Disclaimer: Don't own any series in this story.
Author's note: First off, I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed and added this story to their favorites so far. In all honesty, I was not expecting the first chapter to immediately receive attention because I've still got other stories to continue with. Also, I want to make it clear that as far as the Hand of Fate series goes, Lords of Shadow: Sunnydale is apart of the multiverse that makes up the Hand of Fate universe for my stories. As I mentioned in the note in the previous chapter, part of the reason for choosing the points in the timelines of the stories that I did, had to do with the fact that most of the seasons in the show had serious turmoils that everyone had to deal with, not just Buffy. LOS: Sunnydale has season 1 because it serves as a point of discovery for everyone in one way or another. Hand of Fate has season 2 because it's a point in which the loyalty and friendship is tested through everyone. In truth, the fact that everyone had to do what Buffy, and near the end Willow, said to do simply because she was the slayer and she should be the one to fight Angelus, was an even bigger risk than Buffy initially letting him go. And in truth, Cordelia and Xander would've been better off taking action, if they had been given training or some form of power. For season 3, there's the theme of trust and forgiveness, once again, in Whedon's twisted mind for this show, it's a point that was used hypocritically considering that Xander was avoided like the plague, while Oz took Willow back, even knowing that she had feelings for Xander before their relationship was official yet Oz simply accepted it? Had this situation been reversed, Oz would've been ousted the same was Xander was. Season 7 is a particularly big point because as the characters had moved past all the initial drama of their youth, it's when you really begin to see how everyone really felt, and that there is resentment, anger, and weariness, mainly from seeing how far Buffy will go given dire situations. As I said, these stories are essentially all about either turning what the show's canon has given us on it's head, or forging a different route altogether. With that in mind, here is the next chapter. Enjoy.
The Bronze
The music inside the town's only night-club was blaring like always, as the musical entertainment on stage was in the middle of a fast paced song that the patrons enjoyed. Xander found himself sitting alone at a table not really paying any attention to the music. It was, in large part, due to the fact that his former best friend's boyfriend happened to be on stage with the rest of the band. The bass player had immediately recognized the former zeppo and decided that he would approach once the performance was done. As the song came to an end, Oz finished the last chord of the song before he set his guitar down and decided it was now or never.
Xander, for his part, didn't really feel like speaking to anyone as he was still getting over everything that he had been shouldered with ever since he came back to this plane of reality. The fact that the universe was much bigger than anyone ever anticipated had thrown him for a complete loop. There also the fact that he now knew that there was more than one version of him, in different realities, each doing something that he did not think was even possible. Even though his time in the void was short, he caught glimpses of a few of the different versions of himself. In one mentioned by the stranger, he saw himself and Jesse, him wielding a blue aura and a sword, while Jesse had a red aura and gauntlets. In another, he saw himself capable of using energy projection but with a lost eye. In the third, he saw himself some years older, along with the group and many people he didn't recognize escaping what appeared to be the town closing in on itself. He shook his head as the idea of just how vast the multiverse could be was threatening to drive him crazy. He looked up as Oz finally approached him, looking a bit put off.
Oz himself was confused, despite his calm outward appearance, as to how Xander could pull off a poker face that rivaled his own. The young man, whom he knew held Willow's heart for so long, simply looked him in his eyes, while his own were calm, focused, yet gave no betrayal to his actual feelings. The musician figured that he and the others would have to get used to this look.
"Hey man," the werewolf started off.
"Oz," Xander replied stoically. Oz flinched for a second as he had never known Xander to be as still, outwardly. Oz had always been one for observation, which was how he knew what Willow was up to the night they stole the rocket launcher. He had also known that through Xander's actions, he could see that there was a lot of negativity that the taller young man was hiding. Seeing him now, he wondered just how much Xander's supposed near-death had done and affected him.
"Surprised to see you here. Didn't think you'd want to go out," Oz said.
"I'm not doing this Oz," Xander replied with a straight face, still looking at the werewolf in the eyes. Oz simply raised an eyebrow and slightly cocked his head to the side.
"You want to know about my permanent split from you guys, and what happened to me to cause it. If you really wanted to know, just come out with it. Don't try to gull me like I'm some idiot," Xander explained. Oz looked down for a second, before he joined Xander at the table.
"So what did happen to you last night?" the musician, deciding to take the words to heart.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Xander said.
"I don't know. Living on a hellmouth, we're bound to see more than we really want to," Oz said, hoping to add levity. He was rewarded when Xander gave a slight smirk.
"True enough. I suppose I can ask you this: what would you do if you realized that somewhere in the universe, another you was out there, about to make a mistake that you already did?" Xander began. Oz's brow furled as the question had thrown him off guard.
"I guess if I could go to him, me, whoever they are, I'd find them, and tell them to stop and think about what they were doing before they went through with it," Oz replied.
"Alright. What if I told you that the possibility, while slim, was still plausible? That if by some random chance you were taken there, that you really could change it?" Xander followed up.
"I'd definitely take it. Did something happen to you?" Oz asked, concern lacing his voice, mainly over Xander's psyche.
"I had my eyes open to one of the biggest truths that I doubt many people can really handle. With everything that's happened, I took a lot into account. And what I came up with wasn't exactly picture perfect," Xander explained.
"You mean us," Oz stated, more than asked.
"It doesn't necessarily extend to you. While I understand your feelings on everything, you're not exactly doing yourself any favors relying on people who wallow in self-pity more than solve their own problems," Xander said.
"I don't understand," Oz stated further.
"We're all broken Oz. We're all human, so it makes sense that it happens at one point or another. But we're broken regardless. We all could find a way to help ourselves if we can, or at least get help from others who can help. But looking at us as a whole, we're really no better than any of the other kids who hide something. When Buffy ran away, she didn't just leave us alone, she left us unprotected. Four teenagers, three with no superpowers and one werewolf who can't control his transformation, and a watcher who never even took time to teach us how to properly defend ourselves. Although in Giles' defense, he's only known how to train a slayer. Still he could've taught us something just as he learned how to at least avoid trouble. But Buffy left us to deal, and she couldn't even bother to come to any of us because she thought we wouldn't understand. We did, but she was being stubborn. As for Willow-" Oz stopped him.
"She's not Buffy," Oz said, defending his girlfriend.
"No she isn't. But she hasn't exactly done much for herself now has she? Maybe you can answer me something. When Willow wanted to try the soul curse again, what did you think of her doing out after coming out of a coma? I mean what did you REALLY think?" Xander asked, looking Oz in the eyes again.
Oz felt rather uncomfortable thinking back to that particular time during the crisis. He had been in the room when Xander was in the middle of telling his girlfriend that he loved her. To others, it sounded as if Xander as confessing to his best friend, but the werewolf had always known how much Xander and Willow meant to each other. However, thinking of Xander's question brought back a nagging feeling that he ignored.
"Honestly? I didn't want her to do it either. We were told that the curse was dark and powerful, and that it could bring some kind of trouble. But Willow wanted to go for it either way. While I believe in Willow, I know trouble when I see it. And what we saw when she was chanting...it just never really felt right," Oz said, finally expressing himself.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Xander asked, taking note of the bass player's reaction.
"I was scared. Scared that she would treat me the way she and Buffy had started treating you," Oz explained. He wasn't sure, but he could've sworn that Xander's expression had darkened a bit.
"Why now? If you had been feeling this way for so long, why finally let it out now?" Oz asked.
"You said it yourself. With the way they had been treating me, especially lately, it was bound to come out one way or another. Of course, living with two drunks, especially one who makes you more of a punching bag than they do, you tend to learn to suppress your real feelings. And until last night, I might have gone on just accepting that everything that happens to me is normal, and maybe karmic. But the fact is, it's not normal, and karma is just one big lie. Because if it were true, than Willow should've suffered like I did. I'd say the same for Cordelia, but that's just bad timing for her," Xander said.
"You defend Cordelia, but you lash out about Willow?" Oz threw in.
"Cordelia used to bully me, yes. But she's shown she's more than that, something Willow continually refuses to see. For all I know, that could've been a major part of why Willow cheated. But I can't say. All I know is she's become more of a follower than the girl who used to set herself apart just for being herself. I can only tell you how sorry I am for my part in the whole affair. I'm not making excuses for what either of did. But after a long hard look at everything, I just know that the picture is a very bleak one," Xander finished explaining.
"So where does that leave us?" Oz asked, feeling like he hadn't really accomplished anything.
"Depends on you really. In truth, you really don't have to be my friend if you don't want to. I couldn't really blame you. But at the same time, you can't keep taking a back seat to everything if you stay in the group. And I mean EVERYTHING. If there's something that doesn't sound right, don't be afraid to stand up or speak. Or else you're just another dog," Xander said as he left the table to leave the club. Oz sat there, letting Xander's words settle in.
Higher Plane
The stranger stood on a crystal platform with lush plants and flowers surrounding him. He looked into a lake of water that served as a viewing portal for watching events play out. He had witnessed Xander's conversation with Oz and was amazed at the burst of insight that Xander had been gaining since his time in the void. He figured that the power, as well as the weight of the events, were still taking time to really set in. He looked up as he was joined by Jenny Calendar, Jesse McNally and Kendra Young. He had seen these individuals lose their lives, and could only watch in in regret that neither he nor some of his brothers and sisters could do anything. However, up until his own mind had been truly opened, he could only standby and wait.
"What brings you all here?" the stranger asked.
"Hey Sachiel. We just wanted to see how our favorite boy was doing," Jesse addressed the stranger.
"All things considered, he's taking what happened well enough. Although, the turmoil of emotions seems to finally be letting loose. When I first saw him, I can't say I was really fascinated until I saw what he had done, let alone what he could be capable of. If not for my Sariel and Kushiel, maybe I or one of my other siblings could've stepped in sooner," Sachiel responded.
"That makes two of us. I still can't believe that I let my guard down like that. If I had been more prepared to take on Drusilla, he wouldn't have been alone," Kendra said.
"It's not your fault Kendra. Your watcher did everything he could. Drusilla had always been known to be unpredictable. It seems fate was against us," Jenny said, as she rubbed the former slayer's shoulder.
"You have no idea," Sachiel replied. The three humans looked at him, but couldn't say anything as he vanished.
One week later...
Sunnydale High school
Buffy and Willow sat around the lounge, while Oz had gone to use the restroom. The two young women were discussing college plans after high school, however, Xander's words to Oz were on their minds. Willow had relayed Oz's conversation with Xander to the blonde slayer and Giles. Needless to say, neither weren't too happy with the words, nor the circumstances.
"So he still hasn't said anything to you ever since?" Buffy asked.
"No. I'm not sure he'll ever say anything to me again. Not that it matters, now that he has Faith," Willow said.
"Yeah. That's been weirding me out too. Seeing them all buddy-buddy like that just doesn't seem right. It's like when he was dating Cordelia," Buffy said, making a face at the memories.
"It's worse than that," Willow threw in.
"How?" Buffy took in the expression on Willow's face. The last time she had seen the look of disheartening, Xander had been caught by Willow kissing Cordelia.
"They slept together. On the night the hellmouth was opened," Willow explained, ready for tears to start falling.
"What?!" Buffy nearly yelled.
"After you talked to Xander, I followed him to see if I could get through to him. I know Oz said that he would talk to him. But this is my Xander-shaped friend. I've known him all my life, he's been nothing but good to me. But when I found him at the Motor Inn, well, I sort of used magic to hear what they were saying. Faith said she was sorry for throwing him out after sleeping with him," Willow finished saying.
"Maybe I should talk to Faith later. I have to go see Giles right now," Buffy said standing up.
"Oh. Giles said he really needs to see you. You might want to hurry. I've never seen him look so irritated," Willow added.
Inside the library, Buffy entered to find Faith leaning against the counter looking bored, while Giles leaned against the table visibly annoyed. Buffy knew the only times he ever looked that way was because of Buffy, or from Xander's jokes. Thinking of Xander made Buffy feel sad for about a moment before she heard the library doors swing open. The object of her thoughts walked in, looking different, as his clothes were not plaid, or the bright Hawaiian shirts he normally wore, Instead, he had changed to wearing a lot of grey and black clothes, usually with a grey shirt and black pants. He stopped as he took notice of Buffy before he moved over to Faith.
"So what's going on? Faith said I needed to be down here for something," Xander said, keeping a stony expression. Giles and Buffy weren't sure what to make of it. To the blonde, his eyes used to be so expressive and full of life, which made his jokes, when they weren't about Angel, rather enjoyable. But now it was as if he was just a blank slate.
"Ah yes, everyone's here," came another English accent, notably younger, and a bit more high-brow.
"New watcher?" Xander asked as a man in a tailored, dark suit and glasses approached, wearing a smile that appeared to exude confidence but held more anxiety that Xander could see.
"Yes. I believe you two are Buffy Summers and Alexander Harris? I'm pleased to meet you both. Wesley Wyndam-Price, at your service. I'm especially pleased to meet you Alexander," Wesley said to the young man. Xander did an exact impression of Oz raising an eyebrow as if he hadn't heard the man correctly.
"And why would that be?" Xander replied.
"Well, for a number of reasons actually. As I understand from Mr. Giles last seeing you, you had proven that you were stronger than a slayer, which would be impossible unless you were some kind of demon," the current watcher said, with an annoying air of superiority. The man had moved over to the table, as if blocking it from view. Before anyone could react, Wesley threw a cross like a flying dagger. Xander quickly caught the cross before anyone could even guess what happened.
"Not a vampire, moron," Xander said, as he tossed the cross on the table.
"So I see. And I was told you could walk through daylight. Perhaps you'd like to explain how you could possibly eclipse a slayer's strength simply by grabbing her arm?" Wesley demanded.
"And perhaps you can take your demands, and shove them up your ass. I don't have to explain myself to you, or any of the tweed brigade. Your council is not the law. In fact, ti;s nothing but a bunch of bastards who think they have power just because they have the slayer. They don't risk their lives on a daily basis. All they do is try to control her whatever way they can. Have you ever been in a fight for your life?" Xander shot at the older man.
"Well, no," Wesley replied not expecting this level of resilience.
"Then let me say this: you don't know jack shit about what it takes to survive on a place like the hellmouth. All you know is that you're supposed to order around the one person, who has power that you wish you could have. But your bosses would rather let someone else do the dirty work," the young man said. The next instant, Xander was face-to-face with the younger watcher. Wesley didn't have time to react as Xander quickly slammed him face-first into the table, with one arm locked behind his back.
"So I'll leave you with this: until the council decides to get it's hands dirty, they are and will forever be worthless. And one more thing. If you do anything to get any of these guys hurt or killed, not only will I come after you, I will throw you to a nest of vamps before I go to town on them," Xander said, letting go of the older man. His words were met with silence as Faith watched in wonder at Xander's attitude, while Buffy and Giles were shocked speechless by his actions towards the man.
"Faith, you want to get out of her and grab some real food?" Xander asked his friend.
"Sure X. Let's go," Faith replied, taking Xander by the hand and walking away with him. The blonde slayer and the elder watcher watched in confusion as the active slayer walked away with Xander. Wesley stood up straight and righted himself.
"Good lord. You didn't tell me he was such a loathsome fellow," Wesley said, adjusting his tie.
"Neither did Quentin when he told me you were coming," Giles added dryly.
"We still don't know what happened to Xander since the hellmouth almost opened. And the power I felt wasn't like any demon. It didn't even feel evil. It felt...raw," Buffy said trying to make sense of it all.
"We'll have to worry about that later. Tell me about your encounter with the Eliminati last night?" Wesley requested kindly, hoping not to further alienate the blonde. Buffy decided it was better to at least cooperate to make things easier.
"Not much to tell. Faith and I were on patrol, when those guys in robes jumped out. They whipped out two swords; one long and one short. Would've had more of a difficult time until Xander showed up," Buffy began explaining.
"Just how did his arrival alleviate the situation?" Wesley pressed further.
"I don't why. But the minute he showed up, the vampires just started freaking out, and they all focused on him. Even when he saw the swords they were swinging, he didn't even flinch. One of the vamps took one swing at him, but the blade didn't even cut into him. It was like his skin became as hard as steel. Then he just started tearing into the vamps. Didn't even use the fighting skills Faith and I used, just began ripping them apart," Buffy said, remembering how Xander had taken a few of the vamps and literally pulled them apart, even ripping one's head clean of it's shoulders.
"Any idea why he felt the need to be so rough in taking them out?" the younger watcher wondered.
"Aside from their sparkling personalities, he's always had a rather...unsavory hatred vampires. When his friend was killed the year that the master rose, he was turned by Angel's sire, Darla. He's harbored a grudge ever since," Giles explained.
"My word. I can't say I blame him. Still the presence of the Eliminati, as well as the emergence of Mr. Harris' abilities are all very disturbing, especially given the reaction you said they had," Wesley surmised.
"Whatever. Giles, I'll check in later," Buffy said. Wesley tried to gain her attention, but she was out the door.
"This won't be easy," the younger man said.
"Indeed," Giles said, with a bit of amusement in his voice.
Diner
Xander and Faith sat in a private both inside the establishment, enjoying their respective meals. Both had ordered burgers, but Faith ordered a noticeably larger quantity. Xander couldn't keep the smile off of his face as they continued to eat.
"You'll break your face if you keep looking like that," Faith joked, as she ate a french fry.
"Can't help myself. I find it pretty comforting. Most girls always worry about counting calories and because they think that their overweight, no matter how slim ad beautiful they are. It's comforting because you're afraid to show who you are. Aside from personal secrets, there's no pretenses. Makes things more enjoyable," Xander said.
"Come on. You can't tell me that none of the regular bimbos at your school didn't catch your attention. Although I am curious about how Queen C caught your attention," Faith said.
"The girls at my school are all beautiful. But looks and appearances isn't a deciding factor for me. It's also about character and personality. In truth, many of the girls I knew were usually pretty blasé. I'm not exactly calling myself a prize, because I was just an average Joe. But...I guess you could say there wasn't really much inspiration. When Buffy came along, I wasn't sure what initially drew me to her. I'll know is that I felt stupid skateboarding into that stupid handrail. All I know is that after everything had blown up with the girls, I realized that my reasons for my feelings may have been misplaced," Xander said.
"Misplaced how? I mean from what I heard you seemed to genuinely like them," Faith said with curiosity.
"When I was a, and I quote, 'love-struck puppy', I had been attracted to the confidence that Buffy, Cordelia, and Willow had exhibited. Admittedly, there are parts of their characters that I would be attracted to. But in looking at the whole picture, I let myself ignore the bigger picture. That despite their good qualities, there were damaged but they didn't do anything to really change themselves. Willow never forgave me for not seeing how she felt about me. Cordelia could've ditched her sheep any time she wanted, but she wallowed in the image that her popularity projected. And Buffy, well, you know. The point is, I wouldn't have been right for any of them just as they wouldn't be for me. Because we'd be more focused on having the relationship, not necessarily whether or not we'd support each other through the best times and the rough times," Xander said.
"As much as I can understand that, I don't understand why you got with Cordy in the first place," Faith replied with a thoughtful expression.
"Hot girl. She was actually attracted to me. And I had a chance to have something I didn't think I would with anyone else. Cordy's are pretty easy to understand. I saved her life a few times, it'd piss off her parents, and as far as her reputation goes, she could fix me up to be how she and the sheep want a guy," Xander explained.
"And just what did they want in a guy?" Faith pressed further.
"Same thing they want in their version of decent guys: someone who is totally devoted to them and is more like a slave than an actual person. Of course she didn't exactly think through the reactions, given that her sheep are girls who are raised in the upper class," Xander explained. Faith's brow furled at his explanation.
"I'm not sure I understand how gender fits in with their reactions," the brunette slayer replied.
"Well, speaking from the male aspect of this equation, when a guy like me gets a girl like Cordelia, the guys go from shock and awe, to begrudging respect, and eventually admiration, bordering on a man-crush. But from the female perspective, a girl like Cordelia being with a guy like me is the closest thing to the seven deadly sins. Their way of thinking is that the poor essentially devils that should be cast out from society simply because we don't have the material wealth they possess, and them getting with anyone who possesses qualities that no one would really give a damn about in the long run ensures they maintain their wealth and some power. At the end of the day, who you date says a lot to other people. However, the two perspectives are actually antithetical of each other. Of course it doesn't help when we live in a world where religious ideologies are twisted to the point of being antithetical themselves," Xander finished saying.
"Preaching tot he choir on that one. So what caused this big turn around for you? I mean I know escaping certain death can be a big change. But seeing you here like this, it's throwing me for a loop," Faith asked her companion.
"You wouldn't be the first one to ask. Of course I didn't see any point in telling Oz the whole truth. Just enough to keep him guessing," Xander said first.
"Wanna start with how you were trapped in an explosion with no way out, and then pulling a Houdini?" Faith inquired. Xander looked down at his drink and swished it around. He imagined that the swishing was much like the vortex of energy.
"Truth is, I probably should've died when the bomb went off. But apparently someone was looking out for me. It started out with a lot of fire. And the next thing I knew, it was dark, which was odd because I could see myself just fine. Then this guy comes up to me and tells me about the biggest secret of the universe. Essentially, the universe isn't just what we know, but there's other universes alongside ours. And in every one of them, they were so alike but so different. The same people, at different times, and with different outcomes," Xander began explaining.
"Is this like in those comic books you love so much?" Faith inquired.
"Basically. But there was also the fact that in the universes that I played an important role," Xander said as he began remembering the stranger's words.
"What kind?" Faith asked as she leaned in closer.
"I change destiny, and possibly screw with fate. This guy told me that by bringing Buffy back, I had changed the lines of destiny. But this group called the Powers That Be made contingency plans because of what I did. From the sounds of it, they planned on screwing us all over. But he also said that me doing what I did is the reason why he came to me. That changing destiny, or at least wiping out the fated plans could bring some sort of natural order back to the world," Xander said.
"So you're saying there are higher powers, and some might actually give a damn? That's a first," Faith sneered.
"Makes two of us. Although unless I misheard him, there is one higher power, and his kids who were supposed to help," Xander said as he remembered the voice.
"You can't be serious?" Faith questioned, dubiously.
"This brings me to my next point in the story. When I asked the guy how I was supposed to start changing things, he dragged me to this swirling vortex of energy. It was connected to every dimension that exists in the universe. Like it fed life to all of them. Anyway, he threw me into the vortex and I could feel myself changing. Then this voice entered my mind, telling me not to worry because I was being renewed. He said that he saved me from the explosion. When I asked him who he was, he just said he was the one who created everything," Xander explained as he got a faraway look in his eyes.
"Y-you met..." Faith trailed off as the implications were truly something to marvel at.
"In a word: yes," Xander answered.
"That explains the feeling I got when you came to my room last week. It's like that power is just pure and raw. I can't explain it, but my slayer senses just go wild when it flairs up from you," Faith said.
"Funny. Those vamps the other night had a worse reaction," Xander threw back.
"Think you could take Superman?" Faith asked, playfully. Xander smirked at her.
"Maybe. So, patrol tonight to see if we can find the amulet?" Faith asked.
"Sure thing," Xander replied.
Higher Plane
Throne Room
Sachiel stood at his Father's seat, before the blue orb that appeared as if it empowered the entirety of the higher realms. The throne, however, was strangely empty, which if the being could guess, his father was physically somewhere else, yet he could still feel his Father's presence all around him. He felt a powerful presence approach him. He turned to see a man with short blonde hair that was combed back, and he was wearing a black tuxedo.
"Something troubles you, Sachiel?" the newcomer asked, with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Michael. You understand if I find that form rather displeasing?" Sachiel responded.
"Oh come now little brother. I would've thought you'd find this amusing. The way those walking meatbags portray us always fill me with joy," Michael said.
"You're starting to sound like our brother. How is it that you both feel so strongly about the humans, who are every bit as kin to us just as you and I are, yet you found yourselves on opposite sides of the war?" Sachiel nearly shouted.
"I may not find favor with the humans much, but I am enacting his will in making sure the one we need plays his part," Michael said to his younger brother.
"His will? You really believe you know what his will is? And when was the last time you yourself heard from him personally? I know what you've concocted since he first left. This was not his plan. You and our brother have corrupted it to the fullest extent. All that will happen is complete devastation. That's why someone had to act," Sachiel replied heatedly. Michael's eyes glowed an intense white, before he raised a hand that glowed silver, engulfing his brother.
In a flash, Sachiel found himself thrown into what appeared to be a garden in a park. The area was not vacant as two beautiful brunette women, both with brown hair, one with brown eyes, and the other with blue eyes, looked to see what caused the disturbance. They saw Sachiel laying on the ground with blood dripping from his mouth, and Michael standing over him. The elder brother looked at the two ladies before raising a hand, stopping them.
"Relax. Just a heated discussion. But Sachiel and I have an...understanding," Michael said, sparing his brother a glance. The next moment, Michael vanished, and the two ladies checked on the wounded being.
"Sachiel, what just happened?" the brunette with blue eyes asked.
"Michael and I did exchange words. And I told him the truth about what he planned on doing," he replied.
"What do you mean? What's our brother doing?" the brown-eyed brunette asked.
"He and our brother have corrupted the plans for the planet's endgame. In short, as the humans say, this pissing competition between our eldest brothers will not only spill out on earth, but will even devastate everything. I told him that I had to act against his orders, but He gave me the task of doing so," Sachiel explained.
"You mean Alexander. The other Powers had taken notice of his recent change. They weren't sure who was capable. Not that it shouldn't be surprising that one of us could do so ourselves. Not even the Avatars are capable of pulling someone into the void. But why have Alexander take on that power?" the brown-eyed woman asked.
"If I had to guess, Gadreel, I think Father knows that none of us would be able to change Michael's mind. Looked what happened before the rebellion. That's also why I'm going to need some help from you. Your's as well Ariel," Sachiel said.
"You intend to eventually draw him to the others that we watch over in our jurisdiction?" Ariel asked.
"Indeed. But not just them. There may be a few others who need some guidance. Is there anyone currently assigned to watch over Victor?" Sachiel said.
"No. No one has kept watch over that family ever since their feud came to a halt centuries ago," Ariel said.
"That may have to change. But there will have to be someone else. Someone we who isn't under Michael's or Raphael's thumbs," Sachiel began thinking.
"What about another of us? All of us are powerful in our own rights, bar Michael. But even he would have a hard time against any of us if we don't restrain ourselves," Gadreel said.
"I think I know who. Why not Haniel?" Ariel asked.
"A thoughtful idea. But we need to e sure of him first," Sachiel said as he began returning to his peak strength.
"What of Raziel?" Gadreel asked.
"He's on other business. Particularly with Trevor," Sachiel replied.
"Since when? Why weren't we told about this?" Ariel asked.
"It seems that since Father went away, at least from the throne, Michael and Raphael have taken to charging others with fighting on separate fronts, but separately. It's rather disturbing that our fallen brothers are more organized than we are," Sachiel said.
"We can worry about that later. Let's find Haniel," Ariel said before the three vanished.
Willy's Bar
Sunnydale, California
Buffy strode into the establishment trying to portray a confidence that she wasn't necessarily feeling. Her patrol with Xander and Faith had proven fruitful, however the ease of which her Xander-shaped friend had taken out the Eliminati had disturbed her just as much as the last time they fought. Even stranger was how Faith had shaped up and actually taken to not toying with her opponents as they normally would. Buffy took notice that the demons in the bar had not paid her much mind and were going about their own business. She found it rather odd as they were normally ready to flee form her very presence. She approached the bar and saw that Willy didn't even flinch in looking up at her.
"What do you want Slayer?" the bartender said with a looked of boredom.
"I want info on our boy Balthazar. You're going to give it to me, before I have to get rough," Buffy demanded. She noticed Willy's lip twitch before it turned into a full smirk. Then the bartender burst into a full out laughter. Willy doubled over from laughter, leaving Buffy confused about whatever joke she had missed.
"Oh that's a good one kid! Hey guys! Slayer still thinks she's scary!" Willy said to the patrons before he continued laughing before everyone else followed suit..
"What the hell is so funny?!" Buffy demanded further.
"Let me put it this way slayer: you're no longer the bogeyman, or girl, to any of us. Not since the night the hellmouth almost opened," Willy said.
"Hey!" Buffy replied in outrage.
"Not my problem if you can't handle the truth," Willy said, with far more nerve than he had shown her the previous year. Buffy leaned over the bar, and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt.
"What the hell are you on?" Buffy said.
"New leash on life. Especially after we realized that you're not the most powerful thing on this planet anymore," Willy said.
"What do you mean? I'm the slayer," Buffy said. Willy continued to smile at her, none too friendly.
"You're wrong on that front kid. You're a slayer. Not the slayer. The slayer is the hot brunette that's been hanging around you and the remaining groupies you got. You died, so you don't hold that title anymore," Willy shot back. His words hit Buffy as she was reminded of what Xander had said to her when she realized she had changed.
"I'll tell you what. I'm in a generous mood, so I'll tell you what you need to know. Your boy's alive and kicking. Or at least he would be if he could actually walk his fat ass out of the tub he lives in. The amulet was the bulk of his power, and without it, he's about as much of threat as you are. But he's the least of your problems," Willy began explaining.
"That much I figure. But who is the big issue here?" Buffy asked. Willy motioned for Buffy to come closer. As she leaned closer, Willow looked around making sure no one heard.
"Mayor Wilkins," the bartender whispered.
"The mayor? What does he have to do with anything?" Buffy asked.
"Haven't you ever wondered why all the crazy deaths in this town just went to the wayside without anyone asking questions? Why the cops always seem to write off vampire attacks as barbecue fork accidents? Or gangs on PCP? You really think that time the school was haunted just went over the authorities' heads?" Willy questioned her.
"You're saying he knew about all of this? But why keep it quiet? A small town like this, no one really cares what goes on," Buffy threw back.
"That's where you're wrong. You get enough attention in a small town like this, the right people will care. They just don't make a habit of getting noticed. You'd be surprised what exactly lurks in this town," Willy said.
"Then answer me one thing: why aren't you scared of me anymore?" Buffy asked.
"Oh you're not the only one I'm not scared of. That smoking brunette of a slayer doesn't have me quaking in my shoes either. Neither does you little witch friend, your rabid dog, or your blood-sucking fiend of a boyfriend. Long as you keep the other guy away, we're cool," Willy said. Buffy's brow scrunched at the wait he had insulted her friends, but the last part of the statement caught her off guard.
"You're scared of Xander?! Why?!" Buffy asked. Willow looked at the blonde slayer as if she had lost a few brain cells, but decided to indulge her curiosity.
"I take it by now you found out about O'Toole and his gang?" Willy asked. Buffy nodded as she remembered her reaction when everyone had found out what Xander did.
"Well, here's the deal. A seer from the underworld came in the other night. Smoking hot too. Looked a lot like the Chase girl, strangely. Anyway, she sits at the bar and starts asking about your boy Harris. And I'm telling you, she looked scared out of her fucking wits. So I asked her what the big deal was, and the story she gave me was pretty bizarre. I mean bizarre even for this town," Willy said.
"You're talking about Xander's change. I noticed. He's a lot stronger than me, Faith, and every vamp we've come across," Buffy added in.
"That's not the worst of it," Willy said.
"There's more?"
"Much. The seer said that from what she saw, the bomb in the boiler room of your school went off, and should've killed Harris, you and friends and whoever else was in the school. But it didn't. It turns out the explosion had ripped a hole in reality," Willy said.
"You're not going to launch into nerd-lingo are you?" Buffy asked hoping she wouldn't become bored.
"Hey, I'm trying to help you out here. Either take it or leave it," Willy shot back with a glare she wasn't used to seeing.
"Sorry. Go on," Buffy said.
"Anyway, you know the energy of the hellmouth makes it to where it opens up and leads to Hell. But it seems that the energy is unstable. When that explosion went off, not only was there a tear in reality, something pulled Harris through it," Willy expanded.
"He went to Hell?!" Buffy asked, worried.
"According to the seer, no. Which is actually the weird part. She said that whatever it was that pulled him through had the biggest flash of light and damn near burned her eyes out. When Harris got back, he wasn't exactly the same," Willy finished.
"So Xander might be possessed?" Buffy asked, hoping she wouldn't feel so guilty now.
"No. She said that your friend is fine, but physically different. Whatever came through with him is crazy powerful. So powerful, that the seer is looking to him for help," Willy said.
"So powerful is Xander now?" Buffy asked.
"Enough that he makes demons in this town look like shit. Can even put your lights out if you piss him off," Willy said. Buffy was visibly alarmed by this information.
"And what about this...whatever it was that came back with him? This power?" Buffy asked.
"I'll put it this way. However much he has is more than enough to survive. But if there was a source, the seer said it'd scare the Old Ones senseless. They may be powerful, but even they have limits," Willy said. Buffy looked wide-eyed at the bartender before he went back to serving the customers.
Higher Plane
Sachiel, Ariel and Gadreel stood with their fellow archangel, who had long silver hair to his shoulders, silver eyes, and white robes with green linings. His name was Haniel, and he had been listening to his brother and sisters explain the situation.
"Let me see if I understand all of this. You're saying that Father, who we haven't seen since the rebellion asked you to take a human to the void? And now this same human is supposed to be our acting guardian on earth? Just what is this boy that Father would entrust him with so much power?" Haniel asked.
"He is a human who has been filled with much potential. Which would've gone to waste if Father did not ask me to intervene. And he is the 'One Who Sees' for a reason," Sachiel said. Haniel looked at his brother as he instantly understood. He had heard whispers from some of the powers about what they had planned for someone who seemed to fit that description. He had seen the boy from time to time but didn't think much of him. It seemed he had underestimated him greatly.
"Well, this is just dandy. We've got the Powers, Michael and Raphael to deal with. And we can't let them know we're onto them or else this whole thing spills out onto the earth," Haniel snapped.
"Brother I know how bad this looks," Ariel interjected.
"Really?! I'd say understatement. We need a bigger contingency plan than this. Think about the lives that those two will have ruined before any of us actually do anything!" Haniel vented at the others.
"We know brother. Listen before we came to see you, we went to Father to see what could be done. He told us to look to the Tree of Knowledge," Gadreel explained. Haniel looked to her with confusion.
"Why there? No one has been to that tree since sin entered the first man and woman," Haniel said.
"What we saw gave us greater insight than we initially believed we had. We now have an even better plan. And it's one that can prove rather useful. For now, Sachiel will guide the One Who Sees, I'll continue looking after the sisters. Gadreel, you'll have to keep an eye out on your compatriots, and make sure they don't mess with anyone else. Haniel, please, look after Victor. If we can at least keep him in one peace, then we may be able to salvage everything that's been corrupted so far. When the time is right, we'll use creation to fully awaken those whom Father has chosen," Ariel said. Haniel thought over the logic of what he was told and nodded in agreement. The four archangels disappeared to fulfill their mission.
Warehouse
Sunnydale, California
Xander, Faith, and Buffy stared at the pool holding Belthazar's body as it was smoking. Buffy couldn't believe how the fight had ended. Xander had harnessed his new body and electrically burned the demon to a sunder. However, Belthazar still had life in him.
"When he rises, you'll wish I killed you instead," he said before his life finally gave out. Wesley and Giles themselves were surprised at what Xander had done, but were rather grateful at being saved. Someone else had entered the warehouse. It turned out to be Angel and a man in a suit who looked scared out of his wits.
"Is it over?" the man said.
"Yes, Mr. Finch. The demon is now VERY MUCH dead," Giles said looking pointedly at Wesley, who looked embarrassed as he was sure that there was only a threat from vampires.
"Great. Now maybe someone can explain who Belthazar meant by 'he'?" Buffy asked to no one in particular.
"The mayor and Belthazar have some history. Contrary to what you see, the mayor is much older than you think. Anyway, we need to go now before someone else working for him finds us," Finch said fearfully.
"Agreed. We should all go home," Giles said. Everyone proceeded out of the warehouse and to their respective homes. Buffy caught up with Xander and Faith.
"Xander! Listen. I wanted to say thanks. If you hadn't been where with us when Finch showed up..." Buffy trailed off. Xander looked at her, his face betraying no emotions. Buffy was still not used to this behavior. She knew that had Xander not been there when she had thrown the deputy mayor to Faith, that Finch would be dead. Buffy remembered when she thought she killed Ted, and she did not want to experience that feeling again. However, she knew that Faith would've been worse off, and she wanted to prove that they could be friends. However, her sister slayer's behavior, particularly involving Xander, had shown that Faith had no interest in forming a relationship. It was even more evident that Faith still wasn't as readily accepted into the group as she could've been, given Willow's apprehension of her. However, she realized that the reason was because, with the exception of Xander and Cordelia, everyone had been catering to her. But with Faith's initial arrival, the attention shifted, and she didn't like it.
"Don't worry about it," Xander said, as Faith grabbed his hand and the two made their way back home. Buffy looked off with sadness, and a strange hint of jealousy, as she saw them walk away.
"If it'll help, perhaps I should have a talk with him," Giles suggested. Buffy only nodded as she felt she didn't have anything useful to add.
Harris Residence
Xander and Faith entered the basement of his house after a long night. The young man had moved into the basement so as to not deal with his parents until he managed to find a permanent way out from under their roof. His parents had no objections, especially as they were sober, when Xander had actually defended himself from his father, and even fought back, knocking him clear across the room. Since then, Xander had told them in no uncertain terms that they needed to clean up their act, as he did not want anyone he cared about to be scarred by their behavior towards anyone else. As the two entered the room, they noticed someone who looked a lot like Cordelia sitting on his bed. However, she appeared to be some ears older, and her manner of dress was more loose than the queen of the high school would've liked. She wore dark violet clothing, with her top resembling a bikini top, with a sleeve and exposing ample cleavage, along with a dark skirt from the waist down, and her midriff exposed. Xander was ready to ask what she was doing here, until he noticed the energy she was giving off.
"Who the hell are you?!" Xander demanded.
"I'm sorry to intrude in your...place of residence. But I'm here for your help," the mystery woman answered.
"A demon wants my help? Tell me why I shouldn't tear you a new one right now," Xander demanded, with his eyes glowing. However, the demonic woman merely stood up, before she knelt down on both knees, and bowed before him. Xander powered down in confusion, with Faith sharing the sentiment.
"I come here begging for your help. I am not here as your enemy, but as an ally. I shall do anything you request of me, while it is within my power. I offer my give of sight in assistance to you. Both of you," she said as she looked up to him.
"Who are you again?" Faith asked.
"My name is Kyra. I'm a seer for The Source. Or rather I was," she said as she sat up straight, still on her knees. Xander breathed a sigh, and went and offered a hand to help her up. Kyra was surprised by the way his attitude had suddenly changed but decided to to say anything.
"So why are you here?" Xander asked, sensing no malevolent intention from her.
"To help you. And to tell you that in time, the world may come to an end," Kyra said.
"AGAIN?!" the two brunette humans yelled.
"Believe me. This won't be like the apocalypses you've dealt with before. I'm talking biblical, as in Revelations," Kyra said. Xander's eyes widened. He remembered reading that particular book days ago after he came back from the void. Needless to say, he had no reason not to believe it now, especially given everything he'd seen since meeting Buffy.
"What do you have to gain from all of this?" Faith asked. Kyra looked thoughtfully at the ground before she looked back up to face them.
"I want to be human."