Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Don't sue.
Author's note: Alright. So the first arc of this story is over. I hope everyone understands why I've done what I've done. Also, once again, to my guest who pointed out why I killed Angelus in Lords of Shadow: Sunnydale, as well as anyone else whose curious, I'll explain. The Xander from the Hand of Fate universe had already lived through the Angelus nightmare on his world. And he didn't want the gang to have to go through it, especially Buffy, given how frightened they all were in the canon universe. That Xander made a hard decision knowing it would affect Buffy but it had to be done. As for Buffy killing Angelus, the guest mentioned Buffy would have to be jaded for Buffy to kill Angelus outright, which would be true if it was Angel that went evil. However, given that he ahd lost his soul, and the canon universe showed that Angel and Angelus are separate entities, then Buffy killing Angelus wouldn't be like that. Also, Xander has been one to mention how dangerous it was having a vampire in the group as he felt it was always possible Angel could turn on them and he was right, but thanks to Whedon's crappy writing, instead of dealing with it, he prolonged it and it just showed what Buffy would possibly choose if she wasn't forced into action. Anyway, back to this story, I'm about to do something that some people have probably seen in a certain comic book universe. So sit back and relax while I try to make a decent story here.
Mid-July, 2001
Unknown Suburban neighborhood
A short man with a scraggly beard, and short spiky hair sat on his couch watching television with his feet propped up on a coffee table in front of said appliance. To his right was a desk that had copies of paper piled neatly into multiple stacks. On the table were bottles of beer and pain medication. At the moment, the man was enjoying time to himself when four lights flashed into the room. The man looked up and smiled in regards to his visitors.
"Hey there guys. Sit anywhere. Want something to eat?" the man smiled at his visitors.
"Uh, thanks but we're fine. Although I will say it is true what the humans say: you do have a sense of humor, 'Chuck'," Raziel threw back in good humor.
"Well, it's not like I don't understand these things. I just prefer they be done in good taste," Chuck responded.
"So why have you called us here? You haven't called us together like this since you revealed to us your grand plan," Sachiel said.
"A father can spend time with his children?" Chuck replied, rather coyly. The four archangels looked at him rather oddly.
"We all have tasks to do. Besides, we still have to look after the humans as best we can," Ariel threw back. Chuck merely shrugged, and motioned for his visitors to sit down. The archangels sat in different places surrounding the television, though the felt rather odd trying to be comfortable.
"What are you watching?" Gadreel asked with interest.
"Just watch. I think you'll find this astonishing," Chuck replied. On the television screen, various dark images flashed across the screen before the title card appeared with 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' in front of a full moon.
"You're kidding?!" Sachiel yelled out.
"Nope," Chuck said shaking his head. The four archangels watched on in disbelief as the opening credits continued to roll, each showing their allies and charges on the screen. Finally, the camera panned in on Buffy's face before fading into black. The next scene showed Giles explaining the origins of the Old Ones to the 'then' teenagers.
"Ugh. I have to listen to this again?!" Ariel complained.
"As if the first time wasn't enough," Sachiel followed.
"I have to admit, it was a rather creative retelling of how things started. Of course as time went along for this particular story, he just started running away with what was planted in his head,'' Chuck replied.
"Yeah, well I...wait, what do you mean planted?" Raziel asked as he thought about Chuck's words.
"What your seeing here is a fictionalized account of what would've happened to those you're protecting. In this world, we all exist. However, neither the light nor the darkness interferes directly. And the humans make their choices of their own volition. Now, let me show you something else," Chuck said before waving his hand and the screen changed to the Halliwell sisters, minus Paige. The scene depicted Shax showing up and attacking the sisters, killing Prue with a blast of energy.
"Wait! That happened two years earlier in this world. But in the second world Alexander and I visited, it happened just as it did on this show. Why are you showing us this?" Ariel asked.
"Because all of you need to understand the scope of things as far as creation itself goes. Now, if you think that's odd, take a look at this," Chuck said before making another waving motion, this time showing Gabriel Belmont, years after his transformation, fighting an army of knights. What was odd was that there were what appeared to be three bars; one on the top left colored red showing his health, one on the bottom left colored blue for his void sword, and finally the last on the bottom right colored oranges for his chaos gauntlets. The archangels watched as Gabriel switched between his weapons and waded through the army, before taking down the gigantic mechanism assaulting his castle.
"I'm assuming your minds are blown by this point?" Chuck asked, once again rather coyly. The archangels only nodded.
"How is it that all of our charges have been fictionalized in that world?" Gadreel asked.
"I said before that what I've shown you are fictionalized accounts of what's happened and what could happened had I not tasked you four with keeping watch over this collective group. Essentially, in this universe that we're viewing, everyone exists in one form or another; what you may call dimensional analogues. Where Xander exists here as a living person, in the fictionalized account, he and his friends are portrayed by actors, yet still living people who have their likeness. In that world, the stories you've seen so far are all separated within their own fictional worlds. The writers of these various stories would not have been able to tell these stories unless they had seen them one way or another," Chuck explained.
"But they wouldn't be able to see these events unless they had some sort of subconscious, psychic link to these worlds, allowing them to see those memories," Ariel suggested.
"That's exactly how they've been able to see those memories. However, I'm afraid what those writers have done with their versions of accounts is how 'he' determines what their fates become," Chuck added on.
"When you say he?" Raziel asked. The television screen shifted again showing the castle which Gabriel lived. The scene first showed a muscled, redheaded man in battle armor speaking to a being with no arms or feet, yet wore a tattered black cloak and a helmet with a glass face. The scene then shifted to Alucard being confronted by the being after he had awakened from his slumber. Raziel's eyes widened as he recognized the being.
"Are you saying he's the reason Gabriel and his son became what they are now?!" Raziel stood up in frustration at the realization. Chuck looked at him sternly before the angel calmed himself and sat back down.
"I'm afraid so. He thinks himself as a force that knows and sees all. But even he falls short as his power relies on the beliefs of those acknowledge him. He's also the same one who has conspired with those three sisters that Michael and Raphael have hired to to write the destinies of some humans," Chuck said as he changed the scenery to show a young man with hair reaching just past his ears and then somewhat curving outward.
"Samuel? The younger brother? I know what you told us in regards to Michael's plans but why would Atropos be involved as far as he goes?" Gadreel asked.
"Michael has used Fate to order the sisters to write a prophecy that he wants to come true when Armageddon should happen. However, I'm afraid that what both he and Lucifer want to pass is worse than the corruption that has already spread throughout creation," Chuck said.
"Corruption?" Raziel asked.
"As Sachiel had foretold your charges, the Four Horsemen were meant to ride across the land to separate the righteous from the wicked. However, their purposes have been corrupted so that Lucifer commands them, and all humans suffer. Even Death has been forced into his labor. This is where you all come in. Lucifer will eventually rise not too far in the future, but you all can help your charges become empowered so that they stand a chance of fighting back," Chuck explained.
"That's why you asked us to become close to the group. We will help them deal with the threats that come their way to make them stronger and prepared for the fight ahead. You're having us take a groups of humans with some of the greatest potential in the world and bring them together," Sachiel said in realization.
"Yes. Their paths will cross with Samuel and his brother down the line. Which is why I ask that none of you interfere. I will entrust another with that task. Although, she won't believe it when I call to her," Chuck said, with a grin threatening to grace his face.
"Who were you thinking of?" Gadreel asked in anticipation.
"Anna," Chuck replied.
"ANNA?!" the four archangels yelled, shaking the house a bit.
"Yes. I saw what happened when she fell as well as the reasons why. And personally, she has my empathy. My oldest sons never did learn what it meant to show what I had given mankind. But you have. And that's why I have given you four this task. Now then, I think it's time you all went back to your charges," Chuck said. The four archangels moved to stand, before Sachiel turned back to Chuck.
"If Michael and Lucifer succeeded in their plans, what exactly would happen?" the angel asked, while the others looked to the so-called 'man'.
"They would devastate the entire planet, taking thousands upon thousands with them. And when those souls go where they go, they would gain power beyond anything any of you have seen," Chuck replied.
"They are both the second most powerful beings in all of creation. Where would they possibly get more power from?" Raziel asked.
"From the souls. Now hurry and go," Chuck said with an intense look in his eyes that frightened the archangels before they each vanished. Chuck looked back the television screen and continued to slip through various screens showing the different paths that each person walked within their own respective stories. However, there was still one thing he felt needed to be taken care of.
"Naomi," Chuck called out. In an instant, a lovely brunette woman in a dark blue woman's business suit. She studied the future writer as she felt something was different compared tot he humans she had observed.
"Hello. How may I help you?" the angel asked.
"I understand that you're in charge of what would be considered the Secret Service of Heaven, correct?" Chuck asked.
"Er, how do you know that?" Naomi replied. Chuck looked the female angel in her eyes and Naomi immediately understood who and what he was.
"Understand that I'm going to ask you to undertake a very important task. I had some instructions written down by one of my sons. But it seems he's taken other measures to ensure that everyone in the end loses. I need you to find three particular objects and safeguard them unless I tell you otherwise," Chuck explained.
"Why ask me for this? Surely there must be someone else more worthy?" Naomi asked. Chuck wanted to tell the angel her fate. However, he realized that there was no point as things had already changed.
"Because, no matter how much any of my oldest sons know, they still lack so much knowledge. For instance, if they wanted to, they would've gotten rid of you a long time ago, if they knew. I'm also asking you to get creative with how you guard these particular items. Do we have an understanding?" Chuck asked. Naomi bowed in response.
"Thank you Naomi. That will be all," he said before the angel disappeared.
Chuck turned back to the scene with Samuel having just gotten back home to the love of his life, only to watch her burn to death moments later, just as his mother did. Chuck's eyes flashed blue and the screen changed showing Samuel's death by a kidnapped soldier, only to be resurrected by his brother by bargaining with a demonic spirit. Chuck's eyes continued flashing blue as the screen showed flashes of Samuel becoming a person he never wanted to be. The future writer's eyes stopped glowing once he had seen what Michael had drafted to be the apocalypse.
"Soon, Team Free Will shall come into play," Chuck said before clicking off the television.
Late August, 2001
Sunnydale High School
Sunnydale, California
Warren, Andrew, and Tucker traversed the basement of the high school as they were led by a pale man with short hair, wearing all black clothes, with a black duster. The trio had been wary of their new 'friend' ever since he appeared to them. He had explained that he could make them very powerful men with the hellmouth at their disposal. However, he had never accurately explained how they were going to use this. Finally, the group was in what appeared to be a closed off area that appeared as though it hadn't been touched since the seventies. The Trio looked at the floor at a large circular, metal plate that was unearthed from the ground. The plate had an inverted pentagram with a goat's head carved into it, with five sigils carved between various points of the pentagram.
"I don't like this place. It's dark, spooky, and it makes me feel things I don't want to," Andrew whimpered.
"Shut up!" Warren and Tucker yelled.
"Alright, why are we here Sam?" Warren asked their companion.
"I'm glad you asked. I told you that the power of the hellmouth would help you boys take over this town. This is the Seal of Danzalthar. It's the center of the hellmouth, where all the bad things come out whenever an apocalypse comes around. However, this time, there won't be an apocalypse. At least until THE Apocalypse starts up on this planet. This seal is only one small lock compared to the locks on the big doors. And I need you to open this," Sam explained with a wicked smirk.
"Just how do we do that? There's no keyholes or locks on this thing. You want us to just kneel down, grab and pull?" Tucker sneered at the man. Sam cut his eyes at the older Wells sibling. Tucker looked into his eyes and became fearful as he felt something he knew he normally didn't: fear. Tucker backed away slightly.
"You will activate it. And the only way to do that is to use the blood from one of you. I'll let you guys decide who makes the sacrifice," Sam said as he threw a knife with an ancient language carved on the blade between the three, onto the seal.
"Hey, it won't be me. I'm the leader of this group, and you guys need me to come up with the plans for the slayer gang. You two fight it out," Warren said. Tucker and Andrew looked at each other. They each dove for the knife, with Tucker getting to it before his brother. The younger sibling looked fearfully at his brother, who had a wicked gleam in his eye but wasn't smiling.
"Tucker please! We're brothers!" Andrew pleaded.
"Brothers fight all the time. This should put an end to it between us. But don't worry. Your sacrifice won't go unrecognized. You'll be remembered as the one who made the ultimate sacrifice to bring about a new world," Tucker said before he thrust the knife into his brother's stomach. Andrew fell onto the seal with the wound in his stomach bleeding out. The seal began glowing, however, Sam placed a hand on Andrew and the younger brother breathed in heavily and stood, making his way off the seal.
"What was that for?" Andrew shouted at Sam.
"I never said one had to kill the other. Just that blood needed to be sacrificed. At the very least, I can count on you to do what needs to be done. Now, would you boys like to see what a real vampire looks like?" Sam asked as the sealed had completely opened. A creature crawled up from the opening. It wore a black, ragged tunic, it's skin was almost an ashen grey. It was completely bald and it's eyes were animal-like. It's teeth showed to be all fangs with it's face in a permanent sneer. The vampire smiled as it looked at the three young man, whom themselves were frightened at it's appearance.
"Gentlemen, meet the Turok-Han," Sam said. The ancient vampire bowed to the man as if in reverence. Sam smiled as now, the plans for his brother were truly coming to fruition.
