Disclaimers: I do not own Buffy, MASH, Stargate or Charmed. I can not even claim any original characters for this story. This is purely written for fun and not for profit. Just my take on a what if.
Also Please leave a review if you like the story. It really is encouraging, at least to me.
WARNING There is some serious sap in this next chapter. And it may seem out of character. However please recall the words, you see as you enter Hell. "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here" Then think what feeling, or feelings you would abandon, in a piece of Heaven. Who know your guess may be right.
Chapter 10 Discussions & Repercussions
XanderW quickly walked the group through the halls. As they approached a small hallway. Filled multiple doors. Joyce asked, "Xander?"
Both Xanders replied, "Yeees?"
Joyce looked at them both for a moment. They had identical grins on their faces. "The Xander in the robe." She then continued. "I was exploring earlier. While you were gone. And this hallway wasn't here. Where did it come from?"
XanderW smiled, as he continued walking, "This is a small piece of Heaven. If we need something it will be here." Willow, Giles and Buffy stopped walking at that comment. They looked at each other. The question, did he say we're in Heaven was written on their faces.
Walking up to the first door. XanderW opened it. "Buffy you take this room." He than proceeded to point out the rooms assigning, one for each member of the group. "Take a little time. Get cleaned up and changed. You should find clothes to fit you in the room. We'll talk in a little while."
Everyone went to their rooms. Willow grabbed Tara and pulled her into her room. Faith did the same thing with Xander. Buffy looked at her Mom. Her eyes said please come with me. Joyce sighed and said, "How about you and I stay together Buffy?"
Buffy smiled. "That would be great Mom."
Giles found himself the odd man out. Entering his room alone. A short time later. No more than an hour after everyone had split up. A clear bell tone was heard in all the rooms. Not knowing exactly what it was. Everyone went and opened their doors. Outside in the hallway was XanderW in his white robe. Everyone else was now wearing a white linen tunic with linen pants. The even had white linen slippers.
Seeing Xander in the hallway. Faith spoke up first. "Yo Wings. What the hell? Those leathers you gave me disappeared. While me and Boytoy where getting cleaned up. Only thing in there was this stuff. I was this close," Holding her thumb and finger about an inch apart. "To just going commando."
Giles sigh he had noticed that whilst getting cleaned he did not have his glasses. And what's more he no longer seemed to need them, at all. But right now he dearly missed them. If only so that he could clean them rather than look at the children.
Joyce gave Faith a motherly smile, "Thank you Faith for being considerate of everyone. Although I must say these clothes, are very comfortable."
"Yeah but the style went out in, like, the eighth century." Buffy complained.
"Well sorry about the lack of style Buffster. But at least if you go back down to Earth in these clothes you won't end up naked." XanderW smirked.
"Naked" Willow squeaked. XanderW nodded his head and mouthed the word 'Naked'
Giles said, "Well I for one am most grateful to be out of those blood cover rags. And the apparel you have provided us with, is in my opinion Heavenly."
Everyone looked at Giles. Xander and XanderW kept opening their mouths like fish. Faith chuckled "Check it out. Only took G coming to heaven to make a joke." At that everyone had a good laugh.
As everyone proceeded to the room containing the 'Round Table'. XanderW used the same introduction again, Joyce and Tara groaned. As Giles exclaimed, "Dear Lord, Truly?" When Xander admitted he honestly didn't know. Giles found himself excited at the possibility that he could be sitting down at the 'Round Table' of legend.
Once seated XanderW started speaking. "Alright, right now we are only going to go over, some of the things that are going on here. There is an excellent reason for this." He added as both Buffy and Willow opened their mouths to protest his statement. "I want you to recall the battle with Whistler."
Xander broke in, "You where fighting Whistler. Tell me what happened. And please say he's dead. Even if I didn't get to kill him myself. I hope he's dead."
Faith, voiced her agreement, "What Boytoy said." Willow looked upset at hearing Faith call Xander 'Boytoy'. And was just about to say something. Then she recalled what Buffy had said about her dream. And Faith being under a spell. She decided to refrain from saying anything, for now.
This lead to a very quick recap of the battle. Xander looked devastated, at hearing how close Giles came to dying. He actually got up and hugged the older man. Giles to look very uncomfortable. Until he let go of his upbringing. Hugging Xander back he actually said, "I am so very happy that I was not taken away from my children. I can think of no greater joy in my life. Than what I have experienced because of all of you. Even with the darkness that surrounds us. You all make it worthwhile." Buffy and Willow started to cry at Giles's words.
Faith looked like she didn't believe him. How could he care for her? She knew what she had done. Giles looked right at her and said, "All of you. You are all my children. And dare I add. I love you all." Then Faith felt tears filling her eyes.
Joyce who had been sitting next to Giles, reached over and hugged him. "Thank you. For being there for our children." Giles blushed.
Buffy looking mortified, hissed "Mooom"
Willow had the look of a hopeless romantic. One which Tara echoed as she said, "Awhh"
XanderW waited for a moment more. Letting the moment pass naturally rather than forcing it.
Xander was the first to ask, "So what's with the robes mini-me?" Everyone laughed.
XanderW said, "They're a complication. While you were all getting cleaned up. I was meditating. But before I explain the robes. We need to talk about something else..As I said earlier do you recall what Whistler said about erasing your memories?"
Everyone who had been in the battle spoke up. "Yes." "Sure" "But of course."
"It wouldn't have been the first time. Whistler has played with your minds for the last few years at least." XanderW felt it was best to keep his explanation simple.
A universal "What" erupted from Willow, Buffy and Giles.
"It's true. However with the help of Tara and Xander. I hope that we can help you break the spells.
"It's like in the dream B. Do you remember? You have to wear that jacket." Faith said.
Buffy, remembered. "I think I remember. I didn't want to wear it but I had to."
Giles looking very serious asked, "What do we have to do to be free of this spell?"
XanderW replied, "Honestly I don't know yet. But here everyone is safe. We'll find the answer. I was originally planning to work with Tara. To find the information we need. But since you and Willow are here. I would love to have you help us."
"Of course' Willow said, happy at the idea of researching magic. And she got to do it with Tara and Giles.
"It would be my pleasure." Giles said.
"We have Tara's Book of Shadows, and the library here. I suggest we get started."
"What would you like us to do while you're researching?" Joyce asked.
"Honestly just enjoy each others company." XanderW replied. Taking Giles, Tara and Willow he headed to the library with them.
Xander, Faith, Buffy and Joyce were left alone in the room. There was a long moment of awkward silence before Faith stood up and walked over to Buffy. "Yo Buffy, I ain't so good at apologies and shit like that. But I'm sorry. What I did to you, I didn't want to do and I'm fuck'n sorry. I'm so sorry." The last was said, with tears leaking down Faith's face.
Buffy stood up. She reached out and hugged Faith. "Hey you don't have to be sorry. We'll find out who put the spell on you, and make them pay. And anything else you think I need to forgive you for. I forgive you. But please Forgive me too.. I should have been there for you. An...And the night HE DIED. It was my fault too. Maybe even more than yours. I threw him to you. I was the one who threw him. If I hadn't done that you wouldn't have staked him. So please, I'm so sorry too. Please forgive me." Buffy was now crying as well.
As the two girls cried and hugged each other. Joyce wondered at the change. She wondered if it was because they were in a piece of Heaven. Maybe it made it easier to let things go. To ask for forgiveness. And to admit mistakes. And Joyce finally understood at least part of what her daughter had been lying and hiding about this last year.
After gaining control of their emotions Buffy turned to Xander. "Xander I don't know what I did. But I really feel like I owe you an Apology too. Something says I've done some really bad things to you. And I'm really scared. I'm scared that you won't forgive me. So whatever I did I'm sorry. And please don't stop being my friend."
Xander stood up to Buffy. Pulling her into his arms. "Nothing to Forgive. Remember you've been my Hero since we first met. You're one of my girls. I love you. Just like I love Willow. You two are my sisters."
Buffy hugged Xander back. Something that seemed so safe and right.
When she heard Xander say he loved Buffy. Faith felt her insecurities rising. Then he added he loved her as a sister. She felt much better. Still she wondered, if he loved them like sisters? How did he feel about her. The voice in her head reminded her. 'An honest to God Angel said Xander loves you.' If anyone had looked at Faith right then, they would have seen a small content smile on her face.
The four of them sat together and talked. They talked about the small things and the things they hoped for. They talked like Family.
Upon entering the Library, Giles was stunned. There were more books than he had ever imagined, could be found in one place. Row after row, the stacks seemed to go on forever. "Xander, Whilst I would never wish to complain, about an overabundance of books. I believe if we our to look here, we may never be able to find what we are seeking. There are too many books."
Xander laughed. Willow looked stunned, both at the size of the library in front of her. And the utter implausibility of Giles ever uttering the phrase, "Too many books."
"Giles' while if you'd like to, you could go up and down the rows. Taking down each book, looking at it individually. But we have a better method." Xander lead the group over to a set of standing podiums. On each podium was a large closed book.
"Normally you could use one of these books. Just hold it and state the name of the book you are looking for. As long as it is not an intrinsically evil book."
"How can a book be evil," Willow asked.
"Some books were created to destroy those who opened them. Or corrupt them beyond redemption." Xander explained.
"Ah," Giles said, "The Necronomicon Ex-Mortis would be an example of such a book. It is a book solely created with the purpose to unleash unspeakable evil into the world."
"Exactly G-man." Xander grins. Giles groaned but did not even bother asking the man child, to not call him that infernal name. "Now as I was saying. Normally we could use one of these books. But since we have no idea of where the information we need is. We need a way to have the information found for us." Looking at Tara, he continued. "That's why I wanted Tara to get her family's Book of Shadows. The Warren Book of Shadows will allow us to find what we need."
"How will it do that?" Tara asked.
"Tara has the book ever flipped through it's own pages. Until it brought you to the spell you needed?"
"Yes it has." She said.
"Well we are going to tie your book into the library and have it do the same thing." Xander said.
"Only thing is it might take a while to find what we need. There are a lot more pages here for the book to examine than there are in your book."
"That is amazing Xander." Willow said. "It will act just like a search engine does!"
"Whilst I understand how that will help us find the information we need. I am afraid I fail to see how Willow and I are needed to help the research." Giles said.
Xander looked down for a moment. "You caught me Giles. I don't need your help for research. But Buffy and Faith needed to have time alone. Other me is there to support Faith and Joyce is there for Buffy. But if I had said anything like that to them. Well we would still be arguing about it next week."
"Ahh I see," Giles said. "Then perhaps whilst we wait for our answers from the book you could explain to those of us present why there are two Xander Harris's?"
Xander had hoped to avoid this talk for a while more. But he knew the look in Giles eyes. It was time to talk.
After setting up the book of Shadows. Tara placed on her hand on the book and said, "A spell to remove what has been done. A spell to remember things as they really are. A spell to protect from being enspelled again. Three things I ask for one purpose. I ask full of Love. I ask full of Faith. I ask full of Hope." A white glow surrounded Tara and the Book of Shadows. Slowly the glow grew brighter from the book. And Tara's glow faded away.
While waiting Xander explained who he was. What his duties were as a Whitelighter. He talked about his life. Finally he explained about finding himself in the Sunnydale Junkyard at dawn. How he had appeared during the night. He completely left out any references to Xander being a Nexus though.
Hearing the tale Giles remarked, "Anya was right. Xander was hit by the Ferula Gemina. According to Anya it was designed to split a being into two parts. One of them holding the strongest qualities, of the original. And the other the weakest ones. But why did it not work correctly on Xander?"
"Giles let me ask you something." Xander began, carefully choosing his word. "In your experience does Xander have a history of screwing up magic? When he has tried a spell has it ever worked correctly for him?"
Willow hopped up and down in her seat. "Oh Oh like the time he lit the book on fire in the library. I checked the spell he was saying afterwards. It was a spell to help plants grow. Or their was the time when he tried the love spell on Cordelia. And how everyone but Cordelia wanted him. Right? That is what you mean right?"
"Oh My, Do you mean to say that anytime magic is used by or on Xander it will go asque?
"Yes you could say that," Xander replied. "However if we could get back to the subject. You know how I was brought here? Do you also know how it would normally be fixed?"
"Ah yes Anya showed me the correct steps to take prior to her fleeing town." Giles said.
"I'm not going to ask about Anya. But what do we need to fix this? Xander asked.
"We only need a few common spell ingredients and the Ferula Gemina itself." Giles replied.
"Where is the Ferula Gemina now?" Was Xander's next question.
"Oh, I am afraid it is still at in the shop." Giles answered.
Xander smiled. "Ok here is what I'm going to do. I need you to give me a list of what you need. And then I am going back to get them, and the rod. It shouldn't take long but I do't want to take any chances."
Giles wrote out the list of ingredients and explained where the Rod would be. Xander smiled and orbed back down to the Magic Box.
Xander hurried through the remains of the Magic Box. It was now late afternoon. He knew he was running out of time. While meditating earlier he had seen some of the future if he stayed here. He wasn't sure why it would happen. But if he stayed, he would die again and again. Wracked in pain as his body was destroyed. Only to be reformed again. And the cycle would be never ending.
And he also knew what could stop it. If the original Xander died it would stop. No way he would even mention the possibility to his other self. He knew, he could help here. But it wasn't worth the cost. He laughed, a ironic laugh as he recalled teasing Leo. When Leo found himself becoming an Elder. "Man Karma is a bitch."
Looking at the destroyed wall, windows and shelves. Xander gave a sigh. The scene was so familiar. And the people here were still his family. "We'll I can't stay but I can help them at least a little."
Holding out his hands he called upon his powers. In his mind he envisioned what he needed. A large crystal almost eight inches tall and three to four inches wide orbed into his hands. The crystal was uncut. Raw edges and planes. Xander ran his hands over it orbing smaller pieces away. Until he had a beautiful cut crystal, looking into its depths he couldn't detect any flaws.
Standing in the center of the Magic Box Xander grasping the crystal. Xander began chanting.
Broken place in ill repair
Fighting that was centered here.
Evil brings grief and pain
Let not the champions feel the strain
Repair this place, remove the stains
Make it New again and again.
Xander felt power rush out of himself. The crystal began to glow. The shelves, walls floors and windows all repaired themselves. The Magic Box sparkled like new.
Still holding the crystal, he chanted again,
Those who revel in others pain.
Those who seek evils gain.
Bar their access to this place.
Guard these walls in the light's embrace.
Scoobies gather here around,
Their love for one another does abound.
Renew these wards from their love.
Protected on Earth as in Heaven above.
The crystal glowed even brighter as the other spell was added to it. Xander laughed, "And the others said my rhymes for spells sucked. Ha I say Ha!" He quickly moved to gather the Rod, and the spell ingredients.
"One more stop," He muttered. Orbing to the Summers home he repeated his previous actions. As he finished the second spell, a white glowing figure appeared. It quickly resolved into an older woman. She was pretty. And she seemed supremely confident in herself. Since Xander had just cast a ward, on the Summers's home to keep evil out. He wasn't worried.
The woman spoke, "Who are you? How is it that you are here?"
Xander looked at her. She spoke as if she was owed answers. Her attitude left a lot to be desired. Putting on his own airs. "Common courtesy says you should at least introduce yourself before demanding answers from me."
The woman looked at him. She appeared to decide it was better to humor him than to antagonize him. "I am Ganos Lal. I ask again who are you? How did you come to be here?"
"I am no one of consequence." Xander smiled. "And as for how I came to be here, well when two people love each other very much, or in my parents case, when copious quantities of alcohol are involved..."
Ganos Lal interrupted, "You dare mock me? I will not be mocked!"
"Lady I mock everything. And I think your confused. Since I have already mocked you. You can't really say "I will not be mocked!"' Xander finished impersonating the tone voice she had just replied in. "So why is an energy being like yourself so interested in little old me?"
Ganos Lal looked at him, "As you said, "Common courtesy says you should at least introduce yourself first." she looked him up and in a way that strangely reminded him of Cordy, "And I am sure you would never wish to be discourteous."
Xander decided to give a little, "My full name is not important but you may call me Xander."
Ganos Lal acknowledged his response, "How is it that you are here?"
"I really don't believe that that's any of your business. And so I will decline to answer your question." Xander paused, he had an excellent idea of how she would react. Smiling as his suspicions were confirmed by the indignant straightening of the shoulders. Her chest thrusting out. Her entire body was saying, "How Dare You. Do YOU Know Who I AM?"
Xander continued. "If however you would be willing to answer, question for question. I might be willing to talk with you."
Ganos Lal replied in a clipped tone of voice. "Very well I agree to your terms. Now answer my question."
"I think not Ms. Ganos Lal, since you are the one who would like the information. I believe it is only fair that I get the first question to be asked. However I give you my word. For every answer you truthfully, and completely answer. I shall do the same. If you agree to these terms please place your hands on mine and simply state, "I agree."" Xander said, holding out his hands, palms facing upward.
Ganos Lal, placing her open hands on top of Xander's said. "I agree" There was a small flash of light. "What have you done?" Ganos asked, apprehension in her voice.
Xander smirked, "All that I have done is ensure our agreement. If either of us lie or fail to give a complete answer then both of us will know it. A lie will cause a red light to appear around the liar. An Incomplete answer will be pink. The complete truth will do nothing."
Ganos Lal nodded her head. She was not happy but she wanted information. And this was the easiest way to obtain it. "I believe the first question is yours."
Xander nodded in agreement. "Why are you interested in knowing how I came here?"
Ganos Lal hoped she could avoid some truths. She carefully voiced her answer. "The last of your kind was ascended in the time of Ra's occupation of this planet. Our agreement with that being was that no others of your kind would be created. Your kind were too dangerous. I need to determine if our agreement has been broken." No light shone around her. Ganos Lal was relieved that she was able to avoid some details but still answer the question.
"Now I believe it is my turn. How did you come to be here?" Ganos Lal asked.
"As near as I have been able to determine. There was an accident with a magical object and a Nexus of Power. That caused me to be pulled from my home dimension and appear here." Xander replied.
Ganos was startled, she quickly thought of what was know about Nexuses, and how that could affect the situation. While she could sense a Nexus nearby. The Nexus, felt like it was more aligned to evil intent.. It should not have brought this man through. This situation smelled of Chaos. It would bare looking into.
"Are you aligned or working with the being who call themselves 'The Powers that Be'?" Was Xander's next question.
Ganos thought that was a wasted question. But she freely answered. "No they only involve themselves in the younger, less advanced races. The older races learned how to stop their interfering ways."
Xander was relieved to hear that. At least this woman, was not automatically his enemy.
"Will you be staying here or returning to your home?" Ganos Lal hoped for the right answer. She knew how they could get rid of him. But she would hate to cause the death of anyone. Including all the other deaths, that would result because of drawing the Goa'uld to Earth.
"I can't stay. I hope to return to my home, but can't be sure I will be able to." Xander shone with a pale red light. "Well I could stay. But it would involve the death of my alternate in this dimension. Therefore I can not allow myself to stay." The light faded away.
"What exactly killed the others of my kind?" Xander was worried. What if there were still demons out there? They would come after his family.
"The Goa'uld are a species of parasitic lifeforms. When they take over a host, they alter the host. Properties in the blood of the altered host, allowed them to find a way to destroy any being such as yourself. Whether they could be called good or evil."
"Will you be creating more of your kind before you leave?" Ganos Lal asked.
"I had not planned to. But to be honest. After seeing the situation here on Earth. I hope to chose some people to become whitelighters, before I leave."
"You must not do that." Ganos Lal said. "If you do that, you may doom this entire planet."
"Why would the presents of whitelighters doom this planet?" Xander needed this information, more than anything else.
Ganos Lal thought for over a minute, the silence was deafening. As she pondered what she knew of this man. His words, that he would not kill an innocent to stay here. They decided her course of action.
She spoke, "Among the ascended there are those who pose as gods. They draw power from being worshiped. Their worshippers span an entire galaxy. Your kind has the ability to kill them. If they become aware of your kind they will destroy this planet to destroy the threat."
A pale pink light shone around her. Xander arched an eyebrow at her. "There are also the Goa'uld they see your kind as a threat. Because of your powers. They also pose as Gods, to the humans they control. If they become aware of your kinds presence. Then they would destroy the Earth. The war between your kind, and the Goa'uld almost destroyed them. They would not risk your kind returning to power, and threatening them again."
Ganos Lal's answer was unexpected. Xander wasn't sure what he would do at this point.
"Will you swear to me, that you will not create more of your kind, before you leave."
Xander's response was quick, "No I will not. However I will promise you this. I will think on your words. And the possible consequences to Earth. I will also admit your words have caused me to be cautious. I must meditate on them, deeply. Before I choose any course of action."
Ganos Lal wasn't happy with his answer. However he had at least agreed to consider her words. She hoped that this 'Xander' would not endanger the Earth recklessly. She hoped he would listen to her.
While the Ori would definitely try to destroy the Earth. If they knew about it, that was. She feared that many of her own people, would try to ensure the destruction of Earth as well. If only to remove the threat to themselves.
"I have one final question for you. Then I believe we are done." Xander said. "Are these Goa'uld currently aware of, and a threat to Earth?"
"For some time the people of this Earth, have been exploring this Galaxy. Using a device my people left behind. While exploring they encountered the Goa'uld. And have since been fighting them. The Goa'uld have tried to conquer the Earth. So far they have not been successful."
Ganos Lal did not think there was much more she could ask. She had found the information she needed. Oma Desala had not broken her promise to the Ascended. She only hoped that Xander would leave soon. "When will you be attempting to leave this dimension?"
"Soon. Hopefully before the end of the day." Xander replied. "I must think on your words. But I also think we may need to talk again. If I return here and call you. Would you be willing to talk? Your previous warnings have me deeply concerned. And until I meditate, I am unsure as to what the right path is."
If talking would give Ganos Lal a opportunity to convince Xander, she was more than willing to agree. "Yes I shall watch over this place for the next day. If you come here and call my name I will try to respond."
"Thank you Ganos Lal." Xander said. She nodded then became translucent again and left.
"Oh boy!" Xander thought. Earth is in danger of Alien attacks. Weren't demons enough?
Knowing that once he rejoined the others. He would have no time to meditate. Xander needed to think. He needed to ponder the new information.
His eyes closed. Xander floated above the floor. "What is my best course of action?" He asked himself. "What happens to them if I do nothing?"
Powerful images assaulted Xander's mind. He saw everyone. They were falling to darkness. He saw Buffy losing hope. Willow, attempting to destroy the world. Faith never learning to truly trust anyone. Amy was a dark witch. Tara being buried. Cordy in a coma. Joyce lying dead on the floor of her home. Giles leaving. Xander, ostracized. No friends or family for him to help. He kept trying to fight. Like Buffy, this Xander had no hope.
He saw Angel, being manipulated. Giving up humanity. Choosing to lead the forces of evil.
He saw a military base. With a silvery grey circle. He saw teams of people using the device.
He saw a man with glasses become an Ascended being. And he saw him returning to human form.
He saw the blonde woman with him.
He saw the leader. He saw his past. He saw Whistler place a gun in a child's hands. He saw the child died.
He saw a black man. He saw him chose to be free.
He saw a race of aliens. They looked small and grey. They chose death rather than prolong their pain.
"It's a lot to take in don't you think?" A voice said. "The future they are heading towards. Not a great one."
Opening his eyes Xander saw the being in front of him. He might look like a man, But Xander Knew, he couldm't be human.
"The question is what are you going to do? Do you leave everything as it is? If you do that. Well...the world won't end. But you saw what happens to them. "
"Who are you?" Xander asked.
'Now that is a good question. Who am I? You know there is no complete answer to that? Not one that does the question justice." The man said. "I am someone who loves life. I love choice. I love seeing possibilities unfold. I love a good joke. But most of all. I love upsetting those, who would take all of that away." he smiled, "That is who I am."
Xander groaned, "And what should I call you? Larry, Moe or Curly?
"I am rather fond of Shemp. I don't think he gets enough credit." The man replied.
"Shemp it is than. So Shemp why'd you decide to talk to me?" Xander asked.
"Well I thought you could use a hand." Shemp replied. "After, your conversation with Ganos Lal. She's a work in progress you know. I have some real hope for her. Well I knew you might need someone to act as a sounding board. So I thought I would lend a hand."
"So Shemp, you have so free advice for me? Some great words of wisdom?" Xander asked.
"Yup, and it's worth every penny." Shemp answered. "Let them choose. You can open the door. But they need to choose to walk through it. But if you don't offer a better choice for them. Than what you saw. Well it's the most likely thing to happen. Even with the changes that have happened. They need to be bound together. You call yourselves a family. You can offer them that. In a very real, legally and mystically binding sense." He finished morphing into the lord of Swamp Castle.
"Would it be enough? Or too much." Xander asked. Who ever this was, he was powerful. But Xander didn't sense maliciousness from him.
"Don't know. See people have it wrong. The say, 'When one door closes another opens.'. When really, an open door is just a choice. When you choose the other door closes, sometimes. You can choose. How much do you offer to them? How far do you push them? How much do you tell them."
"And the other people I saw? What about them?" Xander said.
"No matter what, because of choices, they will be coming into your friends lives." Shemp said.
"They are basically good people. One of them even had a Destiny. That's why his son was killed. He choose to be a Father and a Husband. Certain groups didn't like that. So they took his choice away."
It didn't surprise Xander that the Pricks and Whistler would kill a young boy. But it did infuriate him. "And if I create whitelighters? What do you think will happen?"
"Change, change will happen. In the long run it would be a good thing. If they survive. In the short run, a lot of people would be dead. Only four or five Billion die." Shemp now looked like a scientist of some kind. No one Xander recognized.
"So most of the population of Earth would die?" Xander was stunned. Shemp's words rung true to him.
"You really might want to consider a few other options." Shemp said.
"Like what?" Xander asked.
'Well look at your Friend Willow. She's already addicted to magic. Has a lot of dark energy in her. She's been programed to abuse magic. You could strip her of her powers. Or you could help her to get cleaned up."
"Tara she's specia. Last good witch of her line. She'll die because the powers don't care."
Xander was stunned again. Willow was already on her way to being a dark witch. Tara would be killed. He might have only just met her. But her kindness and good heart shone through. She was a radiant soul. What should he do?
"Then there are the slayers. Do you know the Watcher's myths say the Elder's helped create the slayer? Do you think the Elders would have bound a demonic spirit into a young girl? You could help them try to cleanse the spirit inside them." Shemp continued.
"And what would that do?" Xander asked?
"Might help. Might hurt them a lot. Might create something new. But think about it. The word "Slayer" really it's all about destruction. Might be nice if they had something else. Or if they where more than just mystical killers."
"And finally you have the parents. Joyce dies. Ruppert leaves. And the children feel abandoned. Did you know even with the spells on him, that man loves all three of them fiercely. And Joyce she hoped to have Xander as a son-in-law for the longest time. Her death brings hopelessness."
"I think you can see. You have choices to make. But if you would take one last piece of advice. Don't just say "Hey you should all become a family." might not turn out so well." Shemp added. He started walking around. "Remember they are completely mortal. And right now they are in Heaven. Presented with a choice, their better angels will speak. They might question the choices later. When they are back down to Earth. But the results will be there."
Looking around at the house Shemp said. "You know I love what you did with the crystals. It offers them a choice. Be kind and loving to one another. The house is protected. Choose not to love each other. The house is not protected. It's simple elegant even. But it is missing a little something."
"Like what?" Xander asked.
"Well for one thing you have this amazing diamond, I believe. And you just have it laying here. Much better if it had a stand. Like this." Shemp waved his hand at the table. A white ivory stand was now sitting on the table. It was perfectly suited to hold the Diamond wardstone.
Matter creation. Xander knew that was big. He had summoned the crystal. Not even trying for diamond just a crystal large enough for his needs. Xander had felt it when the base was created. It had not been summoned. "Wow. You're good."
"Parlor tricks." Shemp said. "Interesting fact. In all the stories where gods visit mortals in disguise. It's the ones who don't ask for anything. But just do their best to be decent. They're the ones that get rewarded. And not with amazing powers. But just with simple things. Like this house, it's nice. It's a home. But it might be too small for the future. So for now maybe it just needs some sprucing up." Shemp waved a hand. "Think I should have snapped my fingers? I have to say, I love when Q does that. It shows style." The house was the same. But the furniture looked refreshed. The carpet looked new. The walls freshly painted. And the rooms just slightly bigger.
"I think you might want to get back to your friends. It's been a while. And I hate to say it. But if you don't want to kill Xander. Then you don't have a whole lot of time left." Shemp smiled. "Xander it has been a pleasure talking with you. Good luck getting home." He flicked his hand at Xander, and Xander orbed out.
"Good kid that one. Hope he makes some interesting choices." Shemp waved his hand once more. A large number of diamond shards land on the counter. "Money can't buy happiness kid but it help with security."
Wow this took a while as I said to one of the reviewers. Xander is basically a god right now. And if Xander has God like powers. What would stop him from doing everything in his power to protect his family and friends.?
I have over twenty thousand more words just in this part of the story. And Xander was getting out of control. I do not want a Super Xander. But he was trying to go there. Luckily Shemp showed up. He told me a few things. And he decided to give Whitelighter Xander a hand.
So I'd love to hear what you think and guess..
Who is Shemp?
What powers should Xander grant, to who?
Willow and Tara both already have telekinesis. And one has the ability to see aura's the other who knows.
Should he create new witch lines?
Should he mess with the slayer spirit?
What does family is a very real, legally and mystically binding sense mean?
Will Janet find out about Jim? Find out in the next episode.