Chapter 29: Fray
February 2005
Anne was in the infirmary when she heard Walter come over the intercom, "Unscheduled offworld activation."
It was probably an offworld team coming back early she surmised. Little did she know how wrong she was, or even what was about to happen. "Doctor Summers to the control room," Walter called over the intercom moments later.
Anne frowned and left the infirmary and headed for the control room. She ran into Sam on the way, "Any idea what's going on?"
Sam shook her head.
They entered the control room to find Jack there waiting for them. He turns and smiled, "Ah good the two people we need right now. Doctor Summers, Carter… Take a look at this."
He motioned towards the monitor showing energy readings for the gate. Sam frowned, "There is an energy pouring out of the gate. What kind of energy I can't tell."
Anne sighs, "I can, its mystical. It's similar to the energy Willow puts out when she is performing magic."
In another part of the base Buffy and Willow were talking over their recent mission to Maybourne's planet. Suddenly Buffy simply vanished.
Willow frowned and stood up running to the control room. She burst in as all eyes turned to her, "Buffy is gone!"
Sam frowned as the gate shut down. "What do you mean gone, Willow?"
Willow shook her head, "We were talking about our last mission. And suddenly she just vanished into thin air."
February 2205
Buffy stood on the roof top of a building. She wasn't sure where she was as she didn't recognize the landscape at all. Shoot she couldn't even see the ground she was so high up.
Suddenly Buffy is slammed backwards by a fist to the face, "You think you can spin me with a half-coi glam of a Slayer who been dead more than two cen. You're lower than a lurk"
Buffy frowned as she looked up at the dark haired woman. "Uh… English?"
Buffy stands as the woman hits Buffy knocking her off the roof. The woman jumps following her. They land on a flying car. "Okay. Okay. Stop please. Stop slaying me."
Buffy grabs the woman from behind. The woman struggles, "Offa me Shifter!"
Buffy shakes her head, "I don't know what a shifter is but I am not one."
The woman laughs, ""That's spin! You think I'm a slack?"
Buffy sighs, "Your talking crazy. Please in English." Buffy looks at the woman as an idea dawns in her mind. "Ok let's see if I got this right. We both know martial arts. We both hate vampires. We both seem to have the same amount of strength and speed."
The woman shakes her head, "It's not poss."
Buffy smiles, "We're standing on a flying car… I would say it is more than possible. So I'm guessing either future or alternate dimension. I would say likely future. Most dimensions progress technologically at the same pace."
The woman nods, "Buffy Carter."
Buffy smiles, "That would be me."
The woman shakes her head, "Buffy Carter is dead."
Buffy sighs, "Well if this is the future that would likely be true. Somehow I was thrown into the future."
The woman nods, "Buffy Carter been dead two cen."
Buffy looks at the woman and nods, "What year is it?"
The woman smiles, "2205."
Buffy nods, "Definitely the future. So what's your name?"
The woman nods, "Melaka Fray. Why you time traveled?"
Buffy shakes her head, "I have no idea, I know theories behind it. We found a ship on my last mission offword that could supposedly do it. But I wasn't in that ship. I have no idea why or even how I'm here. Uhm can be go someplace else. Someplace on more solid ground."
Fray nods, "Follow me." She jumps from the car they are on to another and then on to a rooftop.
Buffy sighs and follows. They make their way down to the distant street below. "So where am I anyways? I mean what city?"
Fray smiles, "Haddyn. Would've been called New York City in your time."
Buffy blinks, "Not only did I travel 200 years in the future but also half way across the continent. I was at the SGC in Colorado Springs before I was here."
Fray frowns, "SGC?"
Buffy sighs, "Stargate Command."
Fray shakes her head, "What is Stargate Command?"
Buffy blinks, "Are you serious? Surely you know about the Stargate. I would have thought it had been disclosed by now."
Fray shakes her head, "I hear about Stargate from Slayer journals."
Buffy nods, "So how many Slayers are there?"
Fray looks at Buffy, "One… Half."
Buffy frowns. "Should have been at least one more. Anne was a slayer after all. Even if she was my clone. When she died another should have been called. Unless you're her replacement and no one replaced me."
Fray shakes her head. "Has not been slayer in two cen. You only one till I called."
Buffy nods, "So how is there only one half a slayer?"
Fray sighs, "I have a twin. His name is Harth. He got the Slayer dreams. I got Slayer journals. But he knows more… And he was turned. He's a Lurk. He has all my world in his head. And he's using it to gather them to kill us. My Harth."
Buffy sighs, "I'm sorry. I don't know what I would have done if Dawn had been turned."
Fray nods, "Dawn Carter not turned. Last of journals are hers."
Buffy nods, "So Lurk is what you call a vampire, correct?"
Fray nods, "Yes." She looks at her feet, "Gunther! I can hear you down there! Turn on the rutting lights!"
Suddenly lights flash on and Buffy notices she is standing on what looks to be an aquarium tank.
Some kind of merman swims up to them, "Melaaakkkha… You brought a friend."
Fray nods, "Boss this is Buffy. A Slayer so don't be Aquahog."
Gunther nods, "Another Sssslayer?"
Fray nods, "From the past. Time-faddle., don't know why."
Gunther shakes his head, "I don't trade in magicks, dear."
Fray sighs, "Haddyn don't shake without your nod. Someone you know knows something I need. Been chatter of a madwoman, strapping to Harth. If you haven't heard it, you will 'fore long. Think maybe she's the keycard to all this."
Gunther nods, "I turn a blind eye to your hobbies, love. But you can't expect me -"
Fray shakes her head, "You don't have to lift a fin, Gunther. Just want the chatter."
Gunther nods, "I've heard a little. A woman alive since ancient timesssss."
Fray nods, "Lurks don't age what's her ploy?" Buffy shakes her head as she listens. "Does she at least have a name?"
Meanwhile somewhere else in Haddyn…
A woman stands behind the vampire, Harth, "It's starting."
Harth nods, "It's going to be quite a battle."
The woman shakes her head, "No. Buffy's starting to feel the weight of it. Of the world's loss. Of her failure."
Harth turns to face the woman, she stands in the shadows her face hidden. "You sound sad."
The woman smiles, "Does that surprise you?"
Harth shakes his head, "But this is a great day for us."
The woman nods, "Why do you need to destroy your sister?"
Harth sighs, "She was the last thing I ever loved. Were connected. Her pain is my joy. My… true love. And what in this world is stronger than love."
The woman steps into the light and Dark Willow smiles, "Time… Only time."
Somewhere else in the city. Buffy reads through the journals that Dawn had written. She finds no mention of Anne at all or what happened to her. She does notice that several books are missing for the time period around when she disappeared from the SGC. She also notices Dawn's journals suddenly stop 5 years after her disappearance, and Daniel's a year later. She sighs and knows what likely happened to Dawn, she was likely killed while on patrol with her SD team. Buffy knew she had to get back to her own time somehow. She was not going let Dawn not like that.
She hears Fray behind her, "We got a hit. Gunther said there's been a hum in the uppers. Lurks don't usually truck that high."
Buffy nods as she turns to face Fray.
Fray smiles, "I fig we stake some lush haunt, Lurks come out, we skin 'em for stories. Yeah?"
Buffy nods, "Sure."
Fray nods as they turns towards the door, "Were the books any good?"
Buffy sighs, "Yes and No. Did you know you're missing a couple years' worth of journals?"
Fray blinks, "No."
Buffy nods, "There should be at least two more years of journals with what you have. I know now though I need to get back home."
February 2005
Willow sits in the briefing room with Jack, Sam, Anne, and Dawn.
Sam brings up on the monitor a readout of the energy, "Can you identify that, Willow?"
Willow looks at the monitor, "It's mystical that's for sure. Looks similar to mine. Why?"
Anne nods, "Do you think you can tell where that originated from?"
Willow thinks and then nods, "Give me a few minutes and I should be able to trace it."
They wait as Willow leaves to get supplies. She returns and lights several candles around her and sits in the middle of them. "Aradia, Goddess of the lost, the path is murky, I beseech thee show us the way to the source of this energy." Willow frowns as nothing happens.
Joyce appears before them, "They way to Buffy is difficult, Willow. Aradia cannot show you the way."
Willow looks up at Joyce, "Mrs. Summers?"
Joyce nods, "Hello, Willow. It has been awhile since we last saw each other."
Willow nods, "Since Buffy and Dawn crossed over."
Joyce nods.
Willow sighs, "You say Aradia can't show us the way, why?"
Joyce sighs, "Cause Buffy is lost in time. Aradia does not have the powers to breach time."
Willow nods, "Is there a way to bring Buffy back?"
Joyce nods, "The portal will reopen tonight, how I do not know. But this I must ask when you reach in to get her you must not look."
Willow frowns, "I can't look? Why?"
Sam nods, "Because it's the future Willow. As it is Buffy will have too much knowledge of the future."
Willow sighs, "You are aware that if there is anything she thinks I should know she would tell me."
Joyce nods, "That is of course her choice. But you must not look."
Willow nods, "Alright."
Jack looks at Joyce, "Will this portal open like it did before through the Stargate?"
Joyce nods, "Yes." And with that Joyce vanishes.
February 2205
Buffy is driving one of the flying cars, "You are aware I just turned 16, eleven months before I was thrown here. I don't even have my driver's permit, let alone a license yet."
Fray shrugs and motions for Buffy to go higher.
Buffy shakes her head, "So the top half of Manhattan is a gated community?" Fray nods. "And were not going to get stopped at the gate?"
Fray shakes her head, "Rig's got access plates. It's clear for the uppers."
Buffy nods, "So what are we looking for?"
Fray smiles as she spots a medvan, "That. There's no medstore in that plex."
Buffy swings the car around and heads for the medvan.
Fray nods, "Let's go."
Buffy shakes her head, "No. Gunther said they send out hunting parties."
Fray nods, "And we need to stop them."
Buffy sighs, "No, we need to find out where they're sending them from. You really want to stop this from spreading? Stop you brother? Then you gotta look at the big picture."
Fray shakes her head and stands up leaping from the car towards the building, "You look. I'm gonna do our job."
Buffy frowns, "Dang, Fray. I know I'm going to crash this thing."
The medvan flies off and Buffy gives chase.
Back with Fray… She is checking a victim. "Big Picture… That Spin's for gowers. Not Slayers. Something's skew with that girl."
Dark Willow smiles, "Anger won't help. You have to understand Buffy. If you hate her she'll be harder to kill."
Fray frowns, "You're her aren't you? You're the madwoman?"
Dark Willow nods, "I suppose I am. Don't hold it against me, though. I'm fairly certain I've earned it."
Fray nods, "Worked it you'd be a Lurk."
Dark Willow smiles, "You know I'm not."
Fray shakes her head, "Not quite a human either…"
Dark Willow nods, "Not for some time now."
Fray nods, "I'm not killing any slayer."
Dark Willow shakes her head, "She won't show the same mercy."
Fray sighs, "Why would we turn on each other?"
Dark Willow nods, "Because you want different things."
Fray shakes her head, "We both want riddance of the Lurks."
Dark Willow sighs, "The most important men in both your lives are "Lurks." You think it's really that simple?"
Fray sighs, "Yeah you been bound to Harth awhile now, word is. You two have some big plan. Spinning me is just part of it."
Dark Willow nods, "Your brother is interesting, ambitious. My concerns are more personal." She begins to work a little magic.
Fray frowns, "You wanna keep that hand."
Dark Willow smiles, "This is about as much magic as I can muster, so don't fret. I just need to show you something."
Across town Buffy is walking back into Fray's apartment. Suddenly a gun is thrust in her face, "Stand down and offer submission."
Buffy raises her hands, "Hey I surrender okay. Thought this was Melaka Fray's place."
The woman behind the gun nods, "I'm sorry. I was supposed to hear from Melaka and…"
Buffy nods, "Are you her sister? The cop?"
The woman nods, "I'm a Law. And the name is Erin Fray."
Buffy smiles, "Elizabeth Carter. My friends and family call me Buffy though. I'm a slayer from 200 years ago."
Erin nods, "Where's Mel?"
Buffy sighs, "We split up. I found Lurk central, but it's massive – no way we're storming that castle without some serious strategy. But if want to take out her… your brother."
Erin looks at Buffy, "And Mel?"
Buffy nods, "She was taking out some vamps last I saw of her. I was telling her to wait so we could track them back to their hideout…"
Erin nods, "Let me guess little sister didn't listen."
Buffy sighs, "Do they ever?"
Erin smiles, "You have a sister?"
Buffy nods, "Twin. We didn't always get along. But lately it's been different. I can't see her not being at my side. At one time I thought about being a cop… a Law. But since then I joined the military instead, Lieutenant Buffy Carter."
Erin laughs, "Really? You don't look much older than 16 or 17."
Buffy nods, "Special appointment by the President himself."
Erin nods, "So Puffy…"
Buffy sighs, "It's Buffy with a B."
Erin laughs, "Buffy… You're a Slayer?"
Buffy nods, "Yes."
Erin sighs, "Why?"
Buffy smiles, "You see it's like this. I didn't have a choice, I was chosen. No one really knows how girls are chosen to be Slayers. Their just thrust into it."
Suddenly out of nowhere Buffy is tased, she sees Melaka just as she loses consciousness.
Erin frowns, "Mel are you sure about this?"
Fray nods, "I'm sure."
Erin sighs, "She just seems… Mel, what are we doing here?"
Fray smiles, "What we do. Saving the world."
Sometime later Buffy regains consciousness. She looks around and sees Dark Willow, "Oh my god! You went dark again? What happened? Why am I shackled, why are you evil, and why isn't anyone on my side?"
Harth laughs, "Actually I have a few Q's as well. First how come all my friends are having a party without me. Second what has that witch been telling you?"
Dark Willow shakes her head, "You should have been patient, Harth."
Harth shrugs, "Why is that?"
Buffy frowns, "You really want to untie me now."
Harth frowns, "You told me Buffy's coming here would cause our world to be. You told my sister the opposite. You've been spinning us all."
Dark Willow laughs, "Yes well I'm dark that way."
Harth sighs, "To what end?"
Dark Willow nods, "Death of course."
Fray sighs, "Whose?"
Dark Willow smiles, "You've seen what I've seen. You come and go as I have. You realize the most important thing about death isn't who dies… It's who kills them."
Buffy works at her ropes, she feels them loosening.
Fray nods, "I told you I won't kill a Slayer."
Dark Willow nods, "If she gets back to the SGC by midnight you'll never have been."
Buffy shakes her head, "Not true Wills. You forget what I majored in, in college? Astrophysics… For each and every choice, mainly for the major ones and a few of the minor ones there is a parallel universe, an alternate dimension. My going back will not cause this world to cease to exist. My going back would only make a parallel universe. This universe would very likely continue to truck right on along."
Fray nods speaking to Dark Willow, "You're lying."
Dark Willow nods, "I'm lying to someone. Would you bet your whole world it's you?"
Buffy looks to Fray, "Melaka listen to me. Wills it wrong. My going back will not cause you to cease to exist. At the very minimum your world would change to fit in with what I might do differently. At the maximum nothing will change as my going back will simply create an alternate dimension. One where my choices will have no outcome here."
Fray looks torn for a moment and then nods, "What you say sounds reasonable. How do I know you speak the truth?"
Harth sighs, "I have a solver. I kill everyone and… Well I don't really care about the rest."
Dark Willow nods, "This night isn't yours, Harth."
Harth laughs, "Your fortune-tellings tapped, witch."
Dark Willow nods, "Harth you should be careful when you chose your enemies."
Harth smiles, "Your power's but gone. You can't stop an army by yourself."
Dark Willow shakes her head, "Don't plan to."
Three air ships attack from above Harth and his vamps.
Buffy takes the distraction and breaks the remaining ropes and runs out the door.
She makes it back to the roof she first appeared on to find Fray waiting for her. "I can't let you go."
Buffy sighs, "Don't listen to Willow. I have a degree in Astrophysics I think I know enough about what I am talking about."
Fray nods, "Can you guarantee my world won't mist out when you leave? My best bonds? My sister?"
Buffy smiles, "I can fairly say yes your world will be here. Whether it will be the way you know it now, I can't say. Whether Erin or Harth will be here I can't say. That's the problem with time travel. No one knows what will happen not for sure. In the end it depends on whether my going back creates a parallel universe or just makes changes. My going back could make your world better than it is now. Or it might not change it at all. My being the Slayer likely won't change who your parents are. So your sister should be fine."
Fray nods and steps aside, "Then I wish you luck."
Dark Willow steps in front of the portal as it snaps into existence.
Buffy sighs, "You know I'll go through you Wills."
Dark Willow nods, "And you know you'll have to."
Buffy sighs, "Why Willow? What happened?"
Dark Willow sighs, "I lost everyone again. First you, then Anne and finally Dawn. They all died. I was left alone again. It's why I brought you here so you could see what happened and change it."
Buffy grasps Dark Willow and pulls her into an embrace, "I won't let it happen, Wills. I will save you."
Dark Willow's hair goes from black to red as she smiles, "Thank you Buffy. I hope you succeed."
Dark Willow steps out of Buffy's way.
Willow blindfolded leans out of the portal. Buffy grabs Willows arms and waves to Dark Willow as she pulled through the portal.
February 2005
Willow and Buffy fall back from the Stargate as it closes. Willow yanks off her blindfold and smiles, "Oh Goddess I was afraid I would get the wrong… Buffy?"
Buffy smiles with tears in her eyes. She grabs her friend and hugs her fiercely, "I love you Wills."
An hour later Jack, Anne, Sam, Buffy and Willow sit in the briefing room.
Buffy sighs, "That's when I found out what happened. Willow pulled me into the future so I could see what happens. To try and prevent it."
Sam frowned, "Buffy… When General O'Neill, I, Daniel and Teal'c went in to the future. You, Dawn and Cassie refused to tell us anything that could alter the future. Why would the other Willow do that?"
Buffy looks down, "Just before Willow pulled me back through the portal. The other Willow told me how she went Dark. Losing me… Then Anne… And finally Dawn dying. Losing all three of us pushed her over the edge. I don't know exactly what happened. Some of the journals were missing, namely the ones with Anne. Dawn's journals ended with her death. Daniel's ended a year later. Whatever it was, it was bad. From what I gather everyone in this base was dead within the next five or so years. What I am gathering is we lost against the invasion. That's what the other Willow wanted me to know. What I gather she only harnessed the dark magicks to increase her lifespan, so that she would be there when I came out of the portal. She came back to the light when I forgave her."
Jack nods, "So what do we do with this information?"
Buffy sighs, "We change how it goes. It's time to take the fight to the demons."
June 2203
Melaka Fray looked out over the rooftops of the city. She had always loved the view from this vantage point.
Suddenly a man appeared beside her, "Melaka Fray?"
Fray nods, "Yes."
The man smiles, "I am Alexander Carter from the ISC."
Fray frowns, "ISC?"
Alex nods, "International Slayer's Council. You have been called…"
Author's Notes: This story is taken from the Buffy Season 8 Comics issues 16-18 which is owned by Dark Horse Comics
