"The Wish" and "Dopplegangland" are two of my favorite episodes. The one thing I really love is the alternate universe, and I wish we could see more. That's why I'm doing this. I want to expand on this world. Each of these stories are connected, but not necessarily in order.
First, we need to establish a timeline. In order to keep this timeline consistent, I'll be giving each chapter a date. I will also use air dates as a loose guideline.
-March 10th, 1997: The Master's attempt at the Harvest is a failure, not due to Buffy, but due to Angel helping Giles to stop it.
-June 2nd, 1997: As school is ending, there is a slight increase in vampire sightings.
-September 29th, 1997: A new group of vampires is seen through town, but they disappear quite quickly. Citizens are relieved and continue business as usual.
-May 19th, 1998: The Master rises, and there is a large wave of vampire attacks, resulting in many deaths. People stay indoors as much as possible.
-September 29th, 1998: The roster for this year's school year is rather small compared to other years due to vampires. Curfews are put into place.
-December 8th, 1998: The Master's plan of industrialization of human blood is a success. Buffy also arrives.
So, that's our timeline. Not much is filled in yet, I know. The rest will be filled in with stories.
Also, if you'd like, feel free to send in ideas.
Let's begin!
Chapter 1
Rating: T
Possible Triggers: Major Character Death
Date: May 20th, 1998
"Xander's dead," Willow said. The last few hours had been a blur of running and fighting and screaming. She leaned back against the wall and sobbed. "He's dead, Angel,"
"I know," Angel sighed, sitting down next to her and holding her hand.
"I couldn't save him," Willow cried.
"No one could. He was attacked by 5 at once,"
"I could have at least tried,"
"Hey. That's not important right now. I don't mean to be callous, but right now we have to focus on self preservation," Angel said, kissing her forehead. "It's day time, so we should be safe here,"
The two had fled to Angel's underground apartment. It's where they were headed when they lost Xander.
"I'm scared, Angel," Willow sobbed.
"Me too," Angel said, allowing himself to cry as well. "Me too. I don't want to lose you,"
"I never even got to tell him how I felt," Willow said. "I never got to tell him I loved him,"
"I'm sorry," Angel said. "Hey. We need to sleep. I'll take first watch,"
"Can I stay with you?" Willow asked. "I don't want to be alone,"
"Alright,"
Willow scooted and leaned against Angel's shoulder."I don't want to lose you. You know that, right?"
"I know,"
"Good," Willow said. She started crying again until she fell asleep.
Xander's dead.
0-0-0-0-0
"Let's run back to my house. I'm sure I can convince my mom to let you stay," Willow said.
"Good call. Vamps can't get into houses,"
"Let's go home then," Willow said. She wasn't feeling good in the slightest, but she was slightly better, and she knew she had to survive. For Xander. "I think this sweater is pretty well ruined," She looked down at her torn pink sweater, which was now covered in dirt and blood.
"How far is it?" Angel asked.
"10 blocks,"
"We can make it, hopefully," Willow said.
"We can. We'll make it," Angel said.
"Then let's go,"
The two exited the apartment and the sewers. The coast was clear, so they down the street. The sun had just set, so there wouldn't be as many vampires out yet.
They turned a corner, and there was a large pack of vampires about a block away. They could easily smell the humanity of Willow, and they quickly charged.
"Over here!" A chillingly familiar voice called out behind them. They turned and saw Xander standing there. "I can get you guys to safety!"
Willow knew the instant she saw him that he was a vampire, even if he didn't have his game face on.
"Don't trust him," Angel said, vamping up and handing Willow a stake.
"I know," Willow said, taking a deep breath.
"Willow!" Xander called out. He didn't sound menacing. He didn't sound dangerous. He just sounded like Xander.
"It's not him," Willow repeated, turning to the mass of vampires and staking them one by one.
Willow and Angel were forced backwards by the vampires, closer to the vampire Xander.
"Willow, I need to tell you something!" Xander said. "Something important!"
"Don't listen to a word he says," Angel reminded her.
"I know!" Willow said.
"Willow! I love you!" Xander yelled.
Those were the words that Willow had wanted to hear for years.
And then she knew she couldn't live without him.
She knew it wasn't the real Xander, she knew it. But she figured she was probably going to die soon, possibly that night on her way home.
She dropped her stake and ran towards him, ignoring Angel's desperate cries.
This version of Xander was a lie, but it was a beautiful one. One she'd rather believe as she embraced him.
