Family Ties
Chapter 3
Don't try this potion at home!…It's disgusting and will probably get you sick if not worse.
Centaur Stabilizing Potion
Any Alcohol
Bitter chocolate(melted)
Herb of Unknown origin that smells like Cinnamon
Crushed grapes
Milk of Magnesia
Powered Aspirin(replaced some other herb that is now illegal in the USA. Made it more effective anyway)
Must be taken one hour after shifting forms. Otherwise the form will not take and revert back to the original state.
Disclaimer-I am still fighting those rebelling Lawyers. I don't own anything until my loyal fanatical Goon Squads have crushed their rebellion…What do you mean they've mutinied? The Lawyers paid them more!? They're suing me? GRRR
On to the story…
Xander woke up in an unfamiliar bed and in his centaur form. Quickly the events of the night before crashed down upon him. His mom and dad were home and his aunt and uncle were gone permanently. He'd never been happier in his life. He got up carefully from the bed and walked into the main room. His mom and dad were already up and eating breakfast.
"Good morning sweetie. Your breakfast is in the microwave. It should still be hot." His mom said seeing her son stumble out of his room. He'd never been a morning person. Apparently time hadn't changed that fact.
"morning" Xander mumbled. Breakfast were scrambled eggs, bacon, a biscuit, and fresh fruit salad. He was already very late for school but that didn't matter.
"Son how often do you demon hunt now anyway?" He had read the obituaries. It made him worried about his son and the future of the town.
"Pretty much every night we end up having to do something related to demons and vampires. The Hellmouth has been very busy lately." Xander dived into his eggs.
"The Hellmouth? You mean its active?" His dad asked levelly.
"Yup very active. Been that way for a while now." Xander had finished his eggs and biscuits and moved onto the fruit salad.
Andrew adjusted his shoulders. Looks like he was going to be going Demon Hunting again. He needed a good workout. "What's your typical demon now?"
"Honey are you going to unlock Xander's power now that we're home?" Leann asked her husband. Xander's power got locked up when they left for their trip. It would help maintain his human form and would keep him from running all over his aunt and uncle. Upon reflection they should have left his powers alone.
"Good idea. Come here a moment Xander." Xander finished his bacon and went around the table. His father got up and placed his son's head in his hands. Putting their foreheads together silently said the words that would unlock Xander's mage power. His son would have a headache for a while but would be okay in an hour or so. "Are you okay?"
The constant gnawing headache was nearly gone. In its place was a sharper headache but it was much more manageable then the other. "I'm good." Remembering his dad's last question, "We mostly deal with vampires with the occasional bigger demon. The Vjskaldf demon is the latest in the bigger demon category. The last was a Brigignal's Demon."
"We called your school and made your excuses. We are going shopping today. I don't know what your aunt was thinking when she got you that shirt but it's being replaced." Then a thought occurred to her, "Do you have any cloths with you?"
"Of course! I never know when a demon is going to leave a mess so I keep a change of cloths in my book bag at all times." He had been a boy scout after all it was for six months but he was still a boy scout.
Leann walked over to the pantry and grabbed a small bottle. Going to her purse she pulled out the powder. There were two ways for a centaur to change forms: to be changed by a high level magic user like his parents or to use the powder and potion. The powder initiates the change and the potion stabilizes it. Xander grabbed his book bag and pulled out a hideous but clean shirt and dropped it over his human half. He took first the powder and sprinkled some over his shoulder. His centaur dissolved in a flash to reveal the his human form. He finished getting dressed and drank down the potion. "So when are we leaving?"
"When your dad is ready." Leann looked over to her long time husband. The pressures of his station didn't show. He had been born to the job but was still close enough to the ground to fall in love with a normal run in the mill centaur.
"I've been waiting for you two. Is the house cleaned?" It had been a pigsty.
"I called the service this morning. They had to get rid of some furniture and including Xander's bedroom furniture and the guest room. I have a list that we need to replace. Xander do you want to stay in the basement or do you want to return to the house?" Leann inquired. The basement was large and private but maybe he would want to return to the house.
"I want to stay in the basement but maybe we can remodel down there? I want a kitchen and cable." With that they left the hotel and went to the Sunnydale Mall. Xander got to spend loads of money on new cloths, a computer, a new TV, a VCR, Playstation 2 with games and DVD remote, tons of movies, and furniture for his room including kitchen appliances. While they were at it Leann ordered their own kitchen remodeled. Andrew happily paid the bills.
They returned home within minutes the first deliveries arrived. The new bedroom furniture arrived and was set up in including the new carpeting for the basement. Xander gleefully set up his computer and entertainment center. Tomorrow the guys would come and refit the upstairs kitchen and make his. He would be in school though. Answering lots of embarrassing questions. This gave him a moment of pause and worriment. How much did Gile's spill?
At Sunnydale High School the following day…
Xander went to his locker and grabbed his bag. Maybe if he was lucky all three of them would be out today. I mean maybe they all got a horrible flu and couldn't get out of bed.
"Hi Xander!" No such luck. It was Willow and Buffy. Buffy was hanging back and rather silent. Not a good sign.
"Hi guys, so did we kill the demon yet?" Xander asked casually. Maybe a random amnesia plague would hit.
"No such luck we are still researching it. I am not going to try to kill something until I can find out its weaknesses and name. So are you human?" That's Buffy direct and to the point.
"No I am pure Centaur. Always was always will be. When my mom and dad went on their trip they locked me into my human form for my own protection. It was also supposed to help my aunt and uncle to keep me in line. They were both human. My uncle is the half brother of my sister. Her mother died and her father remarried a human and they had a child my uncle. He was raised a human, and thinks he is a human. He married a human my aunt." That little speech done maybe they won't ask…
"Can we see you change into your Centaur form?" Willow asked.
Buffy's eyes rounded, "Yes can we? That would be soooo cool."
Damn it. They asked. "I have to ask my parent's permission first." Xander said.
"Can you ask them for us?" Willow asked her curiosity at an all time high. To top it she started giving Xander the puppy eyes. Xander's will was visibly seeping away.
"Sure, I'll ask when I get home today." Xander wondered how many questions he would have to field today. Which reminded him, "It's a Vjskaldf demon by the way. It has an appetite for Centaurs and elves."
"Right Vjskaldf demon got it. Know anything else?" All business Buffy.
"Not yet. Mom is looking it up as we speak." The bell for first period rang saving him from further questions. Buffy went towards the library. Her first period was a study period, which was under Gile's guidance. What a coincidence.
"Giles?" Buffy walked in and dropped her books on the counter.
"Good morning Buffy. Has Xander come to school today?" Giles asked anxiously. He had lots of questions for the young man.
"Yup, and he is not human he is pure centaur and he was locked in his human form when his parents went on their trip. He's gonna ask his parents whether we can see his change or not. Oh and he says the big bad of the week is a Vjskaldf demon. They have a taste for centaurs and elves. His mom is looking up more information and will give it to him when she finds it." Morning report over Buffy began to eat her breakfast, an apple and spring water.
"Good. Can you make sure he finds his way here this afternoon. I have a few questions to ask him. Now that we have a name it will make researching a lot easier." Giles went into the demonology section and took out four specific books. "Lets get started shall we?"
The day passed quickly and Xander reported to Giles as directed by Buffy, Oz, Miss Calendar, and Willow. "Hey Giles."
"Excellent. I have a few questions. Do you have any magical ability?" His father was a warlock. Xander by heredity should have some ability.
"Yes but it got locked away when my parents went away."
How does one ask whether a young man he's known for years is a also the Centaur Prince. Well as Buffy always said, 'Just do it,' "Is your father, Andrew Harris, truly the King of the Nation of Centaurs?"
Damn he did know about that after all Xander mentally said, to Giles he said, "Yes he is." Now for the inevitable question.
"So you are the Prince and heir apparent?" Giles asked.
"Yup, that's me. Do the rest of Scoobies know about that?"
"No I did not think it would be important for them to know." There was a Scooby meeting later that night but Xander had enough time to go home and change into his demon hunting gear and his demon bag.
Not to long later at the Harris House…
"Mom! Dad! I'm home." Xander called out
Leann, his mother, bustled in from the library. "Hi sweetie. I got some weaknesses for you. Beheading, apples, and removal of the heart with exposure to the sun will kill the Vjskaldf demon. It should come out tonight there moon will be clouded over. Your dad wants to come along when your group attacks it. We already went to the store and picked up some apples and apple sauce to distract it."
Stunned Xander tried to think of a reason for his dad not to come with him to the meeting or the hunt. Then his Dad came down the stairs with a huge grin on his face. "Hi son! Can't wait to go hunting tonight with you. It'll be a great bonding time! Hey do you think your friends will like me? I can't wait! I need to go to the storage place to pick up some of my old weapons and armor. Got go." With a kiss to his wife and son he rushed out the door the smile never leaving his face.
Defeated Xander went downstairs and got changed. Seeing the return of the Hawaiian shirt from hell his mother asked, "Why are you wearing that hideous shirt?" The jeans were so worn as to be nearly transparent in certain areas.
"So I don't have to worry about getting it completely clean again." Only half the shirt was its original color still. Xander didn't like to think about what was on the shirt.
His mother looked at it in even greater disgust but more understanding. "I'll replace any clothing ruined by demons. Just take it off." Then an idea came to her. The shirt would be an excellent experiment for her new Demonic Chemistry class to play with on Friday. "It'll make a great science experiment."
Scooby Meeting 5:00pm…
Xander and Andrew walk in. All conversation stops. Oz is still wolfed out and napping under the desk. Xander had called Giles to warn him. "Hey guys, how goes it?"
"Well we'll be leaving for the rounds in about an hour. Its weapons check and check points. Welcome aboard Andrew. Don't stake the token vampires behind you. Their names are Spike and Drusilla. Don't attack the werewolf under the table. His name is Oz. He's Willow's boyfriend." Buffy said. After a second thought, "Do you have your own stake or do you need to borrow one?"
"I already have a stake and a nice sharp sword. Xander has the apples and apple sauce." Andrew like Buffy's style, all business with a bit of fun interjected.
"Great. Everyone knows the weaknesses. I already have a few ideas on where it could be. Giles will be staying with Oz tonight. Spike and Drusilla have volunteered to act as radar detectors. Vampires seem to have been its food of choice recently and the community wants it gone. Vampires also can sense it coming. Two groups. Willow, Drusilla, and myself. Andrew, Xander, and Spike. My group will be checking Arms Cemetery along with Diblow Park and the Pantheon. Xander your group will check the Playground on Wilson Street, Viking Lake, and the Lakeside Cemetery. We'll meet in Roger's Park and go over it together. Everyone lets be careful. Any questions?" Buffy concluded her speech. This type of demon was capable of wiping out whole towns. The species was capable of destroying three different species and nearly a fourth.
"Lets go." Willow said quietly.
"Miss Edith says that tonight is going to be a fun night. Pet has been unneutered and we're going to see something special tonight. The stars are already rejoicing singing to the heavens of all the pretty colors. The last egg shall die and the killer of nations shall never rise again." Giles after a moment of thought wrote everything she said down. Some of it sounded suspiciously like a prophecy.
"Okay on that interesting note lets go." Buffy said. It went unsaid to keep what Drusilla said in mind while hunting the demon.
Silently everyone left. Andrew didn't want to disturb anyone. For all he knew the silence was a pre-battle tradition. Once they left the high school they piled into two separate cars one driven by Buffy and the other by Spike.
Chapter 3
Don't try this potion at home!…It's disgusting and will probably get you sick if not worse.
Centaur Stabilizing Potion
Any Alcohol
Bitter chocolate(melted)
Herb of Unknown origin that smells like Cinnamon
Crushed grapes
Milk of Magnesia
Powered Aspirin(replaced some other herb that is now illegal in the USA. Made it more effective anyway)
Must be taken one hour after shifting forms. Otherwise the form will not take and revert back to the original state.
Disclaimer-I am still fighting those rebelling Lawyers. I don't own anything until my loyal fanatical Goon Squads have crushed their rebellion…What do you mean they've mutinied? The Lawyers paid them more!? They're suing me? GRRR
On to the story…
Xander woke up in an unfamiliar bed and in his centaur form. Quickly the events of the night before crashed down upon him. His mom and dad were home and his aunt and uncle were gone permanently. He'd never been happier in his life. He got up carefully from the bed and walked into the main room. His mom and dad were already up and eating breakfast.
"Good morning sweetie. Your breakfast is in the microwave. It should still be hot." His mom said seeing her son stumble out of his room. He'd never been a morning person. Apparently time hadn't changed that fact.
"morning" Xander mumbled. Breakfast were scrambled eggs, bacon, a biscuit, and fresh fruit salad. He was already very late for school but that didn't matter.
"Son how often do you demon hunt now anyway?" He had read the obituaries. It made him worried about his son and the future of the town.
"Pretty much every night we end up having to do something related to demons and vampires. The Hellmouth has been very busy lately." Xander dived into his eggs.
"The Hellmouth? You mean its active?" His dad asked levelly.
"Yup very active. Been that way for a while now." Xander had finished his eggs and biscuits and moved onto the fruit salad.
Andrew adjusted his shoulders. Looks like he was going to be going Demon Hunting again. He needed a good workout. "What's your typical demon now?"
"Honey are you going to unlock Xander's power now that we're home?" Leann asked her husband. Xander's power got locked up when they left for their trip. It would help maintain his human form and would keep him from running all over his aunt and uncle. Upon reflection they should have left his powers alone.
"Good idea. Come here a moment Xander." Xander finished his bacon and went around the table. His father got up and placed his son's head in his hands. Putting their foreheads together silently said the words that would unlock Xander's mage power. His son would have a headache for a while but would be okay in an hour or so. "Are you okay?"
The constant gnawing headache was nearly gone. In its place was a sharper headache but it was much more manageable then the other. "I'm good." Remembering his dad's last question, "We mostly deal with vampires with the occasional bigger demon. The Vjskaldf demon is the latest in the bigger demon category. The last was a Brigignal's Demon."
"We called your school and made your excuses. We are going shopping today. I don't know what your aunt was thinking when she got you that shirt but it's being replaced." Then a thought occurred to her, "Do you have any cloths with you?"
"Of course! I never know when a demon is going to leave a mess so I keep a change of cloths in my book bag at all times." He had been a boy scout after all it was for six months but he was still a boy scout.
Leann walked over to the pantry and grabbed a small bottle. Going to her purse she pulled out the powder. There were two ways for a centaur to change forms: to be changed by a high level magic user like his parents or to use the powder and potion. The powder initiates the change and the potion stabilizes it. Xander grabbed his book bag and pulled out a hideous but clean shirt and dropped it over his human half. He took first the powder and sprinkled some over his shoulder. His centaur dissolved in a flash to reveal the his human form. He finished getting dressed and drank down the potion. "So when are we leaving?"
"When your dad is ready." Leann looked over to her long time husband. The pressures of his station didn't show. He had been born to the job but was still close enough to the ground to fall in love with a normal run in the mill centaur.
"I've been waiting for you two. Is the house cleaned?" It had been a pigsty.
"I called the service this morning. They had to get rid of some furniture and including Xander's bedroom furniture and the guest room. I have a list that we need to replace. Xander do you want to stay in the basement or do you want to return to the house?" Leann inquired. The basement was large and private but maybe he would want to return to the house.
"I want to stay in the basement but maybe we can remodel down there? I want a kitchen and cable." With that they left the hotel and went to the Sunnydale Mall. Xander got to spend loads of money on new cloths, a computer, a new TV, a VCR, Playstation 2 with games and DVD remote, tons of movies, and furniture for his room including kitchen appliances. While they were at it Leann ordered their own kitchen remodeled. Andrew happily paid the bills.
They returned home within minutes the first deliveries arrived. The new bedroom furniture arrived and was set up in including the new carpeting for the basement. Xander gleefully set up his computer and entertainment center. Tomorrow the guys would come and refit the upstairs kitchen and make his. He would be in school though. Answering lots of embarrassing questions. This gave him a moment of pause and worriment. How much did Gile's spill?
At Sunnydale High School the following day…
Xander went to his locker and grabbed his bag. Maybe if he was lucky all three of them would be out today. I mean maybe they all got a horrible flu and couldn't get out of bed.
"Hi Xander!" No such luck. It was Willow and Buffy. Buffy was hanging back and rather silent. Not a good sign.
"Hi guys, so did we kill the demon yet?" Xander asked casually. Maybe a random amnesia plague would hit.
"No such luck we are still researching it. I am not going to try to kill something until I can find out its weaknesses and name. So are you human?" That's Buffy direct and to the point.
"No I am pure Centaur. Always was always will be. When my mom and dad went on their trip they locked me into my human form for my own protection. It was also supposed to help my aunt and uncle to keep me in line. They were both human. My uncle is the half brother of my sister. Her mother died and her father remarried a human and they had a child my uncle. He was raised a human, and thinks he is a human. He married a human my aunt." That little speech done maybe they won't ask…
"Can we see you change into your Centaur form?" Willow asked.
Buffy's eyes rounded, "Yes can we? That would be soooo cool."
Damn it. They asked. "I have to ask my parent's permission first." Xander said.
"Can you ask them for us?" Willow asked her curiosity at an all time high. To top it she started giving Xander the puppy eyes. Xander's will was visibly seeping away.
"Sure, I'll ask when I get home today." Xander wondered how many questions he would have to field today. Which reminded him, "It's a Vjskaldf demon by the way. It has an appetite for Centaurs and elves."
"Right Vjskaldf demon got it. Know anything else?" All business Buffy.
"Not yet. Mom is looking it up as we speak." The bell for first period rang saving him from further questions. Buffy went towards the library. Her first period was a study period, which was under Gile's guidance. What a coincidence.
"Giles?" Buffy walked in and dropped her books on the counter.
"Good morning Buffy. Has Xander come to school today?" Giles asked anxiously. He had lots of questions for the young man.
"Yup, and he is not human he is pure centaur and he was locked in his human form when his parents went on their trip. He's gonna ask his parents whether we can see his change or not. Oh and he says the big bad of the week is a Vjskaldf demon. They have a taste for centaurs and elves. His mom is looking up more information and will give it to him when she finds it." Morning report over Buffy began to eat her breakfast, an apple and spring water.
"Good. Can you make sure he finds his way here this afternoon. I have a few questions to ask him. Now that we have a name it will make researching a lot easier." Giles went into the demonology section and took out four specific books. "Lets get started shall we?"
The day passed quickly and Xander reported to Giles as directed by Buffy, Oz, Miss Calendar, and Willow. "Hey Giles."
"Excellent. I have a few questions. Do you have any magical ability?" His father was a warlock. Xander by heredity should have some ability.
"Yes but it got locked away when my parents went away."
How does one ask whether a young man he's known for years is a also the Centaur Prince. Well as Buffy always said, 'Just do it,' "Is your father, Andrew Harris, truly the King of the Nation of Centaurs?"
Damn he did know about that after all Xander mentally said, to Giles he said, "Yes he is." Now for the inevitable question.
"So you are the Prince and heir apparent?" Giles asked.
"Yup, that's me. Do the rest of Scoobies know about that?"
"No I did not think it would be important for them to know." There was a Scooby meeting later that night but Xander had enough time to go home and change into his demon hunting gear and his demon bag.
Not to long later at the Harris House…
"Mom! Dad! I'm home." Xander called out
Leann, his mother, bustled in from the library. "Hi sweetie. I got some weaknesses for you. Beheading, apples, and removal of the heart with exposure to the sun will kill the Vjskaldf demon. It should come out tonight there moon will be clouded over. Your dad wants to come along when your group attacks it. We already went to the store and picked up some apples and apple sauce to distract it."
Stunned Xander tried to think of a reason for his dad not to come with him to the meeting or the hunt. Then his Dad came down the stairs with a huge grin on his face. "Hi son! Can't wait to go hunting tonight with you. It'll be a great bonding time! Hey do you think your friends will like me? I can't wait! I need to go to the storage place to pick up some of my old weapons and armor. Got go." With a kiss to his wife and son he rushed out the door the smile never leaving his face.
Defeated Xander went downstairs and got changed. Seeing the return of the Hawaiian shirt from hell his mother asked, "Why are you wearing that hideous shirt?" The jeans were so worn as to be nearly transparent in certain areas.
"So I don't have to worry about getting it completely clean again." Only half the shirt was its original color still. Xander didn't like to think about what was on the shirt.
His mother looked at it in even greater disgust but more understanding. "I'll replace any clothing ruined by demons. Just take it off." Then an idea came to her. The shirt would be an excellent experiment for her new Demonic Chemistry class to play with on Friday. "It'll make a great science experiment."
Scooby Meeting 5:00pm…
Xander and Andrew walk in. All conversation stops. Oz is still wolfed out and napping under the desk. Xander had called Giles to warn him. "Hey guys, how goes it?"
"Well we'll be leaving for the rounds in about an hour. Its weapons check and check points. Welcome aboard Andrew. Don't stake the token vampires behind you. Their names are Spike and Drusilla. Don't attack the werewolf under the table. His name is Oz. He's Willow's boyfriend." Buffy said. After a second thought, "Do you have your own stake or do you need to borrow one?"
"I already have a stake and a nice sharp sword. Xander has the apples and apple sauce." Andrew like Buffy's style, all business with a bit of fun interjected.
"Great. Everyone knows the weaknesses. I already have a few ideas on where it could be. Giles will be staying with Oz tonight. Spike and Drusilla have volunteered to act as radar detectors. Vampires seem to have been its food of choice recently and the community wants it gone. Vampires also can sense it coming. Two groups. Willow, Drusilla, and myself. Andrew, Xander, and Spike. My group will be checking Arms Cemetery along with Diblow Park and the Pantheon. Xander your group will check the Playground on Wilson Street, Viking Lake, and the Lakeside Cemetery. We'll meet in Roger's Park and go over it together. Everyone lets be careful. Any questions?" Buffy concluded her speech. This type of demon was capable of wiping out whole towns. The species was capable of destroying three different species and nearly a fourth.
"Lets go." Willow said quietly.
"Miss Edith says that tonight is going to be a fun night. Pet has been unneutered and we're going to see something special tonight. The stars are already rejoicing singing to the heavens of all the pretty colors. The last egg shall die and the killer of nations shall never rise again." Giles after a moment of thought wrote everything she said down. Some of it sounded suspiciously like a prophecy.
"Okay on that interesting note lets go." Buffy said. It went unsaid to keep what Drusilla said in mind while hunting the demon.
Silently everyone left. Andrew didn't want to disturb anyone. For all he knew the silence was a pre-battle tradition. Once they left the high school they piled into two separate cars one driven by Buffy and the other by Spike.