Intriguing concept, I have to admit…

Actually, after the obvious exception of “After the Fall”, this has to be my favourite version of the post-NFA battle I’ve read yet; a large-scale conflict, a dramatic final showdown, and the return of some of the show’s most classic villains; the Master, Drusilla AND Angelus (I particularly enjoyed the last one; Angelus has ALWAYS been my favourite villain in both shows, so anything with him getting this kind of chance to lash out wins points as far as I’m concerned).

The confrontations with the Senior Partner’s minions around the Hellmouths- including Buffy’s rematch with the Master- were very well-written, as were Angel, Connor and Marcus’s last stand against the Senior Partners; the fight could have lasted longer, but its conclusion- as the former demon-king Illyria sacrificed herself for the humanity that she had once rejected as weak- was VERY powerful, perfectly showing how Illyria has been changed by her time with Angel’s team.

However, in the end, your final showdown between Angel and Angelus was unquestionably my favourite fight scene in the story; a BRILLIANT bit of work, in my opinion.

As I already said, I have always loved ANY story which gives Angel the chance to come face-to-face with his vampiric alter-ego- the idea of the hero’s greatest enemy being HIMSELF has always fascinated me; I always regretted the fact that “Orpheus” was the only episode where Angel and Angelus actually ‘met’-, and your fight perfectly captured everything that makes that dynamic great; both of them evenly matched opponents, each with a GREAT deal of personal ‘issues’ where the other one’s concerned, and the only way Angel managed to win the fight was a last-minute lucky break (Demonstrating how they’re both too skilled to surprise the other with their usual tricks).

Plus, I have to admit, I rather liked the Spike/Illyria parts; I always felt that those two would have made an interesting pairing if they’d been given the opportunity, so it was nice- albeit in a very WEIRD way- to see them get the chance to explore what might have been before the final battle, even if Illyria didn’t make it in the end.

However, although your plot is excellent and the characterisation is generally good, you’re let down by your writing style. Half the time when you’re writing the punctuation could do with significant improvement- you use commas when full stops or semicolons would look far better, in my opinion-, and some of the most significant events in the story- such as Illyria’s destruction of the Senior Partners’ temple or Angel’s humanity- could have been written about in more detail, allowing for a bit more time for the reader to appreciate the SCALE of what was about to happen or be revealed before it actually was.

Still, the plot was superb and the characterisation was very well-done, so the issue of the writing is minor enough for me to ignore it in favour of appreciating the EXCELLENT storyline you created here.

Great story and well done for reuniting Angel and Buffy and the action scenes were believable especially the Angel versus Angelus thanks for a decent plot.

Very good it has inspired me to write something similar. Good job with reuniting Angelus with Drusilla and his interactions with Hamilton are funny and are in characater. Good story i hope you reunite Angel and Buffy.

Hi. I didn't want to review until I had read the entire story. I think you wrote a great story and look forward to your next one.

My compliments on the story, finely told and compellingly written.

My sole comment regards the proposed sequel, too many stories use Spike as the metaphor for a lost consistent love, and punish him for it. Let him go. If you have no compelling reason to use him, a necessary element in your plot, let him go. Your Buffy clearly had no romantic love for him and little respect for him. Her reaction to his unannounced departure was AllAboutBuffy, a response that I have come to accept as a given in most Buffy/Angle stories. She was hurt, but comes across as hurt in no longer being in control of him, of not setting the terms and boundaries of any relationship, of losing her dominance over him, and not having the last word.

Don't bring him back to set him up with some secondary character. That smacks too much of a writer wanting to tie up all the loose ends and with some authors has been a device to justify their Bangle pairing with an implied 'see, I made everything allright and it proves that he never really loved her.

Let him go. As Buffy never would.

Wow!

You started off strong and finished even stronger! I truly loved it! (Well, except for how Buffy ended up with Angel! *sighs deeply* Poor Spike!)

Can't wait to read the sequel...

Now I just read the beginning of chapter 27 and it sounds like it's gonna be a BA story so if it is I don't think I'm gonna read anymore...

Good ending. This story was one of my favorite post-NFA stories. Actually, it WAS my favorite. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Absolutley awesome...WHat an amazing story..The background for the next one looks terrific to..Cant wait...

i changed my name added a 92 lol.

Congratulations on a job well done. your story was awesome and i had a great time reading it. can't wait to read your next installment.

umm... kay... new evil... why is it almost everyone once they kill off wolf ram and hart in their fanfictions have something bigger coming out and saying... 'you know something... i was the one who was REAALLY behind everything.' man... even i did the same thing in my fanfiction. we really gotta come up with some other ideas. but hey... make sure you make this new evil worth it. anyways.. great story.. hope the sequal will be good.

nice way to nearly end it... i'm a little unhappy that Spike didn't stick around... it seems that no matter what he does... he always ends up alone in the end... and i'll really miss Illyria... she could have been a great help to the slayers and the watchers.

Whew! What a story. Glad the pace in that last chapter was nice and easy, cuz the rest of the story exhausted me :-) Terrific fic, nice happy ending. Can't wait for the follow-up.

COOLIO! Nice story...hope you continue and don't end it. End it in 5 chapters or more. ;)

This is your first fic? All right officially impressed now can't wait to see what you write next.