Knights in Rusted Armor
A BTVS Fanfiction by Doc Stewart
Sequel to "Inner Demons." Reading "Inner Demons" (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=893080) is a prerequisite to understanding this series.
Description: Willow has won her sanity, but there are plenty of battles left to fight. And what's wrong with Buffy?
Copyright: All characters copyright of Mutant Enemy; I'm just borrowing them under the good graces of ME and Fox. Original story copyright 2002.
Distribution: Please ask first (dr_stewart@hotmail.com), but I will generally grant permission to redistribute this story, with proper credits.
Rating: PG-13, and on the harder end of this rating. Contains violence, depictions of psychological trauma, some implied gore, and significant "adult themes."
Spoilers: through end of S6. AU with respect to S7.
Special Notes: This story is a series of episodes rather than a single novelette. Consequently, it will be updated much less frequently than "Inner Demons" was, about every one to two weeks.
Special Spoiler: By popular demand, at some point there will be an episode entitled "Dude, Where's My Cheese?" (Either that or an episode entitled "Dude, Where's My Pants?" depending on popular preference.)
Comments and criticism welcome; flames will be placed in the circular file.
* * *
1. Celebration
Rupert Giles:
She's leaving now.
The few possessions she has in England have been neatly packed into a few small suitcases. She's been given a clean bill of health to return to Sunnydale. She's been given a license to teleport to Sunnydale by the members of the coven.
"Are you sure you aren't coming? Even for a brief visit? I'm sure they want to see you," she asks.
"No."
She nods. She knows why, knows that someone must stay here. Officially, to help with the Council's ongoing investigation into the murder of Tara McClay, the possession-by-artifact of Willow Rosenberg, and the ensuing attempt to use Miss Rosenberg to destroy the planet. Unofficially, to watch the Council and the coven. She knows that the official investigation has made an exceptionally impressive lack of progress. She also knows that the Council and the coven almost certainly have more than one traitor between them. I pray that the corruption does not run too wide and too deep.
"Can you check my circle before I leave? Hate to teleport to Fiji by accident. Not that I don't like Fiji, because it would be nice and vacationy, but, you know."
I look at the ornately drawn circle on the floor. I examine the lines and inscriptions in it carefully, but just to appease her. It's flawless. I knew it was the second I saw it.
"It is barely acceptable, even for a rank amateur like yourself. However, it does meet the coven's criteria of randomly depositing the caster within a 200-mile radius of the target destination."
She frowns. Then I see her start to realize that I'm joking, but she's still not sure.
"Willow... I'm kidding. It's better than those in most magic books. Not that you even need a circle, anyway."
She smiles. She does not laugh, though. She never laughs.
"Well, then, I guess I'd better go. I'll call you when I get there." She embraces me and kisses me on the cheek. "I'll see you in a few weeks, okay, Giles? I'll miss you."
I nod. I will miss her.
She walks into the center of the circle. She closes her eyes. There is a flash, and she is gone.
* * *
Buffy Summers:
It's an early Saturday morning for me, almost 9 a.m. I'm almost never up this early, especially if I'm exhausted from a hard Friday night patrol. Lucky me, I got to stake five fledglings and a journeyman last night. I should have difficulty keeping my eyes open.
Instead, I'm completely wired. Even though I hardly slept at all last night.
It's 8:57 a.m. in the morning.
She called two nights ago, and said she was coming back to Sunnydale. She said that Giles wouldn't be able to come with her, as he was busy with the ongoing investigation into who or what had tried to destroy her, and the rest of the world in the process. She also said we wouldn't need to go to the airport to pick her up. She said that airports and long flights would provide too much opportunity to whomever is trying to destroy her, and would be too dangerous, especially to her fellow passengers. She said that she was going to teleport to Sunnydale instead, and would be appearing on the doorstep of the Magic Box at precisely 9 a.m. our time.
I asked her if that was dangerous. I didn't add that I meant dangerous both physically and psychically. She said it wasn't, "on both counts." She said she'd been getting plenty of practice. I wasn't sure I wanted to know more details, so I didn't ask.
It's 8:58 in the morning.
Besides the logistics, we hardly said anything to each other. You think she might have said something more. I mean, it might have been nice, considering.
It's not like I haven't done my part. I used the bracelet she sent me. In full. I lived through exactly what my sister lived through. I felt the fear when Bad Willow first pulled Dawn into the hell that Willow's mind had become. I felt the sorrow and frustration Dawn felt when repeatedly failing to reach Good Willow. I felt the pain when the bullets hit Dawn's chest. I felt the shock when Bad Willow described Willow's secret attraction to me. I felt the fear and despair when Bad Willow explained in horrifying detail exactly why she wanted my sister dead - but the sudden flash of insight and hope as well. And, yes, I felt the pride and joy when Willow finally managed to face and destroy her inner demons. Both of them.
You think I might have said something more.
It's 8:59 in the morning.
We're throwing a party for her. It's early in the morning, but we're all pretty energetic. We've got banners on the walls, with ornate calligraphy. Dawn made them. She's done nothing but look impatiently at her watch for the past half an hour.
Xander's practically on fire waiting for his best friend since kindergarten to return. I asked him if he wanted to use the bracelet. He refused, and I'm not sure why. Maybe he's not ready to accept the truth.
Even Anya seems reasonably happy that Willow is returning. She's only made one snide comment about when she'll be paid for all the damage Willow did.
And there's Mr. William Gray. He's somehow managing to hold himself together, broad smile plastered on face, shaking only slightly. I can only look at him briefly, can only check on him once in a while. Otherwise, I'll start crying. I am willing to cry, on this Saturday morning. But only for her, once she gets here.
It's 9:00 in the morning.
For a few seconds, there is silence. Then I see a flash outside the door. A few seconds later, I here a soft knock.
She's home. At last.
* * *
Willow Rosenberg:
The first few minutes back were a complete blur. Hugs and tears and more hugs and chaos.
It was so good to see Dawnie again, for real this time. I started to cry when I held her. My girl. Goddess, I have no idea how I possibly deserve her. But there she was, in my arms.
It was good to see Xander again, too. Even if I did think he'd have to be surgically removed.
As for Buffy. I started to say something. Really, I did. But she just shushed me and told me it was okay, I was home now, that everything would be okay. So we just held each other and cried. It wasn't a bad start.
So now they're throwing a Welcome Back to Sunnyhell celebration for me. It's nice. It has music and banners and everything.
Of course, it's hard to tell what they're celebrating. One of the banners says "Welcome Home, Willow!" I think a few other banners might have been more appropriate. Maybe something like "It's Sure Great You Didn't End the World, Willow!" or "We've Forgiven You For Skinning Warren Like an Old Chicken and Trying to Kill us All, Willow!" Now those are some real banners.
Another banner they have up says "It's Great to Have You Back, Willow!" This really should be taken down. Sorry. It's a complete lie, in two ways. First, the person I was before is gone. She told Anya she wasn't coming back. She was right.
Second, the last person they want back is who I was before. Do they really want back Miss Twenty Seconds from Being the Big Bad? Didn't think so. She's gone, forever. Let her rest in peace.
Or did she come back? Is she really me? I have her memories and her body, after all. It gets confusing. I'm going to have such a hard time explaining it to them. Especially since I can't explain it to myself.
Of course, the guests at this party are displaying signs of their own. Let's see.
Dawn: "I missed you." She has the best banner.
Anya: "I'm surprised to find myself glad to have you back. When will you pay me for all the damage you caused to the Magic Box? Did you know that the insurance company won't pay for the magical books and equipment you destroyed, because they think it's all a big fraud?" Yeah, I missed you too, Anyanka. Just tell me when to write the check.
Xander: "You're back! Everything is back the way it was! I love you so much! Did I tell you that I saved the world? Really! Me! I did! Yes, me!" I love you too, Xander. And yes, I know you saved the world. Don't get cocky.
Oh, yeah. And you think I came back just the way I was. Sorry, Xan. This isn't going to be easy. For either of us.
Spike: Mr. William Gray is too distraught to have a banner, although he's been trying to put up a good act. He has a soul now, and everything that comes with it. He got it for Buffy. Wow. Hard to know what to think about that. I know Buffy certainly doesn't know what to think about it. It shouldn't be possible. Of course, we deal with the impossible all the time here in Sunnyhell.
And then there's Buffy. On the surface, she seems incredibly friendly and happy, and glad to see me. But her real banner is written in invisible ink. I really don't know what she's thinking.
Actually, that's not true. I can make out a little bit here and there. I don't like what I'm reading. She's reminding me too much of someone I used to know, who hid behind a happy face, too. Me.
As for me, I really don't know what banner I'm displaying to the people at this party. If I had to choose one, though, it would be "Construction Zone Ahead."
* * *
Gryvier (a master vampire who serves... someone):
So you're back.
Did you think you could get away with it, little witch-demon? Did you think you could rub our faces in hydra manure without having to worry about the consequences? That we'd just let bygones be bygones? Or that we'd all kneel before you out of fear, despite our cravings for vengeance?
No. Of course not. You didn't think about it at all. You didn't think about what it would mean to humiliate our master as you did. All you cared about were your own selfish needs. It was so very much in line with the traits of your damnable House. You may not know who you are, but you still played the part perfectly. And that's what made it the most galling.
At least we managed to hurt you in the first rematch. We took away your little whore for good. We made you join us in evil, permanently staining your oh-so-squeaky-clean claws. We sent you to your own private hell.
But yes, you escaped, and destroyed our mole. We spent decades cultivating her and turning her. The time, investment, and care involved was extraordinary. Having our mole appointed the Leader of that coven was one of our greatest achievements. Through her, we almost had unlimited power over this pathetic dimension. And now she's gone. You destroyed her in a few minutes. Leaving nothing but more hydra manure.
So we'll have to call it a draw.
This time, we'll do it right. My master will see your House fall.
* * *
Next: "Rules"
A BTVS Fanfiction by Doc Stewart
Sequel to "Inner Demons." Reading "Inner Demons" (http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=893080) is a prerequisite to understanding this series.
Description: Willow has won her sanity, but there are plenty of battles left to fight. And what's wrong with Buffy?
Copyright: All characters copyright of Mutant Enemy; I'm just borrowing them under the good graces of ME and Fox. Original story copyright 2002.
Distribution: Please ask first (dr_stewart@hotmail.com), but I will generally grant permission to redistribute this story, with proper credits.
Rating: PG-13, and on the harder end of this rating. Contains violence, depictions of psychological trauma, some implied gore, and significant "adult themes."
Spoilers: through end of S6. AU with respect to S7.
Special Notes: This story is a series of episodes rather than a single novelette. Consequently, it will be updated much less frequently than "Inner Demons" was, about every one to two weeks.
Special Spoiler: By popular demand, at some point there will be an episode entitled "Dude, Where's My Cheese?" (Either that or an episode entitled "Dude, Where's My Pants?" depending on popular preference.)
Comments and criticism welcome; flames will be placed in the circular file.
* * *
1. Celebration
Rupert Giles:
She's leaving now.
The few possessions she has in England have been neatly packed into a few small suitcases. She's been given a clean bill of health to return to Sunnydale. She's been given a license to teleport to Sunnydale by the members of the coven.
"Are you sure you aren't coming? Even for a brief visit? I'm sure they want to see you," she asks.
"No."
She nods. She knows why, knows that someone must stay here. Officially, to help with the Council's ongoing investigation into the murder of Tara McClay, the possession-by-artifact of Willow Rosenberg, and the ensuing attempt to use Miss Rosenberg to destroy the planet. Unofficially, to watch the Council and the coven. She knows that the official investigation has made an exceptionally impressive lack of progress. She also knows that the Council and the coven almost certainly have more than one traitor between them. I pray that the corruption does not run too wide and too deep.
"Can you check my circle before I leave? Hate to teleport to Fiji by accident. Not that I don't like Fiji, because it would be nice and vacationy, but, you know."
I look at the ornately drawn circle on the floor. I examine the lines and inscriptions in it carefully, but just to appease her. It's flawless. I knew it was the second I saw it.
"It is barely acceptable, even for a rank amateur like yourself. However, it does meet the coven's criteria of randomly depositing the caster within a 200-mile radius of the target destination."
She frowns. Then I see her start to realize that I'm joking, but she's still not sure.
"Willow... I'm kidding. It's better than those in most magic books. Not that you even need a circle, anyway."
She smiles. She does not laugh, though. She never laughs.
"Well, then, I guess I'd better go. I'll call you when I get there." She embraces me and kisses me on the cheek. "I'll see you in a few weeks, okay, Giles? I'll miss you."
I nod. I will miss her.
She walks into the center of the circle. She closes her eyes. There is a flash, and she is gone.
* * *
Buffy Summers:
It's an early Saturday morning for me, almost 9 a.m. I'm almost never up this early, especially if I'm exhausted from a hard Friday night patrol. Lucky me, I got to stake five fledglings and a journeyman last night. I should have difficulty keeping my eyes open.
Instead, I'm completely wired. Even though I hardly slept at all last night.
It's 8:57 a.m. in the morning.
She called two nights ago, and said she was coming back to Sunnydale. She said that Giles wouldn't be able to come with her, as he was busy with the ongoing investigation into who or what had tried to destroy her, and the rest of the world in the process. She also said we wouldn't need to go to the airport to pick her up. She said that airports and long flights would provide too much opportunity to whomever is trying to destroy her, and would be too dangerous, especially to her fellow passengers. She said that she was going to teleport to Sunnydale instead, and would be appearing on the doorstep of the Magic Box at precisely 9 a.m. our time.
I asked her if that was dangerous. I didn't add that I meant dangerous both physically and psychically. She said it wasn't, "on both counts." She said she'd been getting plenty of practice. I wasn't sure I wanted to know more details, so I didn't ask.
It's 8:58 in the morning.
Besides the logistics, we hardly said anything to each other. You think she might have said something more. I mean, it might have been nice, considering.
It's not like I haven't done my part. I used the bracelet she sent me. In full. I lived through exactly what my sister lived through. I felt the fear when Bad Willow first pulled Dawn into the hell that Willow's mind had become. I felt the sorrow and frustration Dawn felt when repeatedly failing to reach Good Willow. I felt the pain when the bullets hit Dawn's chest. I felt the shock when Bad Willow described Willow's secret attraction to me. I felt the fear and despair when Bad Willow explained in horrifying detail exactly why she wanted my sister dead - but the sudden flash of insight and hope as well. And, yes, I felt the pride and joy when Willow finally managed to face and destroy her inner demons. Both of them.
You think I might have said something more.
It's 8:59 in the morning.
We're throwing a party for her. It's early in the morning, but we're all pretty energetic. We've got banners on the walls, with ornate calligraphy. Dawn made them. She's done nothing but look impatiently at her watch for the past half an hour.
Xander's practically on fire waiting for his best friend since kindergarten to return. I asked him if he wanted to use the bracelet. He refused, and I'm not sure why. Maybe he's not ready to accept the truth.
Even Anya seems reasonably happy that Willow is returning. She's only made one snide comment about when she'll be paid for all the damage Willow did.
And there's Mr. William Gray. He's somehow managing to hold himself together, broad smile plastered on face, shaking only slightly. I can only look at him briefly, can only check on him once in a while. Otherwise, I'll start crying. I am willing to cry, on this Saturday morning. But only for her, once she gets here.
It's 9:00 in the morning.
For a few seconds, there is silence. Then I see a flash outside the door. A few seconds later, I here a soft knock.
She's home. At last.
* * *
Willow Rosenberg:
The first few minutes back were a complete blur. Hugs and tears and more hugs and chaos.
It was so good to see Dawnie again, for real this time. I started to cry when I held her. My girl. Goddess, I have no idea how I possibly deserve her. But there she was, in my arms.
It was good to see Xander again, too. Even if I did think he'd have to be surgically removed.
As for Buffy. I started to say something. Really, I did. But she just shushed me and told me it was okay, I was home now, that everything would be okay. So we just held each other and cried. It wasn't a bad start.
So now they're throwing a Welcome Back to Sunnyhell celebration for me. It's nice. It has music and banners and everything.
Of course, it's hard to tell what they're celebrating. One of the banners says "Welcome Home, Willow!" I think a few other banners might have been more appropriate. Maybe something like "It's Sure Great You Didn't End the World, Willow!" or "We've Forgiven You For Skinning Warren Like an Old Chicken and Trying to Kill us All, Willow!" Now those are some real banners.
Another banner they have up says "It's Great to Have You Back, Willow!" This really should be taken down. Sorry. It's a complete lie, in two ways. First, the person I was before is gone. She told Anya she wasn't coming back. She was right.
Second, the last person they want back is who I was before. Do they really want back Miss Twenty Seconds from Being the Big Bad? Didn't think so. She's gone, forever. Let her rest in peace.
Or did she come back? Is she really me? I have her memories and her body, after all. It gets confusing. I'm going to have such a hard time explaining it to them. Especially since I can't explain it to myself.
Of course, the guests at this party are displaying signs of their own. Let's see.
Dawn: "I missed you." She has the best banner.
Anya: "I'm surprised to find myself glad to have you back. When will you pay me for all the damage you caused to the Magic Box? Did you know that the insurance company won't pay for the magical books and equipment you destroyed, because they think it's all a big fraud?" Yeah, I missed you too, Anyanka. Just tell me when to write the check.
Xander: "You're back! Everything is back the way it was! I love you so much! Did I tell you that I saved the world? Really! Me! I did! Yes, me!" I love you too, Xander. And yes, I know you saved the world. Don't get cocky.
Oh, yeah. And you think I came back just the way I was. Sorry, Xan. This isn't going to be easy. For either of us.
Spike: Mr. William Gray is too distraught to have a banner, although he's been trying to put up a good act. He has a soul now, and everything that comes with it. He got it for Buffy. Wow. Hard to know what to think about that. I know Buffy certainly doesn't know what to think about it. It shouldn't be possible. Of course, we deal with the impossible all the time here in Sunnyhell.
And then there's Buffy. On the surface, she seems incredibly friendly and happy, and glad to see me. But her real banner is written in invisible ink. I really don't know what she's thinking.
Actually, that's not true. I can make out a little bit here and there. I don't like what I'm reading. She's reminding me too much of someone I used to know, who hid behind a happy face, too. Me.
As for me, I really don't know what banner I'm displaying to the people at this party. If I had to choose one, though, it would be "Construction Zone Ahead."
* * *
Gryvier (a master vampire who serves... someone):
So you're back.
Did you think you could get away with it, little witch-demon? Did you think you could rub our faces in hydra manure without having to worry about the consequences? That we'd just let bygones be bygones? Or that we'd all kneel before you out of fear, despite our cravings for vengeance?
No. Of course not. You didn't think about it at all. You didn't think about what it would mean to humiliate our master as you did. All you cared about were your own selfish needs. It was so very much in line with the traits of your damnable House. You may not know who you are, but you still played the part perfectly. And that's what made it the most galling.
At least we managed to hurt you in the first rematch. We took away your little whore for good. We made you join us in evil, permanently staining your oh-so-squeaky-clean claws. We sent you to your own private hell.
But yes, you escaped, and destroyed our mole. We spent decades cultivating her and turning her. The time, investment, and care involved was extraordinary. Having our mole appointed the Leader of that coven was one of our greatest achievements. Through her, we almost had unlimited power over this pathetic dimension. And now she's gone. You destroyed her in a few minutes. Leaving nothing but more hydra manure.
So we'll have to call it a draw.
This time, we'll do it right. My master will see your House fall.
* * *
Next: "Rules"