. They had done it -
made it to the actual trial.
a human called Liam, as a vampire first Angelus, and now known as Angel to
stand trial for his egregious behavior and treatment of his erstwhile childe,
William the Bloody, now known as Spike. Approach the bench.
All
eyes turned to the steed carrying the knight and Angel. Unceremoniously, the
knight shoved the still handcuffed vampire off the horse, in the direction of
the Tribunal.
of discharging your claim of Sire’s Rights to Spike in a willful and malicious
manner. We are curious as to why you
evoked the ancient and inexorable penalty against your childe.
Angel
stood, his lips thin and tightly pressed together in defiance. He didn’t think
’because’ was going to go over very
well in answer to their question. In fact, it no longer seemed like a really
good answer to his own ears.
vampire, that you are facing judgment, and must answer all questions directed
towards you? We shall rephrase the query, inasmuch as why might have been too difficult for you. Please tell the court
Vampire the Aurelian Order had ever spawned committed
to warrant removal from his Family and the Order like an incompetent fledgling.
I did was totally within the rights of vampiric law
and custom. The monster called Spike – that I created over a cry ary ago when I
was Angelus – he was responsible for the death of many thousands of innocents –
a burden I carried on my soul. His death in the Hellmouth
freed me. To find him suddenly standing in my office again, mouth running and
attitude unrepentant made me livid.
“It
wasn’t ped. ed. We had been fighting for two days straight over his demands
that I support him and coddle him and tell him where to find…”
hounding me and baiting me with his ‘holier than thou’ attitude – telling me he
was the superior vampire. No respect towards me as his Sire. ~
out between us, being family and all. No amount of your bitching can change
that.”~ Nothing was going to change between us, and it had to end.
“I
figured that his reputation alone would do him in, so I just made access to him
easier. I wasn’t looking to make a profit, just to get rid of the problem. n
cn
class=SpellE>Pret and Dante’s were supposed to take care of that for me.
All legal and above board.”
court, Angelus, is <
actions, but the morality. You are
an ensouled vampire, as is your spawn.
the time – you could have had Security bar him from your presence and premises.
Simple solution to a simple problem.
“Spike’s
like a vicious little rat. Once he sinks his teeth into you, he won’t let go.”
Gods, Angel knew the hole he was digging for himself was getting deeper and
deeper, but there was no where else to go. Bluster was all he had on his side.
“It had to be done.”
modus operendi regarding family problems, vampire. I
recall an incident regarding your own Sire, punishable by dusting if we follow
was in defense of the Slayer, so you were never called to task for the offence.
the last of your treasonable acts committed with your soul in place. There was
the incident of allowing your newly resurrected Sire/grandchilde
and childe to kill off a roomful of lawyers, then attempting to burn both
family members. These offences wweigweigh heavily in your judgment, along with
your betrayal of the childe you removed from your order.
Angel
was incensed. “I thought this was a fair trial. I hear nothing but accusations
and prejudgment. If you’ve already judged me guilty, why the
pretence for the trial?”
judge your guilt or innocence. This is a trial to decide your punishment. This
is a vengeance court. The Slayer wished for it, and it has been granted.
Justice will be served and meted out in whatever form
William the Bloody decides upon. He has earned that right.
“No!” Angel protested, fear for his
would demand his final death. “It’s not right! I’ve devoted my
evils I’d done as a murderous demon. The Powers That Be won’low low their
Champion to be put down by the likes of him.”
The bench demons conferred amongst
themselves for a few moments, before the middle one spoke.
"Courier New"'>How can you consider yourself to be a Champion of the people,
when you cannot champion your own family? Unsouled,
your spawn fought alongside the humans you abandoned on the Hellmouth.
Of his own accord, William the Bloody regained his soul and continued to fight
alongside those same humans to push back the First. He sacrificed his existence
for the fate of all humanity.
"Courier New"'>
"Courier New"'>And yet, when he resurrects in your presence, your first impulse
is to have him murdered, knowing of his sacrifice from the Slayer, herself, who
had mourned and honored his passing. You no longer hold sway with The Powers
That Be. Your fate will be in our hands.
Angel paled. This court held influence over
the demon world. Hell, the Tribunal held influence over multiple dimensions. If
he survived Spike’s ‘vengeance’ wish, Angel would find his unlife
severely altered.
"Courier New"'>
"Courier New"'>We recall William the Bloody to the bench.
"Courier New"'>
The call for Spike to return to the
Tribunal startled everyone. It seemed as if the blond vampire had just been
excused; now they wanted him back again, and this time, he’d be standing up
there with Angel.
"Courier New"'>William, hereafter known as Spike, you stand before us as an
"Courier New"'>
Spike stood , head
bowed and silent. He might have won his ‘justice’ but he’d never again have a
familial place.
Hearing no response, the Tribunal judge
looked out at the assemblage. Is there
none here willing to take ownership of this vampire? To bring
him into their family? To be responsible for his
actions and his safety? Who will stand up for this Orderless
creature?
Buffy walked slowly and surely to Spike’s
side. Taking a deep breath and praying she wasn’t screwing this up for the long
run, the Slayer looked up at the Tribunal and began: “I stand for Spike, your
Honor. I request the right to speak freely before agreeing to anything,
however.”
"Courier New"'>Your request is granted, Slayer. You may speak your piece.
"Courier New"'>
“Thank you. I have a question about the
whole ownership thingy. I understand the Order. I’ve been overly familiar with
its… vampires over the years. But my whole issue in seeking justice was for
Spike’s freedom. I don’t believe anyone should own anyone. I think Spike’s more
than earned the right to be his own vamp.”
Angel snorted, toeing the ground. Buffy’s mortal
naiveté amused him.
Spike silently appealed to the Tribunal,
who granted his unspoken request. He turned to Buffy, to try and explain just
what was at stake for him.
“Pet, it’s a lovely thought.
works. Order is important to the demon. It marks specific demons from the days
of the Old Ones, when pure bloods roamed the world. An’ Family is as you can
imagine – same’s human. A place where they have to
take you in. Where there’s fuck all you can do that they won’t eventually
forgive you for. Usually.
“I’ve been around for a long time, Buffy.
Might have had no civil words with my Sire in over a century, but I never
thought he’d cast me out at this point in our history. Angel, Spike, same room
– fight. A given, and something I could hold onto.
“It’s not that I won’t survive being
man and demon crave. To belong.” His expression was
even more heartbreakingly eloquent than his words. “I’ll miss him… it, the
connection… even now.”
And Buffy got it. She hadn’t the first time
he’d tried to explain it to her – the other day at Lorne’s, when she wanted to
go after Angel on his behalf – but she got it now. She made up her mind.
Facing the Tribunal once more, she said,
“Your Honors, I’ve made my decision. I am willing to claim Spike as mine,
Family.”
Spike grabbed her by the shoulders,
spinning her around to face him. “You dozy girl! Do
you have any idea of what you’re doing? The responsibility you’re taking on?
The risk you’re putting yourself and Dawn in?”
Buffy raised her hand, gently stroking the
vampire’s cheek, something she’d grown very fond of doing. The look in his eye
– the gentleness, warmed her spirit. “I’ve asked you this before, Spike… do you
trust me?”
“You know I do, luv,”
he murmured.
“Then shut up and let me get on with this.
Do you think they’re gonna…”
"Courier New"'>We need your decision now, Slayer, to further the proceedings.
"Courier New"'>
“Sorry, your Honor,” she said. “As I said
before, I am willing to claim Spike as my Family.”
"Courier New"'>You are mortal, and unfamiliar with the demon hierarchy. We need
to ascertain what level claim you are committing to. As the Slayer, you are
known more for killing vampires than championing them. Is this to be a
surrogate Sire/Alpha claim, a mating claim, or both?”
"Courier New"'>
"Courier New"'>Oh shit! Mating claim?
God’s name had she gotten herself into? Not that it didn’t have its appealing
facets, but was that what they were to each other? They’d only just found each
other again these past few days.
Spike was well and truly
mention of a mating claim. That she would consider him Family was impressive
enough, but anything else? Bloody hell how the woman had
grown up. He decided to take pity on her wibbling
state.
mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New"'>“Buffy, luv… I
can’t believe you’d do this for me. To even entertain the thought… you’ve
bloody well floored me.” Spike was deadly serious when he spoke. “You realize
if some demon clan or Order got it into their thick skulls that I’m trouble,
they’d come after you an’ Bit? Don’t make me your pity case, Slayer. I’ll
survive. Basically been Sireless all my
you and yours safe.”
“Is one claim dependent on the other, or is
there a time frame involved with a mating claim? I’ve got no problem with the
Sire/Alpha claim. I’d prefer to be equal partners, but I’ll do it however it
works for vampires, Spike. Whatever you need, I’ll be.” Buffy gulped. “As for
the mating claim, can we back burner it for now? I think we need to get to know
one another again. I’m not gonna promise it’ll happen
at all. I – I can’t. But the other thing? For as long
as I live, and as long as Dawn lives, and any other Summers. You belong to us.”
She paused. “If they’ll allow it.”
"Courier New"'>We accept your claim, Slayer. If a being dedicated to the
eradication of most demonkind is willing to foster a
vampire, we will not stand in your way.
Motioning for Spike to step forward, the
middle judge stood once again and proclaimed: We accept the Slayer’s claim of Family for Spike, henceforth to be
known as Spike, belonging to the Order of Slayers, member of the Family of
"Courier New"'>
“Oh, that’s just fucking rich.” Angel
sneered; even handcuffed he tried to project an image of authority. “You think
you can be a proper Sire, Buff? You don’t have the balls to beat obedience and
loyalty into a childe. Especially this one. I give it
less than a month before he pisses someone off and they come
gunning for your family and friends.”
Hands on hips, Buffy rose to her full
height. “You think you’re so damned smart, Angel? You think you have the
answers to both demon and human complexities? You don’t have a
ass. If you had an inkling, you never would have left
me years ago.”
“You’re not a vampire, Buff. Demon bitch,
perhaps, since the Slayer isn’t all human girl after
all, right? It would explain your fondness for guys with bumpy foreheads and
pointy teeth. Still, what do you know about vampire hierarchy? How will you
deal with the first challenges that come your way when the new Big Bad comes to
town – to take out the Slayer Sire? You think you’ve been a target before? You’ve
all but stuck a neon sign on your ass and declared it open for business.”
“You’re a crude bastard, Angel,” Spike
fumed. “Truth is, neither of us has to deal with you anymore, so shut the hell
up, you bleedin’ tosser.”
"Courier New"'>
"Courier New"'>We have settled the issue of Order and Family for you, Spike.
There remains the wish your now Sire made for Justice on your behalf. What form
do you wish Justice to take?
Spike closed his eyes. This was a perfect
moment for him. He could simply choose to stake the bastard with his own two
hands. The pleasure he would feel… would last all of two seconds, and destroy
any peace between him and Buffy, and probably the soddin’
Powers That Be.
He could beat the bloody tar out of him…
and Spike was fairly sure he’d have the blessing of a ringside audience.
Amazing all the people who’d come through for him. Problem with beating Angel
to a pulp was… what purpose would it serve? It wouldn’t give back the year that
had been stolen from him, nor the pride he’d been
forced to swallow along with everything else. Nothing would give Spike back
what he’d lost.
The only thing he could do was move on. He
had a new Sire and a new Family that would be recognized throughout the demon
realm. Buffy stood up for him and made him hers.
Inextricably tied to her. And as much as a mating
claim would have thrilled him, he was more than sated with the gift of
belonging. Loved all the more for being chosen.
So the question still remained. What to do
about Angel. What could Spike get satisfaction from that wouldn’t go against
his soul and his Sire’s wishes?
A thought occurred to him, and he nodded.
“If it please the
Tribunal, I have made my choice of punishments.” With a nod from the judges,
Spike explained: “For a long time, thoughts of dusting him or physical violence
kept me going. It was a goal and a reward, if only I escaped. Now, I see it
would be totally meaningless. Dust him and he’s gone – no good
heal.
“But… take ‘im
down a few pegs, and maybe he’ll learn something. Dunno
how it’s to be done – don’t rightly care, either. I’ll leave it in your hands.
As long as he realizes the sun and the moon don’t wax and wane at his desire.”
Staring directly at Angel, the Spike said,
“Two days ago, I was devastated by what you done to me. Now, I’m
bother me one whit if it chafed your willy to
life, an’ I intend to make it as long as possible.”
"Courier New"'>Your request is intriguing, vampire, and we must tell you we are
surprised you did not opt for a more corporeal punishment. The path upon which
you are set pleases us. You are officially dismissed from these proceedings. Do
your new status proud.
With a parting nod to the Tribunal, Spike
and Buffy walked back towards their friends, and gave nary a glance back at
Angel who stood rigid with the tension of his impending sentencing.
"Courier New"'>Before we pronounce our judgment, we call the
Receiving the same treatment as Angel,
front of the Tribunal.
Pret
Dante’s.
"Courier New"'> Tell us about your acquisition of the vampire previously known
as William the Bloody of Aurelius
The
S’lugith demon was nervous. Handcuffed, confronted
with his business dealings and in a wide open space, Pret’s
yellow streak was showing. If the Tribunal was going to take down Angelus, what
the hell were they going to do to him?
Bluster
not being his strong suit, he stammered and cowered before the judges.
“If
it please your honors. I received a phone call from
Angel one fine afternoon, tellin’ me he had heard of
my establishment, and the entertainment we provided. Demon fights are a staple
of Dante’s; get ‘em linin’
up ‘round the block most nights. Best thing we feature are paid gladiator style
matches. Pick a demon and let him fight until he’s killed and then the new
champion takes his place.
“Anyway,
Angel said he needed to sell his Sire’s Rights to William the Bloody.
make sure the transaction was bona fide. Said he’d become a liability to the
Order of Aurelius and figured I’d be happy to have him as a main attraction in
the matches. He was right, too. Had ‘em lined up for
almost a year.”
court that for a year’s time, the vampire willingly fought demon after demon
and defeated them all?
“No,
Sirs. Changed my plans after seeing the boy. Pretty
thing like that had far better uses than being killed. I decided to keep him as
my pet for awhile. When I got bored, he was whored out in Dante’s other most
lucrative venture. We run a quality stable, but the reputation of a
and call of the Slayer? A guaranteed draw, and money
in…”
think there was something suspect about selling off not only a childe of your
line, but your own childe for the sum of one dollar? Especially
one as infamous as William the Bloody, childe of Angelus, the Scourge of
not think to question this transaction?
“No
questions. The childe was Angel’s, to dispose of as he pleased.”
ruling coming down was not going to be pleasant.
was legal, if suspect. The owning of pets is acceptable. Prostitution is not an
issue unless it is forced. You kept a Master Vampire as your sex slave against
his will and whored him out instead of staking him
when you lost interest. Your mistreatment of property shows poor judgment,
especially in relation to sentient species.
and our sentence incontrovertible.
arms in the air, chanting a single word:
Lightning
flashed across the sky, followed by an enormous crack of thunder that pealed
out into the night.
eliminated. Perhaps, in the future, you will take better care of your
possessions, and be more wary of suspicious deals. You are dismissed.
Pret’s
"Courier New"'> handcuffs were released; he fled the scene as quickly as
possible, grateful to have escaped with his life, if not his livelihood.
"Courier New"'>Angel, we are now prepared to pass judgment based on the wishes
of Spike, of the Order of Slayers. You have become a liability to the cause you
were charged with fighting for.