Disclaimer: Don't own any of the series in this story.
Author's note: I'd like to welcome my readers to another side story, that serves as a companion piece to my series, Hand of Fate. This story will be directly involved with the canon of Fate stories. Instead this story is actually a continuation of what happens after Xander leaves the altered television canon universe of Buffy/Angel, Charmed, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. I can promise that there will be one more crossover in this story as well as the Hand of Fate series. I've made mention of it a number of times throughout the stories, so many of you have an idea of where I'm taking it. AT any rate, I want everyone to bare with me with the way I'm handling the mythology of the show, because I've mentioned how Joss Whedon has never been entirely consistent with the way his ideas have gone. Anyway, here is the first chapter. Read, enjoy, review.
Summers' Residence
Sunnydale, California
Late May 2003
Origin Dimension
Xander sat in the living room of the Summers' home as he thought over everything that had happened during the last day two days. He had just learned that everything the gang knew about the supernatural was either all wrong or just not entirely accurate. There were angels, archangels at that, watching them the entire time. And the so-called Powers That Be, were just a rogue group, except for Gadreel. Which left the question of just what was the group doing? And how small did they really seem in the grand scheme of everything?
"Xander?" Dawn asked as she came into the living room. Xander looked up and saw the expression of concern that was written across his face. The younger Summers sibling looked to her former crush as she took stock of everything that she had seen and heard about within the past few days.
"What's up Dawn?" the carpenter asked his friend.
"Just...how are you doing?" the teenager asked. Xander mulled the question over and found that he couldn't come up with a definitive answer.
"It's okay if you feel overwhelmed," Dawn said as she saw that he couldn't respond.
"Bit of an understatement. I've had another me show up, he saves me and the potentials who would've been killed, and then an archangel recruits two powerful vampires, stronger than even Dracula, and now I'm starting to turn in freaking Superman," Xander said as he recounted the last few days.
"You think that's weird? I've got something even crazier to deal with. Alucard is thinking we might be able to shut down the hellmouth using the power of the Key," Dawn replied. Xander's eyes shot over to Dawn as he grew concerned with the possible implications.
"He thinks that maybe there's a way we can close it without it possibly killing me. Said there was some thing that can take the power and absorb the energies. But at the same time, that Seed has to be destroyed so that the energies can be released," Dawn explained.
"So even if we somehow shut the hellmouth without destroying the Seed, it would mean that other portals and tears could form? All this comic book stuff is getting to be too much. What did he think could be so powerful that it would even work?" Xander asked.
"I don't know. All he said is that the item would be important. Which reminds me, where did he go?" Dawn asked, more to herself, as she realized that the vampire's presence had been oddly missed.
Wolfram and Hart
Los Angeles, California
The law office was in full swing as the employees were all over the building, from security guards, scientists, and even the half-breed demons that seemed to accommodate the building's population. However, that wasn't the oddity that struck everyone inside the office. Two particular strangers had appeared inside the office lobby. One had on a red coat with a black shirt and black pants, along with black boots. He had long dark hair with a goatee connected to his mustache and pale skin. The other stranger had hair that was long, and strangely white, despite his physically fit and young appearance. He was also a bit paler than the first stranger, with a green coat, black clothes and black boots. However, the most distinguishing feature were their eyes, which were normally amber, but turned blood red in the presence of the employees. The two were approached by a shorter woman with brunette hair. However, they sensed that she wasn't really human.
"Hello. My name is Eve. How can I assist you two...gentlemen today?" Eve said with a forced diplomatic tone.
"My name is Gabriel Belmont. I am here with my son Trevor. We seek an item that can help us," Gabriel explained as he looked at Eve.
"Well, Wolfram & Hart can't just give you whatever item you want," Eve said with a sinister smirk. Gabriel and Alucard senses a strong presence appear behind them.
"But we can show you just what happens to those who think they can impose on the Senior Partners," a tall, muscular man with short hair, wearing a grey suit, said as he attempted to lunge at Alucard. The vampire merely sidestepped and grabbed the tall man's arm and flipped him over. Before Alucard let go, he picked the man up by the scruff of his suit jacket, and promptly bit into his neck, feeding on his blood. After having his fill, Alucard let the man go, who stood up on wobbly legs.
"Only one person ever overpowered Hamilton. How on earth could you do it?" Eve asked as she began stepping away.
"I've had years of practice. Now, I believe we have some business to conduct. We require an amulet. We know that you have it. You can either surrender it to us now. Or we level this entire place. And my father and I are not above violence where you all are concerned," Alucard promised.
"There will be no need for further violence gentlemen. Please follow me," Hamilton said as he readjusted his tie. The three reached the office of what could only be described as the archives of Wolfram & Hart. Hamilton began going through the file cabinets even as a thought struck his mind.
"I have to ask. The Senior Partners have been aware of you two but never bothers to actually have you taken out. Why come to us for help?" Hamilton asked.
"Our business here doesn't concern you, Construct. Either give us what we came here for, or we kill you," Gabriel seethed.
"Will you at least allow me another question: you two are clearly vampires but not like any the Senior partners have known. How have you come to be?" Hamilton asked as he rummaged through the cabinets again.
"The power that made us what we are is even older than the Senior Partners and the Old Ones. You may be physically powerful. But that accounts for very little in the true struggles of power," Gabriel replied.
"Very well. This is the amulet you're looking for. As you can imagine, the power behind it is very great. It has some sort of cleansing power to it. The translation alone was iffy but if it's concerning the hellmouth, then this is what you're looking for. Though I don't understand why you're so worried about the First Evil," Hamilton stated.
"We know for a fact that there are bigger and badder things out there. Seeing as how I fought the Devil himself, I know first-hand what the true face of evil is like. And the First is only one being in a long list of others. Your creators may claim to be all powerful. But in the end, they're just low-level scum just like so many," Gabriel replied viciously. Hamilton's eye twitched as he would love nothing more than to rip off the head of the vampire in front of him. But he knew how useless it would be as Gabriel had power that Hamilton could only dream about.
"Very well. Good luck. You're going to need it," Hamilton said. Gabriel and Alucard vanished in clouds of smoke out of the office.
Summers' Residence
Sunnydale California
Giles sat with Faith, Willow, and Buffy in the kitchen as they had the scythe laid on the table. Rona, Molly, and Kennedy stood around as they listened to the discussion.
"So you said that when Alex handed the Scythe to you, you felt a power flow through you?" Giles inquired of Faith.
"Yeah. I just felt like a part of me had made me whole or something," Faith replied.
"My word. I can't imagine how something this powerful would exist without my knowing it," Giles said as he took off his glasses and began furiously cleaning them.
"Well, the good guys aren't exactly known for their communication skills," Buffy replied sardonically.
"Quite. Now Faith, what was the other thing you mentioned?" Giles asked.
"It's what we know about the power of the Slayer and what Ariel told us. We didn't even have the plan of activating every potential until Ariel brought it up. But she said that the plan would have horrible consequences because of the power. A bunch of demonically powered girls running around in itself sounds bad. Especially when you've got some who'd wanna dish out some punishment," Faith began explaining.
"You're saying that the power would prove more dangerous? But how would Ariel know?" Giles asked.
"Angel!" Buffy said.
"What?" Giles asked in confusion.
"She mentioned me and Angel. She said that something was drawing us together no matter what and that we would be the reason that Twilight comes here. And she said that Twilight would take the powers of the activated slayers and would kill them," Buffy added on.
"I think I get what she's saying. Both you guys have demonic power. And he would use that to make you two get together. Definitely explains a lot," Faith said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Buffy spat at her sister slayer.
"Buffy I've got the same power running through me, but I've never even wanted to bone any vampire. Yet for reasons no one could understand until now, you've been attracted to not one, but two vampires. Three, if you count Dracula from what I've heard," Faith explained.
"I think I know where Faith is coming from. The prophecy of Twilight has mentioned that he would come about when the arrival of a slayer who would change everything comes. Buffy herself has proven to be that slayer from what I've seen. But I had always believed that Twilight was merely a myth," Giles said.
"So then everything I've ever felt for Angel has just been the Powers controlling me?" Buffy asked as she thought over the implications.
"It sounds like it goes much deeper than that, I'm afraid. It's possible that even if the Powers knew, they simply did nothing. For all the good that does us," Giles said.
"So then what do we do? We only have one super weapon to help us. We don't even know what those jewels Xander and Gabriel brought back can do," Buffy reminded.
"Not exactly. One of those gems can give you a buttload of psychic. But if you've never used it before, then it'll feel like all your muscles are cramping. I don't know what the other jewels are for though," Xander said as he came into the kitchen.
"How are you feeling?" Giles asked. He saw Xander's slight use of his power and had looked in on him and Faith as they sparred. Needless to say, his surrogate son seemed to come along well with the training, despite the short bit of time. He wondered if his Halloween possession, coupled with his reflexes, had anything to do with it.
"Physically, better than ever. Actually even better than that. But I'm not even sure I'm the right person cut out for this. You guys know how this kind of thing has gone for me. I get any kind of power, it's gonna south," Xander replied, somewhat grimly.
"What are you complaining about? We're still normal," Kennedy finally spoke up.
"You've never been just normal since you were born. You would've been a slayer given certain circumstances. It would've just been a matter of when. Besides, having power isn't so simple," Xander said.
"We're discuss the dynamics later. Faith, Xander, I've found some references to the Scythe and it seems there is a temple here in Sunnydale that may be connected to it. Perhaps you both could investigate it," Giles suggested.
"Why not. Ready Xan?" Faith asked her former one-night stand.
"Sure. Don't wait up guys," Xander said as he and Faith immediately left.
Restfield Cemetery
Faith and Xander strolled through the rows of headstones as they went of search of what they were looking for regarding the Scythe, as Faith carried it with her. The pair was silent through most of their mission with the occasional observation. However, with the lack of action with the emergence of the First Evil, it was hard for either to really acknowledge the elephant in the room. Xander spotted an interesting mark on one of mausoleums.
"There's something you don't see in Sunnydale," the carpenter said to his companion.
"I'm pretty sure we would've recognized something like this earlier. How does this stuff just happen?" Faith asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Xander replied. He entered first with Faith following him. Expecting to find a number of coffins and markers, they instead found what appeared to be the inside of an Egyptian temple, with various pots and jars strewn about.
"I see you've found the weapon," a woman's voice suddenly sounds out. The pair looked to a section of the wall that had curtains covering it. The were able to make out the silhouette of a somewhat elderly woman.
"Forgive me. You're not who I was expecting. Or your male companion. I see you found our weapon," the woman said.
"Who are you?" Faith asked, feeling a bit impatient.
"I'm one of many Guardians. Time was. But now I'm all alone," the Guardian answered.
"Uh huh. So what's with the Scythe and how do you know about it?" Faith asked further.
"Direct. I can appreciate that. We Guardians forged the scythe in secrecy. When the First Slayer was created, we were there, watching the Watchers, or Shadow Men as they were known. We knew one day there would be one who would draw the Scythe form the stone. But it seems your friend has taken care of that," the Guardian lamented.
"About that. If you knew what those guys were doing when they made the First Slayer, why didn't you stop them?" Xander asked with a bit of indignation.
"You don't understand the circumstances of the time-" the Guardian started before Faith cut her off.
"I kinda have to agree with my boy here. I heard the story from Buffy about how the First Slayer was created. So if you guys knew what those shadow dudes were doing, why not stop them and trained the Slayer the be something different? Do you know how it feels knowing that you've got demon power and that it could be used against us? Did you even care what those guys did to that girl? Or did you not wanna get your hands dirty?" Faith demanded from the age-old woman.
"We wanted to help," the Guardian returned.
"On sitting on the sidelines, on your thumbs, was helping? You think making the Scythe gives you a big step up for what happened then? Especially when you apparently had the power you did then? You're no better than the Shadow Men were," Xander said to the Guardian. She merely glared at the young man.
"Forget it. We've learned all we need to. I'd suggest you get of town while you still can," Faith said as she exited first, followed by Xander.
The Guardian sat there as she mulled over everything that had been said to her regarding her and her sisters. She wasn't sure why they didn't act when they did but they felt that making the Scythe was the only thing they could do at the time. However, seeing the young man and woman, she realized maybe there was a mistake in simply sitting back and letting things play out.
Summers' Residence
Faith and Xander walked into the house and were greeted by the sight of Gabriel and Alucard.
"Ah. You're back. What did you find?" Giles asked the pair.
"Well, it turns out there was this group of women who were watching the guys who made the First Slayer. They forged the Scythe sure enough. But they didn't do anything when that girl had a demon forced into her body. Solidarity doesn't seem to be a strong point with these big wigs," Xander said. Giles looked at the young man in curiosity. Xander looked back as he realized that he said something that didn't quite sit right.
"Think about it. You've got these guys who decide 'Hey. Let's kidnap a girl and then merge a demon with her and make her fight for us, completely against her will'. Then you've got another group that's like 'Hey. We see what these men are doing. But rather than standing up to them and fighting this war the right way, we'll just make a weapon, give it to the girl, and then just watch her go at it while we reap the benefits'. She was about ready to get high and mighty thinking she really did anything other than make a weapon. Sure it's strong but what good is it when they rely on one soldier to do anything?" Faith explained. Giles looked down as he thought back to everything he had known when it came to the Watcher's Council.
"We know that feeling better than anyone. If the Brotherhood had actually taken my mother away somewhere safe, and perhaps helped Father, then we wouldn't have become what we are now," Alucard said as he looked at Gabriel, who solemnly agreed with his son. He thought back to his son's words when they first fought. 'Fate is cruel,' Gabriel thought as he remembered how distraught he felt when he realized that felt had conspired to make him nearly kill his own son.
"So, Gabriel, what did you guys go to get?" Buffy asked.
"Ah yes. The Amulet had been in possession of the Wolf, Ram, and Hart for some time. Luckily for us, our persuasiveness allowed for them to hand it over without incident. We researched the amulet ourselves and it's apparently meant to be worn by someone ensouled but stronger than human," Gabriel explained to the group.
"So I guess one of you guys or Spike wears it then?" Buffy asked.
"No. We actually have something else in mind," Alucard said as he looked at Dawn. The younger Summers girl looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
A few hours later...
The Scoobies, along with the potential slayers, all gathered in the living room as they were going over the final plan for the battle that was approaching. It took some serious convincing on multiple parts before it was decided who was tasked with what, as they wanted this plan to go off without a hitch. They knew that with a few of the members, they would stand a much better chance against the army of turok-han vampires. However, it didn't mean that everything would go perfectly. Buffy stood by the fireplace as she got a good look at everyone.
"So here's the deal, tomorrow morning, our friends from LA will arrive to help us fight the First's army. We have a chance to really end this thing once and for all, now that we know about the Seed. That will be Xander and Faith's job, along with anyone who thinks they will be better off handling that mission. Ariel and Alex gave a chance to really make this right and truly change the world for the better. Ariel's mention of activating every potential using the Scythe has shown that there would've been consequences. So instead, we're going to change up the plan. Everyone here will become slayers. But it won't be with the use of demon power. We will become something different. The three men who created the Slayer were powerful men. But Willow and Gabriel are more powerful than those three men combined. And it's thanks to Gabriel's knowledge that we know for sure we can pull this off. Tomorrow, we're heading to the seal to open the hellmouth. We're taking the fight to them. When this is over...when we make it out of this, you all can decide what you want to do. We're going to change the world."