WAAAGH on the hellmouth.
A Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Warhammer 40K crossover story.
Summary:
Another Buffy Halloween fanfic. Xander gets a different costume.
One that will change the balance of power on the hellmouth.
Authors note:
After reading several Buffy fics ( Some of wich are very well written. And some of which are just bad. Frankly I'm sick and tired of all the Spike/Xander slash I had to wade through to find something readable. ) in which Xander gets a different costume I just had to do my own. This is my first ever Buffy fic as well as my first ever crossover story so please be gentle in your reviews.
Disclaimer:
Buffy and all related things belong to their respective owners. As do all things Warhammer 40K related, as well as anything else ill end up using. I claim nothing. I'm just borrowing them for a bit, and I promise to clean them up before returning them. This is a work of fiction written for my own, and hopefully other peoples amusement. I gain nothing from it, except maybe a comment and a flame or two. If you sue me all you will get is some cobwebs and an old pencil.
Warning:
This story will contain graphic violence. Gore. Foul language. Things of an adult nature plus whatever else I decide to toss in there that might disturb sensitive people.
I've rated it M for a reason.
Also, I Don't have a Beta Reader. While I do my utmost to spell-check and grammar check, I cant guarantee there won't be horrible mistakes here or there. Since I'm not a native English speaker.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
"Speach"
"Thought"
And now... On with the show
Chapter 1
Halloween
"Snyder must be in charge of the volunteer safety programn for Halloween this year" Willow Rosenberg noted as she, Buffy and Xander walked past principal Snyder. Who just plucked a random student from the hallway to sign the volunteer list.
"Note his interesting take on the volunteer concept." Xander remarked in a deadpan voice.
"Whats the deal?" Buffy asked, looking mildly confused.
"Oh a bunch of little kids need people to take em trick or treating, so sign up and get your own pack of sugar hyped little runts for the night." Xander clarified while willow busied herself with her locker.
"Yikes, I'll stick to vampires." Buffy deadpanned just before principal Snyder clamped a hand onto her shoulder.
"Miss Summers, just the juvenile delinquent I've been looking for." Buffy turned around to face the short little troll of a man. Doing her best to keep her expression neutral.
"Principal Snyder." she said, unsure of what the despicable gnome lookalike wanted of her now.
"Halloween must be a big night for you." he droned on. "Tossing eggs, keying cars, bobbing for apples. One pathetic cry for help after another. Well not this year missy." He continued as he led her towards the table on the opposite side of the hall were the sign-up forms were. Buffy glanced at the form he pushed out towards her. Her mind looking frantically for an excuse to get of the bus heading for disaster-ville at top speed.
"Gosh I'd love to sign up but.. I've recently developed carpal tunnel syndrome and can tragically no longer hold a flashlight."
Snyder ignored her remark and shoved a pen into her hand. "The programn stars at four, the children have to be home at six." Buffy scowled and put her name on the list. Behind her Xander and Willow were smirking a bit in amusement at the thought of Buffy having to spend her night watching over a bunch of kids. Their faces quickly turned to panic and disbelief when Snyder thrust another pair of pens towards each of them.
"I can't believe this." Xander exclaimed unhappily. As they passed through a pair of double doors leading to the school cafeteria. "We have to get dressed up and the whole deal?"
Willow looked over at him from buffys left side.
"Snyder said costumes were mandatory."
Buffy let out a disgusted sigh. "Great, I was gonna stay in and veg. The ONE night a year things are supposed to be quiet."
Xander glanced at her confused.
"Halloween quiet? I figured it would be a big old vamp scare-a-palooza."
The three of them approached one of the empty tables. Buffy put her bag down on top and pulled out a chair.
"Not according to Giles. He swears that tomorrow night is like dead for the undead. They stay in."
Xander grinned. "Those wacky vampires. That's why I love 'em. They just keep you guessin'."
Both Willow and Buffy gave him a look that said: get real.
"So where are we gonna get costumes? All the costume shops in Sunnydale are hideously expensive." said willow.
"Actually I've heard of a new place downtown called Ethans, which is said to be pretty affordable." Xander replied. "What do you say girls? Shall we check it out?"
OoO
Ethan's Costume Shop was pretty busy. Loads of kids and their parents looking for costumes for Halloween night. Buffy and willow stalked through the rows of costumes looking for something to wear. Willow quickly found what she was looking for.
"A time honored classic." she said to Buffy as she proudly held out her ghost costume. The word BOO! Written on its front.
"Ok Will, can I give you a little friendly advice?"
Willows face drooped.
"Not spooky enough?"
"It's just... you're never gonna get noticed if you keep hiding. You're missing the whole point of Halloween" Buffy said to her redheaded friend. Who pondered it for a second then answered: "Free candy?"
Buffy made a face.
"Its come as you aren't night. The perfect chance for a girl to get sexy and wild with no repercussions."
Willow shook her head.
"Oh I don't get wild. Wild on me equals spaz."
Meanwhile on the other end of the shop Xander was scowling at the back of some kid who ran off with the last toy rifle.
"Damnit, there goes my idea for this year." Sulking he stalked through the rows of costumes, wandering in the direction of the sci-fi section. Maybe they had some Jedi robes left, he thought to himself. When suddenly something caught his eye. On top of a wall display was a mask. It was ugly with green skin a big jaw and beady little eyes. Big tusk like teeth protruded from the lower lips.
"Hey I know this." Xander said out loud. "It's an Orc mask."
"Oh bravo, you are the first person to recognize it?" a British voice said from behind.
"Gah! Don't do that." Xander yelped as he turned around to face the source of the voice while adopting a mock kung fu stance; only to quickly stand up straight as he realized what he was doing. A middle aged man with dark hair, dressed in a dark red silk shirt stood before him. The man smiled and extended a hand.
"Where are my manners. I am Ethan Rayne the proprietor of this establishment."
Xander shakily shook the mans hand. His smile was just a bit to slick for his liking.
"Yes well, I just didn't expect to see such a costume. Well.. mask, I mean..."
"Would you like to buy it?" Ethan asked. A gleam in his eyes.
"Ah I dunno.. big green monster.. not really my thing. I mean I loved to play the game with my best bud... but we played the 40K version. Space Orks were way more fun. Big guns and stuff. Tough as nails, always looking for a good fight. Cool gizmos. BIIIIG axes. Very manly.. how much?" Xander asked, suddenly having a great costume idea. Ethan blinked for a moment.
"Errr yes.. uhm.. I can sell it to you for fifteen dollars."
Xander smiled.
"Sold.. do you have some green body-paint as well?
OoO
"All wrong. Inside out. Everything switching." Drusilla was frantically rambling and moaning.
"Hey hey, hush poodle. Whats wrong?" Spike said as he took hold of her. Pulling her close to him.
"Someone comes to change it all, the slayer will be weak, but the green one and the faithful one will walk the town. And they bring chaos and death."
Spike's eyes lit up with a dark dangerous gleam.
"Did my pet have a vision? The slayer will be weak you say?"
Drusilla nodded slowly.
"Weak like a newborn kitten. But you shouldn't try to get her spiky, the other two will be out there."
Spike shook her by the shoulders. "What are you talking about? Who are these people?"
Drusilla went all misty eyed for a moment.
"He is a brutal but cunning. She is a beacon of light in the darkness. Armed and armored to the teeth both. Mortal enemies are they. He is all about killing, breaking; sowing chaos and plunging everything into eternal war." Spike smirked " sounds like my kind of guy." Drusilla continued speaking as if he wasn't there. "She hunts the traitors, the xenos and the heretics; and making them burn. And brings HIS word to the faithless. She murmured in a singsong voice.
"She sounds like a crazed zealot. And when does all this happen pet?"
she nuzzled into his neck
"Tomorrow." she whispered
"Tomorrow's Halloween, nothing happens on Halloween." he answered while shaking his head.
"Something will this year. We should go away spike. I don't want either of them to catch us. They would spoil our tea party"
Spike glowered.
"I'm gonna get the slayer. And nothing, not even this green one or this light bitch will get in my way."
OoO
Halloween night rolled around.
Back at the summers residence the doorbell rang.
"Coming! " Joyce Summers yelled out as she walked out of the living-room. When she opened the door she was surprised to see a green skinned man wearing a beast like mask with big teeth and beady eyes. A big leather backpack with what looked like a giant wrench and several metal pipes sticking out of the flap. Black steel toed boots under a pair of dark brown cargo pants. What looked like painted pieces of bend scrap metal, held together by a chain; serving as shoulder pauldrons. And a really big machine gun in his hands.
"Uhm.. who are you?" Joyce asked.
"It's me misses Summers, Xander."
Joyce blinked.
"Xander? My word I didn't recognize you."
Xander pulled off the mask.
"Ah yeah sorry bout that, it's kinda hard to see my face under here."
Joyce smiled. "
well come on in, the girls will be down in a little bit."
"Thanks misses Summers."
She frowned.
"Just call me Joyce okay."
Before Xander could respond he was almost tackled to the ground by a red and black blur that zoomed down the stairs, followed by the sound of a high pitched squeal.
"Hi Dawn patrol." he managed to say before she hugged him and cut off his air supply.
"That'ss Seraphim Dawnstrike to you Ork boy." she let go of him and did a little twirl. Showing off the form fitting black and red armour of the Adepta Sororitas, before striking a heroic pose with her arms raised. Holding a shiny plastic sword in one hand. And a plastic replica of a Bolt pistol in the other. "Isn't it awesome? We got it this morning at this new store downtown."
"You mean Ethans?" Xander asked.
"Yeah." Dawn nodded vigorously. "How did you know?"
Xander patted his mask.
"Where did you think I got this from."
Dawn looked him over thoroughly.
"I don't remember this costume being on sale."
Xander smiled.
"It wasn't. It was just the mask. I improvised the rest. Took some tools from the garage. Some old clothes and knick knacks I had lying around. A pair of army boots. And I made this big gun from some old piping and a block of wood."
Dawn whistled.
"You did all that in one afternoon?"
Xander shrugged.
"I may not be smart, but I'm good with my hands."
Dawn let out a soft giggle.
"So you are an Ork boy?"
"Actually I'm a mekboy." he said as he patted his tool bag.
"Huh?" was his only response.
"Mekboys are like the Ork equivalent to a mechanic and inventor. They pretty much build everything the Orks use, from basic weapons to gigantic stomping war-machines. They are like Rambo mixed with a mad scientist basicly."
Dawn blinked.
"I see..." Dawn really wasn't interested in the game. She'd just gotten the costume because she wanted to get Xanders attention. Her only knowledge of the game came from what she had briefly glimpsed off the internet. It was that moment Buffy and willow came down the stairs. Buffy dressed in her 18th century gown. And willow wearing her ghost sheet.
"Buffy lady of buffdom, duchess of buffonia I am in awe. I completely renounce spandex."
Buffy curtsied.
"Thank-you kind... whatever you are. Shall we be on our way then? If were late Snyder will have us in detention till new years"
Ethan Rayne entered the back of his shop. He wore a ceremonial robe of dark silks. Candle-light illuminated the small secluded space. There on a small altar stood the bust of Janus. He knelt in front of the bust. His palms pressed together. With a grunt he cut them. Blood leaking slowly from the cuts.
"The world that denies thee, thou inhabit. The peace that ignores thee, thou corrupt. Chaos, I remain , as ever,... thy faithful degenerate son."
OoO
Not much later the group was well into their trick or treating activity. Going from door to door in the hunt for sweet delights.
"alright i think we have time for one or two more before I have to get you all back to your parents."Buffy said as she led her group of children up the driveway of the next house.
Meanwhile a swirl of dark energy was rising from Ethans costume shop. He was covered in a thin layer of sweat due to the massive amount of concentration required for the invocation. But Ethan continued the chant in front of the bust of Janus without missing a word.
"Janus, evoco vester animum. Exaudi meam causam. Carpe noctem pro consilim vestrem. Vene, appare, et nobis monstra quod est infinita potestas."
As the ritual reached its zenith, Ethan Rayne lifted the bust of Janus before him. His voice growing louder with each word spoken.
"Persona intra corpem et sanguem commutandum est. Vestra sabcta praesentia concrescit visceram! Janus! Sume noctem!" Strong ethereal winds began to blow. Then suddenly the busts eyes lit up with an eerie multicolored light.
OoO
Janus the old roman God sat in his domain of power and listened to the call of one of his favored followers. He was amused by the spell that the mage wished to cast. And he would lend him some of his power to see his scheme come to fruition. Gathering some of his vast cosmic energies and hurling them across the planes of existence towards the bust that served as the conduit between him and his servant. The spell took hold and reality began to warp and twist. Then something changed. Some part of the spell latched onto Janus's power and began to draw in more of it. Feeling himself weaken, a sensation utterly alien to a being such as himself, Janus felt what could only be described as a tinge of fear. The old God tried to sever the connection, but whatever it was that had grasped onto its essence refused to let go.
More of Janus immortal power was stripped away as a new entity began to form. Then suddenly the walls of reality crumbled utterly as the new entity was vomited forth from the realm of imagination. Madness spilled into the cosmic plains. Whole realities were snuffed out and torn asunder across the length and breadth of the multiverse. Their vast energies used as nourishment. The souls of a billion billion mortal beings screamed as they were consumed to stoke the fire of creation. As this.. THING.. was born from an imagined universe into reality, the cosmos itself wept tears of blood. Janus, drained and almost powerless watched as the entity reached out with formless appendages of multicolored light. Reaching across time and space. Grabbing hold of the strands of fate in an iron grip.
"Who.. are..you. What.. are.. you." the old Roman God choked out with it's dieing breath. The vast entity turned its full attention towards the old God. And Janus once immortal form was scattered to the winds of oblivion as it spoke it's name.
"TZEENTCH."
Turning its attention to the mortal plane of earth, the Changer of Ways hurled a blast of it's own energy after the one that Janus had granted to his follower.
"LET THE GAME BEGIN."
OoO
Ethan Rayne laughed triumphantly as Janus granted him the power to turn his scheme into reality. Only for his exhilaration to turn to terror as a second wave of energy blasted forth from the statue. One much more malevolent and powerful than the first. Lightning shot from the eyes of the statue. Lifting Ethan off his feet. He screamed in agony as his flesh burned to ashes from within.
Dark energies released from their confinement spread across Sunnydale Using Ethans own soul as a catalyst. Consuming it utterly. With a final shriek of agony beyond imagining, Ethans body burst into flames, Consumed by the power of Tzeentch. Only the carbonized bones of his skeleton remained. Crumbling, smoking to the floor of the shop, as the night outside turned to chaos.
OoO
"Oi were da heck is I? Dis ain't me workshop." Big Mek Zapzog da Oiler bellowed. He looked around seeing nothing but squishy humies and what looked like chaos things from the warp. A grin split the ugly Orks face as he took in the chaos and destruction that was unfolding.
"Looks like a proppa scrap. Good fing I brought me shoota. Now weres da rest 'o da boyz?" Suddenly a red little demon jumped on his back, clawing at him and snarling. "Oi get offa me ya git."
He spun round in a circle, dislodging the little demon, then booted it hard in the face. With a mighty roar he leveled his shoota at a group of oncoming little demons and pulled the trigger. The gun bucked in his grip as it fired with an earsplitting series of bangs. The boom of the shots and then the whoosh of displaced air giving the gun a very distinct sound. DAKKA DAKKA DAKKA! Solid slugs, almost the size of a soda can tore through the demons. Blasting off limbs. Splattering skulls. And showering the streets with explosions of blood and entrails. The red demon at his feet stirred, but he swiftly clobbered it down with the stock of his shoota.
Sister Superior Dawnstrike of the Adepta Sororitas Seraphim rose from her crouched position. Whispering a silent prayer of deliverance from evil to the God Emperor of man as she did so. She held her bolt pistol in front of her. Arm all the way extended. Her power-sword was held back for a quick strike. The fine blade glowing a soft blue color as its power-field extended across it. Creating deadly disruptive fields of energy across its cutting edges.
"Emperor preserve me, where have I been transported?" a distant series of bangs, followed by a muffled explosion caught her attention. "That sounded like Ork weapons."
With a mental command she activated her Jump Pack. Soaring gracefully into the air on a column of fire. From up there she had a perfect view of the surrounding area, and she quickly caught sight of her quarry. A lone Ork mekboy was firing its shoota into a crowd of... DEMONS? Her breath caught in her throat as she saw what the Ork was firing at. The very town seemed to be overrun with demons of all shapes and sizes. A scream drew her attention. The Ork could wait. She threw herself into a dive toward the source of the scream. A young woman was being chased by something big and hairy.
Angling herself towards the beast She fired her Bolt Pistol. A trio of bolts slamming into the beast's massive torso. Blasting great chunks of meat from its frame. Howling in pained rage the beast turned towards her as she landed with enough force upon impact to knock it back several steps. It let forth a vicious roar and charged her. Claws flashing towards her face. But she spun, low to her left. Bringing her sword up in a graceful diagonal stroke. Shearing through the beasts arms at the elbow, before completing her turn and decapitating it from behind with a grace born from years of hard practice, and reflexes honed in countless battles.
OoO
Spike was marching through the park with his 'Game Face' on. Smiling with delight at the chaos and destruction spreading across the town. All around him people were chased or mauled by those transformed into their costumes.
"well.. this is just.. neat." he grinned viciously. He motioned to his henchmen to keep up. "Lets go find us some tender slayer meat boys."
The group exited the park, only to run into a small war zone. Bodies lay everywhere. Torn apart by large caliber fire and explosives.
"Okay, maybe not so neat." Spike muttered as he took in the state of the bodies. He'd seen and done a lot of gruesome things in his time, but this utter brutality was of a level even Angelus would be hard pressed to match. Mad laughter and booming explosions echoed from up ahead.
"Lets look for the slayer in a different direction shall we" spike said to his minions. Somewhat eager to avoid whatever thing was waging world war three out there.
Spike would not find Buffy that night. Angel and Willow had taken her to safety once they realized she was powerless while the town was under the effect of the spell. They took her to the library and locked themselves inside while Giles frantically searched through his books for some kind of explanation. As Angel kept an eye on Buffy, Willow just stood in front of the window, and worried about their friends who were still out there somewhere. She fervently hoped that wherever they were, Xander and Dawn would be safe.
OoO
With the woman safe and the beast dispatched, Dawnstrike gunned her jump-pack once more and soared into the air, looking for the source of the demonic invasion. She hovered there for a moment when suddenly something clipped her. Ricocheting off her jump-pack with great force and sending her spinning out of control. With bone jarring force she slammed into the roof of a nearby house. Slid down and went over the edge, tearing off part of the gutter on her way down. Only to land in an undignified heap on the front lawn. She lay there for a moment before slowly getting to her feet. Spitting a wad of blood into the grass from where she had bitten her lip on impact.
"Whoever did that is going to burn." she growled.
"BWAHAHAHA I gots me a pretty one." a booming voice exclaimed. The Ork had found her.
Quick as lightning she brought up her bolt pistol. Sending a trio of bolts into the Orks direction. But the shots went wide.
"What yous aiming at 'umie. Yous couldn't hit a Squig in an oil drum." The Ork roared, returning fire with its big shoota.
Dawnstrike rolled sideways. Avoiding the stream of hot lead.
"Foolish green-skin, we have no time for this. This world is being invaded by the dread forces of chaos. If we keep fighting each other everything will be destroyed." The Ork spit on the ground as he reloaded his gun.
"Bah dot ain't me problem. Once I find da other boyz we is gonna stomp dem chaos boyz an fings into da ground."
Dawnstrike grit her teeth.
"Look around you Ork. Your barbaric kin are nowhere to be found. Unless we stop this invasion, neither of us will live to see sunrise."
Zapzog didn't show it, but he was concerned. He had been trying for some time to find his fellow Orks. But he couldn't find a trace of them. Even his trusty gitfinda couldn't detect any other Orks for miles. Just endless demons and other weird things. Now Orks aren't a very bright sort. But Zapzog 'was' a Mekboy. And a very talented one at that. Which meant his intelligence was far above average for his kind. Narrowing his beady red eyes at the battle sister, his mind came to a decision.
"Very well 'umie, we's will work togetha for now. But as soon as dis is ova, dere will be a krumpin."
Dawnstrike sheathed her sword.
"That suits me just fine Ork." Standing up straight and dusting herself off. "First thing we gotta do is locate the source of this infestation."
"I can do dat." Zapzog said. Pulling out his trusty gitfinda once more and fiddling with its control buttons while waving the small boxlike device around. Until suddenly it started to burp. "AHA! I founds somefing. Ova dat way."
Following the device's burping signals, the two of them set off into the night.
It did not take them very long to find their way to Ethans shop. But they did run into more monsters on the way. Which were brutally repelled with a combination of fire and high explosive bullets. The two of them left a trail of bodies behind them until finally they stood in front of the store. Pointing the gitfinda at the door, the device let out what sounded like a loud fart before going silent.
"Whateva made dem chaos fings appear is in 'ere." Zapzog said as he put the gitfinda back into one of his many pockets. Drawing her sword, Dawnstrike cautiously pushed open the door, slipping quietly inside. Zapzog followed her, uncharacteristically quiet for an Ork. Holding his shoota in one hand, and pulling a power mallet from his backpack with the other. Slowly the two of them made their way through the shop, until they entered the back room, where the bust of Janus stood atop a small altar. Its eyes glowed with a soft light that ran across the entire color spectrum over and over again.
"This must be it." Dawnstrike said, eying the bust suspiciously. She could almost feel the evil energy that radiated from it.
"Woteva dat doohickey iz, it's givin me a 'eadache." Zapzog growled from behind her. Something crunched under her foot as she approached the altar. Looking down she saw she was standing on the blackened bones of human skeleton.
"Probably the original caster of the spell. Deluded fool. Chaos serves no man. It destroys and corrupts. We have to destroy this. If this is the source of the demons powers we cant leave it here." Dawnstrike said as she drew her power-sword.
"Den git outta da way puny 'umie. Da sooner wes is done da sooner i can get back ta krumpin stuff!" Zapzog roared as he pushed her aside. Bringing up his shoota and firing at the bust at point blank range. With an almighty boom the statue shattered into a thousand pieces. Followed by a blast of magical energy, bright as a new sun.
Xander screamed in pain as the spirit of Zapzog was torn from his being. Beside him Dawn shrieked in agony as the spirit of the battle sister was forcibly dis-tangled from her own. Deep inside her, the essence of the Key awakened, attempting to shield her from the magic that was ripping apart her being. Assaulted by the energy of the dissipating spell, the power of the key fought back. Creating a null zone out of its own power. Shielding dawn, and Xander to, as he was close enough to her to be inside the keys sphere of protection. It's power trying to keep them whole, while the spell tried to separate those parts that did not belong to the two of them. The struggle between the two powers was as titanic as it was brief. In the blink of an eye reality returned to normal, and Xander and Dawn fell to their knees.
Gasping for air, Xander tore off the Ork mask. Throwing it away in disgust. He remembered clearly the atrocities that the monster had committed while wearing his body. The many innocent people turned monsters it had killed. There were probably over three dozen dead or wounded people out there. His mind couldn't even begin to wrap itself around the idea that he was in essence responsible for their deaths. He would have gone into shock right there if it wasn't for Dawns quiet sobs. Hearing the young girl cry he snapped out of it. gently wrapping his arms around her.
"Hey.. it's okay Dawn.. its okay." he whispered.
"No its not! Xander..." she yelled "I killed... all those people. I..." she collapsed crying into his chest. He didn't know what to say. What could he say? They had both slaughtered a lot of people that night. Even if they weren't in control of themselves, the blood of those people was on their hands regardless. So he just held on to her. Offering what comfort he could just by being close to her. They sat like that for many minutes until Dawn finally calmed down.
"Come on.. I'll take you home." He said quietly as he gently pulled Dawn to her feet. The two of them quietly made their way across town. Trying hard not to look at the devastation that was everywhere.
After safely getting Dawn home, much to her mothers relief; Xander quietly entered his own house. Silently dragging his aching body upstairs so as not to wake his parents. Who, as usual, were passed out drunk in the living room. He took off the costume, except for the pants. Then flopped bonelessly onto his bed and was sound asleep in minutes.