Chapter One
Title: BTVS: Builders
Summary
To honor Jesse, based on a long ago gaming conversation about who wields the real power in a game universe, Xander, Willow and Dawn wear "Builder," costumes. (YAHF)
Disclaimers
Warning: Disclaimers may count as spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Fandom: BTVS / Multiple
Pairing: Not Really Any
Rating: FR15
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, which pretty well guarantees that "ownership," of the characters belongs to others and that this work is entirely based on affection. This work is an interpretation and not for-profit, (though it may be for praise and enjoyment) Reference to persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
Fandoms either obviously used or subtly referenced in this particular story are:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The Magic School Bus
Despicable Me
Various Games inspired content, but do not have explicit ID within this story. However a short list of possible inspirations: Dungeon Keeper, Majesty, Age of Empires, Simcity, Civilization, Galactic Civ, Stronghold, Furyband T-Plus, WoW, and other games and stories where-in magic and construction might occur. Should this go into "series" the games and other influences in this story/series will not be limited to 1997 as they are considered "alternate universes".
Beta Reader: LadyDragonstorm
A/N - This is my shake off the dust fan fiction. I have had such a screaming case of writer's block that I was afraid I wouldn't write again. I decided that I would try in November (naturally) and that I had to commit to a shorter story, and it had to be different than my normal stories in some way, just in case it was the stories themselves that were the block. Thus the rating on this story and thus the no pairing. Though future stories… well, that's a whole other bag of chips.
A/N - This fiction draws from several sources for inspiration - it mostly uses BTVS TV canon as a starting point. It also draws from Ultimate Peasant by Wraithrune and his/her Dungeon Monk stories. I started out "borrowing," some of the ideas, but they have been very transformed and this story/series will stand on its own and have its own plotline, with its own characterizations. Thus, no copyright infringement nor permissions needed, but it is rather fanfic inspired by fanfic.
Other inspirations may affect the story telling. I won't honestly track them all, but consider such influences disclaimed here-in (See above). This is, after all, fan fiction and is thus a very transformed work.
Also, I ended up actually writing up a whole new class of being for this story, (I have a document called Builder Lore, which is something like 10 pages long) based on some generalized specs and some creative thought on what I wanted the characters to to experience. According the Lore: A Builder is a species and class of person whose very nature is that of creation, construction and building. You can find the link to the challenge and the lore in my fanfic net profile, as well as on Twisting the Hellmouth under my profile: Katrina
A/N - This story is so very AU. Not just because Dawn exists before canon, but because I don't actually plan on following the tv/other storylines too much; unless it somehow fits or needs to be written. Also, this story definitely involves magic. And while I personally believe that magic exists, there are those among us who need this disclaimer. So for purposes of respect to the cooperative multi-verse in which we live: *stamp* AU *endstamp*
A/N - This story uses a Buffy-world setting, but even then, it's only lightly applied. However: *stamp* MAYHEM! *endstamp*
Inspirational Sound:
Cocunut Monkeyrocket: Shopping for Explosives
I listened to this and its companion pieces a lot while writing this story.
-BTVS-
Location: Ethan's Shop - The Early Evening Before Halloween
Dawn sighed and crossed her arms in a futile gesture of disapproval. Her gaze raked over her oblivious sister, Buffy. Her less than tall, but definitely older than her, sibling had been instantly distracted by a frilly ball-room type dress; the kind that back in the day might have required hoops. But since this was for Halloween, and they weren't in the olden days, it just had a lot of fluffy skirts layered into the bottom.
Dawn would have complained, but she knew her sister. Buffy was gone on the dress and Dawn would be lucky to get any attention until Buffy either decided not to get the dress or everything needed to be bought and paid.
The problem being, that there was a reason that Buffy was there with Dawn in the first place and it wasn't just because of the High School Principal's Halloween Volunteer Drive. The warehouse of costumes was much larger than one might think and there were loads of distractions. Their Mom's protective instincts had kicked in, though she had caved to her youngest daughter's claim of "old enough to do my own shopping now," argument; with a few minor parental demands. Dawn had happily agreed. Buffy had been less happy, but that seemed to be the average teen response rather than any animosity towards Dawn in particular, so she didn't take it personally.
Besides, the younger Summers was on a mission. Dawn had been saving her allowance for months so she could get a quality costume. Their Mom had topped off the allowance with a twenty dollar contribution. She'd done that for both of her daughters, with the intent that they would, of course, spend it. She offered no qualifiers except that the costumes be age and school volunteer appropriate.
On the other hand, an unescorted Dawn was an opportunistic Dawn. The girl eventually and ultimately concluded that if Buffy wanted to butterfly around a dress, well, then that was more than okay. Besides, according to Buffy, there was a more than an eighty percent chance that Xander would be somewhere in the shop too. Thus, when she saw Willow join the admiration society, Dawn turned away with a gleam in her eyes.
It was time to pursue her own lost cause.
-BTVS-
Xander groaned in frustration. It was the right thing to do, but it didn't change that giving that little boy the last fake pistol so he could complete his Halloween outfit scuttled plans. Rolling his eyes at himself, the young man straightened until he was standing, instead of kneeling at kid-eye level, and considered his options.
"Hi Xander!"
"Gah!" Xander startled and turned abruptly, his eyes wide. "Don't do that!" Then he grinned. "Or I'll have to put a bell on you!" His arms seemed to open automatically, even as she jumped in his direction. The hug was quick, but genuine and then he settled her back on the ground.
"And how is the youngest Summers?"
She didn't quite pout, as that never really worked with Xander. But her brows did furrow as she said, "Overwhelmed. There's just too much to choose from here and well…"
"Wait. I thought you had this all planned out. You were going to be a princess." Then he checked himself. "Not that you aren't always one, but…"
"No," she sighed. "Buffy's gotten all gooey about some guy and now she wants to be all froo-froo. I can't compete … I mean, I don't want to be a princess anymore."
He nodded sagely. "Fair enough." Then looked around himself. "I admit my plans have been altered too."
Dawn knew that any money that Xander had was earned, but that it also went to lunches and other more important things. He wasn't exactly a spendy guy, but she knew he was generous when he needed to be. She intuited he might not be too receptive to an offer on her part to split costs for a co-costume, which would be fun, but… she was very aware that their ages didn't match yet.
Darn it.
"Well, since Buffy is all occupied, would you consider helping me? I still want an awesome costume."
Xander looked around. "Hmm. I might be able to help you out some, but you know my tastes aren't always appreciated."
"Phfft." Dawn handwaved. "Your taste is fine. It's just …. you know…. not deeply funded."
He grinned at her, heartened despite himself. "Dawn, let's walk around and see what's what. I have a thought niggling in the back of my skull and I can't help, but think that it may become a great costume idea if we give it enough time to grow up."
"Oh?"
"Well, maybe not a costume for you, per se, but one for me. But helping you will help me, so…"
"Let us walk?"
He offered his arm. "Indeed fair lady, let us stroll, and see what this good store has to offer us.."
"Great!"
Elsewhere in the store, a thin man tempted a slayer into buying a dress.
-BTVS-
"What's this then! Willow!" The redheaded computer-literate and self-identified geek didn't mean to drop the package, but the abrupt greeting had just enough shock value to disrupt her sneaky plan.
Even though there was really no reason to feel caught out, Willow turned to face her best friend, her expression slightly guilty; as if she hadn't been buying ghost costumes since the age of five; which he already knew. "Xander! What are… What are you doing here?"
The young man leaned over, picked up the package and held it just slightly out of reach from his friend. He glanced at it while he spoke, "Why, the same thing you are. We," he then flicked his hand to indicate himself and the younger brunette with him, "... are deciding upon the optimal costume. I see you are leaning toward traditional."
Willow exhaled and reached for the package, even though Xander teased it away. She grimaced at him, but carried the conversation as she played the game. "Hi Dawn! Yeah, I figure, why ruin a good streak. Although, Buffy…"
"What about Buffy?" Dawn piped.
"She says Halloween is all about come as you aren't. A ghost still qualifies, right?"
"Well, in some circles, perhaps," Dawn nodded sagely. "Xander is helping me find a costume since Buffy kind of stole my idea."
"What? Buffy never said you wanted to be an 18th century noblewoman."
"No. I just wanted to be a princess. It's kind of the same thing."
"Oh. Well, I can see the legitimacy of the argument, if I look at it sideways. Xander, would you kindly give me the package, please."
She noticed that his expression had glazed, and prepared to repeat her request, when he finally replied. "Come as you aren't, you say? Hmph. Come as you aren't. Or as you might want to be. Or..." Willow gaped as he slapped the ghost costume into Dawn's hands, and then grasped their wrists lightly, to then begin dragging them forward with him.
Words of confusion did little to stop the now clearly focused young man. He pulled them through the costume store until they were standing in front of a series of fake-rough costumes. The items of clothing were "patched," and "dirty," though really it was just costume colors.
"You want to go as a peasant or hobo? Xander," Willow began to caution, "I don't see how this is a good idea. You know how Cordelia might take advantage of this and I'm not sure I'm up for verbal skinning on a holiday that's meant for candy." She was about to say more, until she and Dawn were abruptly turned and dragged a little further up the aisle. Until they were looking at hard plastic yellow hats and myriad plastic pouches and tool belts. Above those items were a couple of "sexy" construction worker costumes. This time it was Dawn who spoke. "Xander. I don't think that would qualify as age appropriate to my Mom."
"You're right Dawn," Xander said with a scary kind of grin. "But that's not what we're looking at."
"It's not?" Willow blinked, a bit caught up in trying to imagine wearing one of those costumes and shying from it. "Though, I think Buffy would approve." She shook her head then, trying to clear her mind.
"This is not about Buffy." Xander said firmly, as his expression became a bit stern. "This is about Jesse and the great debate of 1996."
Willow said "Jesse? 1996? What does this have to do with…" Then she began to blink rapidly and she turned to look back past Xander's shoulders at the previous set of costumes they'd looked at and her head swiveled to look at the fake hardhats. Her eyes began to widen and despite herself, she began to smile.
Meanwhile, Dawn was confused. "What are you guys talking about?"
Xander, however, was on another plane of thought and he turned toward the young woman who had been his friend the longest. "Willow, are you prepared to contest the results of the debate at this time?"
Willow, instantly responded. "No. I conceded to Jesse then and I stand by it. He was right and I agree. Real power is inherent with those who can change circumstances. The logic holds."
He nodded at her. "Then you know what we must do." Xander turned to Dawn. "May I have the package?"
Still confused, but willing to play along, the girl handed him the costume package. He took it and held it as if he were holding a precious object. He then turned back to Willow, who looked both tempted and resolved.
"Willow, do you remember our friend Jesse?" Flickers of loss passed over both of their faces, but they had long since accepted what had happened. Still their actions took on a new solemnity.
"I do." She replied firmly. Jesse was among her unforgettables. He had been a brother to her and Xander and was thus, family, in spirit, if not blood.
"Willow, would you be willing to give up the Boo, a tradition to which you have held firm for ten years, to honor Jesse?"
The redhead nibbled her lower lip and ever-so-briefly appeared indecisive. Then she nodded sharply. "I would. I do."
"Then, Willow, I believe I know what we're going to do today. And tomorrow." He dropped the package unceremoniously on one of the nearby shelves and turned toward the construction costume-zone again.
"And that would be?" Dawn asked.
"Take over the world! Wahahahaha."
"Wrong character class, Xan." Willow grinned as she picked up a plastic hammer.
"And… and species, I think." Dawn inserted. "Unless you're planning on being a mouse?"
"Well, not this time. I think I prefer to be human shaped for this." Willow disavowed.
"Oh, well in that case." Xander turned to Dawn. "Dawn, how would you like to dress up as one of the most powerful beings in any game or world? Someone who, through dint of a bit of effort can make great changes or maybe help hang a painting on the wall with ease. It would help us honor a good friend, be fun in general and you would definitely not be a princess; unless you wanted to disguise yourself as one."
"I am intrigued by your theory and would like to read the pamphlet?"
He clapped her back lightly. "Excellent. Willow, I need a game call. Status: Youngling, Apprentice, or Journeyman."
Willow, who now had several objects in her hands, turned to look at them. She cocked her head and then said, "She's too old to be a Youngling. And the right age to be an Apprentice, but an Apprentice would have to have a Master, which I think we're much too young for. However, if we all go as Journeymen we can automatically be a team. We'd only need a team leader." She bounced a little. "So, we should write up character sheets and roll the dice, right?"
"Definitely. It'll be more fun that way."
Dawn smiled at both of them, "I'm all for fun." After all, it was generally true that anything involving Xander was going to be entertaining and so far this was definitely more interesting than watching Buffy drool over pretty dresses. "Well, and maybe an explanation?"
"That we will be happy to do. Once we get the stuff. Let us shop, and then Dawn, Willow and I shall share a story with you."
"Goody!"
-BTVS-
Location: Summer's Residence - Halloween Evening, Before the Event
In the dining room, remnants of cloth and bits and pieces, plus glue, markers and various sundry items of creative endeavors were strewn about the table haphazardly. Dawn, however, despite the smudges on her face and "raggedness" of her clothes was mostly pristine. She looked a bit like a construction-worker gone mad. Her schoolbag, temporarily transformed into a disguised goody bag, hung upon her shoulders. "Stuffed" into it, were rolled pieces of paper and carefully crafted poster-board tools. Her jacket pockets were similarly decorated and she wore a utility belt, with plastic tools from the store aligned within. The yellow hard hat, with her first name stenciled on it, hung on one side of her belt; as did a working toy walkie-talkie, which Xander had insisted on giving everyone. "They may not work really long distance, but most of us will be within a block of each other."
Despite one person's protest, Joyce's vote made things final. Buffy ended up taking a drawstring handbag, which contained the walky-talky and a few other items which she snuck into it; just in case. By the time their Mom was attaching the Junior Journeyman badge to Dawn's jacket, Buffy had accommodated herself to the appearance of acceptance of the idea, with every intention of never using the darn thing. At least, she knew she looked good.
Xander's renouncing of spandex had been just the thing to boost her confidence. Though her return compliments had been more about the "very creative idea, guys" than about the way their costumes also enhanced their looks. They'd seemed pleased anyway.
Like Dawn, the two looked scruffy, with pants, shirt and jackets that appeared patched together, as if they were impoverished construction-students finally freed to go out in the world on their own. All three had chosen sturdy boots to wear. Willow and Xander, meanwhile, both chose cargo-pants with many pockets, and like Dawn's jacket and backpack, they appeared to be stuffed. They also wore utility belts lined with various tools, though they both carried a "big" tool, made of cardboard and old wrapper paper tubes. Xander carried a intimidatingly-sized "sledgehammer," while Willow carried a giant "wrench." Blue paper with white pencil markings sprouted from the jacket pockets at odd angles. Their walkie-talkies hung at their belts, but both wore their hard-hats; also stenciled with their names. On their jackets, they wore the invented Junior Journeyman badges; with all having a bar indicating that they had just joined the ranks. It was generally agreed, based on the way their character sheets had rolled, that this time Xander was Team Leader, so his also had an additional marking. Willow's character had missed the position by two points; Dawn, by five. Thus Willow was Second and Dawn was merely part of the team.
This basically meant that after they paraded around the kids for Principal Snyder, then Xander would get to choose where they would go for dinner and drinks. Joyce, insisted on paying, since Xander and Willow had essentially agreed that Dawn was with them, regardless of assignments. Thus, she gave them all a little money, which was squirrelled away into their pockets for later.
Buffy was very okay with that, as it meant she was free to roam and find Angel afterwards. And no one would get in trouble for any late-night returns. All in all, they were pretty satisfied with the plans.
-BTVS-
Location: Elm Street - Halloween Evening, Before the Event
It wasn't as bad as anyone expected at the High School. Sure, there was a bit of a verbal spar with Larry, the Pirate, and Cordelia just had to comment about riff-raff, but on the whole people seemed pretty cool with the chosen outfits. It had taken only a few minutes to get everyone organized and ready before the three teens and their charges had gone off to seek an increase to their candy haul. Dawn accompanied Xander and his young people, with Willow and Buffy taking one side of the road while they took the other and then vice versa. It made for an almost perfect coverage of the available houses. Dawn was put in charge of keeping track of time and the walkie-talkies had turned out to be very useful, especially when Billy got lost for a minute and a half (He'd been trying to scam more chocolate from a few of the more willing donors).
Once everyone was found, the goodies tallied and the sun had begun to dip low in the sky, it was decided that they would go through one last street, less than half a block, and then head back to the school, which was home-base for the event.
Buffy stopped to commiserate about toothbrushes, while Willow was at one door, listening and smiling as an older woman praised the costumed children. Meanwhile Xander and Dawn were at another house, on the opposite side of the road, where they encountered someone dressed as Ms. Frizzle, whose chocolate candies included a piece of paper with various science notes. A brisk chill wind filled the air. It was cold enough that it could be felt through the jackets and not all the little ones had one. Xander said, "Okay, I think that may be our signal. Everyone thank the nice Science Teacher!"
The communal thank yous started immediately, but they didn't last long, as the wind shifted, and grew even colder and faster. A burst of energy flashed through the city and its inhabitants, changing the fabric of reality.
Xander, Willow and Dawn only had enough time to cry out in shock as their whole beings were overloaded with agony, while their charges lost themselves and became their costumes.
- BTVS -
Location: Elm Street - Halloween, Event In-Game
From one perspective, it was as if Xander had merely staggered and then had adjusted himself upright in a matter of moments; hardly even a minute. From another, Xander's, it had been as if he had been swirled and flushed and then had to crawl back up through the pipes on a path of glass and wire. In other words, it was painful, soggy and slow. Unfortunately, it was not that unfamiliar an experience, according to one of his sets of memories and not his Builder one's, which were still trying to integrate. He did not linger on the thought as there were other priorities.
He also did not notice that several items had disappeared. The rank badge and the mock blueprints had faded from sight. The tools he had acquired for the costume, some of which had definitely been plastic-toys, had changed and either filled the belt, or looped on it or, had disappeared into his pockets. His outerwear had changed, becoming a bit more professional contract worker and less peasant as it modernized to fit the locale.
Dizzily, somewhat himself, yet not as he was, he staggered and looked around. He spotted the hammer on the ground, not quite Troll-sized, but definitely oversized.
As his focus narrowed, what he observed changed. It was as if, with one blink, an overlay of information had arisen; the kind of thing one might see in a movie or a game. Xander's Hammer was described, cataloged, measured, weighed and analyzed in detail; including various pieces of information such as uses in construction, cost, and then, weirdly, attack and defense percentages listed as pluses and minuses. In another lifetime, without all the memories filled with knowing, he might have been overwhelmed with the excess information. As it was, he was mostly just painfully confused, though his confusion was rapidly fading as his body caught up with the changes. With another blink, the informational track and options to select was gone. He shook his head, trying to clear it past the mentally repetitive phrase of, "What?"
Regardless of mental state, he was still Xander and Xander had lived on a Hellmouth. Dealing with the weird was second nature and being armed around the weird was important.
He bent down and, despite the fact his head still didn't feel right, grabbed the hammer, picking it up with a solid and surprising ease. "Hmm. Seemed like it was supposed to be heavier."
By the time he said that and had levered the hammer to rest on his shoulder, Dawn was also reviving and transformed. Plus, the nice Science Teacher had slammed the door against the suddenly dangerous critters at her doorstep; one of which was trying to claw through the cat-flap.
Well, he couldn't let that happen.
He was about to drop the hammer at the most logical place when he heard a disturbed shout. "Xander! Stop! They're kids. They're just kids."
"Monster kids," he riposted. Though he did adjust his swing. The hammer missed, but it sounded on the ground hard enough that it startled the creature into yelping and then backing away from the flap in a hurry.
"No. They're regular human kids in other-bodies. Look! Just Look at everything."
It was as if the word Look was a command. As soon as she said it, his eyes and mind adjusted again, adding in that mysterious overlay and deep input of information. The true shape of the monster retreating was revealed to him, as were many other things. Trees, grass, transformed and untransformed kids, the house with two occupants: humanoid bipedal and feline… bus? Everything had some form of label and assessment, not just his hammer. "Wow!"
That was about all he was able to say before he noticed that something, no someone, had glommed onto his leg. He glanced down, still looking to see a notation about a child - person - nonreducable, along with other general information about height, weight, species and sundry options. He blinked and shook his head a bit, clearing his sight. The little girl in a fairy costume gripping his leg said, "I'm scared."
So was he.
Not that he would ever tell the child that. Instead he laid his hand on her shoulder and said, "It's going to be okay. We'll take care of you."
As he said that, two things happened. First there was a buzzing noise down by the cat-flap and second, Willow was racing up the sidewalk followed by a tiny gaggle of kids; much fewer than what they'd started out with. But all of those children were unchanged. He got himself into gear. "Dawn, let's get everyone we can together. You, Willow and I, will lead the kids back to school and try to match kids to parents. Where's Buffy?"
A tiny school bus paused in front of his nose. An even tinier Ms. Frizzle, currently Barbie-sized waved and said, "If you'll give me a minute, I'll give you all a ride. I just had to get the bus out of the house."
"Oh, well, if that's all. Thanks. That might help." He said faintly. After all, who was he to deny assistance. The monster-kids had all dispersed pretty rapidly after the near hammering, so all that was really left were their non-changed crew.
Given the relative safety, it was no wonder that they all paused to watch as the miniature bus landed on the road and then changed. It's tiny form suddenly expanded, like a balloon being quickly filled with air. Only, it was much more solidly constructed. By the time the growth spurt was complete, the average yellow school-bus' doors had slammed open. The science teacher, hair even frizzier than before and obviously no longer a wig, and her expression worried, rolled down the driver's side window. "Need a lift?"
"Okay. That was cool," Dawn said.
"Buffy ran off before I could stop her," said Willow. "She didn't recognize me."
He nodded, and oddly, things were seeming less and less surprising. And, as if it were now an automatic habit, he found himself examining the bus and Seeing it. The layers of information were fascinating, but one particular option caught his attention, a blinking: Make Blueprint?
As he noted the evaluation of the the impossible vehicle, he realized, yes. He wanted a copy. Something within took what felt like a snapshot and the option to Make Blueprint disappeared and changed to: Use Blueprint.
Despite himself and the obviously dire situation, he grinned and the extra-input disappeared. It was getting easier and easier and he was feeling more comfortable with himself with each passing moment as his Journeyman self firmed into being and his memories altered even further.
He clapped his hands together "Okay kids! Willow. Dawn. Everyone on the bus! Let's head back to the High School. We'll try and see if we can get Buffy to join us on the way."
- BTVS -