Disclaimer: I own neither Starcraft nor Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Xander bit out a particularly nasty swear word as he saw a kid grab the last toy gun just in front of him, shattering his plan to go. He then bit back worse swear word aimed at the resident fascist, the principal Herr Snyder. He wandered around the shop, truing to figure out a plan for a costume that wasn't too expensive – and considering his limited cash, that was a difficult task. Sighing in resignation, the teen turned to leave.

"Can I help you, lad?" the shop proprietor's voice startled him.

Xander shook his head. "I don't think so. I thought I could find some props, but."

The middle – aged man nodded in understanding. "Strapped for cash, I see. Well, I like a creative lad. Believe it or not, but I hate mass – produced costumes. That's why I've made sure to put at least a tiny modification on every costume in the shop." The funny thing was, this was the truth, Ethan thought. "Come. I've got a thing just your size."

"No way!" Xander exclaimed as he saw what Ethan had in mind. "There is no way I could afford it."

"Like I said, lad, for a creative lad like yourself, I've got a creative solution. And if I can't satisfy my customers, I won't last long in this business, I'll make you a deal: I'll give you a discount, and you'll tell everyone where did you get this. Deal?"

Five minutes and fifteen bucks later, Xander walked happily out of the shop, the pieces of his costume in a bag.

Tassadar looked around himself in confusion. The last thing he remembered was the burning sensation of the energy pulse released through his body and into his Carrier as it slammed into the Overmind. And yet there he was, surrounded by humans and strange creatures of species he was unable to identify. What in Adun's name had just happened?

The Executor's attention was drawn to a redhead human female who reminded him of Sarah Kerrigan before her infestation. She looked distraught, and walked straight towards him.

"Xander! Xander, it's me, Willow."

"I do not know you, human." The High Templar projected into the woman's mind. He was astonished to sense a dormant power within the girl, rivaling the one possessed by the Queen of the Blades, although the Protoss also recognized the different nature of that power.

"Of course you don't. But I know her, and she knows me."

The High Templar almost jumped at those words spoken directly into his mind.

"What? Who are you?" Tassadar demanded.

"I'm the human whose body you are possessing." Xander replied.

"What?" Tassadar demanded, and realized from the redhead's wince that he'd projected the thought as a shout to everyone in the vicinity. The Templar forced himself to calm down. "How can this be?"

"Probe my mind. It will be easier this way."

Tassadar did… and was astonished by what he learned. He probed some of the creatures around and sensed their humanity. With each being he checked, he grew angrier and angrier. During the time he'd spent with Jim Raynor, the Templar had come to respect the humans as a race. In this place, some humans had been tainted with vileness rivaling that of the Zerg. Such treachery would not go unpunished.


"Get out of my face!" Buffy snarled at the First and rose up. To her left, a crackle of energy announced what the Slayers had been waiting for - the release of the awesome power of the High Templar's psionic storm. As it expanded, every Turok – Han that came under it turned to dust… and every foundation that came into contact with it disintegrated. The ground began to shake, and the Hellmouth began to crumble upon itself.

"We're done. Let's get out of here."