The Full Truth
Spotty’s Perspective
Spotty’s crystalline blue eyes softened, though her tone remained firm as she leaned closer to Fred. I can tell she’s holding something back. Something important.
“Fred,” she began, her voice calm but insistent, “please, I need the full truth. So you had vampires before the Turokhan appeared? Did just the military fight them, or did you have any champions, heroes who helped you? I can sense you’re omitting something.”
Spotty took a deep breath, her expression shifting to one of reassurance. “I could pry into your mind and find out what, but I won’t. It’s unethical to do so to allies and potential friends.” Her lips curved into a teasing smirk. “But perhaps I could bribe you with some tacos?”
Fred’s Perspective
Fred tensed, her body stiffening as Spotty’s words struck closer to home than she expected. How does she know? She can’t possibly know.
But then the Empress leaned in, her crystalline gaze intense yet kind, and Fred felt her resolve waver. She’s right. This isn’t just about me. If they’re going to help us, they need to know everything.
Fred let out a slow breath, her shoulders sagging. “Alright,” she said quietly. “You’re right. I haven’t told you everything.”
Elizabeth’s Perspective
Elizabeth watched the exchange, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she studied Fred’s body language. She’s been holding back. Spotty’s right—there’s more to this story.
When Fred finally relented, Elizabeth allowed herself a small smile. Good. Now we’re getting somewhere.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but curious. “Take your time, Fred. We’re here to listen.”
Ila’s Perspective
Ila stood back with her arms crossed, her amber eyes flicking between Spotty and Fred. Of course Spotty would dig deeper. She always does. And of course, tacos would be part of the conversation.
When Fred finally began to speak, Ila tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. This is going to be interesting.
Fred’s Answer
Fred took another deep breath, steadying herself before speaking. “Yes, we had vampires before the Turokhan. For as long as anyone could remember, they existed in the shadows, preying on humanity. But they were… manageable, at least compared to what came later.”
She paused, her gaze distant as she continued. “We had champions. Heroes. People who were chosen to fight them. The most famous of them were the Slayers—women chosen by some ancient power to stand against the forces of darkness. They were strong, fast, and gifted with combat skills beyond normal humans. For centuries, there was only one Slayer at a time, but all of that changed about a decade ago.”
Fred’s voice grew softer, almost reverent. “A Slayer named Buffy Summers—yes, changed the game. She and her allies, her ‘Scooby Gang,’ found a way to activate every potential Slayer in the world. Suddenly, there were thousands of them. It was a new era of resistance against the darkness.”
She hesitated, her voice cracking slightly. “But it was not enough against the Turokhan. They were unlike anything we’d ever faced. Even the strongest Slayers struggled against them. Buffy and her allies fought valiantly, but they couldn’t stop the tide. One by one, the Slayers fell. Their Watchers fell. Buffy herself…”
Fred’s voice broke completely, tears welling in her eyes. “Buffy sacrificed herself trying to stop the First Evil. She gave everything. And it still wasn’t enough.”
Spotty’s Thoughts
Spotty’s gaze softened as Fred spoke, her heart aching at the raw emotion in her voice. Buffy Summers. I’ve heard of her. She exists in many universes. To lose someone like that… no wonder this world fell.
“Fred,” Spotty said gently, “I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like she was an incredible person.”
Fred nodded, wiping her eyes. “She was. They all were. But even they couldn’t stop the First Evil. It’s… relentless.”
Elizabeth’s Reaction
Elizabeth felt a lump form in her throat as Fred recounted the story. To fight so hard, to sacrifice so much, only to lose everything…
“They were heroes,” Elizabeth said softly, her voice thick with emotion. “Even if they didn’t win, they gave your people a fighting chance. That’s not nothing.”
Ila’s Perspective
Ila’s amber eyes gleamed with a mix of admiration and sorrow. Buffy Summers. A legend in many universes.
“Fred,” Ila said quietly, “your people are still here because of them. They gave you a chance to survive, and you’ve held on against impossible odds. That’s worth something.”
Spotty’s Perspective
Spotty’s crystalline blue eyes remained locked on Fred, her tone gentle but insistent. She knows more. I can feel it. And if we’re going to help this world, we need every piece of information.
“You said those were the most famous champions,” Spotty began, her voice calm but probing. “So there were others too, correct? A vampire or two with a soul, perhaps? One with a penchant for brooding and the other for poetry?”
She tilted her head slightly, her tone softening. “Did any of your champions survive? And how much detail of the final battles do you know?”
Fred’s Perspective
Fred’s eyes widened slightly at Spotty’s question. How does she know about them?
Her gaze dropped to the ground, memories flooding back. Angel and Spike. Two vampires who fought on the side of good, despite everything they were. They were heroes in their own way.
Fred hesitated, her chest tightening. “Yes,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. “There were others. Angel and Spike—two vampires with souls. They… they fought harder than anyone else.”
Ila’s Perspective
Ila leaned against a nearby crate, her amber eyes flicking between Spotty and Fred. Angel and Spike. Another common occurence across the multiverse. If they were here, they must have played a big role.
“Fred,” Ila said softly, her tone encouraging, “if they fought for this world, they deserve to be remembered. Tell us everything you know.”
Elizabeth’s Perspective
Elizabeth’s heart ached as she watched Fred struggle to speak. She’s carrying so much pain. But she’s strong—she’ll tell us what we need to know.
She stepped forward slightly, her voice gentle. “Fred, it’s okay. Take your time. We’re here to listen.”
Fred’s Answer
Fred took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Angel and Spike… they were champions in their own right. Angel was the brooding one, always carrying the weight of his past sins. Spike was the poet, rough around the edges but with a heart that burned brighter than most humans I’ve ever known.”
Her voice cracked slightly, but she pressed on. “They were there during the final battles. Angel led the charge in Los Angeles when the First Evil’s forces began to spread. Spike was by his side, always ready to fight, no matter the odds.”
Fred’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “They gave everything. Angel… he faced the First Evil directly, trying to hold it back long enough for the remaining Slayers to evacuate. Spike… he activated an ancient artifact to destroy as many Turokhan as he could. It worked, but the energy consumed him.”
She paused, her voice trembling. “To my knowledge, none of them survived. The First Evil wiped out everyone who stood against it. I… I don’t even know the full details. By the time the reports reached us, it was too late. Los Angeles was gone.”
Spotty’s Reaction
Spotty’s heart ached as she listened, though her expression remained calm. They fought until the very end. True champions.
“They sound like heroes,” Spotty said softly. “Thank you for telling us, Fred. I know it’s painful, but their sacrifices deserve to be remembered.”
Fred nodded, her gaze distant. “They were heroes. All of them. But in the end, it wasn’t enough.”
Ila’s Thoughts and Words
Ila’s amber eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Angel and Spike. They sound like exactly the kind of people we could use on our side.
“Fred,” Ila said, her tone thoughtful, “do you know if there’s any record of where Angel and Spike fell? Artifacts, locations, anything that might give us a clue?”
Fred shook her head. “I don’t know. After the fall of Los Angeles, everything went dark. If there are any records, they’d be buried under rubble—or worse.”
Elizabeth’s Perspective
Elizabeth felt a surge of determination. We need to honor these people. And we need to make sure their sacrifices weren’t in vain.
“Fred,” Elizabeth said gently, “we’ll do everything we can to help your people rebuild. And if there’s any chance of recovering something from Los Angeles, we’ll find it.”
Fred looked up at her, hope flickering in her eyes. “Thank you. I… I just want their sacrifices to mean something.”
Closing Thoughts
Spotty’s gaze turned distant, her mind already racing with plans. The First Evil thought it had won, but it hasn’t faced us yet. We’ll make sure these heroes are remembered—and that this world has a future worth fighting for.
“Fred,” Spotty said firmly, “their sacrifices do mean something. And we’re going to make sure they weren’t in vain. This world isn’t lost—not yet.”
Fred nodded slowly, her hope growing stronger. Maybe, just maybe, they really can help us.