The Devil You Know
Legend of the Slayer, p43 of 100
by Philister

Fanfic written for TTH100
Theme: Slayers
Prompt: #050 - Devil
Crossover with Jack Kirby's New Gods

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Sunnydale, 2000 AD

Shadow, the dark god that gives strength to the Slayer, is not a benevolent entity. Bound by the Shadowmen in ancient times, its primary motivation is the pleasure of the hunt and the thrill of the kill. The Shadowmen have simply channelled this primal urge, pointing out that killing demons and vampires is much more thrilling than mere humans.

The vampire Spike has been neutered by the Initiative. Implanted with a neural chip that prevents him from harming humans, he is no longer a threat to innocents. Still, it is the Slayer's responsibility to destroy all demons. So why has the Slayer Buffy Summers let Spike live for so long?

The answer is simple, of course. Shadow does not see Spike as a challenge. Killing someone who can't even begin to fight back is not worth the effort. So the Slayer's urge to kill demons no longer applies to him. Which leaves just Buffy and her merely human emotions.

She hates Spike. He has done much to harm her and her friends in the past. But he can't harm anyone anymore. He can help her, though, fight by her side against other demons. She knows she can never trust him completely. He has tried to betray her before. There is value to the old saying, though:

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. So Spike gets to live. At least for now.

THE END