THE WIZARD OF...OZ?
This story is for E. James Burns. He gave me a challenge. I hope I've lived up to it. I started this back in July. There were major errors in it, and so with the help of E. James Burns, and Mark W, we finally ironed them out. Hope you like this nightmare of mine. I loved it, hated it, wanted to burn it, blah, blah, blah. Proceed at your own risk.
Author: MeB aka XanWill4Ever
Email: lenoxfiles@hotmail.com
Pairing: Willow/Oz...I had to for this story.
Spoiler: Season 2. There is AU in this story.
Summary: What if Spider-Man wasn't the Green Goblins arch enemy? What if it was Buffy, the Vampire Slayer? Spider-Man does not make an appearance.
Disclaimer: All characters of Buffy tVS are the property of Joss. Characters from Spider-Man belong to Stan Lee.
Rating - PG-13
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Part 1
Norman Osborn stood with his son, Harry, in the driveway of his new home, a huge mansion sitting with a commanding view of all Sunnydale. Osborn smiled to himself- everything was going according to plan. Everything.
Except for one small detail.
He had to find a way to keep his son busy. Harry must not get near his work. No, not yet. The time would come when the son would carry on the "Father's Work", but that time was not near as of yet. Soon. But first, he had to find that which he sought the most.
The Orb of Herboverda.
The orb was an orb of dark power, and once that orb was in his possession, then all would be ready.
Osborn smiled.
"Dad," Harry said, interrupting his father's thoughts, "tell me why we had to move from Manhattan again? I miss my friends."
Osborn didn't look at him. "You'll make new friends."
"That's easy for you to say."
"Listen, son. Your cousin Daniel promised to take you along with him and introduce you around. So don't sweat it so much. Okay? This is important to me and important to Osborn Industries which, by the way, will some day be yours." He turned to look at his son. There was a twitch in his eye. "Do you understand? Can you help your old man out?"
Harry looked up at his father. He knew that there was something wrong with him. Something had happened to him back at the lab at Osborn Industries HQ in New York. He just didn't know what it was, but whatever had happened, it had changed his father. It was like there were two of them. One minute, he was his old Norman Osborn self. The next...he was just plain mad.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Harry let out a sigh. "Sure, Dad. I'll help you out."
But who was going to help him out?
***************************************************
"Oz!!" called the voice of the one and only girl he was crazy about. Daniel Ozbourne turned his head as he opened his locker and there she was.
Willow Rosenberg ran up to him and gave him a quick happy kiss on the lips. "Hi, boyfriend of mine!" she greeted excitedly. "What'cha doing?"
Oz looked into her eyes. "Aside from preparing to do battle against the hordes of homework and the dirty looks from ancient teachers...I'm standing with the only girl I want to be with." He hesitated. "You make it hard for a guy to keep his thoughts clean."
Willow looked at him. "Oh, uh...are you thinking about us doing something dirty? Uh, it-it isn't anywhere near pond scum, is it? 'Cause that's where frogs are..." She shook her head. "A-and I don't like frogs."
Oz smiled inwardly. He loved Willow more and more every day. "No, Willow. My thoughts are definitely not taking us anywhere within miles of pond scum." He put his pack around his shoulders. "Listen, I've got to go and meet my cousin. He's new today and I need to break him in. You know...introduce him around. Get him ready for living on the Hellmouth. That kind of thing. You want to meet him?"
"Oh, sure. Hey, maybe we'll take him to the Bronze tonight with the rest of the Scoobies. We'll set him straight in no time. Make him feel right at home."
Oz nodded. "That's a plus."
Together they walked out through the front doors of the school and there was Harry, walking toward them.
"Harry," Oz said with a nod of greeting. "This is my girlfriend, Willow."
Willow beamed at Harry. "I'm Oz' girl friend," she repeated, as if she still couldn't believe she had an actual boy friend. She held out her hand. "Welcome to Sunnydale."
Harry shook her hand as he glanced at her hair. "Another girl with red hair," he muttered to himself. "What is it with red hair?" He thought of a girl named Mary Jane and shook his head. "Uh, I'm Harry. Harry Osborn."
"Oh...like Daniel Ozbourne." Willow looked at Oz. "You both have the same last names. Are you sure you're not brothers?"
"I'm reasonably sure." Oz tilted his head to look at her. "We're cousins."
Willow tried to be secretive, and she leaned closer to Oz. "Uh, Oz...does the 'you know what' thing you do on a...full moon run in your family?"
Oz nodded. "In a way, yes. But Harry and his dad are as normal as you are."
"Oh, that's good." She smiled. "I'm normal."
"Of course. You're Normal Girl."
Harry let out a sigh, having listend to both Oz and Willow in spite of her trying to be secretive. "Dan, you're terribly mistaken, you know. My father isn't normal. He's far from it." He looked thoughtful.
To Willow, he looked sad. "Hey, well...cheer up, Harry. We'll make you feel right at home here in Sunnydale." She mistook his sadness for being homesick. She had no idea that he was concerned about matters that were far more pressing than having to adjust to a new life.
They went to class, and afterward, they met in the library where the other Scoobies were.
"This is Xander, and Cordelia," Willow introduced Harry to her friends. "Oh, and this is Mr. Giles, our librarian."
Harry nodded to them.
"Welcome to Sunnydale," Xander Harris said as he shook Harry's hand. "You're going to love it here." He chuckled. "I mean, you might love it here, 'cause, my new friend, you're going to see the world in a whole new light once you--"
"Xander," Rupert Giles said sharply, "you a-are rambling again. That has really become a rather annoying habit of yours."
Xander held up his hands defensively. "Hey...I thought my jokes were annoying, or the way I drool on your precious books when I fall asleep at the table. Those are annoying habits." He pointed at Giles. "No one ever said to me anything about my 'rambling' being annoying."
Giles shook his head. "No. Actually, th-that drooling of yours is a dis- disgusting habit. You just don't drool on leather bound books. I-it just doesn't happen."
"Giles, it was just one book!"
"No, Xander. It was fourteen books by-by my last count. The Ars Revo Orbos Vortaro was the fifteenth book you drooled on. This-this is a very rare book, and I-I can't believe you-you mistreated it in such a fashion."
Xander shrugged. "Well, hey. I was tired, it was lying there, and it just looked like a comfy pillow at the time."
He frowned unhappily, holding the very book in question in his hand. "Well, I-I don't think that spot will ever be removed." Giles looked at the cover of the book and suddenly looked puzzled.
"Try Oxy-Clear!"
Giles looked up. "Th-that's odd."
"What now? I did NOT draw any doodles in that book. Willow is the only one who doodle's here."
Willow shook her head in protest. "Uh, but not with books, or at least books from the library." She gave Xander a look.
Giles seemed distracted. He turned the book over in his hand. "The mark is gone."
Xander threw up his hands. "Saints be praised!"
Willow and Oz glanced at Harry who was watching the exchange in fascination. "Uh, th-they're always like that," Willow said meekly, and apologetically, trying to explain their behavior unsuccessfully.
Cordelia Chase nodded her head. "Yeah. God, can I ever find a boy friend who isn't both annoying and disgusting?" She looked at Harry and smiled her most charming smile. "Hey, Harry, do you have a girl friend?"
Harry glanced at Willow, again thinking about the red hair...which led to thoughts of MJ. He looked at Cordelia. "No. I don't. I just moved here."
"Well, we're going to the Bronze tonight. Maybe you should join us."
Xander put his arm around Cordelia. "Yeah. Join...us." He emphasized the "us".
That's when the door to the library opened and in walked the most beautiful girl Harry had ever laid eyes on. This girl didn't even have red hair. She was a blonde and her eyes were upon him with curiosity as she entered.
"Hey! It's the Buffster!" Xander exclaimed.
"Hi, guys," she said. She looked at Harry. "You must be Oz's cousin. I'm Buffy Summers." She held out her hand.
Harry took it hesitantly. He couldn't take his eyes off from her. "Uh...hi...Buffy Summers."
Oz and Willow exchanged knowing looks. Willow smiled. Xander and Cordelia exchanged knowing looks as well. Xander didn't smile. Giles just stood there with his book in his hand and the whole thing passed right over his head.
"Harry Osborn," Buffy said with a smile. "It's nice to meet you."
Harry swallowed. "Oh, uh, I-I guess we're supposed to go to the Bronx tonight."
"That's Bronze, starry-eyed guy," Xander corrected. "It's the opposite of 'Bronx', although I think it's safe to assume a lot of wild things do happen in both places."
Harry looked at Buffy. "Uh, the Bronze...are you going?"
Buffy found herself wanting to say yes but she knew she couldn't. Not tonight. She and Giles were patrolling tonight and they intended to look for Angelus. She had to deal with him sooner or later. She looked at Harry. She had to let go of Angel...and Harry was kind of cute.
No, she thought. I will not involve this boy into my world of hell.
She frowned. "I'm sorry, Harry. I can't make it tonight."
"Oh." Harry looked at her.
"Hello."
Everyone turned around and Harry froze. His father had just entered the library and he was approaching them as he looked at everyone present. Osborn's eyes took them all in.
Harry did not look at his father. He turned his head.
"Hello," Giles said to Ozbourne as he looked at him curiously. "C-can I help you?"
Osborn smiled wryly. "I'm just here to pick up my son. I just never would have expected him to actually be in a library." He looked at his son, and then he looked at Buffy. For just a split second, something very dangerous flashed in his eyes. Then it was gone and no one noticed the look.
No one except Harry.
Osborn focused on Oz and the red-haired girl beside him.
"Daniel!" He walked over to him and he gave him a hug. "My one and only, all time favorite nephew. How are you, son?"
Oz clapped him on the back, and then he quickly stepped back. He was fully aware that people had just witnessed him hugging his uncle. "I'm good, Uncle Norman." He glanced at Xander. Was that a smirk?
Osborn smiled at Willow. "And is this lovely young lady your girlfriend?"
Oz nodded as he glanced at her. "This is Willow and, yes, she's my girlfriend."
Willow beamed with pride and bounced happily on her feet. "I'm Oz' girlfriend," she repeated dreamily.
Osborn chuckled. "Well, Danny, my boy. At least I'm happy to see that some of the young Osborn's within the family have very good taste."
Oz took that as high praise.
Harry took that as an insult. He glared daggers at Oz.
Oz introduced his uncle to everyone and Osborn seemed to be interested in each of them. He was friendly. He joked with them. He laughed with them, and he managed to cause them all to let down their guard without them even being aware of it.
He happened to see the book in Giles' hand. "Excuse me, Mr. Giles...but that book in your hand. Is that the Ars Revo Orbos Vortaro you've got there? That is one extremely difficult work to find."
Giles looked at him with surprise. "Er, y-yes, it is? You know of this book?"
Osborn smiled. "Know of it? Yes, especially the section on orbs and artifacts, which are a sort of hobby of mine. I do travel quite a bit and in some of my travels, I manage to find my share of ancient treasures." He held out his hand. "May I?"
"Oh, er," Giles began as he handed the book over, "of course. Be my guest."
He began to flip through the book and as he did, his eyes took in the many orbs listed within it's yellowed pages. The book mentioned orbs of magic, great and small, and some orbs were even merely decorations. When he came to one particular orb...he stopped.
"This is strange," he said to himself. He looked thoughtful.
"What's strange, Uncle?" Oz asked him.
Osborn simply smiled and shook himself out of his musings. "Oh, nothing, son. I was just reflecting on one of my finds. Or lack thereof, I should say. I was very close to getting this one here." He opened the book and showed it to Giles.
"Th-that orb?" Giles looked at the orb the man was referring to. "You can't find this orb?"
He shook his head.
"But this orb is-isn't really that hard to find."
Osborn looked surprised. "It's not?" He paused. "You mean this orb can be obtained?"
"Of-of course, it can. The Orb of Thesulah can be obtained at the Dragon's Cove Magic Shop." That's when he recalled that the last orb had been purchased. He knew because he had tried to go ahead and purchase it but someone had beaten him to it. He had to make a special order. "Oh...I-I'm afraid you'll have to order it if you wish to have one."
"Do you have one?"
"No. I-I don't."
"Giles," Buffy said as she looked at him, "what does this Orb of Methuselah do?"
"That's 'Thesulah,' Buffy...and-and I'm told that they're nothing more than decorative paper weights." He avoided making eye contact with her.
Decorative paper weights, Osborn frowned thoughtfully. He handed the book back to Giles. "Listen...I want all of you to come to my house for dinner tonight." He smiled warmly.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Oh, hey," Xander said with a grin. "We're the Scoobies and we never turn down a dinner invitation. We love those Scooby Snacks."
Cordelia folded her arms across herself and gave Xander a look. "God, is that all you think about? Food?"
Xander gave her a knowing grin. "Now you know that food isn't all I think about, but food is what either leads to or comes right after...what I really think about."
"Guys! Adults in the room. Come back to earth." Buffy let out a sigh and then she glanced at Giles before she turned to Osborn. "I'm afraid I can't make it, Mr. Osborn. I...have a real ton of homework that I never do...so it's time I really buckle down and do the homework thing."
"Nonsense. You're coming. All of you are and I insist." Osborn looked at Giles. "We'll make it an event. Bring a date. Bring your parents. It'll be my way of making new friends in Sunnydale. Believe me, I could use all the friends I can get."
Giles nodded at Buffy. "I-it's okay, Buffy. I-I suppose your...duties in the library can wait."
"Then we're all agreed?" Osborn looked at them all expectantly.
They nodded in agreement and promised to be there for dinner. Osborn and his son Harry then left the library. The Scoobies were excited about the dinner that evening.
Giles went into his office and Buffy followed him. "Hey, Giles..." She regarded him as he kept his face turned away from her. "What are you trying to hide from me? Is it about that orb? You acted kind of wiggy when I asked you about it."
Giles shook his head. "Er, no. It-it doesn't concern you, Buffy, so-so just forget about it." He glanced at her. "And for the record, I did not, and will not ever act...er, wiggy. How does one act as a hairpiece, I wonder? It-it's really absurd."
"It's an expression. Listen, Giles...about Ms. Calendar..."
Giles let out a weary sigh. "B-Buffy, you don't have to bring her up with me. I-I've already decided there's nothing that can become of us, so--"
"That's a lie and you know it. You're only avoiding her because of me. We both know that." She looked at him sadly. "I-I guess I can't really blame her for what she did. I want to. But...it's not really her fault. And I can't stand to see the hurt in her eyes...or yours. So please. Talk to her. I-I wouldn't want you to be alone." She thought of Angel. "No one should be alone." She grabbed his arm and squeezed it affectionately. "Okay? So, promise me you'll talk to her."
Giles hesitated. "O-okay...Buffy. I-I may do that."
"I hope you do. Besides, don't you need a dinner date?"
Giles thought about that. "I-I suppose I do at that...don't I?"
*********************************************
After Computer Class, Jenny Calendar asked Willow if she had a minute before she left for the next class. Willow hugged her books and said that she did have a minute, but she was worried she was going to be asked to do something that Buffy wouldn't want her to do.
She was wrong. Jenny was asking her to do something. Something secretive. Something sneaky.
"Willow, you're the only one I can trust with this." She handed her an envelope. "Take this."
Willow took it hesitantly. "But, uh, wh-what is it?"
"Just keep it safe." Jenny looked into her eyes. "Please."
"Oh, okay, but...I really can't tell anybody?"
Jenny shook her head.
"Not even Buffy?"
"Especially not Buffy."
Willow hesitated. "Uh, how about Oz? 'Cause if I can at least tell one person, th-then it really isn't a secret and-and I won't feel like I have to lie. 'Cause I-I'm not good at secrets...and-and Buffy's my friend."
Jenny paused. "Willow...this is very important. Just keep it safe."
"O-okay. For how long?"
Jenny tried to smile reassuringly. "Not long."
Willow folded the envelope and shoved it into the pocket of her skirt. "I'll...I'll keep it safe for you."
"Thank you."
Willow left the room. Jenny watched her go, and to herself, she said, "If anything happens to me...you're Angel's last hope."
*********************************************
The dinner was a huge hit. The people who attended were Willow and her parents, Buffy and her mom, Xander and his mother, Cordelia and her parents, and Oz and his parents. The only one who didn't show up was Xander's father, who was passed out on the floor at home.
The guests were impressed with the mansion. It seemed to be well kept even though there appeared to be only one servant. His name was simply Jackson and he didn't talk. He simply served. He politely took their coats and hung them in the walk-in closet. He served them drinks in the den and then he went about his business.
Osborn and his son entered the den soon after that and the conversations began. Buffy found herself with Willow, Oz, Harry, Xander, and Cordelia, and across from the room, Osborn was deep in conversation with Mr. Chase, Mr. Osbourne, Ira Rosenberg, Giles, and Jenny Calendar. Mrs. Chase, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Osbourne, Joyce Summers, and Sheila Rosenberg were talking amongst themselves, admiring a suit of armor. Buffy smiled thoughtfully. If she knew her mom as well as she did, she knew then that her mother was probably talking about where the suit of armor would look the best in her gallery.
They had dinner and everything was fantastic. Willow talked to Oz and told him how impressed she was with his Uncle. Oz, for the most part, didn't say anything much at all. He usually didn't do a lot of talking, especially at dinners like this one, but he was more concerned about something else. He was concerned about his cousin Harry. Harry didn't look happy at all, and when Oz looked at his Uncle, he noticed that every now and then, the man had a twitch near his eye.
Then there was the discussion at the dinner table.
Jenny herself brought it up. "So...I heard that you were interested in an Orb of Thesulah."
"Yes." Osborn sipped his wine, dabbed at his lip with a dinner napkin, and regarded Jenny thoughtfully. "They say that such artifacts hold great power. They say that some are even capable of stealing a man's soul, or restoring it."
Buffy frowned thoughtfully. She looked at Jenny closely. Could that be what the teacher was up to? Was Giles also looking into something that he didn't want to involve her in? Did this Orb of Who-E-Jiggy exist and could it help restore Angel's soul? She caught Giles' eye and gave him a look that said, "You and I are having a very serious talk when we're through here, Mister."
Giles, avoiding eye contact with Buffy, loosened his collar. "Er, uh, Mis- Mr. Osborn..."
"Please. Call me Norman."
"Er, thank you, Norman. How-how can these orbs have such power? Do you believe that it could be so?"
Osborn smiled at him. "Do I believe? Oh, Mr. Giles...Rupert. I very much believe there could be such orbs of power that the earth itself could be shaken to its very core. Imagine one single orb. An orb so small that it could fit into the palm of your hand, but with power thriving inside and with the secret knowledge that you possess...you can make that orb do great things."
Joyce snorted and she almost choked.
Osborn turned to glare at her. "Are you all right, Mrs. Summers?"
"Er..." She glanced at Buffy. She wanted to laugh. "I-I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Osborn. Er, Norman. I don't mean to offend you, but...an orb is just a ball of glass. I'm sure it has no magical value whatsoever."
"A trinket, to be certain," Mr. Chase agreed. "People will pay a hefty price for something that serves no purpose other than to add to the fashion of a housewife's decorating skills."
Mrs. Chase gave him a look.
Jenny smiled. "The Orb of Thesulah does make for a good paper weight," she said.
Osborn looked at her. "You have one?"
Jenny glanced at Giles who was looking at her in surprise.
Buffy frowned. Okay, she thought. Giles knows what the orb is but he wasn't aware that Ms. Calendar got herself one, but why did she get it?
"I do," Jenny answered.
Osborn paused. "Well...Joyce, I am not offended," he said, looking at Buffy's mother. "You have to understand I've traveled a lot and I've seen things I once used to question. Like you yourself are questioning now. The thing that you fail to see is what this town is capable of revealing to you." He held up a hand. "Please, hear me out." He regarded his guests. "This town has great power. There's a strong current of energy that just pours out from the ground and it goes through this town like water through a creek...and yet there are so few who notice it. It's hard to explain. It's like a mystical convergence." He looked at Giles. "I know you can feel it."
Giles looked at him and he began to wonder just who this man was. He certainly seemed to know there was definitely something going on in Sunnydale that didn't fit the status quo of other towns.
"I wonder if we could pre-date many of the magical items of our day and trace them back through time to their very creations. What would we discover? Were these powerful artifacts created here in this mystical convergence? Were they created by demons, or angels?" He paused. Then he shook his head. "It doesn't matter, I suppose, because now most demons are gone. Oh, I'm sure they try to return every now and then, yet most of them are gone. Why? Because they have met their match in man."
Giles stared at him. "Are-are you saying that man is more powerful than de- demon?"
"Of course. After all, we're here, and they're not."
"Yes-yes, that is true. However, to face a demon is...well, in most cases, it is simply suicidal."
Osborn shook his head. "No, it isn't. Man has evolved far greater than the worst demon ever known, and he continues to evolve today. However, there are some men who do evolve faster than others. With an orb of great power, he would be invincible." He suddenly broke into a smile. "Now...who would like some dessert?"
The dinner progressed into dessert and then it was time to leave. Osborn heard that the Scoobies had time to go to the Bronze so he asked his son to go with them. When Harry asked him why, he became insistent. "Look, just go and have a good time. I have an associate dropping by later this evening--"
"Tonight?" Harry inquired. "What associate?"
Osborn looked at his son, eyes glittering with suppressed madness. "Just go," he hissed.
Harry left with the others.
They all left except for Norman Osborn. Osborn dismissed Jackson and then he went to his den. He went behind the bar...and he poured himself a drink, and then another, and then an--
"Drowning in your pathetic misery, are we?" said a voice heavy with sarcasm.
Osborn spun around, but there was no one there. "N-no...I...I'm just a little thirsty." His eyes darted this way and that way, but he could not see anyone; the intruder was never in his sight but was always in his head.
"Then have a little drink, but be ready! He is almost here."
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
Osborn took a long drink. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He took another look around the den. Then he hurried to answer the door.
Osborn opened the door and there stood the one he had sought out from Willy's Bar. "H-hello," he said, his voice hoarse. "We've been expecting you."
Angelus glared at him. "You know, I'm really not in a good mood right now. The only reason I'm standing here is because I really do want you to invite me inside...so I can rip your heart out through your chest."
Osborn hesitated. "Why would you want to do this to me?"
"I saw who left your house. You had dinner guests. One of them is someone whom I'd really love to kill."
"Well...you will kill her. She is why I asked you to come."
"Is that right?" Angelus looked at him skeptically. "Are you saying that you're going to help me slay the Slayer? What do you get in return?"
Osborn hesitated. "In time...I will tell you."
"When?"
"There are things we must discuss first."
Angelus let out a sigh. "Well...are we discussing them here on the front step, or are you going to invite me in?"
Osborn hesitated. "I...invite you in."
"Thank you." Angelus suddenly grabbed the man by his throat and tossed him back inside. As Osborn crashed onto the floor, Angelus stepped inside and slammed the door shut. "People like you really piss me off." Angelus hauled Osborn up and slapped him hard across the face with the back of his hand. Then for good measure, he slammed the man face first into the wall.
Osborn was bleeding. He was dangerously close to blacking out as Angelus tossed him into the next room.
Angelus walked into the den as Osborn struggled to get up.
"I'm just going to kill you," Angelus told him. "And do you wanna know why I'm going to kill you? Because you can't get me the Slayer. No one can get me the Slayer but me. So I don't need your help." He kicked Osborn in the stomach. "I don't need anything from you. On the other hand, I can entertain myself all night long by making you bleed." He hauled the man up and punched him in the face. Then he picked him up over his shoulders and tossed him over the bar.
There was a crash. Bottles and glasses crashed to the floor.
Then there was silence.
Angelus clapped his hands together and he smiled through his fangs. "They say alcohol and cuts don't go well together. And broken glass can really cause infections. All of that sounds like fun, but I'm going to snap all of your fingers off, and then, I'm going to--" He stopped as he looked behind the bar.
Osborn was gone.
"What the hell?"
Angelus looked around the den but there wasn't anywhere that he could see where Osborn could have escaped to. He went out into the hall. For about fifteen minutes, the angry vampire searched for Osborn. Then he found himself in a huge ball room. He looked around.
"This could take all night," Angelus said to himself as he shook his head in disgust. "The moron probably has a maze of secret passageways to hide in." He turned, intending to leave...and then he froze.
He looked up.
His mouth dropped open in astonishment.
A thing...a demon with the face of a hideous goblin floated above him on some kind of a glider that resembled a mechanical bat. This goblin was green and in its hand, it held a miniature glowing pumpkin.
"Angelus," the demon declared, "you will join my cause...or you will die horribly!"
Angelus looked up at him, his own face the image of his demon. "Who are you?"
"I am the Green Goblin, and I await your answer." He raised the pumpkin. "Join me or die!"
**********************************
TO BE CONTINUED--
This story is for E. James Burns. He gave me a challenge. I hope I've lived up to it. I started this back in July. There were major errors in it, and so with the help of E. James Burns, and Mark W, we finally ironed them out. Hope you like this nightmare of mine. I loved it, hated it, wanted to burn it, blah, blah, blah. Proceed at your own risk.
Author: MeB aka XanWill4Ever
Email: lenoxfiles@hotmail.com
Pairing: Willow/Oz...I had to for this story.
Spoiler: Season 2. There is AU in this story.
Summary: What if Spider-Man wasn't the Green Goblins arch enemy? What if it was Buffy, the Vampire Slayer? Spider-Man does not make an appearance.
Disclaimer: All characters of Buffy tVS are the property of Joss. Characters from Spider-Man belong to Stan Lee.
Rating - PG-13
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Part 1
Norman Osborn stood with his son, Harry, in the driveway of his new home, a huge mansion sitting with a commanding view of all Sunnydale. Osborn smiled to himself- everything was going according to plan. Everything.
Except for one small detail.
He had to find a way to keep his son busy. Harry must not get near his work. No, not yet. The time would come when the son would carry on the "Father's Work", but that time was not near as of yet. Soon. But first, he had to find that which he sought the most.
The Orb of Herboverda.
The orb was an orb of dark power, and once that orb was in his possession, then all would be ready.
Osborn smiled.
"Dad," Harry said, interrupting his father's thoughts, "tell me why we had to move from Manhattan again? I miss my friends."
Osborn didn't look at him. "You'll make new friends."
"That's easy for you to say."
"Listen, son. Your cousin Daniel promised to take you along with him and introduce you around. So don't sweat it so much. Okay? This is important to me and important to Osborn Industries which, by the way, will some day be yours." He turned to look at his son. There was a twitch in his eye. "Do you understand? Can you help your old man out?"
Harry looked up at his father. He knew that there was something wrong with him. Something had happened to him back at the lab at Osborn Industries HQ in New York. He just didn't know what it was, but whatever had happened, it had changed his father. It was like there were two of them. One minute, he was his old Norman Osborn self. The next...he was just plain mad.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
Harry let out a sigh. "Sure, Dad. I'll help you out."
But who was going to help him out?
***************************************************
"Oz!!" called the voice of the one and only girl he was crazy about. Daniel Ozbourne turned his head as he opened his locker and there she was.
Willow Rosenberg ran up to him and gave him a quick happy kiss on the lips. "Hi, boyfriend of mine!" she greeted excitedly. "What'cha doing?"
Oz looked into her eyes. "Aside from preparing to do battle against the hordes of homework and the dirty looks from ancient teachers...I'm standing with the only girl I want to be with." He hesitated. "You make it hard for a guy to keep his thoughts clean."
Willow looked at him. "Oh, uh...are you thinking about us doing something dirty? Uh, it-it isn't anywhere near pond scum, is it? 'Cause that's where frogs are..." She shook her head. "A-and I don't like frogs."
Oz smiled inwardly. He loved Willow more and more every day. "No, Willow. My thoughts are definitely not taking us anywhere within miles of pond scum." He put his pack around his shoulders. "Listen, I've got to go and meet my cousin. He's new today and I need to break him in. You know...introduce him around. Get him ready for living on the Hellmouth. That kind of thing. You want to meet him?"
"Oh, sure. Hey, maybe we'll take him to the Bronze tonight with the rest of the Scoobies. We'll set him straight in no time. Make him feel right at home."
Oz nodded. "That's a plus."
Together they walked out through the front doors of the school and there was Harry, walking toward them.
"Harry," Oz said with a nod of greeting. "This is my girlfriend, Willow."
Willow beamed at Harry. "I'm Oz' girl friend," she repeated, as if she still couldn't believe she had an actual boy friend. She held out her hand. "Welcome to Sunnydale."
Harry shook her hand as he glanced at her hair. "Another girl with red hair," he muttered to himself. "What is it with red hair?" He thought of a girl named Mary Jane and shook his head. "Uh, I'm Harry. Harry Osborn."
"Oh...like Daniel Ozbourne." Willow looked at Oz. "You both have the same last names. Are you sure you're not brothers?"
"I'm reasonably sure." Oz tilted his head to look at her. "We're cousins."
Willow tried to be secretive, and she leaned closer to Oz. "Uh, Oz...does the 'you know what' thing you do on a...full moon run in your family?"
Oz nodded. "In a way, yes. But Harry and his dad are as normal as you are."
"Oh, that's good." She smiled. "I'm normal."
"Of course. You're Normal Girl."
Harry let out a sigh, having listend to both Oz and Willow in spite of her trying to be secretive. "Dan, you're terribly mistaken, you know. My father isn't normal. He's far from it." He looked thoughtful.
To Willow, he looked sad. "Hey, well...cheer up, Harry. We'll make you feel right at home here in Sunnydale." She mistook his sadness for being homesick. She had no idea that he was concerned about matters that were far more pressing than having to adjust to a new life.
They went to class, and afterward, they met in the library where the other Scoobies were.
"This is Xander, and Cordelia," Willow introduced Harry to her friends. "Oh, and this is Mr. Giles, our librarian."
Harry nodded to them.
"Welcome to Sunnydale," Xander Harris said as he shook Harry's hand. "You're going to love it here." He chuckled. "I mean, you might love it here, 'cause, my new friend, you're going to see the world in a whole new light once you--"
"Xander," Rupert Giles said sharply, "you a-are rambling again. That has really become a rather annoying habit of yours."
Xander held up his hands defensively. "Hey...I thought my jokes were annoying, or the way I drool on your precious books when I fall asleep at the table. Those are annoying habits." He pointed at Giles. "No one ever said to me anything about my 'rambling' being annoying."
Giles shook his head. "No. Actually, th-that drooling of yours is a dis- disgusting habit. You just don't drool on leather bound books. I-it just doesn't happen."
"Giles, it was just one book!"
"No, Xander. It was fourteen books by-by my last count. The Ars Revo Orbos Vortaro was the fifteenth book you drooled on. This-this is a very rare book, and I-I can't believe you-you mistreated it in such a fashion."
Xander shrugged. "Well, hey. I was tired, it was lying there, and it just looked like a comfy pillow at the time."
He frowned unhappily, holding the very book in question in his hand. "Well, I-I don't think that spot will ever be removed." Giles looked at the cover of the book and suddenly looked puzzled.
"Try Oxy-Clear!"
Giles looked up. "Th-that's odd."
"What now? I did NOT draw any doodles in that book. Willow is the only one who doodle's here."
Willow shook her head in protest. "Uh, but not with books, or at least books from the library." She gave Xander a look.
Giles seemed distracted. He turned the book over in his hand. "The mark is gone."
Xander threw up his hands. "Saints be praised!"
Willow and Oz glanced at Harry who was watching the exchange in fascination. "Uh, th-they're always like that," Willow said meekly, and apologetically, trying to explain their behavior unsuccessfully.
Cordelia Chase nodded her head. "Yeah. God, can I ever find a boy friend who isn't both annoying and disgusting?" She looked at Harry and smiled her most charming smile. "Hey, Harry, do you have a girl friend?"
Harry glanced at Willow, again thinking about the red hair...which led to thoughts of MJ. He looked at Cordelia. "No. I don't. I just moved here."
"Well, we're going to the Bronze tonight. Maybe you should join us."
Xander put his arm around Cordelia. "Yeah. Join...us." He emphasized the "us".
That's when the door to the library opened and in walked the most beautiful girl Harry had ever laid eyes on. This girl didn't even have red hair. She was a blonde and her eyes were upon him with curiosity as she entered.
"Hey! It's the Buffster!" Xander exclaimed.
"Hi, guys," she said. She looked at Harry. "You must be Oz's cousin. I'm Buffy Summers." She held out her hand.
Harry took it hesitantly. He couldn't take his eyes off from her. "Uh...hi...Buffy Summers."
Oz and Willow exchanged knowing looks. Willow smiled. Xander and Cordelia exchanged knowing looks as well. Xander didn't smile. Giles just stood there with his book in his hand and the whole thing passed right over his head.
"Harry Osborn," Buffy said with a smile. "It's nice to meet you."
Harry swallowed. "Oh, uh, I-I guess we're supposed to go to the Bronx tonight."
"That's Bronze, starry-eyed guy," Xander corrected. "It's the opposite of 'Bronx', although I think it's safe to assume a lot of wild things do happen in both places."
Harry looked at Buffy. "Uh, the Bronze...are you going?"
Buffy found herself wanting to say yes but she knew she couldn't. Not tonight. She and Giles were patrolling tonight and they intended to look for Angelus. She had to deal with him sooner or later. She looked at Harry. She had to let go of Angel...and Harry was kind of cute.
No, she thought. I will not involve this boy into my world of hell.
She frowned. "I'm sorry, Harry. I can't make it tonight."
"Oh." Harry looked at her.
"Hello."
Everyone turned around and Harry froze. His father had just entered the library and he was approaching them as he looked at everyone present. Osborn's eyes took them all in.
Harry did not look at his father. He turned his head.
"Hello," Giles said to Ozbourne as he looked at him curiously. "C-can I help you?"
Osborn smiled wryly. "I'm just here to pick up my son. I just never would have expected him to actually be in a library." He looked at his son, and then he looked at Buffy. For just a split second, something very dangerous flashed in his eyes. Then it was gone and no one noticed the look.
No one except Harry.
Osborn focused on Oz and the red-haired girl beside him.
"Daniel!" He walked over to him and he gave him a hug. "My one and only, all time favorite nephew. How are you, son?"
Oz clapped him on the back, and then he quickly stepped back. He was fully aware that people had just witnessed him hugging his uncle. "I'm good, Uncle Norman." He glanced at Xander. Was that a smirk?
Osborn smiled at Willow. "And is this lovely young lady your girlfriend?"
Oz nodded as he glanced at her. "This is Willow and, yes, she's my girlfriend."
Willow beamed with pride and bounced happily on her feet. "I'm Oz' girlfriend," she repeated dreamily.
Osborn chuckled. "Well, Danny, my boy. At least I'm happy to see that some of the young Osborn's within the family have very good taste."
Oz took that as high praise.
Harry took that as an insult. He glared daggers at Oz.
Oz introduced his uncle to everyone and Osborn seemed to be interested in each of them. He was friendly. He joked with them. He laughed with them, and he managed to cause them all to let down their guard without them even being aware of it.
He happened to see the book in Giles' hand. "Excuse me, Mr. Giles...but that book in your hand. Is that the Ars Revo Orbos Vortaro you've got there? That is one extremely difficult work to find."
Giles looked at him with surprise. "Er, y-yes, it is? You know of this book?"
Osborn smiled. "Know of it? Yes, especially the section on orbs and artifacts, which are a sort of hobby of mine. I do travel quite a bit and in some of my travels, I manage to find my share of ancient treasures." He held out his hand. "May I?"
"Oh, er," Giles began as he handed the book over, "of course. Be my guest."
He began to flip through the book and as he did, his eyes took in the many orbs listed within it's yellowed pages. The book mentioned orbs of magic, great and small, and some orbs were even merely decorations. When he came to one particular orb...he stopped.
"This is strange," he said to himself. He looked thoughtful.
"What's strange, Uncle?" Oz asked him.
Osborn simply smiled and shook himself out of his musings. "Oh, nothing, son. I was just reflecting on one of my finds. Or lack thereof, I should say. I was very close to getting this one here." He opened the book and showed it to Giles.
"Th-that orb?" Giles looked at the orb the man was referring to. "You can't find this orb?"
He shook his head.
"But this orb is-isn't really that hard to find."
Osborn looked surprised. "It's not?" He paused. "You mean this orb can be obtained?"
"Of-of course, it can. The Orb of Thesulah can be obtained at the Dragon's Cove Magic Shop." That's when he recalled that the last orb had been purchased. He knew because he had tried to go ahead and purchase it but someone had beaten him to it. He had to make a special order. "Oh...I-I'm afraid you'll have to order it if you wish to have one."
"Do you have one?"
"No. I-I don't."
"Giles," Buffy said as she looked at him, "what does this Orb of Methuselah do?"
"That's 'Thesulah,' Buffy...and-and I'm told that they're nothing more than decorative paper weights." He avoided making eye contact with her.
Decorative paper weights, Osborn frowned thoughtfully. He handed the book back to Giles. "Listen...I want all of you to come to my house for dinner tonight." He smiled warmly.
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Oh, hey," Xander said with a grin. "We're the Scoobies and we never turn down a dinner invitation. We love those Scooby Snacks."
Cordelia folded her arms across herself and gave Xander a look. "God, is that all you think about? Food?"
Xander gave her a knowing grin. "Now you know that food isn't all I think about, but food is what either leads to or comes right after...what I really think about."
"Guys! Adults in the room. Come back to earth." Buffy let out a sigh and then she glanced at Giles before she turned to Osborn. "I'm afraid I can't make it, Mr. Osborn. I...have a real ton of homework that I never do...so it's time I really buckle down and do the homework thing."
"Nonsense. You're coming. All of you are and I insist." Osborn looked at Giles. "We'll make it an event. Bring a date. Bring your parents. It'll be my way of making new friends in Sunnydale. Believe me, I could use all the friends I can get."
Giles nodded at Buffy. "I-it's okay, Buffy. I-I suppose your...duties in the library can wait."
"Then we're all agreed?" Osborn looked at them all expectantly.
They nodded in agreement and promised to be there for dinner. Osborn and his son Harry then left the library. The Scoobies were excited about the dinner that evening.
Giles went into his office and Buffy followed him. "Hey, Giles..." She regarded him as he kept his face turned away from her. "What are you trying to hide from me? Is it about that orb? You acted kind of wiggy when I asked you about it."
Giles shook his head. "Er, no. It-it doesn't concern you, Buffy, so-so just forget about it." He glanced at her. "And for the record, I did not, and will not ever act...er, wiggy. How does one act as a hairpiece, I wonder? It-it's really absurd."
"It's an expression. Listen, Giles...about Ms. Calendar..."
Giles let out a weary sigh. "B-Buffy, you don't have to bring her up with me. I-I've already decided there's nothing that can become of us, so--"
"That's a lie and you know it. You're only avoiding her because of me. We both know that." She looked at him sadly. "I-I guess I can't really blame her for what she did. I want to. But...it's not really her fault. And I can't stand to see the hurt in her eyes...or yours. So please. Talk to her. I-I wouldn't want you to be alone." She thought of Angel. "No one should be alone." She grabbed his arm and squeezed it affectionately. "Okay? So, promise me you'll talk to her."
Giles hesitated. "O-okay...Buffy. I-I may do that."
"I hope you do. Besides, don't you need a dinner date?"
Giles thought about that. "I-I suppose I do at that...don't I?"
*********************************************
After Computer Class, Jenny Calendar asked Willow if she had a minute before she left for the next class. Willow hugged her books and said that she did have a minute, but she was worried she was going to be asked to do something that Buffy wouldn't want her to do.
She was wrong. Jenny was asking her to do something. Something secretive. Something sneaky.
"Willow, you're the only one I can trust with this." She handed her an envelope. "Take this."
Willow took it hesitantly. "But, uh, wh-what is it?"
"Just keep it safe." Jenny looked into her eyes. "Please."
"Oh, okay, but...I really can't tell anybody?"
Jenny shook her head.
"Not even Buffy?"
"Especially not Buffy."
Willow hesitated. "Uh, how about Oz? 'Cause if I can at least tell one person, th-then it really isn't a secret and-and I won't feel like I have to lie. 'Cause I-I'm not good at secrets...and-and Buffy's my friend."
Jenny paused. "Willow...this is very important. Just keep it safe."
"O-okay. For how long?"
Jenny tried to smile reassuringly. "Not long."
Willow folded the envelope and shoved it into the pocket of her skirt. "I'll...I'll keep it safe for you."
"Thank you."
Willow left the room. Jenny watched her go, and to herself, she said, "If anything happens to me...you're Angel's last hope."
*********************************************
The dinner was a huge hit. The people who attended were Willow and her parents, Buffy and her mom, Xander and his mother, Cordelia and her parents, and Oz and his parents. The only one who didn't show up was Xander's father, who was passed out on the floor at home.
The guests were impressed with the mansion. It seemed to be well kept even though there appeared to be only one servant. His name was simply Jackson and he didn't talk. He simply served. He politely took their coats and hung them in the walk-in closet. He served them drinks in the den and then he went about his business.
Osborn and his son entered the den soon after that and the conversations began. Buffy found herself with Willow, Oz, Harry, Xander, and Cordelia, and across from the room, Osborn was deep in conversation with Mr. Chase, Mr. Osbourne, Ira Rosenberg, Giles, and Jenny Calendar. Mrs. Chase, Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Osbourne, Joyce Summers, and Sheila Rosenberg were talking amongst themselves, admiring a suit of armor. Buffy smiled thoughtfully. If she knew her mom as well as she did, she knew then that her mother was probably talking about where the suit of armor would look the best in her gallery.
They had dinner and everything was fantastic. Willow talked to Oz and told him how impressed she was with his Uncle. Oz, for the most part, didn't say anything much at all. He usually didn't do a lot of talking, especially at dinners like this one, but he was more concerned about something else. He was concerned about his cousin Harry. Harry didn't look happy at all, and when Oz looked at his Uncle, he noticed that every now and then, the man had a twitch near his eye.
Then there was the discussion at the dinner table.
Jenny herself brought it up. "So...I heard that you were interested in an Orb of Thesulah."
"Yes." Osborn sipped his wine, dabbed at his lip with a dinner napkin, and regarded Jenny thoughtfully. "They say that such artifacts hold great power. They say that some are even capable of stealing a man's soul, or restoring it."
Buffy frowned thoughtfully. She looked at Jenny closely. Could that be what the teacher was up to? Was Giles also looking into something that he didn't want to involve her in? Did this Orb of Who-E-Jiggy exist and could it help restore Angel's soul? She caught Giles' eye and gave him a look that said, "You and I are having a very serious talk when we're through here, Mister."
Giles, avoiding eye contact with Buffy, loosened his collar. "Er, uh, Mis- Mr. Osborn..."
"Please. Call me Norman."
"Er, thank you, Norman. How-how can these orbs have such power? Do you believe that it could be so?"
Osborn smiled at him. "Do I believe? Oh, Mr. Giles...Rupert. I very much believe there could be such orbs of power that the earth itself could be shaken to its very core. Imagine one single orb. An orb so small that it could fit into the palm of your hand, but with power thriving inside and with the secret knowledge that you possess...you can make that orb do great things."
Joyce snorted and she almost choked.
Osborn turned to glare at her. "Are you all right, Mrs. Summers?"
"Er..." She glanced at Buffy. She wanted to laugh. "I-I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Osborn. Er, Norman. I don't mean to offend you, but...an orb is just a ball of glass. I'm sure it has no magical value whatsoever."
"A trinket, to be certain," Mr. Chase agreed. "People will pay a hefty price for something that serves no purpose other than to add to the fashion of a housewife's decorating skills."
Mrs. Chase gave him a look.
Jenny smiled. "The Orb of Thesulah does make for a good paper weight," she said.
Osborn looked at her. "You have one?"
Jenny glanced at Giles who was looking at her in surprise.
Buffy frowned. Okay, she thought. Giles knows what the orb is but he wasn't aware that Ms. Calendar got herself one, but why did she get it?
"I do," Jenny answered.
Osborn paused. "Well...Joyce, I am not offended," he said, looking at Buffy's mother. "You have to understand I've traveled a lot and I've seen things I once used to question. Like you yourself are questioning now. The thing that you fail to see is what this town is capable of revealing to you." He held up a hand. "Please, hear me out." He regarded his guests. "This town has great power. There's a strong current of energy that just pours out from the ground and it goes through this town like water through a creek...and yet there are so few who notice it. It's hard to explain. It's like a mystical convergence." He looked at Giles. "I know you can feel it."
Giles looked at him and he began to wonder just who this man was. He certainly seemed to know there was definitely something going on in Sunnydale that didn't fit the status quo of other towns.
"I wonder if we could pre-date many of the magical items of our day and trace them back through time to their very creations. What would we discover? Were these powerful artifacts created here in this mystical convergence? Were they created by demons, or angels?" He paused. Then he shook his head. "It doesn't matter, I suppose, because now most demons are gone. Oh, I'm sure they try to return every now and then, yet most of them are gone. Why? Because they have met their match in man."
Giles stared at him. "Are-are you saying that man is more powerful than de- demon?"
"Of course. After all, we're here, and they're not."
"Yes-yes, that is true. However, to face a demon is...well, in most cases, it is simply suicidal."
Osborn shook his head. "No, it isn't. Man has evolved far greater than the worst demon ever known, and he continues to evolve today. However, there are some men who do evolve faster than others. With an orb of great power, he would be invincible." He suddenly broke into a smile. "Now...who would like some dessert?"
The dinner progressed into dessert and then it was time to leave. Osborn heard that the Scoobies had time to go to the Bronze so he asked his son to go with them. When Harry asked him why, he became insistent. "Look, just go and have a good time. I have an associate dropping by later this evening--"
"Tonight?" Harry inquired. "What associate?"
Osborn looked at his son, eyes glittering with suppressed madness. "Just go," he hissed.
Harry left with the others.
They all left except for Norman Osborn. Osborn dismissed Jackson and then he went to his den. He went behind the bar...and he poured himself a drink, and then another, and then an--
"Drowning in your pathetic misery, are we?" said a voice heavy with sarcasm.
Osborn spun around, but there was no one there. "N-no...I...I'm just a little thirsty." His eyes darted this way and that way, but he could not see anyone; the intruder was never in his sight but was always in his head.
"Then have a little drink, but be ready! He is almost here."
As if on cue, the doorbell rang.
Osborn took a long drink. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He took another look around the den. Then he hurried to answer the door.
Osborn opened the door and there stood the one he had sought out from Willy's Bar. "H-hello," he said, his voice hoarse. "We've been expecting you."
Angelus glared at him. "You know, I'm really not in a good mood right now. The only reason I'm standing here is because I really do want you to invite me inside...so I can rip your heart out through your chest."
Osborn hesitated. "Why would you want to do this to me?"
"I saw who left your house. You had dinner guests. One of them is someone whom I'd really love to kill."
"Well...you will kill her. She is why I asked you to come."
"Is that right?" Angelus looked at him skeptically. "Are you saying that you're going to help me slay the Slayer? What do you get in return?"
Osborn hesitated. "In time...I will tell you."
"When?"
"There are things we must discuss first."
Angelus let out a sigh. "Well...are we discussing them here on the front step, or are you going to invite me in?"
Osborn hesitated. "I...invite you in."
"Thank you." Angelus suddenly grabbed the man by his throat and tossed him back inside. As Osborn crashed onto the floor, Angelus stepped inside and slammed the door shut. "People like you really piss me off." Angelus hauled Osborn up and slapped him hard across the face with the back of his hand. Then for good measure, he slammed the man face first into the wall.
Osborn was bleeding. He was dangerously close to blacking out as Angelus tossed him into the next room.
Angelus walked into the den as Osborn struggled to get up.
"I'm just going to kill you," Angelus told him. "And do you wanna know why I'm going to kill you? Because you can't get me the Slayer. No one can get me the Slayer but me. So I don't need your help." He kicked Osborn in the stomach. "I don't need anything from you. On the other hand, I can entertain myself all night long by making you bleed." He hauled the man up and punched him in the face. Then he picked him up over his shoulders and tossed him over the bar.
There was a crash. Bottles and glasses crashed to the floor.
Then there was silence.
Angelus clapped his hands together and he smiled through his fangs. "They say alcohol and cuts don't go well together. And broken glass can really cause infections. All of that sounds like fun, but I'm going to snap all of your fingers off, and then, I'm going to--" He stopped as he looked behind the bar.
Osborn was gone.
"What the hell?"
Angelus looked around the den but there wasn't anywhere that he could see where Osborn could have escaped to. He went out into the hall. For about fifteen minutes, the angry vampire searched for Osborn. Then he found himself in a huge ball room. He looked around.
"This could take all night," Angelus said to himself as he shook his head in disgust. "The moron probably has a maze of secret passageways to hide in." He turned, intending to leave...and then he froze.
He looked up.
His mouth dropped open in astonishment.
A thing...a demon with the face of a hideous goblin floated above him on some kind of a glider that resembled a mechanical bat. This goblin was green and in its hand, it held a miniature glowing pumpkin.
"Angelus," the demon declared, "you will join my cause...or you will die horribly!"
Angelus looked up at him, his own face the image of his demon. "Who are you?"
"I am the Green Goblin, and I await your answer." He raised the pumpkin. "Join me or die!"
**********************************
TO BE CONTINUED--