breakmychest | XXXIX--loggy bit and then a voice post.

Spike wanted to kill Elric. He wasn't sure when the idea had come into his head, but he really wanted to do it. He couldn't just let a man with a sword that sucks soul roam free! He knew better than anyone how important a soul was. It had happened to Ardent, it could happen again. And Elric needed to die.

But then again, it wasn't like it was unusual for Spike to want to kill people. Even now, there were days when he eyed people's necks and wondered idly what it would be like to sink his fangs into them. He didn't, of course. He wouldn't. But the temptation never really went away.

Still, this was a bit different. Those people were innocents, and Spike defended the innocent. Elric clearly wasn't. He was bad news. He had to be stopped.

Spike grabbed his sword and his duster and stalked out of the room, ready to do what needed to be done.

Yes, he was in the right. This is what had to happen. Hell, he'd stab Elric with his own sword if he had to. Anything to keep him from hurting again. Plus, the man seemed to have his eyes set on Buffy. He couldn't go after Buffy if he was dead.

Spike stopped, then leaned against the wall and chuckled low in his throat, shutting his eyes. "Almost had me there," he said. "Shouldn't have brought Buffy into the mix. She'll only ever make me want to do the right thing. You're what's been making people go after Elric, right? I've been warned about you."

I am the Summoning Dark, the voice Spike hadn't even realised had been whispering to him said. And Elric must die for his crimes.

Spike shrugged. "Maybe, but not by my hand. Or anyone else's here, you can be bloody sure about that."

I cannot be stopped, the Summoning Dark whispered. If you are no use to me, then I'll move on to the next host.

"Like hell you will," Spike said, voice steely again. "Look, they may say you're bloody unstoppable, but no one goes into my brain and tries to play me and gets away with it. Think I haven't been keeping dark thoughts in for god knows how long? I'm a bloody expert. And you are not getting out of here alive." He hardened his resolve. Fighting something in his head was weird, but he figured all he could do was do what he'd done as a ghost and use the power of his will. Luckily, he'd always been bloody willful. He pictured his mind as an iron cage built to trap the thing. Then, just for kicks, he made it an electric cage that would zap the Summoning Dark if it got too close.

It tried to sidle out of Spike's mental cage and shrieked when electricity jolted through it. Spike grinned. Touché. And why should I listen to you? it hissed. What can you do to stop me?

Spike shrugged. "My dark's a hell of a lot scarier than yours," he said. "And it hasn't stopped me from burning bright. Guess it's your turn." He flooded the cage with bright sunlight, the same as the stuff that had gone through him in that last battle, that had obliterated all of the First Evil's forces and the entire town of Sunnydale besides. The Summoning Dark gave a final shrieking wail and vanished. Spike stood up and opened his eyes, grinning widely. Had he done it? It had felt like he'd done it.

He felt a sharp pain in his wrist and raised his arm to look at it. It looked like the symbol Buffy had found. No one had mentioned that when they were talking about the attacks on Elric. Spike was pretty sure he had just done it. He pulled out his journal.

-----

[Private to Elric]

So, I think I just got rid of whatever was making people try to kill you!

[Private to Ardent]

Nice try with the little magic symbol in blood bit. It didn't work. Elric's going to live.

[Gloating is totally classy, what are you talking about?]

[Private to Buffy]

Pretty sure you know this, but in case I never said it: You make me a better person, Buffy. Every day, every minute. And I love you for it.

[Warden Filter]

You know that thing that's been getting into people's heads? Trying to make us go after Elric?

Well, I'm pretty sure you don't need to worry about it anymore. [Smirk.]

[ooc: Backdated to before the breach! Just had to get this up. Feel free to come across Spike just... muttering to himself towards the end of that.]