Disclaimers
All characters appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel are copyright Joss Whedon. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are not authorized by the copyright holder.
All original characters are the property of Celgress.
The Slayer Squad –Season Three: Band Candy
By
Celgress
Thunder rumbled amongst the towering clouds. A gusty breeze stirred the long grasses. In spite of the turbulent atmosphere the night air felt warm almost oppressive. A single huge tree loomed over the savannah. The tree was old gnarled by age yet it's branches still bore an abundance of rich green leaves.
Buffy walked up to the giant running her hand along its' enormous trunk. She frowned discovering a deep gash. It appeared as if a large limb had been hacked off.
"Feel our pain sister" said a raspy voice. Turning around Buffy was confronted by the fearsome visage of the First Slayer.
"The broken branch must be restored, or all is lost. See the Dark One cometh." The First Slayer said pointing at a new figure one that wore a white face mask with black, empty eye sockets a red eye like symbol painted on the forehead. The figure wore a black, flowing robe made up of undulating shadows.
"Who are you?" Buffy asked the newcomer. When she glanced to her side the First Slayer was gone.
"I am the Dark One, the Cause, Crowned but never seated, he who dances in the lonely places" the voice was a terrible whisper.
"Nice titles, do you have a name Mr.?"Buffy snapped back.
"I have bore many."
"Well throw out one why don't you?"
"Xou'acc"
Buffy awoke with a start. The nightmare was the first prophetic dream she had in months. Buffy's heart was racing, her head was pounding, her body was covered in sweat and she was gasping for air. The intensity of the dream had taken her aback. It had been so long since she had such a vision, why now? Since getting off ZIP several weeks ago everything in Sunnydale had been uncharacteristically calm. Besides if it was a real vision the others, especially Kendra and Faith, would have experienced it also right? She'd ask them about it later.
"Buffy it is time to get up." Jenny called from downstairs.
Whatever the cause of her latest vision it could wait Buffy thought. After everything that had happened recently Buffy felt she could us a fresh start. Part of her knew she still had to deal with her unresolved feelings about Angel and Ford. She wasn't ready for that yet, eventually yes now no.
Throwing on a new outfit Buffy ran downstairs to get breakfast. The World was full of possibilities. A new life awaited her.
Sunnydale High School early November 1998, morning
"Ah just the miscreants I want to see." Principle Snyder said clasping his hands together, "come in girls come in, sit." Principle Snyder gestured to the five seats occupying the space opposite his desk.
"We'd rather stand." Buffy said.
"Wazzup Principle Snyder?" Faith asked.
"The cost of property damaged, caused mainly by you five and you're friends." Principle Snyder said grimly.
"You can't prove that." Willow pointed out.
"Oh but I can." Principle Snyder grinned flopping a fat file folder down on his desk with a loud slap. "Two dozen sworn affidavits from school officials, town authorities and your fellow students stating they've seen the five of you fighting gang members on P.C.P in or around school grounds. Altercations I might add which coincide nicely with the dates & times property damage occurred. Do you know what will happen if I show these affidavits to the police ladies?" The five remained silent. "You'll finish your educational careers in juvenile detention."
"What do you want from us Principle Snyder?" Kendra said after another lengthy pause.
"Nothing much, a minor favor really," Principle Snyder grinned. "The Band requires new uniforms. The school is having a fundraiser. You five have been elected to lead it. Doesn't that sound fun ladies? Specifically, you'll be selling candy bars. Sign for your merchandise in the outer office."
"Wait a minute." Tara said in alarm her eyes growing wide. "There has to be hundreds of boxes out there."
"One thousand actually," Principle Snyder said without missing a beat. "You each get ten, aren't you lucky."
"You can't possibly expect us to move that many bars." Faith said. "What are we supposed to do with them all?"
"I don't care what you do with them, long as you bring in the money ladies." Principle Snyder snapped. "Rumor has it your daddy and mommy are in a secure financial position they can purchase the stuff then throw it away or burn it for all I care."
"What if we refuse?" Buffy inquired. By way of answer Principle Snyder raising an eyebrow patted the file folder. "I see, you know this is extortion." Buffy huffed.
"Indeed it is, now get moving." Principle Snyder barked. The five quickly left the office, Faith slamming the door behind them. "Damn hooligans wish I could expel the lot of them." Principle Snyder said taking a bite off the freshly unwrapped chocolate bar on his desk.
"Snyder is a tool." Faith snorted as the girls walked towards the cafeteria. "Ken I can't believe how politely you treat him."
"He is in a position of authority." Kendra reasoned. "I respect the office if not the office holder."
"C'mon the guy constantly abuses his authority." Faith continued. "I've never seen him show anyone an ounce of respect."
"Even so I must respect authority figures." Kendra said.
"Knowing Principle Snyder openly disrespecting him would only make matters worse." Tara said. "The guy can hold a grudge longer than anyone else I've met."
"Who are you girls talking about, not me I hope?" Xander said falling in lockstep with the group.
"Nah we're dishing on the resident troll." Buffy said.
"Buffy," Willow gasped.
"Sorry Will but I'm fed-up with him singling us out. God we've sacrificed more for the wellbeing of this town than anyone else." Buffy ranted.
"He doesn't know that." Willow reminded Buffy. "Besides if everybody would remember to ware their uniforms, including masks, Snyder wouldn't have anything to use against us."
"Hey," Faith said defensively. "There isn't always time to suite up when you get ambushed."
"Valid point," Willow conceded.
"I'm with Buffy." Tara grumbled. "Why can't Snyder leave us alone?"
"Because the guy is a dick," Larry said he and Johnathan joining the march towards noontime sustenance. "Does he have you selling chocolate bars to?"
"Selling 'em ha he has put us in charge of the entire campaign." Faith said.
"Tough break," Johnathan said.
"How many boxes are you guys peddling?" Amy asked slipping into the lunch line behind the group. "I've got two."
"Three," Larry said.
"Two," Jonathan said.
"Damn I have four." Xander muttered disappointed.
"Try having five." Buffy said sourly.
"You girls each have five?" Larry said.
"Sure do," Faith said with a fake smile, "wanna trade?"
"No thanks," Larry grinned. "Much as I love me some chocolate, I'll have a hard enough time polishing of my three cases."
"You're going to eat them yourself?" Tara said in disbelief.
"Sure why not, that many bars will last me a couple months." Larry said, the group sitting down at their regular table.
"Gross," Amy said crinkling her nose.
"Speaking of gross," Xander bemoaned. "I hate mystery meat day." The others voiced their agreement.
"Any of you had any funny dreams lately?" Buffy asked figuring now was as good a time as any to broach the subject of her nightmare. The other all answered in the negative. Than why am I Buffy thought dejectedly.
City Hall, night
"I trust you've disposed of all the chocolate bars by now?" The Mayor said smiling at Mr. Trick who had entered his office a few moments ago.
"I did." Mr. Trick confirmed.
"May I ask where you unloaded the majority supply?"
"At the High School, like you suggested."
"Excellent," The Mayor said rubbing his hands together. "You didn't sneak a snack, did you Mr. Trick?"
"Of course not," the Stylish Vampire scoffed. "I can fellow instructions sir."
"No doubt," The Mayor said. "Now back to business, are the boys ready for phase two?"
"I thought you'd never ask." Mr. Trick grinned.
Sunnydale Hall School three days later, noon
The Giles Girls and Tara had a difficult time selling their candy. Jenny and Giles bought a case off each but that was it. The girls had to move the rest on their own. Between managing the fundraising campaign and their other after school duties they were exhausted.
"They're finally gone." Kendra said slumping in her chair.
"Five by five Ken," Faith said high fiving her sister slayer.
"How did you two get rid of yours?" Buffy asked eyeing the two suspiciously. She knew Faith might do something underhand but strongly doubted Kendra would have gone along with Faith's scheme.
"Yeah I still have a box left." Willow said.
"Me to," Tara said.
"I have two left." Buffy said head in her hands.
"We started giving out free samples." Kendra said.
"Once people got a taste the bars practically flew out of our hands." Faith bragged.
"Why didn't we think of that?" Tara wondered aloud.
"I hate you." Buffy said in mock indignation.
"Love you to Buff." Faith said sticking her tongue out.
"Hey anyone notice anything strange?" Xander said taking his seat at the table.
"Not really," Amy said.
"The teachers, half the staff didn't show up this morning." Xander said.
"Maybe the vamps got them." Amy shrugged.
"That isn't funny." Larry said.
"It wasn't supposed to be lunkhead." Amy said throwing a hand full of fries at the jock.
"Maybe they've got the flu." Buffy said. "It is that time of the year after all."
"Buffy's right, I'm sure its' nothing." Willow said.
By the end of the day things had only gotten stranger. The few teachers who remained were acting extremely immature, worse than many of the students in fact. Arriving at the library the group was in for another shock.
"You'll never believe the day we had…." Buffy said leading the charge. She froze in her tracks. There were Giles and Jenny dancing to loud outdated music. Both were half dressed and Giles was smoking. "What are you doing?" Buffy demanded mortified by seeing her adopted parents in such a state.
"Cutting loose," Giles said around his cigarette. "You girls should try it sometime."
"We're just having fun layoff." Jenny said pouting her hands all over Giles.
"Hell yeah about time you two got down with your bad selves." Faith said barely suppressing a giggle.
"Faith his is serious." Kendra said even more horrified, if possible, than Buffy.
"Yum chocolate," Larry said spying several bars on a nearby table.
"Don't eat that whatever you do!" Willow said noticing the discarded wrappers littering the floor.
"Why not?" Larry whined.
"I think the candy bars are the cause of the adults' odd behavior." Willow said snatching the half opened bar out of Larry's hand. Doing a quick incantation she frowned. "Tara, Amy come here do you sense it?"
"I sure do." Tara said.
"Ditto," Amy said.
"What is it?" Xander said eyeing the offending bar.
"The chocolate is enchanted." Willow stated. "Somebody has done this on purpose."
"But why?" Buffy said.
"I'm not sure." Willow confessed.
"I think I know where we can find out." Faith said taking the bar from Willow. "This crap is made locally. The company name and address is listed on the back see?" Faith passed around the bar.
"Let's suite up," Xander said taking charge. "Amy, Larry & Johnathan you stay here with Giles and Jenny make sure they don't hurt themselves, while the rest of us pay the chocolate markers a visit."
Factory, early evening
"Ah the Slayer Squad comes like avenging angels to slay the demon." Mr. Trick said smiling from his position atop a stack of crates.
"We should have known the demon would be you." Faith said.
"Should have but didn't." Mr. Trick taunted. "Much as I'd love to stay and exchange verbal barbs with you all night I have a pressing engagement elsewhere. Don't worry I've brought a few playmates for you, bye now." Mr. Trick scurried away the loading dock floor filling with vampires.
"Damn he's getting away." Xander said.
"Correction he's gotten away." Buffy said.
"Not this time." Kendra declared the silver clad slayer performed several jumps. Ending up on top of the crates she sprinted after the fleeing Mr. Trick.
"Ken come back!" Faith said swearing under her breath when Kendra vanished from sight.
"We have to go after her." Willow said.
"Easier said than done," Buffy said noting the encircling swarm of vampires.
Sunnydale Hospital, fifteen minutes later
"Like taking candy from a baby," Mr. Trick said lifting a newborn out of her bassinet. Alongside him a half dozen male vampires did the same. Turning around the group was confronted by a costumed figure, who was barring their exit.
One of the vampires joked. "You're a little late, Halloween was last week buddy."
"If you value your miserable existence you'll put the infants back at once." The masked visage of Xou'acc said evenly. The vampires looked at each other then burst into a bout of laughter.
"Out of our way fool," Another vampire said barreling towards Xou'acc.
"Fine have it your way. Don't say I didn't warn you." Xou'acc said not moving a muscle.
By the time Kendra arrived five minutes later the floor was covered in dust. The babies had been placed securely back in their bassinets. Only one vampire remained babbling in the corner it was Mr. Trick! The once arrogant demon was a shambles.
"Kill me," Mr. Trick begged.
"What was the purpose of the spell?" Kendra asked her broken tormentor.
"The Mayor he's a powerful warlock. He needed newborns for a ritual sacrifice to a demon in the sewers named Lurconis." Before Kendra could stop him Mr. Trick grabbed the stake from her hand impaling himself on it. "I'm sorry he's here the dark one is here, the very stones quiver in fear." He whispered before collapsing into a small pile of dust.
The rest of the Slayer Squad arrived a moment later giving Kendra no time to ponder Mr. Trick's cryptic last words. Kendra explained what had happened. The group then made their way to the sewers upon arrival they confronted and destroyed the demon Lurconis with a surge of flame from a broken gas main. The spell the consumption of the candy had placed up the adults of Sunnydale wore off the next day.
City Hall the following afternoon
"You win some you lose some." The Mayor sighed reading the report prepared by one of his surviving minors detailing last night debacle. After considerable thought he pressed the intercom button on his desk "Get in touch with our new local vampire lord San Sui. I have a proposition for you him and his followers." The Mayor leaned back in his chair. He hadn't survived a hundred years on the Hell Mouth without facing adversity. He'd get over the current hump the way he had all the others, by adapting.
Crawford Street Mansion, night
"Bring them before me." San Sui ordered from his throne.
A pair of vampires in green robes hauled two naked figures one a man with short brown hair the other a woman with long blonde hair before the primordial monster. Both figures bore vacant looks on their faces. It was as if neither was fully aware of their surroundings.
"These two vampires, if indeed they truly are of our kind, were founded in the interior courtyard earlier this night," Said a third green robed vampire a look of distain on his face.
"I sense impurity within these two." San Sui said his red eyes blazed brightly. "They bare human souls in place of their demonic spirits, disgusting."
"I shall order their destruction a once my lord." The third vampire said turning away.
"No leave them unharmed until further notice. I am curious how they come to be in my domain in such an altered state no less. Tell me who are you." San Sui commanded pointing a clawed finger at the man. Under the powerful influence of San Sui's thrall the man slowly answered.
"I,, am,,,, Angel."
To Be Continued
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