SUMMARY: Max and Alec from "Dark Angel" (FOX) travel back in time via
Manticore Technology to Sunnydale and meet up with Buffy, Xander, Willow,
and Spike from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (UPN).
DISCLAIMER: Obviously I don't own either Dark Angel or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, cuz I'm sure not James Cameron or whoever owns BTVS (I have no idea who does, but I'm sure they're a very nice person). If I did own them both, I sure wouldn't be wasting my time writing FanFic! And because I am just a 14 year old girl who works at the Bath House at the local pool, if the people at FOX or UPN try to sue me, all they're gonna get is a Backstreet Boys CD and a couple packs of gum.
Dark Angel Storyline:
Mid Second-season, somewhere around "Love in Vein" - Max burnt down Manticore and freed all the transgenics, including the extremely-hot-yet- playfully-annoying Alec (*sigh*). The virus is in effect, but it's not really relevant to this storyline.
Buffy Storyline: Around mid sixth season. I am kind of new to the Buffy scene (Thank you reruns on FX!) so I am not sure I have all my stuff right! ( I love the show though!!!! Anyway, Buffy's mom is dead, and Dawn is around..Spike is on Buffy's side, Giles is still here, and he and Anya do the magic shop thing. Willow is still just quitting her Wicca obsession.
Also, a lot of people have asked me what the 'pairings' are for this FanFic. Right now it's not really anything, maybe later though :-) I doubt there will be any Max/Alec (M/A), just because I think they make better friends than anything else.
Please read and review! If you wanna contact me, my e-mail is alias_angel_girl@yahoo.com
Also, several people have asked me about this- if you want me to e-mail you as soon as I post a new chapter, then either put your e-mail address in the Reviews, or e-mail it to me. I will send out an e-mail to everyone right after I put up a new chapter.
Don't forget to Review! It's what keeps me going! Even if you don't have anything to say about this FanFic- just review, so I know people are reading it! :-D
NEXT CHAPTER..won't be up till next week. :-( *tears of sorrow*
Okay I am done rambling now.here's the freakin chapter already::::
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Giles and Dawn both looked up as Buffy walked through the Magic Shop door.
"Hey, Buffy, how did it go?" Giles questioned immediately from behind the counter. "I have been looking through all of these books," he gestured to all of his reference books lying around, "And I've come up with nothing. I am beginning to think that.." He let his voice trail off as Max and Alec walked into the shop behind Xander and Willow.
"Everyone, this is Max and Alec," Buffy said as she threw her bag to the ground near the table. "Max and Alec, this is Giles, he owns this place, and my little sister Dawn."
Max gave an acknowledging nod to the two she was introduced to and took a quick look around the shop.
Dawn greeted the x-5's with a big smile before turning her attention to Buffy. "How was the demon fighting?" She asked her older sister with enthusiasm.
As soon as she said this, Buffy sent Dawn a 'look' and a shake of her head that told her not to mention it anymore.
"Have a seat, we don't bite," Giles welcomed them, waving them toward the table and chairs. "Well, Spike does, but it doesn't appear that he came back with you."
"He said he had 'stuff' to do," Xander volunteered information with a shrug. "Probably one of those 'if-I-told-you-I'd-have-to-kill-you' type of things."
Willow giggled at Xander's comment before looking at everyone else. "I'll be right back" she said. She then disappeared to the back of the store.
Max and Buffy sat down at the table next to Dawn, and Buffy quickly slammed shut the book about vampires Dawn was flipping through.
Max eyed the book, thinking Buffy's behavior a bit suspicious. She didn't question it, but instead looked at the young girl sitting next to her.
"So, Dawn," Max began, "Do you ever accompany your big sister on her adventures to beat up bad guys?" she asked.
"Nope," Dawn said bluntly with a glance to Buffy. "She thinks it's too dangerous for me."
"Which it IS," Buffy defended. "You never know what could happen in this crazy town."
Just then Willow returned and set a glass of milk in front of Max. Max glanced up at her with an appreciative look. "Thanks" she said gratefully before downing the entire glass in one big gulp.
"How did you guys meet up with Buffy?" Dawn asked Max, trying to start a conversation.
"We saw them in the cemetery," Buffy answered for her.
"Yeah, we kind of got attacked by a pack of those vampire guys," Max said to the younger girl.
"Oh! Did Buffy save you?" Dawn questioned eagerly.
Max gave her a small smile. "Not exactly," she answered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While Max chatted away with Buffy and Dawn, Alec began roaming around the magic shop, very much aware of the fact that Xander was watching his every move.
"Is everyone in Sunnydale so into magic and demonic creatures of the night?" he asked jokingly as he looked from the pile of books sprawled in front of Giles to the shelves full of magical trinkets.
"Is everyone from wherever you live so into wandering through cemeteries and refusing to tell us what exactly you are?" Xander shot back, crossing his arms across his chest.
Alec smirked. "Hey, Xander-boy: chill out already," he said, "I'm not going to kill you or anything. If I wanted to do that you'd be dead by now."
"Somehow I don't find that comforting," Xander replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max was getting tired of beating around the bush. The small talk was annoying her, and she wanted answers.
"Buffy, this is nice and all," Max said with a fake smile, "You bringing me and Alec here, inviting us into your little magic shop, introducing me to your sister. But we both know the real reason you had us tag along. You want to know what the deal is with me and Alec." She paused as she pushed back her chair and stood up. "So why don't we all just quit playing games and get right to the point."
Max's little speech caused Willow, Xander, and Alec to all walk over to where she was standing. Even Giles set down his book and looked at the group.
Buffy sighed as she, too, stood up. "Fine, but don't think I don't see right through your act too. The only reason YOU came with us was to find out some answers for yourself."
Max shrugged. "Guilty as charged," she replied carelessly. "But instead of having your buddies at the magic shop 'researching' us, why don't I make things easier on you and help ya out a little."
Buffy gave Max a cold look. "Fine, enlighten us all. Where exactly did you learn to fight like that? Why was Spike able to attack Alec when he's got a government chip in his head that won't allow him to attack humans? And why in the world were you wandering around a cemetery in Sunnydale in the middle of the night?"
"Don't think it's going to be that easy," Max declined with a shake of the head. "Like you said, I want answers too. I'll make you a little deal-"
"A deal?" Xander cut in, walking between the two girls and interrupting the staring contest they were having. "Why in the world would we make a deal with you?! You can't expect us to trust you!"
Max shot Xander a glare. "I guess you really don't have a choice right now," she answered. "You've got to get information to get information. Standard procedure."
"Xander, stay out of this," Buffy told him in a commanding voice. Xander rolled his eyes and reluctantly sauntered back over to where he was standing
"The deal is simple," Max continued. "You tell us about this whole slayer deallio, and what exactly is up with all these demons, vampires, and whatever else you've got lurking around this whacked-up city. In return." Max paused and sent Alec a glance. "In return, Alec and I will tell you about us."
She held out her hand. "Do we gotta deal?" she asked Buffy.
"Max, I don't think this is such a good idea," Alec said as he stepped toward Buffy and Max. "You even said that you didn't want exposure."
"I know, but I want to know what's going on," Max replied, not taking her eyes off of Buffy's. "So what's it going to be then, Buffy?"
Alec shook his head. "Max come on, this is a big mistake-"
"You got a deal," Buffy cut Alec off as she grabbed Max's hand and gave it a firm shake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"All right, where should I start?" Buffy asked to no one in particular as she wondered where to begin.
Buffy, Max, Xander, Alec, Willow, Dawn, and Giles had all grabbed chairs and were gathered around a table in the middle of the magic shop.
"I'm the Slayer, and- " Buffy started.
"That we KNOW already," Alec jumped in impatiently. "Now we just want to know what the hell that means!"
Max glared at Alec. "Would you just shut up and let her talk already?" she said angrily, as more of an order than a question.
"Anyway," Buffy continued, "I am the Slayer, and Giles is my Watcher. For centuries, there has always been a Slayer around. So it's pretty much my job. Giles, being my Watcher, is sort of a guide, you could say. As you can tell, he's more on the research end, and I am more on the butt-kicking end."
She paused a second before going on. "My job is to kill vampires and demons, among other things. Mainly keep the world demonic-creature-free."
Max leaned forward and rested her head on her hands. "But why is this Sunnydale place so infested with these evil creature things? Why here of all places?"
"Because Sunnydale is the opening to the Hellmouth," Giles explained. "Where all these demons and such like to go."
"It's kind of like their Disney World," Xander jumped in.
"That would explain all the vampires we saw tonight in the cemetery," Max comprehended.
"What about Spike?" Alec asked curiously.
Buffy sighed. "He's a vampire. But he can't attack humans because the government put some sort of chip in his head. So he helps me beat up demons."
Alec smirked as he thought about his battle with Spike earlier. "He sure needs to work on his fighting skills."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy turned to Max and Alec. "Now," she said, "I believe it's YOUR turn for an explanation."
Max sighed and leaned back in her chair, ignoring an angry glare from Alec. "Alec and I are from Seattle, in the year 2020. I guess we kinda used this time machine thing or something, because judging by this town, we're not in 2020 anymore."
Xander smiled. "Welcome to 2001," he said eagerly.
"Guess that means we're in pre-pulse time," he said.
"Pulse?" Buffy questioned. "What do you mean?"
"I'll get to that," Max said, trying to stay on subject. "Anyway, sometime in the twentieth century, a secret government organization was formed, called Manticore. They specialized in genetic engineering. They were trying to make the perfect soldier, so they did a bunch of DNA splicing for many generations. Alec and I were the fifth generation, therefore called Series X-5."
"Is that why you said we could call you 'X-5/452' when we were back in the cemetery?" Buffy asked.
"Exactly. Manticore identified their soldiers by putting barcodes on the backs of our necks. My designation is 332960073452." As she said this, she turned around and lifted up her hair, revealing her barcode to the rest of them. "Alec's got one too."
"Can't you remove it somehow?" Willow asked, obviously intrigued by the genetic engineering talk.
Alec shook his head. "The best thing that works is getting a tattoo- removal on it."
"But it burns like hell and returns in a few weeks," Max said. "Anyway, this Manticore place was terrible. We trained all the time, and were locked in cell blocks every night."
"Sounds like a good time," Xander said sarcastically. He saw the cold looks Max and Alec send him and sat back in his chair. "Okay, I'll shut up now."
"Eventually, the x-5's in my unit got fed up with Manticore, and when I was eight years old, we planned a big escape," Max continued. "We didn't know what we were escaping to, because we had never seen or known anything outside of Manticore. Twelve of us got away during the escape, but everyone else was either caught and dragged back to Manticore for re- programming, or killed." She paused a second as flashbacks of her childhood flashed in front of her.
Buffy noticed the look in Max's eyes as she reminisced about the Manticore days. "What about you?" she asked Alec, turning the attention away from Max. "Were you one of the twelve that escaped?"
Alec folded his arms across his chest. "Nope," he said almost shamefully, "I was in a different unit than Max. But ever since the escape, Manticore had been hunting down those twelve transgenics. About a year after the big escape, some terrorists set off an electro-magnetic pulse, which fried all the computers in the U.S. and turned it into a third-world country overnight. This obviously made it easier for the rogue x-5's to disappear, but Manticore didn't give up hunting. I guess Max and some of her x-5 buddies got sick of running, so they blew up the place, freeing me and all the other transgenics."
"Now we can all look forward to this great big pulse thing," Xander said in a slightly panicked voice.
Willow nudged him with her elbow, letting him know that this wasn't a time for making jokes.
Dawn, who had been sitting quietly next to Willow, finally spoke up. "So now are ALL of you guys on the run from this Manticore place?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," Max said, having composed herself. "We have a few new bad guys too. Ames White, who works for both Manticore AND some freaky three-thousand- year-old super-human breeding cult is after our asses."
"He's not a fun guy," Alec added with distaste.
"Sounds like there are still supernatural things in the future," Xander added. It was obvious that none of the Sunnydalers were surprised by the time travel, breeding cult, and genetic engineering. After dealing with so many other supernatural things, it wasn't a shock to them.
"So now I know why I wasn't able to find anything about Manticore in these books," Giles said as he rested his hand on the pile of novels.
"Sorry to spoil your evening, but Alec and I aren't exactly demons from another dimension," Max replied.
Buffy gave her a slight grin. "Good thing I didn't try and stake you through the heart."
Just then, the bells on the door of the magic shop rang, and the whole group turned to look who was there.
They found Spike, strutting in proudly.
"Back so soon?" Alec asked sarcastically to the vampire.
Spike smiled back as though the comment didn't faze him. "Yes, I'm back," he said. "And this time, I've brought a friend along."
With that, he stood aside to let another person pass through the door. Buffy, Max, Alec, and the others fixed their eyes on the door, wondering who Spike's "friend" was.
Then, through the door of the magic shop, in walked the one and only Ames White.
DISCLAIMER: Obviously I don't own either Dark Angel or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, cuz I'm sure not James Cameron or whoever owns BTVS (I have no idea who does, but I'm sure they're a very nice person). If I did own them both, I sure wouldn't be wasting my time writing FanFic! And because I am just a 14 year old girl who works at the Bath House at the local pool, if the people at FOX or UPN try to sue me, all they're gonna get is a Backstreet Boys CD and a couple packs of gum.
Dark Angel Storyline:
Mid Second-season, somewhere around "Love in Vein" - Max burnt down Manticore and freed all the transgenics, including the extremely-hot-yet- playfully-annoying Alec (*sigh*). The virus is in effect, but it's not really relevant to this storyline.
Buffy Storyline: Around mid sixth season. I am kind of new to the Buffy scene (Thank you reruns on FX!) so I am not sure I have all my stuff right! ( I love the show though!!!! Anyway, Buffy's mom is dead, and Dawn is around..Spike is on Buffy's side, Giles is still here, and he and Anya do the magic shop thing. Willow is still just quitting her Wicca obsession.
Also, a lot of people have asked me what the 'pairings' are for this FanFic. Right now it's not really anything, maybe later though :-) I doubt there will be any Max/Alec (M/A), just because I think they make better friends than anything else.
Please read and review! If you wanna contact me, my e-mail is alias_angel_girl@yahoo.com
Also, several people have asked me about this- if you want me to e-mail you as soon as I post a new chapter, then either put your e-mail address in the Reviews, or e-mail it to me. I will send out an e-mail to everyone right after I put up a new chapter.
Don't forget to Review! It's what keeps me going! Even if you don't have anything to say about this FanFic- just review, so I know people are reading it! :-D
NEXT CHAPTER..won't be up till next week. :-( *tears of sorrow*
Okay I am done rambling now.here's the freakin chapter already::::
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Giles and Dawn both looked up as Buffy walked through the Magic Shop door.
"Hey, Buffy, how did it go?" Giles questioned immediately from behind the counter. "I have been looking through all of these books," he gestured to all of his reference books lying around, "And I've come up with nothing. I am beginning to think that.." He let his voice trail off as Max and Alec walked into the shop behind Xander and Willow.
"Everyone, this is Max and Alec," Buffy said as she threw her bag to the ground near the table. "Max and Alec, this is Giles, he owns this place, and my little sister Dawn."
Max gave an acknowledging nod to the two she was introduced to and took a quick look around the shop.
Dawn greeted the x-5's with a big smile before turning her attention to Buffy. "How was the demon fighting?" She asked her older sister with enthusiasm.
As soon as she said this, Buffy sent Dawn a 'look' and a shake of her head that told her not to mention it anymore.
"Have a seat, we don't bite," Giles welcomed them, waving them toward the table and chairs. "Well, Spike does, but it doesn't appear that he came back with you."
"He said he had 'stuff' to do," Xander volunteered information with a shrug. "Probably one of those 'if-I-told-you-I'd-have-to-kill-you' type of things."
Willow giggled at Xander's comment before looking at everyone else. "I'll be right back" she said. She then disappeared to the back of the store.
Max and Buffy sat down at the table next to Dawn, and Buffy quickly slammed shut the book about vampires Dawn was flipping through.
Max eyed the book, thinking Buffy's behavior a bit suspicious. She didn't question it, but instead looked at the young girl sitting next to her.
"So, Dawn," Max began, "Do you ever accompany your big sister on her adventures to beat up bad guys?" she asked.
"Nope," Dawn said bluntly with a glance to Buffy. "She thinks it's too dangerous for me."
"Which it IS," Buffy defended. "You never know what could happen in this crazy town."
Just then Willow returned and set a glass of milk in front of Max. Max glanced up at her with an appreciative look. "Thanks" she said gratefully before downing the entire glass in one big gulp.
"How did you guys meet up with Buffy?" Dawn asked Max, trying to start a conversation.
"We saw them in the cemetery," Buffy answered for her.
"Yeah, we kind of got attacked by a pack of those vampire guys," Max said to the younger girl.
"Oh! Did Buffy save you?" Dawn questioned eagerly.
Max gave her a small smile. "Not exactly," she answered.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While Max chatted away with Buffy and Dawn, Alec began roaming around the magic shop, very much aware of the fact that Xander was watching his every move.
"Is everyone in Sunnydale so into magic and demonic creatures of the night?" he asked jokingly as he looked from the pile of books sprawled in front of Giles to the shelves full of magical trinkets.
"Is everyone from wherever you live so into wandering through cemeteries and refusing to tell us what exactly you are?" Xander shot back, crossing his arms across his chest.
Alec smirked. "Hey, Xander-boy: chill out already," he said, "I'm not going to kill you or anything. If I wanted to do that you'd be dead by now."
"Somehow I don't find that comforting," Xander replied.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max was getting tired of beating around the bush. The small talk was annoying her, and she wanted answers.
"Buffy, this is nice and all," Max said with a fake smile, "You bringing me and Alec here, inviting us into your little magic shop, introducing me to your sister. But we both know the real reason you had us tag along. You want to know what the deal is with me and Alec." She paused as she pushed back her chair and stood up. "So why don't we all just quit playing games and get right to the point."
Max's little speech caused Willow, Xander, and Alec to all walk over to where she was standing. Even Giles set down his book and looked at the group.
Buffy sighed as she, too, stood up. "Fine, but don't think I don't see right through your act too. The only reason YOU came with us was to find out some answers for yourself."
Max shrugged. "Guilty as charged," she replied carelessly. "But instead of having your buddies at the magic shop 'researching' us, why don't I make things easier on you and help ya out a little."
Buffy gave Max a cold look. "Fine, enlighten us all. Where exactly did you learn to fight like that? Why was Spike able to attack Alec when he's got a government chip in his head that won't allow him to attack humans? And why in the world were you wandering around a cemetery in Sunnydale in the middle of the night?"
"Don't think it's going to be that easy," Max declined with a shake of the head. "Like you said, I want answers too. I'll make you a little deal-"
"A deal?" Xander cut in, walking between the two girls and interrupting the staring contest they were having. "Why in the world would we make a deal with you?! You can't expect us to trust you!"
Max shot Xander a glare. "I guess you really don't have a choice right now," she answered. "You've got to get information to get information. Standard procedure."
"Xander, stay out of this," Buffy told him in a commanding voice. Xander rolled his eyes and reluctantly sauntered back over to where he was standing
"The deal is simple," Max continued. "You tell us about this whole slayer deallio, and what exactly is up with all these demons, vampires, and whatever else you've got lurking around this whacked-up city. In return." Max paused and sent Alec a glance. "In return, Alec and I will tell you about us."
She held out her hand. "Do we gotta deal?" she asked Buffy.
"Max, I don't think this is such a good idea," Alec said as he stepped toward Buffy and Max. "You even said that you didn't want exposure."
"I know, but I want to know what's going on," Max replied, not taking her eyes off of Buffy's. "So what's it going to be then, Buffy?"
Alec shook his head. "Max come on, this is a big mistake-"
"You got a deal," Buffy cut Alec off as she grabbed Max's hand and gave it a firm shake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"All right, where should I start?" Buffy asked to no one in particular as she wondered where to begin.
Buffy, Max, Xander, Alec, Willow, Dawn, and Giles had all grabbed chairs and were gathered around a table in the middle of the magic shop.
"I'm the Slayer, and- " Buffy started.
"That we KNOW already," Alec jumped in impatiently. "Now we just want to know what the hell that means!"
Max glared at Alec. "Would you just shut up and let her talk already?" she said angrily, as more of an order than a question.
"Anyway," Buffy continued, "I am the Slayer, and Giles is my Watcher. For centuries, there has always been a Slayer around. So it's pretty much my job. Giles, being my Watcher, is sort of a guide, you could say. As you can tell, he's more on the research end, and I am more on the butt-kicking end."
She paused a second before going on. "My job is to kill vampires and demons, among other things. Mainly keep the world demonic-creature-free."
Max leaned forward and rested her head on her hands. "But why is this Sunnydale place so infested with these evil creature things? Why here of all places?"
"Because Sunnydale is the opening to the Hellmouth," Giles explained. "Where all these demons and such like to go."
"It's kind of like their Disney World," Xander jumped in.
"That would explain all the vampires we saw tonight in the cemetery," Max comprehended.
"What about Spike?" Alec asked curiously.
Buffy sighed. "He's a vampire. But he can't attack humans because the government put some sort of chip in his head. So he helps me beat up demons."
Alec smirked as he thought about his battle with Spike earlier. "He sure needs to work on his fighting skills."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buffy turned to Max and Alec. "Now," she said, "I believe it's YOUR turn for an explanation."
Max sighed and leaned back in her chair, ignoring an angry glare from Alec. "Alec and I are from Seattle, in the year 2020. I guess we kinda used this time machine thing or something, because judging by this town, we're not in 2020 anymore."
Xander smiled. "Welcome to 2001," he said eagerly.
"Guess that means we're in pre-pulse time," he said.
"Pulse?" Buffy questioned. "What do you mean?"
"I'll get to that," Max said, trying to stay on subject. "Anyway, sometime in the twentieth century, a secret government organization was formed, called Manticore. They specialized in genetic engineering. They were trying to make the perfect soldier, so they did a bunch of DNA splicing for many generations. Alec and I were the fifth generation, therefore called Series X-5."
"Is that why you said we could call you 'X-5/452' when we were back in the cemetery?" Buffy asked.
"Exactly. Manticore identified their soldiers by putting barcodes on the backs of our necks. My designation is 332960073452." As she said this, she turned around and lifted up her hair, revealing her barcode to the rest of them. "Alec's got one too."
"Can't you remove it somehow?" Willow asked, obviously intrigued by the genetic engineering talk.
Alec shook his head. "The best thing that works is getting a tattoo- removal on it."
"But it burns like hell and returns in a few weeks," Max said. "Anyway, this Manticore place was terrible. We trained all the time, and were locked in cell blocks every night."
"Sounds like a good time," Xander said sarcastically. He saw the cold looks Max and Alec send him and sat back in his chair. "Okay, I'll shut up now."
"Eventually, the x-5's in my unit got fed up with Manticore, and when I was eight years old, we planned a big escape," Max continued. "We didn't know what we were escaping to, because we had never seen or known anything outside of Manticore. Twelve of us got away during the escape, but everyone else was either caught and dragged back to Manticore for re- programming, or killed." She paused a second as flashbacks of her childhood flashed in front of her.
Buffy noticed the look in Max's eyes as she reminisced about the Manticore days. "What about you?" she asked Alec, turning the attention away from Max. "Were you one of the twelve that escaped?"
Alec folded his arms across his chest. "Nope," he said almost shamefully, "I was in a different unit than Max. But ever since the escape, Manticore had been hunting down those twelve transgenics. About a year after the big escape, some terrorists set off an electro-magnetic pulse, which fried all the computers in the U.S. and turned it into a third-world country overnight. This obviously made it easier for the rogue x-5's to disappear, but Manticore didn't give up hunting. I guess Max and some of her x-5 buddies got sick of running, so they blew up the place, freeing me and all the other transgenics."
"Now we can all look forward to this great big pulse thing," Xander said in a slightly panicked voice.
Willow nudged him with her elbow, letting him know that this wasn't a time for making jokes.
Dawn, who had been sitting quietly next to Willow, finally spoke up. "So now are ALL of you guys on the run from this Manticore place?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," Max said, having composed herself. "We have a few new bad guys too. Ames White, who works for both Manticore AND some freaky three-thousand- year-old super-human breeding cult is after our asses."
"He's not a fun guy," Alec added with distaste.
"Sounds like there are still supernatural things in the future," Xander added. It was obvious that none of the Sunnydalers were surprised by the time travel, breeding cult, and genetic engineering. After dealing with so many other supernatural things, it wasn't a shock to them.
"So now I know why I wasn't able to find anything about Manticore in these books," Giles said as he rested his hand on the pile of novels.
"Sorry to spoil your evening, but Alec and I aren't exactly demons from another dimension," Max replied.
Buffy gave her a slight grin. "Good thing I didn't try and stake you through the heart."
Just then, the bells on the door of the magic shop rang, and the whole group turned to look who was there.
They found Spike, strutting in proudly.
"Back so soon?" Alec asked sarcastically to the vampire.
Spike smiled back as though the comment didn't faze him. "Yes, I'm back," he said. "And this time, I've brought a friend along."
With that, he stood aside to let another person pass through the door. Buffy, Max, Alec, and the others fixed their eyes on the door, wondering who Spike's "friend" was.
Then, through the door of the magic shop, in walked the one and only Ames White.
