13010/Scoobies, a Hell clown, and a Giant Bug!

Scoobies, a Hell clown, and a Giant Bug!
Date of Scene:	11 April 2021
Location:	Abandoned Tunnels
Synopsis:	The Scoobies rescue kids kidnapped by preying Mantis Demons with help from Hellequin, whose secret is finally revealed!
Cast of Characters:	Buffy Summers, Rupert Giles, Hellequin, Willow Rosenberg

---

Buffy Summers has posed:
It's an hour or so before sunset when Buffy sends out the Scooby signal via cellphone. Since last night, a disturbing number of highschool kids had gone missing from Sunnydale highschool. Naturally this hit close to home as her own little sister, Dawn, was currently attending the very same school.

So far, her research had taken her to a particularly shady part of town, an old abandoned field that was the last known location of numerous students, and probably full of all sorts of evidence..

Hopefully at least some Scoobies picked up her signal and would be joining her soon.

Rupert Giles has posed:
Rupert Giles had been in his shop when the signal came in. He sent a short reply that he was gathering supplies and would then be on his way. With Willow in tow, that is exactly what had happened. Supplies, including stakes, a bow, and a quiver filled with arrows. The quiver is over his shoulder, the bow held in hand. The backpack with its stakes is with Willow.

The pair of them approach the shady part of town on foot. There's no way Giles was bringing his car here. No way, no how. Things that go bump in the night are bad enough without having to worry about vandals breaking into and or stealing his car.

Hellequin has posed:
Strange activity has captured the attention of Henri de Fontainebleau who, aside from being an antiquarian by daytime, has the heavenly mission of ridding the world of anything considered evil. He had surveyed the area many times, alerted by the rumors of disappearances of students.

About an hour before the Scoobies arrived on site, Henri had discovered the entrance to the tunnel. After observing the surroundings for a moment, he had removed his vest - no need to ruin a perfectly Paris-made suit! -leaving it there on the ground, before crowling down the entrance, partially covered by bushes.

The last rays of sunshine can be seen in the distance, and soon night will follow day. Whatever happens in this hole, whatever he will face in this tunnel, Henri has no fear of it. After about 10 feet on his hands and feet, the tunnel soon becomes larger, the small room looking like some antechamber with yet another tunnel leading further down. This room is large enough to for him to get on his feet, reaching for a flashlight he thought to bring with him.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow was used to public transport, or her feet."Do you think we find vampires?" After all, Giles did ask her to carry the stakes. "They look so innocent. The stakes I mean. Really you could use any oblong bit of wood." They didn't to be blessed, they were just stakes!

As they got closer, and the night began to show it's beginning with birg song settling into the tree, she began to worry. "What if the children were ensorcelled to become something other than children at night?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns as she inspects the grass, biting how sections of the grass are bent, indicating fresh footsteps - multiple footsteps - have passed this way recently. A little further down and she finds a discarded running shoe. "Okaaay..Not a good sign. Giess were close then..."

She glances around, spotting Giles and Willow and waves to them. "Hey! Over here! I think we're dealing with a kidnapping case, possibly? No bodies for one thing, footprints heading that way..And this.." she holds up the running shoe. "Someone was pursued, they didn't go willingly.."

From here, there isn't much to see, just a large, empty field, but wait, what's that up ahead? Looks like a small mound leading up to -a grated hole of sorts, leading into the ground and partially hidden beneath a pile of leaves? The foot trails seem to lead that a ways.

Rupert Giles has posed:
Rupert Giles is pretty used to using his feet as well. Comes with the territory, as it were. He glances to Willow and shrugs. "It seems likely," he says. "Or demons, maybe. Some other sort of evil.." He trails off, and shakes his head. Nope. No clue what exactly is going to be found. "Nnn. That is a possibility. And not one that is at all appealing. Obviously, we can't kill children." That actually probably goes without saying, but what the hey?

As Buffy calls out to them, Giles turns in that direction. As he follows hwere Buffy indicates, his nose wrinkles. "Tunnels. Just what I love." There's a trace of sarcasm to the words. He really hates tunnels.

Hellequin has posed:
In the barely lit antechamber, Henri takes the time to dust the soil off his pants. Then he hears strange, faint sounds, coming from the other side of the exit, or from the other tunnel leading further down the ground? It's hard to tell if they are voices of people talking outside, or of someone - or something - groaning in the distance.

The flashlight travels over the earthen walls without providing much clues. But upon inspecting the ground itself, Henri notices clear visible dragging marks leading to the tunnel. Instead of moving down that tunnel, he stays there, still, whispering a prayer. Why rush in, when immortality is just a few minutes away?

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"Tunnels are just a home without a floor plan, and no windows." Willow was trying to be positive, to some degree. "I could illuminate the area around us if you wanted?" It was a simple enchantment that she'd been working to perfect, thanks to Tala.

A few words and suddenly about a ten by ten foot was brighten up considerably. She kept it at about half light - about what a flashlight would put off, only a much bigger place. "Is that better?"

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers frowns, glancing skywards as she realizes the light from the sky is suddenly fading rapidly. "Yknow...That's not a bad idea, Wil..It's gonna be dark soon..But I don't think we're dealing with vamps." she glances curiously at Giles, "Any idea what other kinda demons dwell underground and kidnap large numbers of kids?"

Even as she speaks, Buffy is already headed towards the hole in the ground, effortlessly removing the grate that covers the opening, and smirks.

"Heh, home without a floor plan, huh? I just hope we're not dealing with..giant gophers or mole men or something. At least, I hope they have some taste in home design. Not a big fan of mud. I just washed my hair too.."

All the same, Buffy leads the way into the unknown, glad that they at least have Willow and her light magic to guide the way. "Geez..I dont get paid enough for this..Come to think of it, I don't get paid enough.."s he sighs, "Well, here goes nothing!"

Rupert Giles has posed:
Rupert Giles grimaces at the redhead. "Tunnels are full of dirt and spiders," he says. He's not overly fond of either of those things! Dirt less so than spiders. He can tollerate spiders. They have a use. But dirt, unless it's growing something? He shudders lightly. Thanks, but no thanks. Not a fan!

He glances to Buffy, expression thoughtful. "It'd be a shorter list if I listed the ones who /don't/ fit that criteria," he says. "I'd prefer the gophers and mole men to spiders."

Giles nods to Willow. "Thanks for the light, Willow. 'tis much appreciated." He takes a breath and motions toward the hole, eyes still on Willow. "After you," he says.

Hellequin has posed:
The sound produced by the grate alerts Henri that someone is coming, which is confirmed by the chatter that closely follows. Very bad timing! Quickly looking around, Henri cannot find any place to hide in the small size room. The only alternative would be to move down the tunnel leading deeper in the dark. Still in his mortal form, really, could it be that he doesn't feel like being maimed by whatever creature is hiding in the darkness? The Hellequin doesn't carry /mortal/ weapons, so if it's a cave bear, or something evil, it'd be butchery. You might have died a thousand times and more, it doesn't mean that you like gruesome deaths!

So, all considered, Henri stays where he is, facing the entrance, flashlight in hand, swearing under his breath. "Bougre!"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Willow was surprised, after all the light emanated from a point around her, not on her. Still, she went in before him, and behind Buffy.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers continues to descend into the tunnels, smirking at Giles, "I mean, I wouldn't honestly mind being ambushed by giant gophers, mole men even..Although, have you ever seen Descent? That's the creepiest movie ever, I mean, at least vampires look human-ish.."

She shivers at the thought, dropping into the tunnel below. It continues to get darker outside, and thankfully she can see where they are going so they will have an edge over any baddies who decide to creep up on them. "Thank goodness we have a witch on our side.."

She narrows her eyes as she peers around the tunnels, and draws a deep breath, trying to focus on her instinct. "We should head...That way.." she points southwards, which of course will take them closer towards Hellequin's location..

Rupert Giles has posed:
Rupert Giles really doesn't like tunnels. That's part of why he's having Willow go ahead of him. The other part, perhaps, to put her in the safest spot, between him and Buffy. But still, it's a tunnel. He takes a breath and follows the two women into it. If they can do it... well. He wouldn't be much of a man if he couldn't as well, right?

"I have not," he says to the question about the movie Descent. "It is bad, I take it?" His lips curl up ever so faintly and he nods his agreement. "I agree. Having a witch on our side is a very good thing." He pauses when the others do, and nods when Buffy points the way. "Lead on, Slayer," he says in a tone with a trace of command to it. Though, in this case, it's likely less him trying to command and more likely him giving his blessing of the direction choice.

Hellequin has posed:
Partly due to the voices he thinks he can recognize, partly to the sense of magic approaching in the person of Willow, Henri realizes that he will run out of time. Or rather, that there is too much time left before sundown.

Crossing his strong arms over his chest, he decides to try and look as innocent as possible. As possible as a French antiquarian guy can look standing alone, underground, by himself. They probably cannot hear him sigh, which is a good thing. Although they don't see him yet, it won't be long before they reach the room. He might as well surprise them.

"So," he says, his low voice echoing in the small antechamber, "Doing archaeological research too?"

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"It's a bunch of people our age, and they go into this tunnel that they have to climb down. And before you know it, they are separated and their lights go out. It's kinda cool." No, Willow was not making it easier for Giles.

Then, again, she was stopped in the middle of her tale by Mr. Fontainebleau. Gulp!

For once she was glad to be in the middle.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers grimaces and nods to Willow. "Riiiight, maybe not the best thing to think about while we're crawling into a spooky tunnel, but hey, we're the group who push back at the things that go bump in the night...We can do this, people are counting on us!"

She came prepared of course, carrying her battle axe over one shoulder in its typical violin case, as well as a utility belt equipped with holy water, stakes, flash bombs..All sorts of useful stuff.

As they continue down, it's inevitable that they will interject with Henri, and she hears him before she sees him, tensing slightly, reaching for her axe before she realizes who it is. "Woah wait what? Mr. Fontainebleau?" of course Buffy is likely mispronouncing his name - French was never her strong point.

"What are you doing down here?" eyes narrow warily...Is he involved in the disappearances?

Rupert Giles has posed:
No. No Willow is definitely not making this any easier on Giles. "Neh," is all he says at the description of a certain movie. Glad he's never watched it.

As he hears the voice from up ahead, Giles blinks. "Henri Fontainbleu?" He glances at Buffy and stares at her for a moment. "Right. Pushing back. Bumps in night." Yeah. He's definitely not enjoying himself right now!

"Willow, remember you're carrying the extra goodies." Giles had almost certainly made sure there was more than just stakes within the backpack, afterall.

Hellequin has posed:
Standing there in the dark antechamber, barely lit by his flashlight and Willow's spell, Henri cannot be sure how longer he has to live. If they could just, like, get out of this narrow tunnel so he can leave before his time is up.

"Archaeology, mademoiselle," he replies, trying hard to plaster a smile on his face. It's obvious he's not happy to see them. "I could ask the same in return." How long can he keep up the charade? It's the Slayer - of course, she sensed the same as he did, about this creature capturing kids. And she didn't come alone, no sir, she brough the witch with her, and this Mr. Giles. So they /do/ work together. Interesting.

And then he can feel it, the essence of life leaving. It's too late, the sun is down, his time is up. It was bound to happen sooner of later, and so it was written.

"Interesting to see... you... all..." he says, his voice echoing around as he falls to his knee, "But... give me a... moment... Time to die... I will... join you in a mo..." And on that, his voice vanishes, as so does his mortal form, literally going up in smoke.

If anyone now looks behind Willow in the tunnel, they would notice a new presence, standing just behind the witch, in a form reminescent of a ghostly knight. For now, he remains silent, observing the group.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
This was the second time she had watched him go up in smoke, and it still was creepy.

"Eeek!"

Yes, Willow /still/ was a little bit afraid of him, even though she would stand up for him.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers smirks, folding her arms casually as she eyes Henri warily, "Archaeology huh.Guess were doing the same, I mean...Lurking about in spooky tunnels at sunset, amid rumours of monsters kidnapping children...Heck why not? Nothing better to do on a Sunday night right?"

She shrugs casually, acting like she doesn't know what Henri is about..But she's starting to suspect there's more to him than meets the eye...And suddenly he vanished in a puff of smoke. And Buffy sighs, already drawing her battle axe, "Cmon, are you serious? Making a dramatic speech like that and then vanishing? That's sooo...Anticlimactic!"

And then she seees..Him..Hell clown. Buffy sighs, tensing, "Awe, Cmon, are you kidding me? Like we don't have enough to deal with already...!"

Rupert Giles has posed:
Rupert Giles is taller than the two women, so has a prefectly good view of the things infront of them. Including Henri Fontainbleu. He? Doesn't seem to have an opinion either way on the man's presence. Other than, of course, some suspicion. He remembers what Willow had told him and Buffy, afterall. "Archeology," he comments, in a dry droll tone.

As the man vanishes and reappears behind Willow, his blue eyes move to the witch. "Well. It seems you were correct in your suspicions." Afterall, he's the last in the line of the three, so he can see the ghostly knight. His blue eyes go back to Henri's new form. "I'm uncertain if I like you this way, or the other way, better." He studies the ghostly figure, not seeming to be too worried about it. Afterall, if the thing wants to kill them, in reaility there isn't a lot he can do. So, may as well not worry about it. "Are you here to help us track down whatever is taking children?"

Hellequin has posed:
"Do not worry," the Hellequin's voice starts, "I am not here for you," he says looking at Buffy and Giles, "Nor for /any/ of you," he adds, looking pointedly at Willow. As he speaks, he walks toward the tunnel leading deeper into the ground. There is no sound of his walking, and of course, his faitful horse cannot be seen in such a small room.

A hand resting on the pommel of the sword fastened to his large belt, he points at the next tunnel. "I am not here to /help/ you," Hellequin corrects, "I am here to eradicate the infamy hiding in the dark, hiding from the wrath of God, and causing sufferings to His children. You are free, of course, to accompany me." And on that, Hellequin makes his way down the next tunnel, his voice echoing with something said in French, "Qui m'aime, me suive." which, if someone knows French, could be perceived as an attempt at... humour.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
"I mean, I didn't see his face, but I was certain he was.. well this." Willow waggled her hand in his direction.

And then he bypassed her, and the others. "You know, we can't let him go by himself." Regardless of if he did or did not need them, *they* still had a job to do.

Although she did giggle at his french. She got it.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers blinks at Hellequin as he strides down the tunnel, rather than choosing to fight the Scoobies. She blinks slowly. "Oookaaay..I guess my French is a bit rusty, but for now, I guess we'd better follow him..There's too much at stake! Cmon, werre running out of time!!"

With that, she hurries after him, Battle axe at the ready..But seriously what *did* he say? Too bad she never paid much attention to French class, for all she knows, they could be running into a trap!

At any rate, as they continue down the hall, the sounds of screams and pleas for help can be heard nearby. They're close, very close, and running out of time!

Rupert Giles has posed:
Giles' lips curve upward a bit as he looks to Hellequin. "Well, that counts as helping us," he says. "And you are, of course, welcome to accompany us." At that comment in French, Giles rolls his eyes. "Of course, he /would/ say that," he mutters half under his breath.

His lips twitch at Buffy. "He said, 'Who loves me, follows me'." He also follows.

Hellequin has posed:
As soon as they exit the last tunnel, they find themselves in a larger room, faintly lit by the phosphorescent slime covering much of the walls. It's possible to see that the creatures living there have made this their nest. Along the right wall, a couple of teenagers are struggling, trapped in the hardened slime. Standing in front of them are two monstrous mantis that don't look quite happy to be disturbed by the appearance of the intruders.

As soon as he steps in the nest room, Hellequin brandishes his ethereal sword, attacking the large mantis, flames erupting each time the blade makes contact with the creature.

The other mantis turns its attention to Buffy, Willow and Rupert.

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
Of course Willow reacts with a spell to hold the Mantis in its place.. kinda. She made it go slowly. Better than nothing! In fact it occurred to Willow that she was watching a movie on slooooooow motion. She may have giggled under her breath. Maybe.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers rolls her eyes, "Seriously? I mean, if I'd known..." she shakes her head, "Forget it..." yea, there's too much at stake. Buffy charge down the tunnel, eyes narrowed as she focuses on the prisoners, teeth gritting, "Willow, Giles, free the prisoners, leave the second mantis to me!"

Even as she speaks, Buffy rushes at the second mantis, grateful for the slowing spell that makes it easier to hit the demon as she swings her axe expertly as if it were an extension of her arms, swinging out a wide arc aimed at the monster's head. "Thanks Wil!".

Eyes narrow on the creature, recognizing it from long ago, or one like it. "Preying mantis demon huh? I believe one of your kind tried to mate with one of my friends once..Totally not cool!"

Hellequin has posed:
It didn't take long for Hellequin to vanquish the large mantis which is expertedly finished off with a strike that decapitaites it. It helps to be ethereal, the mantis, really, had no chance against him.

Once done with the first creature, Hellequin turns around, ready to slay the other creature. But the Slayer is taking care of it. Casually walking by Buffy's side, he watches her attacking the mantis, as it can barely moves thanks to Willow's spell.

"Decent axe," he comments as if he was watching a show on television, "But I will find you a better one. Oh, nice /swing/ there. Yes, go for its throat."

Willow Rosenberg has posed:
The mantises seem to be expertly dealt with, so Willow slipped off to get the kids out of their bonds. All the while giving them praise for being so brave!

Hellequin has posed:
So now that the mantis are dispatched to wherever dead mantis go and that Willow and Rupert have freed the children, the Hellequin's /task/ is over. It is quite annoying that now the trio knows his true identity. Observing them for a moment - is he sighing? - he slowly raises above the ground, the sword returned to his belt.

"I believe that you will want to ask questions," he says. "This will have to wait." Hopefully, forever. But doubtless they will wait an eternity. "I have other matters to deal with tonight. Do not seek me, I will come to you."

And on that, he slowly vanishes, yes, like the fog in the summer breeze.

Buffy Summers has posed:
Buffy Summers makes quick work of her Mantis demon, made all the easier now that it's significantly sowed down by Willow's spell..Heck, that wasn't even much of a challenge, and she is, ad always, ever grateful for the talented witch's help.

"Thanks Wil!" she calls out to her, before joining both her and Giles in freeing the trapped prisoners. "Well gee, this is familiar..I assume those were the parents.Which means the eggs should be nearby.,"

With that, Buffy scouts the area for mantis eggs and finally finds them hidden in the far wall, looking ready to hatch and feast on the gathered prisoners.

She wrinkles her nose as she gets to work, hacking and slashing at the giant ostrich sized eggs, determined to end this here and now, before things can progress any further.

All the while, she's got her mind on Hellequin, who did them a great service thus night - plus, they now know who he is...

"Well..I guess we'll have to decide what is to be done about Henri Fontainebleau, now that we know his secret.."

She sighs a bit, knowing it was a huge risk revealing his secret to the team since they now know his secret, and his greatest weakness. Question is, now that they know, what is to be done about it?

Fortunately, with their combined efforts, the kids are safely freed of their prison. For now, it seems prudent to focus their efforts on rescuing the kids and returning them to safety. There are still plenty of things that go bump in the night out there!