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: Dust Waltz
By
Celgress
"We might be through with the past, but the past isn't through with us. Hung overhead like storm clouds wash away what we've become."
Before the Fall (2012) September Morning
Sunnydale early November 1998, afternoon
Gwendolyn Post smirked. By this time tomorrow she'd have the trust of the so called Slayer Squad. The fools would never suspect she'd duped them while Rupert Giles' true replacement watcher, Wesley Wyndam- Pryce, was still in England being briefed on his new assignment. Having access to the Watchers Council letterhead forging a note from them naming her as the new watcher was child's play.
"If only the American teley had half decent shows." Gwendolyn Post muttered flipping through the limited selection of channels available locally via basic cable. She hated the crummy motel. Fortunately she wouldn't be there much longer.
Before the rouge watcher could react a black figure leapt through the window beside her bed. It extended a tendril of pulsing darkness which penetrated her chest paralyzing her. Inside Gwendolyn Post panicked feeling her life force embedding away rapidly but helpless to prevent it. Her eyes looked pleadingly into the empty sockets of the stark white mask that that dominated her vision.
"As I suspected, practically flavorless," Xou'acc spat withdrew his tendril from the pile of powder that had once been Gwendolyn Post. His task accomplished he gave the room a quick once over. Satisfied he turned away. Without another word he left the way he'd came, through the now broken window.
With the nefarious Gwendolyn Post eliminated the Slayer Squad were able to retrieve and neutralize the Glove of Myhnegon without incident. Considering neither San Sui nor Mayor Wilkins were interested in the device. Our heroes never learned the circumstances of Gwendolyn Post's arrival in Sunnydale or her demise.
Sunnydale High School early November, afternoon
"Ah here we are, Xou'acc the contaminator," Giles said looking through a rather large volume in obvious need of repair.
"What does it say?" Buffy asked nervously having shared her dream with the others following Kendra's odd encounter at Sunnydale General Hospital.
"Surprisingly not much, there is no information beyond the name and general description." Giles related with a frown, "hmm."
"Hmmm, what does hmmm mean?" Faith asked.
"Hmmm in this case means the bare bones description carries a Forbidden Subject Tag," Giles said.
"A what sort of tag?" Xander said looking over Giles' shoulder at the small, black & white illustration of Xou'acc.
"F-Forbidden Subject Tag it is, within the lingo of the Watchers Council the equivalency of being classified." Giles said taking off and wiping his glasses.
"How than are we going to find out if Xou'acc is the same goon who wacked the vampires at the hospital?" Larry groaned. "You know the one Mr. Trick told Kendra about before self-dusting."
"I've been wondering why would a baddie bother saving babies?" Kendra said.
"A 'baddie'," Faith laughed. "You've been hanging out with us too much Ken, we're rubbing off on you sis." Kendra looked embarrassed.
"Good question," Giles said putting his glasses back on. "J-Jenny are you Willow and Tara having any luck with that confounded machine?"
"There isn't any additional information about Xou'acc on the Internet, sorry." Jenny said from the computer on the main desk of the library, ignoring her husband's last remark. "He's certainly an enigma."
"We even tried a locator spell last night." Willow said standing next to Jenny. "The spell failed."
"Its' as if the guy doesn't exist, or something," Amy said glumly leaning up against the main desk.
"Or he's immune to directed magic, at least human based." Johnathan suggested voicing a collective fear.
"I hope not." Tara said shivering. "If he is that renders my contribution moot in a fight. Unlike Willow I don't possess any enhanced speed or strength only spells."
"Don't worry," Willow said putting her arm around her fellow witch. "I'm sure you'll find some way to help, you're very resourceful."
"Thanks," Tara said blushing slightly.
"Is there any way around the information lock?" Buffy said looking at Giles.
"I'll try." Giles said. "For the time being we'd better learn what the Mayor is doing. Concentrate our efforts on discovering his plan instead."
Sunnydale Airport mid-November 1998, night
A small group of vampires dressed in jade colored robes waited patiently beside a recently landed aeroplane. It was a Cessna with deeply tainted windows. Strangely it lacked identification numbers or marking of any kind. The main door swung open from within the dark confines a tall figure in a pale blue robe emerged.
"I trust your trip was a pleasant one Lady Lilith?" The lead vampire minion asked his own robe flapping in the gentle breeze.
"My journey was, satisfactory." Lilith said walking down the ramp, the yellow eyes of the ancient vampire gleaming from underneath her hood. "I desire reunion with my love, take me to San Sui."
"At once my Lady," The lead minion said with a quick bow, "right this way."
Crawford Street Mansion
"Fascinating," The Mayor said inspecting the now clothed Angel and Darla, "vampires not only with human souls but also free of demonic spirits."
"What do you make of them sorcerer?" San Sui said standing nearby.
"Golly I don't know Mr. San Sui." The Mayor said. "We are in uncharted waters here. Would you mind if I took them off your hands, a loan perhaps?"
"You may have them." San Sui said waving a clawed hand dismissively. "Consider the pair a gift, "a token of my friendship Mayor Wilkins."
"Thank you very much." The Mayor said his eye lighting up with excitement. Snapping his fingers several minions took the still incoherent Darla and Angel away.
"Hello my love, I have dearly missed your company." Said the husky voice of Lilith, as she entered the chambered a group of underlings in tow.
"Ah I take it you're Mrs. San Sui." The Mayor said extending his hand. Lilith ignored his entreaties instead making her way towards San Sui. The Mayor frowned at her snub.
"I have dearly missed you." San Sui said taking Lilith in his arms. "The stars themselves have lost their beauty in your absence." The two hooded vampire partook a long, deep kiss.
"I'll excuse you love birds." The Mayor said slipping away pleased with his latest prize. "Remember our deal Mr. San Sui."
"Don't worry Mayor Wilkins I shall hold up my end of the bargain, make sure you do the same?" San Sui said breaking the kiss.
"My love, what was that insufferable human blabbering about?" Lilith inquired, smoothing out her robe.
"Merely a deal I struck with him my world." San Sui said. "I dispose of the Slayer Squad in return he grants us a place in his coming domain."
"His coming domain, what do you mean?"
"In little more than eight months the Mayor ascends into a pure blooded demon. When the date arrives he gives us control of California in exchange for the destruction of his enemies."
"Only California," Lilith teased running a clawed finger along San Sui's robe.
"Worry not my world once the time is here the entire continent shall worship our dark radiance."
"That is more like it."
Outside Sunnydale High School the next day, late afternoon
"Hi Buffy, been a long time huh?" Said the young man sitting on the idling motorcycle alongside the curb, he was wearing a black leather jacket with a matching helmet.
"Excuse me, do I know you?" Buffy asked the motorcycle driver her family and friends by her side.
"Stop me if you've heard this one. Buffy you're not like other girls." The motorcycle driver said.
"Pike," Buffy squealed jumping up and down.
"Guilty," Pike said with a grin taking off his helmet. His silver hair was cropped close and his goatee was neatly trimmed his light blue eyes playful as ever. Getting off the motorcycle Buffy jumped him holding her old friend in tight hug. "I missed you too, though please watch the ribs." Pike joked.
"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked with a broad smile releasing her hold.
"I finished cleaning out a vampire nest in LA with a buddy of mine Charles Gunn. When I thought hey Sunnydale isn't far so here I am." Pike explained. "Still doing the, well you know?" Pike made a staking motion with his hands.
"Sure am," Buffy said. "Hey mom, dad this is Pike an old friend of mine from LA can we have him over for supper please?"
"Of course," Jenny said. "I'm Jenny Giles Buffy's stepmother by the way?" Jenny said shaking hands with Pike.
"I-I'm Rupert Giles Buffy's adopted father." Giles said also shaking hands with Pike. "These are our other daughters Faith, Willow, Kendra and our ward Tara." Giles continued introducing the rest of the family. "The others are family friends Xander, Amy, Larry and Johnathan."
"Pleased to meet you all," Pike said after exchanging quick pleasantries with each member of the group.
Giles Residence that evening
"And then Buffy torched the place." Pike finished. "I was never so frightened in my life, until the next time we faced down a nest of vampires."
"You and Buffy fought vampires together?" Willow asked from across the dining room table.
"We sure did, the summer before she moved here we took out a nest in Los Vegas." Pike said finishing off his meal.
"Buffy you've never mentioned your adventure in Sin City before, did you play the slots?" Faith said winking.
Buffy squirmed in her seat. "It wasn't like that. I needed to clear my head after, everything…" Buffy trailed off.
"It was rough on you, huh." Pike recalled. "Buffy I swear I tried to get you out of there sooner. Honestly I did, but no one would…."
"Suss, it wasn't your fault." Buffy said. "Everyone thought I was nuts at the time, can't say I blame them…"
"Let's change the subject, okay?" Faith said following several seconds of awkward silence. The reminiscing reminded her of several of her own unpleasant experiences after being called in Boston.
"Good idea," Kendra agreed, not wanting to face her own past.
"So Pike you hunt demons?" Xander said.
"Nothing like you guys, alongside the Slayer Squad I'm a rank amateur." Pike confessed. "However I do have a few good war stories. One time in Colorado me and a few other hunters were cleaning out this pueblo see when…."
The Streets of Sunnydale, several hours later
Buffy hugged Pike close as the two rode through the streets of Sunnydale on the latter's motorcycle. It had been a long time since Buffy had done something on impulse. She had forgotten how fun a simple, carefree ride around town could be.
"Sure you're sisters and friends can handle patrol duty without you?" Pike asked as he brought the motorcycle to a stop in a vacant lot.
"Trust me they can handle anything Sunnydale can throw at them." Buffy said. "I wish you could stay longer."
"I know, but the open road beckons," Pike said. "It was great seeing you again sure I can't drop you off at home."
"Nah, I promised the others I'd meet up with them down the street in about fifteen minutes." Buffy said indicating the gold uniform beneath her street clothes.
Alright than I guess this is goodbye." Pike said Buffy hopping off his motorcycle.
"Guess so," Buffy said. "Don't be a stranger Pike."
"You either Buffy, see you around." Pike said revving up the motorcycle before speeding out of the parking lot.
Checking to make sure the cost was clear Buffy put her street clothes into the backpack she carried then put on her mask. Leaving the parking lot the Gold Slyer strolled down the street. Buffy was happier than she'd been in months. Pike's short visit had put the bounce back in her step. Deciding to take a shortcut she jumped a chain link fence. She was cutting across the second open field when she found herself surrounded by a gang of Asian looking vampires in green robes. A tall figure wearing a traditional Chinese hat and clad in a green robe with gold trim loomed out of the darkness in front of her. The vampires all assumed game face at the appearance of the mysterious figure. Buffy looked around frantically for an escape route, she found none.
"Embrace your death, face me slayer. I am San Sui crusher of champions." The figure said throwing off his hat to reveal the gruesome visage of a humanoid bat. The encircling lesser demons spread out as San Sui advanced towards his prey. Buffy sprayed holy water and garlic concentrate from her writs gauntlets into his face San Sui roared in mild discomfort before picking Buffy up by the neck and slamming her into the ground with lightning speed. "Get up, or I crush your skull beneath my heel." San Sui threatened lifting his left leg above Buffy's head.
Shaking the cobwebs out of her head Buffy struggled to her feet. Slipping a standard sized stake out of her right gauntlet Buffy jabbed it into San Sui's chest. The monster laughed plucking out the offending object and tossing it aside, his fiery red eyes boring into her very soul.
"Pity I expected a far greater challenge from someone of your reputation." San Sui said once more picking Buffy up, this time by her left arm, and throwing her halfway across the field.
Buffy impacted hard enough against the trunk of a stately oak tree to leave behind a deep crack. Regaining her footing Buffy knew her left arm had been broken. In the distance she could she San Sui causally strolling towards her. Once a dozen feet away San Sui charged her position. Thinking fast Buffy dodge out of the way. San Sui slammed partway through the giant tree. His right leg and arm stuck in it. Before he could free himself Buffy jumped up into the tree branches. From there she emptied her holy water and garlic concentrate reserves, two liters worth, down the master vampire's gaping gullet and onto his ugly face. Screaming in agony a retching San Sui pulled himself free of the broken tree. Buffy landed on the ground sprinting away San Sui hot on her trail.
Buffy barely managed to scale the next fence before the enraged demon caught up with her. Barreling through the flimsy barrier San Sui was within striking distance when Xander the White Knight stabbed San Sui in the neck with Xander's right hand silver gauntlet spike. Xander followed up the blow with one to San Sui's left eye partially blinding the monster. Swatting Xander aside San Sui was thrown back by a powerful gust of wind emanating from the Crimson and Green Witches. The Bronze and Silver Slayers then finished San Sui off with an axe blow followed by a broad sword blow to his thick neck. San Sui's flesh vaporized by way of a spectacular light show when it ended only a pile of deformed bones, the skeleton resembling a bipedal bat more than anything else, remained.
"Thanks," Buffy gasped cradling her broken arm with her undamaged one. "He came out of nowhere. I thought I was a goner."
"Don't worry its' over," Xander said picking up the fearsome skull. "At least he can't hurt us anymore."
Crawford Street Mansion, near dawn
"They shall all pay!" Lilith sobbed.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken vampire." Xou'acc said tossing aside the desiccated husk of Lilith's front gate guards.
"You dare challenge me, whatever you are!" The demon roared throwing back her hood to reveal her permanent vampire features.
"I dare," Xou'acc said evenly a swarm of glowing black tendrils sprang out of his body stabbing the long red haired vampiress in multiple places. More tendrils caught the approaching underlings. In less than a minute, in spite of Lilith's intense struggles, Xou'acc was surrounded by many piles of dust and one deformed skeleton. The tendrils retreating into his body Xou'acc smacked his lips. "Vampires, you can't have just one." Xou'acc turned on his heels leaving behind the now abandoned Crawford Street Mansion.
A hill overlooking Sunnydale, dawn
"It isn't fair." Xou'acc said softly. "They have so much while we have nothing."
"I know." Pike said in a melancholy voice sitting on his motorcycle beside the dark figure. "Remember Buffy is off limits you don't go near her, until the end."
"Don't worry, I recall our arrangement." Xou'acc said not looking at Pike instead watching the sunrise. "When this is over she'll thank you, trust me."
"I'm not sure anymore." Pike sighed. "She seems happy enough, they all do."
"It won't last, it never does." Xou'acc whispered.
"I hope, I pray you're wrong." Pike said in his own whisper.
"No more than I do myself, until we meet again farewell Pike." Xou'acc said walking away.
"Farewell Xou'acc." Pike said revving up his motorcycle. Speeding away the vehicle kicked up a shower of dirt.
To Be Continued
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