Destiny's Childe
by Andy Johnson
Author's Note: Part Three, immediate continuation from Passion for Life. The waiting game is on for the new "Master" of Sunnydale to rise and reign supreme over the town. Meanwhile life takes a strange turn for one and a horrifying turn for another.
Feedback: Yes please ... the more, the merrier
Spoilers: T.B.C.
Distribution: Email me and it's all yours *S* .....
~~~~~ Teaser ~~~~~
"In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer."
Despite being the height of summer and most of the demon populous being somewhere other than the Hellmouth, Willy's place was without a doubt the most rocking place in town. You couldn't squeeze a demon in there even if you tried, and Willy was absolutely over the moon to see such a buzzing atmosphere.
A medium sized, two headed demon made his way over to the bar and called out to Willy. "Two of the usual Willy"
"Yeah, sure thang," Willy replied pouring two shorts of the best whisky and passing them over the bar. "Hey, you know what's with such the hype tonight, I mean with all the partying?"
"Apparently, someone took out Angelus tonight!" the demon replied with a sneer on both of it's lips.
"You mean .. dead?" Willy asked in complete shock.
"Nah, he was cursed again." the demon said downing the shot in one sip. "And not by the Slayer or any of it's gang. There's a new player in town."
"A - a new player?" Willy stuttered, slightly nervous as he looked down at his watch. "Will you excuse me for a few moments, I have to make a phone call."
Willy dived around to the other side of the bar near the back and picked up his phone where he frantically dialed and number and waited nervously as it connected.
"Hey." Willy said when he heard a familiar voice, "Yeah it's me. Listen, is it true. I gotta know?"
Willy the snitch listened intently as he hard the voice of the other end of the line. After a few moments, Willy had decided he'd heard enough.
"Yeah thanks." he said as he put the receiver back.
Willy turned his attention back to the packed bar. "Oh crap," he mumbled to himself.
~~~~~ Part 1 ~~~~~
~ Sunnydale High, That Morning ~
The students of Sunnydale High weren't greeted with beautiful summer sunshine but rather a dull and overcast one, a morning like that which could help but catch the attention of Giles as he nimbly ducked and dived through the crowds just incase it actually started raining. He made it up to the archway that graced the entrance of the school just in time to hear a massive grumble of thunder followed by a couple of streaks of lightning across the morning sky.
"Weird," he mumbled as he turned back and headed inside towards the Library.
Giles walked nimbly down the passages until he arrived at the doors of the Library. He would have walked straight inside if it weren't for the fact that he saw her Slayer sitting at the table looking at a book, then he remembered the events of that night which he nearly forgot about.
'Angel, back' Giles thought as he looked at his young Vampire Slayer. He'd be lying if he didn't say that over the course of the years that he tutored Buffy he'd grown rather fond of her in a fatherly way and it always made his heart sink whenever she was unhappy about something .. and Buffy wasn't happy from what he could tell.
After clearing his mind, Giles took a deep breath before opening the door and entered the Library, which immediately got Buffy's attention.
"Hey there Giles how are you?" Buffy said with a smile.
"Quite well thank you Buffy," Giles replied as he placed his bag and his copy of the Sunnydale Times on the counter top. "Ho-how are you this morning?"
"I'm okay, little sleepy perhaps. Didn't get much sleep, just kept thinking about what happened last night."
"I understand," Giles said a little tentatively as he popped into his office to make himself a morning cup of tea.
"Here's something weird for you though," Buffy said trying to change the subject she was on.
"What's that?" Giles replied from inside the office.
"Apparently there was a big gathering at Willy's place last night over what happened at the school. I guess news travels fast around here."
Hearing that, Giles quickly pocked his head from inside the office and looked squarely at Buffy. "A large gathering at Willy's did you say? I don't suppose any of the demons knew who the person was who did the actually curse on him by any chance?"
"No," Buffy replied with a noticeable sigh. "But one of the demons told Willy and apparently he freaked. After he heard the news he was like deathly pale. Said he looked deader than most of the Vamps that go to his place."
"Hmm that can't be good." Giles said as he re-appeared from the office with a cup in his hand.
"This is Sunnydale Giles, it's never good." Buffy quipped.
"Yes. Do you remember that prophecy that I told all of you a little while back?"
"Yeah."
"Well .. I think that he's finally arrived in Sunnydale and he's trying to emerge as the dominant force in this town."
"What do you mean, 'dominant force'?" Buffy asked.
"Well," Giles said deciding to be a little too truthful, "when Angel was turned into Angelus, he along with Spike pretty much ruled over the underworld of Sunnydale. Not a lot really happened without them knowing about it. With Spike mysteriously leaving town not long back and now with Angel re-cursed as it were by this mysterious person, it seems that he or she maybe has the power of this town."
"Oh," Buffy said as her gaze slowly shifted to a nearby window. "Now all this new person has to do now is to meet the welcome wagon. Me."
~ Willy's Place ~
Looking around, Willy couldn't help but to wonder. He'd figured that he'd made more money that night then he had done for the past two weeks put together. They nearly drank his entire supply of alcohol, and as such for all of the morning he had to keep the bar closed until he got more supplies. That didn't mind old Willy though as the bar was a complete mess with glasses everywhere and empty packets that contained god only knows what.
Willy looked around and dropped the broom next to the fifth full rubbish bag. "Oh man, what a night that was."
Willy turned back and almost had a heart attack.
Standing in the light of the doorway stood a tall dark figure. How he gotten in was beyond Willy as he had the bar locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
"Hey pal, I don't know how you managed to get in but we're closed, so do your little Hudini act and get outta here will y'a."
Willy picked up a couple of empty bottles from a nearby table and turned his back on the mysterious visitor who he thought was leaving.
"Now Willy," the dark shaded character finally spoke in a deep low voice.
Hearing that, Willy froze on the spot in shock and dropped the bottles making them shatter where they landed.
"Is that how you treat an old acquaintance?" it continued.
"Oh, God." Willy mumbled under his breath.
"God won't help you today Willy, or ever. You should have learnt that lesson by now."
"Hey there," Willy greeted, as he turned around to face the stranger again. "It's been, like ages man, and you know, you look, well I guess good as I can't make out any of you except for a shadow. You want some pigs blood? I'm all out at the moment, but you can have some from my private stash."
"I don't want any of that," it said as it took a few step into the bar. "I just came by to tell you that I was in town and that I will be staying for a little while."
"Oh yeah," Willy said a little nervously as he took a couple of steps back. "How long you intend staying?"
"Until I kill that brat of a Vampire Slayer, 'cause after that .. the world is mine for the taking."
"Yeah, that Slayer," Willy said getting slightly more nervous, "she's definitely a girl that brings in the tourists you know."
"You know what I am after." It said deeply.
"Yeah, yeah, I can get it for you, no worries. But there's something I gotta know. Did you really do it? Curse Angelus?"
The dark figure who had by now turned back and started towards the door, paused briefly and turned it's head slightly back.
"Yes."
"Why? You and he could rule Sunnydale completely."
"Emergence, that's why."
With that, the mysterious person walked towards the entrance, but as he did released a magic spell and slowly faded into darkness.
Willy just stood there at the now empty bar in amusement. "Now that's what I call an exit!"
~ Sunnydale High, Lunchtime ~
"So you up for a little training at the moment Buffy?" Giles asked a little quietly as they strolled through the corridors from the cafeteria, lunch in hand.
"I would say 'yippee I'd love to' but I got to get this assignment completed before last period or my Social English teacher will moan at me again."
"Yes, yes," Giles agreed, "your English is a little lack at the best of times."
Buffy answered that comment with an off-stare which was completely ignored by her Watcher. "Well I thought speaking it was good enough" she retorted.
"I'm afraid, not in this day and age." They both stopped at the end of the passage and looked down at the throng of student milling about another corridor. "Look at all these people. It'll be murder getting to the Library."
"Maybe I can use some of my Slayer strength on some of them?" Buffy offered, only to receive an off-stare of her own from Giles.
"I really don't think so Buffy." He simply said.
Then without any kind of reason the mass of students started edging towards either side leaving a clear passage from one of the exits of the school.
"What's going on?" Giles pondered looking down the almost clear isle.
As the rest of the passage way finally cleared they could see why they did. Standing in the doorway at the end stood Cordelia and beside her Xander who was sporting a very fancy and shiny pair of crutches. After a moment they started walking down the corridor.
"It's like the parting of the red sea all over again," Buffy mumbled to Giles as they got slowly nearer.
"Indeed." Giles agreed. "Quick, let's make use of this moment and get to the Library."
Buffy and Giles quickly retreated into the sanctuary of the Library while Cordelia and Xander walked, or in Xander's case hobbled down the corridor also going towards the Library.
Xander was definitely happier to be out of the wheelchair as it made moving around a lot easier, though he'd gotten used to the idea of being pushed around by Cordelia all the time but this time in a more literal sense of the word.
Cordelia was also grateful for Xander being out of the wheelchair, but only cause of this one time when she cracked a nail and needed a manicure.
They were about to reach the doors of the Library when Harmony bounded between them late for lunch with her friends knocking Cordelia and Xander to the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you're going Harm!" Cordelia yelled out after her.
Harmony stopped just in front of the stairwell and looked back at Cordelia who was already up and Xander who was being helped up by a couple of the students who were nearby. "Oh," she said, "I didn't see you two losers standing there."
Buffy and Giles poked their heads out of the Library door as this started but was completely ignored by Cordelia who was starting to fume at Harmony's arrogance.
"You just come here and say that to my face!" Cordy shouted out.
"And then what?" Harmony said rhetorically, "are you and your loser friends gonna beat me up?"
"You're damn right, you crazy freak!!"
"Alright, alright, let's get inside." Giles quickly said to Xander and Cordy who was about ready to explode in front of half the students of Sunnydale.
"Damn, she pisses me off!" Cordelia continued to curse as she was almost dragged inside by Buffy while Giles helped Xander in.
"She's a nobody," Buffy said finally letting her go and looking at her. "No worry about nobodies."
Cordelia thought about that for a brief second, 'don't worry about nobodies', that's what she used to do before she fell in with the Scooby Gang.
"Oh, Buffy, in all that has been happening there's something I've been meaning to inform you about." Giles said sitting down at the table.
"Oh?" Buffy asked quizzically as she sat opposite her Watcher.
"Yes, well. It seems that the Council wish to do an evaluation of several Slayers and Watcher's. And we've been selected for this evaluation."
"What!" Buffy replied totally shocked. "Do the Council think I haven't enough to do with my school life that I need an evaluation?"
"They just wish to monitor your performance level, to see if I am giving you sufficient training, that's all."
"So what? Are we to be graced by the guy again, Travers."
"Thankfully, not." Giles said with obvious happiness in his tone. "No the evaluation will take place from my journals, but I will need a complete account of your activities for the next week or so."
"Okay," Buffy said giving herself a little smile. "That I can do."
~ That Night ~
Willow sat cross-legged on top of one of the inhabitants of Shady Hill Cemetery eating from a large pack of chips while Buffy sat opposite her on the grass with a look of complete and utter boredom on her face.
"Two hours," Buffy moaned loudly, "two damned hours and not a single sighting! Where on Earth are they all tonight? Don't tell me they're at Willy's again drinking the night away."
"Maybe," Willow simply said snacking on another mouthful of her chips. "They have been rather celebratory since .. well since, you know .. "
".. About what happened at the High School with Angelus?" Buffy finished. "It's okay Will, you can say it."
"How are you doing with, you know, all the post Angelus or Angel angst?" Willow asked leaning forward slightly.
Buffy looked downwards as if suddenly finding an interesting blade of grass on the floor. "It's, you know, difficult. I know that I have to deal and along the way I'm gonna have to face my demons again, but, I think It's gonna take a little time .. and maybe a lot of ice cream and friendly- time."
"Well for what it's worth, you got the friendly-time support from me, Xander .. and maybe even Cordy."
"Cordy." Buffy repeated as she looked upwards towards her friend. "Who woulda guessed that she'd give me friendly-anything."
"It's true that she used to belong to the sheep of the school. But you know I really think that Cordelia has made a real change in her life, and I really can't see her going back to her old ways again anytime soon."
Looking around the dead quiet cemetery, Buffy stood up and started stretching her arms.
"Getting cramp sitting down there?" Willow asked.
"Nah, it's just that I wanna actually tell Giles that I did something tonight beside waffle on about my failing love life."
Willow sat quietly as the Slayer started her workout routine that she usually does in the Library between classes.
"Not that I'm complaining or anything," Willow said after a few minutes of silence. "But how much longer are we going to be out on patrol?"
Buffy stopped in mid-stretch as she took a moment to think about it. "Probably have to say another half an hour, and then maybe home for the night."
Buffy continued the exercises while Willow carried on eating her chips in silence.
~~~~~
Despite all the warnings and misgivings given to the townspeople of Sunnydale, there were just as many who stay in as there are who stay out after the sun went down. You had the people just out for a good time and risked that chance, you had the people who simply had to be out cause they needed to be somewhere - and then you had the completely ignorant, for which Harmony Kendrall was one of.
If somebody asked her why she would be out at such a late hour, she'd give you any of literally a million reasons why, her most popular one being 'that it was none of your damn business' .. but that was actually if anybody actually gave a thought about asking her in the first place.
Harmony was a little annoyed and she had been for some time now. The main reason for her annoyance started around the time the person whom she called her best friend Cordelia Chase started hanging around with Buffy and her bunch of super-losers in what she called that creepy library with the creepy librarian. She was completely ignorant at first only because she'd be there for such a short time before she came to her senses and re-joined Harmony and the rest of the Cordettes. But since her relationship with that Xander Harris went public, and after what happened at Valentine's she became one of them completely - a loser, and she absolutely hated her for that.
Harmony noticed an empty coke can and kicked it across the street. "I so hate you Cordelia Chase!" she huffed angrily.
Suddenly, Harmony stopped in her tracks as she heard a coke can being kicked from somewhere behind her - somebody was behind her.
~~~~~
"Damn it, and I was so looking forward to a good nights Slayage." Buffy fumed as she walked down main street with Willow by her side. "But do you think that even one Vampire could grace it's presence so I could slay it?"
"Nope." Willow said looking up at her friend.
"Exactly!" Buffy exploded as she booted an already heavily kicked coke can halfway down the street. "Hey." She said suddenly stopping in her tracks. "I bet they're all at Willy's again tonight."
"You know I think you actually thought that earlier," Willow said looking at her best friend.
"Really?" Buffy said stopping in mid-step to think back, "hmm, I think all that waiting made my brain forget."
They continued down the road towards Willy's Place.
~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~
"So absolutely nothing happened? Nothing at all?" Giles was in pace mode in the Library the following morning as Buffy re-encounted her previous night's Slayage, or lack thereof.
"Nothing." Buffy replied as she sat at the table with an expression of complete boredom on her face. "So," she quickly said changing the subject, "have you found out anything more about this prophecy you discovered?"
"What?" Giles said as he completed the previous night's entry in his journal. "No I'm afraid I'm at somewhat a loose end still on the prophecy, but no doubt I shall find something sooner or later."
"Hey Buff," Xander's voice called as he entered the Library with Cordelia as well as Willow and Oz.
"Hey guys," Buffy called back, "how's everything?"
The gang sat around the table while Giles finished up writing up his journal and placed it back in his office.
"So, what have we got planned for tonight?" Willow asked.
"Same old," Buffy said looking over a small pile of books. "Saving the world from unspeakable horrors, followed by a hot bath and bed."
"Do you reckon there will always be unspeakable horrors?" Xander mused.
"Only while Principal Snyder's still alive," Cordelia muttered in response.
"I think I can top your reckon, there Xander." Willow said.
"Go on then."
"Do you reckon that Giles has books in this library that doesn't make reference to horrible demons and dark magics?"
A momentary hush fell upon the group who looked at each other in quizical silence.
"Hey Will, do these spells really work?" Buffy asked leafing through one of the book she got from the desk.
"Pretty much yeah," Willow answered back. "Do you want anything to help with the Slaying?"
~~~~~
Giles filed away his Watcher diary for the day and set about making his morning cup of tea to help him get through another day at Sunnydale High.
He lifted his head slightly as he could hear the conversaion going on in the Library itself with Buffy and the rest of her friends and a small smile came across his lips. Buffy Summer was by no means his first Slayer that he had looked after, in fact through the many years as Watcher he had quite a few, though none of them were like his current Slayer.
Giles crouched down to a small mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of milk to add to his tea, when suddenly there was an almighty bright flash that came from the Library which caught Giles off guard dropping the bottle in the process.
Giles darted out of his office and looked around, everyone was now slowly getting from the floor where they laid in different areas of the Library.
"What's going on?" Giles asked in complete confusion. "Is everybody okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good," Willow replied.
"Same here." Oz said from near the counter.
"Ouch," Cordelia said, "but otherwise okay."
"Okay here too," Xander said, "but little help getting up would be appreciated."
"Where's Buffy?" Giles asked looking around.
Slowly from the upper section of the Library, Buffy stood up and looked around at the others. "What in the hell just happened."
"Well I was going to say the same thing," Giles said cleaning his glasses.
Suddenly, there was a disembodied grown and slowly another person stood up next to Buffy. There was only one problem though now as it looked exactly like Buffy.
"Man," the other Buffy said, "do I feel weird."
~~~~~
"This is amazing," Willow said a little while later.
"But extremely unusual," finished Oz.
"Indeed," Giles added.
Giles along with, Cordelia, Xander, Willow and Oz were now sitting on one side of the table while on the opposite sat Buffy and now her exact duplicate who were both ticking casually on a small document which was in front of them.
"What are you having the Buffy, err I mean Buffy's doing Giles?" Willow asked in wonderment.
"It's a test that the Council devised to check the mental capacity of a Slayer who has an identical twin." Giles replied. "They say that twins have a certain connection at these questions that they are completing determines the strength of that connection."
"I just can't get over it," Xander said looking at them. "They're both exactly the same. Hey would this mean that they both share the same strengths?"
"Double Buffy, double trouble?" Oz muttered receive a nod from Xander.
"Well, we'll soon see," Giles said.
"Finished." both the Buffy's said at the same time, and handed the papers to the Watcher who started scrutinising over the answers.
"Buffy," Cordelia said looking between them both. "What's going through your mind, now that you've an exact duplicate of yourself?"
Both Buffy's looked at each other for a moment and then looked back at Cordelia.
"It's pretty weird." they both answered at the same time.
"Wow, in stereo." Xander quipped.
"I can see this getting pretty confusing if we start to forget which Buffy we're talking to." Willow said. "This may take some time to re-adjust to."
"Well, there is going to be a way to seperate the two Buffy's after all." Giles said returning to the table and sitting down.
"That was quick." Cordelia said.
"Indeed," Giles commented looking at the Buffy's. "Now, Buffy," he said looking at the Buffy on his right. "What did you do last night?"
Buffy furrowed her brow a little in thought before she gave her answer. "Well Giles, I spent the evening at home, where I had a nice hot bath before sleep."
"Hey, but .." Willow started.
"No, Willow." Giles said hastily to her. "Now, same question to the other Buffy."
"After school," the other Buffy said immediately, "I went home to eat then I went out in the evening with Willow to partol. Then after that it was home for a hot bath and bed."
"Giles, what's happened here?" Willow said looking at the rest of the group in bewilderment.
"Well," Giles said wiping his glasses. "It's seemed that when Buffy was duplicated only certain elements have gone into one Buffy and the rest into the other." Giles took one of the papers and placed it on the table. "In this case we have one Buffy who is completely proficient in her Slaying capabilities as well as remembering her patrols and demons whom she's fought. On the other hand." he said taking the other paper, "we have the Buffy who is completely knowledgeable in her studying and has no knowledge of the other Buffy's calling as a Vampire Slayer."
"What's a Vampire Slayer?" the duplicated Buffy asked looking around.
There was a prolonged silence at that remark as it was the first time Buffy had said such a question in their presence and it caught them a little off guard.
"Better question," Willow said, "has anybody thought of perhaps reversing the spell? Bringing the two Buffy's back together again?"
"Well, that is the logical course of action under the circumstances." Giles replied looking around the desk for the book in question.
"Yeah," Buffy said looking at her duplicate. "If mum knew about this, she would totally lose it."
"I totally agree," the duplicate answered back. "But what about one night of fun before we get turned back, huh, totally get them wild at the Bronze?"
"Buffy, I don't think that's a wise idea," Giles said a little sternly at his Slayer's. "I think that this should be reversed so as little attention can be drawn to this as possible."
"But Giles," they both said together, and both putting on a pout at the same time.
"No, no. I cannot allow this to happen." Giles said sticking to his guns.
"But you can change us back first thing in the morning." Buffy pleaded.
"Please," added the duplicate Buffy.
"No is my final word," Giles said.
~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~
"I still don't understand" Willow pondered as she looked around.
The gang had all assembled at the Bronze as they planned. Oz was on stage playing a set with the Dingoes while the rest sat at a nearby table.
"Well I totally get it." Cordelia commented nodding her head as she spoke.
"Well?" Willow asked.
"Feminine power." Cordelia simply said.
"Totally." Buffy said as she returned to the table with an armful of drinks. "I used my wiley feminine way over the male of the species and voila."
"Still a bum-rap that I gotta be back to Giles' before too late" the Buffy double pouted as she quickly followed.
"Yeah but you're here so enjoy." Cordelia said accepting the drink from Buffy.
"Oh hey, it's Cordy and the 'Super Losers'," Harmony growled as she walked past the table with the remainder of the former 'Cordettes'. "What's it like being so low?"
"Just you come over here and say that to my face." Cordelia growled in response standing from her stool.
"I would but I wouldn't wanna stoop to that level," Harmony muttered as she walked off.
"Damn that woman is infuriating." Cordelia spat, "I wonder what I saw in her in the first place to make me wanna be friends."
"Your shallowness?" the Buffy double replied.
There was a moments silence as all eyes looked to everyone else.
"You're probably right," Cordelia agreed. "I know that I've been shallow for the longest time now. Thank God I'm so over that now."
"Troubles?" the voice of Xander floated across as he soon appeared behind Cordelia.
"Xander," Cordelia smiled as she leant back for a kiss. "Where are your crutches, mister?" she asks suddenly realising that he's not using them.
"I only went to the bathroom," Xander said in self defense.
"No excuse mister," Cordelia scowled her boyfriend. "I ain't running you around in a wheelchair again, get it."
"Got it," Xander agreed as he sat next to her and kissed her softly on the lips.
The Dingoes finish playing to a round of applause to those who listened. Oz put down his guitar and with a smile left the stage and rejoined Willow and the others at the table.
"Hey Oz, good show tonight," Buffy congratulated as he approached.
"Thanks." Oz replied as he sat next to Willow. "Hey guys, and the Buffy double."
"So how are you Buffy's adapting to this new way of living?" Xander asked as he took a bite out of his muffin.
The Buffy and her double looked at each other for a few moments as they try to decide how the events of the day had gone before they turned their attention back to the group. "I missed her," they both said at once.
"Amazing," Willow replied.
"Indeed," Oz added.
As the gang carry on talking a figure stood on the balcony above, not looking at them, however, hearing every word they are saying. The figure strikes a match on the balcony rail and lights a cigarette, inhaling the smoke as it rises into the air.
"Hey good looking," a female spoke out.
The figure looked sideways as a tall slender brunette approached and smiled.
"You got one of them matches spare?" she asked holding a cigarette in her hand.
"Ok," Cordelia said standing up from her seat. "I gotta go bathroom, but then you and me are dancing."
"You betcha," Xander replied as he watched her leave.
The rest of the group watch Xander's expression as he watches Cordelia leave and give a collective "arr" noise to tease how much he loves Cordelia.
"Hey, it's not that bad is it?" Xander said looking back.
"Nah," Buffy said. "It's nice, really Xand. It's good to know it's love you have, and not some allergic reaction."
"Or a Hellmouth-y relationship," Oz added.
"Very true," Xander agreed as he finished his drink. "I'll be right back" Xander added as he shook the empty container.
"I'll come with," Oz said as he got up and followed after Xander to the bar.
"So, err, Buffy's," Willow said looking at the two Slayers. "What did you get up to today."
"Well you know bout me Wills," Buffy said with a groan. "Giles took this opportunity to put me through my training, like all day. Plus he had me reading through these diaries of previous Slayers, I thought they'd be like all boring but some of them were interesting."
"Full of juicy stories?" Willow asked perking up.
"Kinda, but with all the training Giles makes me do, It's like nothing that the other Slayers had to endure"
"What bout you?" Willow asked the Buffy double.
"Well, classes," she simply replied. "Though I think I startled too many people."
"Err why?" Buffy asked looking at her double.
"The Modern English teacher said that I not only had my hand up more than usual but I'd gotten the questions right."
"Oh geez," Buffy mumbled. "How am I gonna explain that, I hate Modern English."
"Hmm could be interesting to explain away," Willow muttered, "but don't sell yourself short Buff, you're real smart and all."
Buffy didn't really pay attention to the last part as she was looking behind her.
"Buffy?" Wilow said.
"Huh?" Buffy's attention snapped back to her friend. "Sorry, just there's this bloke over there. I'm getting an unusual weird vibe of him that's all."
"Déjà vu of the Hellmouth forna?" the Buffy double said looking to where Buffy was.
"Yeah," Buffy muttered softly.
"Hey look, boyfriend with drinks," Willow said as she saw Oz returning to the table.
He passed out the drinks to the others and sat down next to Willow.
"What, no Xander?" Buffy wondered looking about.
"Oh, he's just coming," Oz said pointing back briefly. "So having a good time?"
"Oh yeah," the Buffy double said, "and the night is still young."
Buffy's attention was diverted again by the mysterious figure and she shook her head. "Damn this mystery person." Buffy fumed under her breath as she stood up.
"Y'a gonna introduce him to Mister Pointy?" Oz said looking over his shoulder.
"Damn straight." Buffy said, "I'll be right back."
Buffy started through the crowd of dancers to the back door where the person walked through shortly before.
"Damn this is all I need after a good night's non-slayage," Buffy muttered as she walked through the mass of bodies to a sign marked 'Exit'.
"You know, I never really knew how high strung the slayage was," the Buffy double mused as she took a sip from her drink.
"Yep," Willow replied, "definitely a seven day a week kinda deal."
"And it causes no end of hassle in the social life," Xander quipped as he returned to the table.
"You took your time," Willow said as he sat back down in front of his drink.
"I had a lot to, you know, do." Xander said trying not to elaborate too much.
"No?" Willow said innocently.
"I was in the bathroom."
"Owwww," Willow simply said and decided to keep quiet after that.
Buffy looked around the back of the club, the fresh breeze gently blowing around her. She couldn't see anybody or anything suspicious looking so she decided to walk down a little bit, enjoying the night's sky.
"Ok," she muttered quietly, "I'm gonna go back to my drink unless .." her muttering was cut of as not too far ahead she saw the dark outline of a person striking a match. "Damn," she cursed.
Buffy quickly launched into action, sprinting quickly and quietly, not giving the other person time to react to her presence.
The shadowed person looked in her direction just as she was about to launch herself at him. "Hey, I know you .."
Before the sentence was complete, the stake was out and Buffy had pinned the person against a dumster with her forearm ready to strike. "Sorry buddy," Buffy commented, "next time ruin someone's night out." She raised her stake up high when she heard the other person speak.
"Buffy!?" the other said with complete surprise and confusion. "What are you doing?"
Buffy grabbed the person by the shirt collar and pulled them into the light.
"Larry!" she blurted out, suddenly recognising the jock from Sunnydale High.
"What are you doing to me?" Larry asked looking down slightly at her arm pinned against his neck.
"Sorry," Buffy stammered letting go of Larry, "I'm sorry, it's just that .."
"What? Is it cause you saw me smoking?" Larry asked trying to find out why she was gonna attack him.
"Err," Buffy thought for a moment. "Yes. It is. It's a bad habit and you should stop, now."
Back inside the club Xander and the rest of the gang were looking back towards where Buffy had gone out several minutes earlier.
"Y'a know maybe we should go out there and back her up." Xander wondered.
"She can take care of herself against a vamp," Willow said, "unless it's not just one."
"Maybe we should go out there then," the Buffy double suggested getting from her seat.
Just then, the back door opened and Buffy re-appeared looking just a little flustered and annoyed about something.
"Wow, looks like the Buff-ster's night is going down hill slowly from that look on her face." Xander muttered as the Slayer started back on her way to the table.
"Can it get any worse?" Oz wondered.
Just then over the sound of the music and the other people in the club three women screamed loudly.
"Oz you had to say it," the Buffy double said as all three jumped from their seat to where the screams were heard.
Buffy was first to the scene as three females jumped from the bathroom door and through the dance floor.
The door swung back in Buffy's face as she got near so she didn't know what to expect inside. She took a deep breath as she reached out and touched the smooth wooden surface of the door and gave it a gentle push, before stepping inside.
As she walked into the bathroom she could see nothing but red, all over the walls, doors and mirrors.
"What the .." Buffy muttered as she looked the horrific scene she was now a part of. She looked downwards at the two bodies on the floor, and her heart froze.
"I dunno," Xander's voice echoed coming from behind, "maybe it's a large spider. I mean when a female sees one of them eight legged freaks and they just .."
"Oh my," Willow shuddered as the gang entered the bathroom. "Who did this?"
The three of them looked around the walls and the ceiling like Buffy did moments before, but it was Xander who looked downwards first.
"Oh my," he muttered silently.
Laying on the floor in a large puddle of blood was Harmony with an extremely large neck wound. Her face was etched with complete horror and her eyes were wide open. Kneeling next to her was Cordelia. She was shaking violently and her hands and clothes were covered in blood.
Buffy was the first to do anything. Taking a step forward, she knelt down beside Cordelia, careful not to get much, or if any blood on her clothes.
"Cordelia," Buffy spoke quietly. "Cordy?"
The room was in silence, the music of the club long ceased as more and more people gathered at the entrance of the bathroom, impeding staff members to get to the scene. The only sounds were of the mumblings of the lookers in the doorway and the heavy breathing of the gang inside the bathroom.
"What happened in here?" Buffy asked Cordelia.
There was continued silence for a moment or two before Cordelia whispered something.
"What was that?" Buffy said trying to look into Cordy's eyes.
Cordelia slowly turned her head towards Buffy, the blood on her face was streaked with tears and her eyes were puffy and red. She was about to answer when she noticed the legs of her boyfriend standing there. She knew there'd be a scene but she never thought of what Xander might have been thinking at that moment. Her gaze went up and met his and the others, then quickly looked back to Buffy's.
"What have I done?" Cordelia whispered softly again. "Oh God, what have I done!"
To be continued ..
Author's Note: Part Three, immediate continuation from Passion for Life. The waiting game is on for the new "Master" of Sunnydale to rise and reign supreme over the town. Meanwhile life takes a strange turn for one and a horrifying turn for another.
Feedback: Yes please ... the more, the merrier
Spoilers: T.B.C.
Distribution: Email me and it's all yours *S* .....
~~~~~ Teaser ~~~~~
"In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer."
Despite being the height of summer and most of the demon populous being somewhere other than the Hellmouth, Willy's place was without a doubt the most rocking place in town. You couldn't squeeze a demon in there even if you tried, and Willy was absolutely over the moon to see such a buzzing atmosphere.
A medium sized, two headed demon made his way over to the bar and called out to Willy. "Two of the usual Willy"
"Yeah, sure thang," Willy replied pouring two shorts of the best whisky and passing them over the bar. "Hey, you know what's with such the hype tonight, I mean with all the partying?"
"Apparently, someone took out Angelus tonight!" the demon replied with a sneer on both of it's lips.
"You mean .. dead?" Willy asked in complete shock.
"Nah, he was cursed again." the demon said downing the shot in one sip. "And not by the Slayer or any of it's gang. There's a new player in town."
"A - a new player?" Willy stuttered, slightly nervous as he looked down at his watch. "Will you excuse me for a few moments, I have to make a phone call."
Willy dived around to the other side of the bar near the back and picked up his phone where he frantically dialed and number and waited nervously as it connected.
"Hey." Willy said when he heard a familiar voice, "Yeah it's me. Listen, is it true. I gotta know?"
Willy the snitch listened intently as he hard the voice of the other end of the line. After a few moments, Willy had decided he'd heard enough.
"Yeah thanks." he said as he put the receiver back.
Willy turned his attention back to the packed bar. "Oh crap," he mumbled to himself.
~~~~~ Part 1 ~~~~~
~ Sunnydale High, That Morning ~
The students of Sunnydale High weren't greeted with beautiful summer sunshine but rather a dull and overcast one, a morning like that which could help but catch the attention of Giles as he nimbly ducked and dived through the crowds just incase it actually started raining. He made it up to the archway that graced the entrance of the school just in time to hear a massive grumble of thunder followed by a couple of streaks of lightning across the morning sky.
"Weird," he mumbled as he turned back and headed inside towards the Library.
Giles walked nimbly down the passages until he arrived at the doors of the Library. He would have walked straight inside if it weren't for the fact that he saw her Slayer sitting at the table looking at a book, then he remembered the events of that night which he nearly forgot about.
'Angel, back' Giles thought as he looked at his young Vampire Slayer. He'd be lying if he didn't say that over the course of the years that he tutored Buffy he'd grown rather fond of her in a fatherly way and it always made his heart sink whenever she was unhappy about something .. and Buffy wasn't happy from what he could tell.
After clearing his mind, Giles took a deep breath before opening the door and entered the Library, which immediately got Buffy's attention.
"Hey there Giles how are you?" Buffy said with a smile.
"Quite well thank you Buffy," Giles replied as he placed his bag and his copy of the Sunnydale Times on the counter top. "Ho-how are you this morning?"
"I'm okay, little sleepy perhaps. Didn't get much sleep, just kept thinking about what happened last night."
"I understand," Giles said a little tentatively as he popped into his office to make himself a morning cup of tea.
"Here's something weird for you though," Buffy said trying to change the subject she was on.
"What's that?" Giles replied from inside the office.
"Apparently there was a big gathering at Willy's place last night over what happened at the school. I guess news travels fast around here."
Hearing that, Giles quickly pocked his head from inside the office and looked squarely at Buffy. "A large gathering at Willy's did you say? I don't suppose any of the demons knew who the person was who did the actually curse on him by any chance?"
"No," Buffy replied with a noticeable sigh. "But one of the demons told Willy and apparently he freaked. After he heard the news he was like deathly pale. Said he looked deader than most of the Vamps that go to his place."
"Hmm that can't be good." Giles said as he re-appeared from the office with a cup in his hand.
"This is Sunnydale Giles, it's never good." Buffy quipped.
"Yes. Do you remember that prophecy that I told all of you a little while back?"
"Yeah."
"Well .. I think that he's finally arrived in Sunnydale and he's trying to emerge as the dominant force in this town."
"What do you mean, 'dominant force'?" Buffy asked.
"Well," Giles said deciding to be a little too truthful, "when Angel was turned into Angelus, he along with Spike pretty much ruled over the underworld of Sunnydale. Not a lot really happened without them knowing about it. With Spike mysteriously leaving town not long back and now with Angel re-cursed as it were by this mysterious person, it seems that he or she maybe has the power of this town."
"Oh," Buffy said as her gaze slowly shifted to a nearby window. "Now all this new person has to do now is to meet the welcome wagon. Me."
~ Willy's Place ~
Looking around, Willy couldn't help but to wonder. He'd figured that he'd made more money that night then he had done for the past two weeks put together. They nearly drank his entire supply of alcohol, and as such for all of the morning he had to keep the bar closed until he got more supplies. That didn't mind old Willy though as the bar was a complete mess with glasses everywhere and empty packets that contained god only knows what.
Willy looked around and dropped the broom next to the fifth full rubbish bag. "Oh man, what a night that was."
Willy turned back and almost had a heart attack.
Standing in the light of the doorway stood a tall dark figure. How he gotten in was beyond Willy as he had the bar locked up tighter than Fort Knox.
"Hey pal, I don't know how you managed to get in but we're closed, so do your little Hudini act and get outta here will y'a."
Willy picked up a couple of empty bottles from a nearby table and turned his back on the mysterious visitor who he thought was leaving.
"Now Willy," the dark shaded character finally spoke in a deep low voice.
Hearing that, Willy froze on the spot in shock and dropped the bottles making them shatter where they landed.
"Is that how you treat an old acquaintance?" it continued.
"Oh, God." Willy mumbled under his breath.
"God won't help you today Willy, or ever. You should have learnt that lesson by now."
"Hey there," Willy greeted, as he turned around to face the stranger again. "It's been, like ages man, and you know, you look, well I guess good as I can't make out any of you except for a shadow. You want some pigs blood? I'm all out at the moment, but you can have some from my private stash."
"I don't want any of that," it said as it took a few step into the bar. "I just came by to tell you that I was in town and that I will be staying for a little while."
"Oh yeah," Willy said a little nervously as he took a couple of steps back. "How long you intend staying?"
"Until I kill that brat of a Vampire Slayer, 'cause after that .. the world is mine for the taking."
"Yeah, that Slayer," Willy said getting slightly more nervous, "she's definitely a girl that brings in the tourists you know."
"You know what I am after." It said deeply.
"Yeah, yeah, I can get it for you, no worries. But there's something I gotta know. Did you really do it? Curse Angelus?"
The dark figure who had by now turned back and started towards the door, paused briefly and turned it's head slightly back.
"Yes."
"Why? You and he could rule Sunnydale completely."
"Emergence, that's why."
With that, the mysterious person walked towards the entrance, but as he did released a magic spell and slowly faded into darkness.
Willy just stood there at the now empty bar in amusement. "Now that's what I call an exit!"
~ Sunnydale High, Lunchtime ~
"So you up for a little training at the moment Buffy?" Giles asked a little quietly as they strolled through the corridors from the cafeteria, lunch in hand.
"I would say 'yippee I'd love to' but I got to get this assignment completed before last period or my Social English teacher will moan at me again."
"Yes, yes," Giles agreed, "your English is a little lack at the best of times."
Buffy answered that comment with an off-stare which was completely ignored by her Watcher. "Well I thought speaking it was good enough" she retorted.
"I'm afraid, not in this day and age." They both stopped at the end of the passage and looked down at the throng of student milling about another corridor. "Look at all these people. It'll be murder getting to the Library."
"Maybe I can use some of my Slayer strength on some of them?" Buffy offered, only to receive an off-stare of her own from Giles.
"I really don't think so Buffy." He simply said.
Then without any kind of reason the mass of students started edging towards either side leaving a clear passage from one of the exits of the school.
"What's going on?" Giles pondered looking down the almost clear isle.
As the rest of the passage way finally cleared they could see why they did. Standing in the doorway at the end stood Cordelia and beside her Xander who was sporting a very fancy and shiny pair of crutches. After a moment they started walking down the corridor.
"It's like the parting of the red sea all over again," Buffy mumbled to Giles as they got slowly nearer.
"Indeed." Giles agreed. "Quick, let's make use of this moment and get to the Library."
Buffy and Giles quickly retreated into the sanctuary of the Library while Cordelia and Xander walked, or in Xander's case hobbled down the corridor also going towards the Library.
Xander was definitely happier to be out of the wheelchair as it made moving around a lot easier, though he'd gotten used to the idea of being pushed around by Cordelia all the time but this time in a more literal sense of the word.
Cordelia was also grateful for Xander being out of the wheelchair, but only cause of this one time when she cracked a nail and needed a manicure.
They were about to reach the doors of the Library when Harmony bounded between them late for lunch with her friends knocking Cordelia and Xander to the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you're going Harm!" Cordelia yelled out after her.
Harmony stopped just in front of the stairwell and looked back at Cordelia who was already up and Xander who was being helped up by a couple of the students who were nearby. "Oh," she said, "I didn't see you two losers standing there."
Buffy and Giles poked their heads out of the Library door as this started but was completely ignored by Cordelia who was starting to fume at Harmony's arrogance.
"You just come here and say that to my face!" Cordy shouted out.
"And then what?" Harmony said rhetorically, "are you and your loser friends gonna beat me up?"
"You're damn right, you crazy freak!!"
"Alright, alright, let's get inside." Giles quickly said to Xander and Cordy who was about ready to explode in front of half the students of Sunnydale.
"Damn, she pisses me off!" Cordelia continued to curse as she was almost dragged inside by Buffy while Giles helped Xander in.
"She's a nobody," Buffy said finally letting her go and looking at her. "No worry about nobodies."
Cordelia thought about that for a brief second, 'don't worry about nobodies', that's what she used to do before she fell in with the Scooby Gang.
"Oh, Buffy, in all that has been happening there's something I've been meaning to inform you about." Giles said sitting down at the table.
"Oh?" Buffy asked quizzically as she sat opposite her Watcher.
"Yes, well. It seems that the Council wish to do an evaluation of several Slayers and Watcher's. And we've been selected for this evaluation."
"What!" Buffy replied totally shocked. "Do the Council think I haven't enough to do with my school life that I need an evaluation?"
"They just wish to monitor your performance level, to see if I am giving you sufficient training, that's all."
"So what? Are we to be graced by the guy again, Travers."
"Thankfully, not." Giles said with obvious happiness in his tone. "No the evaluation will take place from my journals, but I will need a complete account of your activities for the next week or so."
"Okay," Buffy said giving herself a little smile. "That I can do."
~ That Night ~
Willow sat cross-legged on top of one of the inhabitants of Shady Hill Cemetery eating from a large pack of chips while Buffy sat opposite her on the grass with a look of complete and utter boredom on her face.
"Two hours," Buffy moaned loudly, "two damned hours and not a single sighting! Where on Earth are they all tonight? Don't tell me they're at Willy's again drinking the night away."
"Maybe," Willow simply said snacking on another mouthful of her chips. "They have been rather celebratory since .. well since, you know .. "
".. About what happened at the High School with Angelus?" Buffy finished. "It's okay Will, you can say it."
"How are you doing with, you know, all the post Angelus or Angel angst?" Willow asked leaning forward slightly.
Buffy looked downwards as if suddenly finding an interesting blade of grass on the floor. "It's, you know, difficult. I know that I have to deal and along the way I'm gonna have to face my demons again, but, I think It's gonna take a little time .. and maybe a lot of ice cream and friendly- time."
"Well for what it's worth, you got the friendly-time support from me, Xander .. and maybe even Cordy."
"Cordy." Buffy repeated as she looked upwards towards her friend. "Who woulda guessed that she'd give me friendly-anything."
"It's true that she used to belong to the sheep of the school. But you know I really think that Cordelia has made a real change in her life, and I really can't see her going back to her old ways again anytime soon."
Looking around the dead quiet cemetery, Buffy stood up and started stretching her arms.
"Getting cramp sitting down there?" Willow asked.
"Nah, it's just that I wanna actually tell Giles that I did something tonight beside waffle on about my failing love life."
Willow sat quietly as the Slayer started her workout routine that she usually does in the Library between classes.
"Not that I'm complaining or anything," Willow said after a few minutes of silence. "But how much longer are we going to be out on patrol?"
Buffy stopped in mid-stretch as she took a moment to think about it. "Probably have to say another half an hour, and then maybe home for the night."
Buffy continued the exercises while Willow carried on eating her chips in silence.
~~~~~
Despite all the warnings and misgivings given to the townspeople of Sunnydale, there were just as many who stay in as there are who stay out after the sun went down. You had the people just out for a good time and risked that chance, you had the people who simply had to be out cause they needed to be somewhere - and then you had the completely ignorant, for which Harmony Kendrall was one of.
If somebody asked her why she would be out at such a late hour, she'd give you any of literally a million reasons why, her most popular one being 'that it was none of your damn business' .. but that was actually if anybody actually gave a thought about asking her in the first place.
Harmony was a little annoyed and she had been for some time now. The main reason for her annoyance started around the time the person whom she called her best friend Cordelia Chase started hanging around with Buffy and her bunch of super-losers in what she called that creepy library with the creepy librarian. She was completely ignorant at first only because she'd be there for such a short time before she came to her senses and re-joined Harmony and the rest of the Cordettes. But since her relationship with that Xander Harris went public, and after what happened at Valentine's she became one of them completely - a loser, and she absolutely hated her for that.
Harmony noticed an empty coke can and kicked it across the street. "I so hate you Cordelia Chase!" she huffed angrily.
Suddenly, Harmony stopped in her tracks as she heard a coke can being kicked from somewhere behind her - somebody was behind her.
~~~~~
"Damn it, and I was so looking forward to a good nights Slayage." Buffy fumed as she walked down main street with Willow by her side. "But do you think that even one Vampire could grace it's presence so I could slay it?"
"Nope." Willow said looking up at her friend.
"Exactly!" Buffy exploded as she booted an already heavily kicked coke can halfway down the street. "Hey." She said suddenly stopping in her tracks. "I bet they're all at Willy's again tonight."
"You know I think you actually thought that earlier," Willow said looking at her best friend.
"Really?" Buffy said stopping in mid-step to think back, "hmm, I think all that waiting made my brain forget."
They continued down the road towards Willy's Place.
~~~~~ Part 2 ~~~~~
"So absolutely nothing happened? Nothing at all?" Giles was in pace mode in the Library the following morning as Buffy re-encounted her previous night's Slayage, or lack thereof.
"Nothing." Buffy replied as she sat at the table with an expression of complete boredom on her face. "So," she quickly said changing the subject, "have you found out anything more about this prophecy you discovered?"
"What?" Giles said as he completed the previous night's entry in his journal. "No I'm afraid I'm at somewhat a loose end still on the prophecy, but no doubt I shall find something sooner or later."
"Hey Buff," Xander's voice called as he entered the Library with Cordelia as well as Willow and Oz.
"Hey guys," Buffy called back, "how's everything?"
The gang sat around the table while Giles finished up writing up his journal and placed it back in his office.
"So, what have we got planned for tonight?" Willow asked.
"Same old," Buffy said looking over a small pile of books. "Saving the world from unspeakable horrors, followed by a hot bath and bed."
"Do you reckon there will always be unspeakable horrors?" Xander mused.
"Only while Principal Snyder's still alive," Cordelia muttered in response.
"I think I can top your reckon, there Xander." Willow said.
"Go on then."
"Do you reckon that Giles has books in this library that doesn't make reference to horrible demons and dark magics?"
A momentary hush fell upon the group who looked at each other in quizical silence.
"Hey Will, do these spells really work?" Buffy asked leafing through one of the book she got from the desk.
"Pretty much yeah," Willow answered back. "Do you want anything to help with the Slaying?"
~~~~~
Giles filed away his Watcher diary for the day and set about making his morning cup of tea to help him get through another day at Sunnydale High.
He lifted his head slightly as he could hear the conversaion going on in the Library itself with Buffy and the rest of her friends and a small smile came across his lips. Buffy Summer was by no means his first Slayer that he had looked after, in fact through the many years as Watcher he had quite a few, though none of them were like his current Slayer.
Giles crouched down to a small mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of milk to add to his tea, when suddenly there was an almighty bright flash that came from the Library which caught Giles off guard dropping the bottle in the process.
Giles darted out of his office and looked around, everyone was now slowly getting from the floor where they laid in different areas of the Library.
"What's going on?" Giles asked in complete confusion. "Is everybody okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good," Willow replied.
"Same here." Oz said from near the counter.
"Ouch," Cordelia said, "but otherwise okay."
"Okay here too," Xander said, "but little help getting up would be appreciated."
"Where's Buffy?" Giles asked looking around.
Slowly from the upper section of the Library, Buffy stood up and looked around at the others. "What in the hell just happened."
"Well I was going to say the same thing," Giles said cleaning his glasses.
Suddenly, there was a disembodied grown and slowly another person stood up next to Buffy. There was only one problem though now as it looked exactly like Buffy.
"Man," the other Buffy said, "do I feel weird."
~~~~~
"This is amazing," Willow said a little while later.
"But extremely unusual," finished Oz.
"Indeed," Giles added.
Giles along with, Cordelia, Xander, Willow and Oz were now sitting on one side of the table while on the opposite sat Buffy and now her exact duplicate who were both ticking casually on a small document which was in front of them.
"What are you having the Buffy, err I mean Buffy's doing Giles?" Willow asked in wonderment.
"It's a test that the Council devised to check the mental capacity of a Slayer who has an identical twin." Giles replied. "They say that twins have a certain connection at these questions that they are completing determines the strength of that connection."
"I just can't get over it," Xander said looking at them. "They're both exactly the same. Hey would this mean that they both share the same strengths?"
"Double Buffy, double trouble?" Oz muttered receive a nod from Xander.
"Well, we'll soon see," Giles said.
"Finished." both the Buffy's said at the same time, and handed the papers to the Watcher who started scrutinising over the answers.
"Buffy," Cordelia said looking between them both. "What's going through your mind, now that you've an exact duplicate of yourself?"
Both Buffy's looked at each other for a moment and then looked back at Cordelia.
"It's pretty weird." they both answered at the same time.
"Wow, in stereo." Xander quipped.
"I can see this getting pretty confusing if we start to forget which Buffy we're talking to." Willow said. "This may take some time to re-adjust to."
"Well, there is going to be a way to seperate the two Buffy's after all." Giles said returning to the table and sitting down.
"That was quick." Cordelia said.
"Indeed," Giles commented looking at the Buffy's. "Now, Buffy," he said looking at the Buffy on his right. "What did you do last night?"
Buffy furrowed her brow a little in thought before she gave her answer. "Well Giles, I spent the evening at home, where I had a nice hot bath before sleep."
"Hey, but .." Willow started.
"No, Willow." Giles said hastily to her. "Now, same question to the other Buffy."
"After school," the other Buffy said immediately, "I went home to eat then I went out in the evening with Willow to partol. Then after that it was home for a hot bath and bed."
"Giles, what's happened here?" Willow said looking at the rest of the group in bewilderment.
"Well," Giles said wiping his glasses. "It's seemed that when Buffy was duplicated only certain elements have gone into one Buffy and the rest into the other." Giles took one of the papers and placed it on the table. "In this case we have one Buffy who is completely proficient in her Slaying capabilities as well as remembering her patrols and demons whom she's fought. On the other hand." he said taking the other paper, "we have the Buffy who is completely knowledgeable in her studying and has no knowledge of the other Buffy's calling as a Vampire Slayer."
"What's a Vampire Slayer?" the duplicated Buffy asked looking around.
There was a prolonged silence at that remark as it was the first time Buffy had said such a question in their presence and it caught them a little off guard.
"Better question," Willow said, "has anybody thought of perhaps reversing the spell? Bringing the two Buffy's back together again?"
"Well, that is the logical course of action under the circumstances." Giles replied looking around the desk for the book in question.
"Yeah," Buffy said looking at her duplicate. "If mum knew about this, she would totally lose it."
"I totally agree," the duplicate answered back. "But what about one night of fun before we get turned back, huh, totally get them wild at the Bronze?"
"Buffy, I don't think that's a wise idea," Giles said a little sternly at his Slayer's. "I think that this should be reversed so as little attention can be drawn to this as possible."
"But Giles," they both said together, and both putting on a pout at the same time.
"No, no. I cannot allow this to happen." Giles said sticking to his guns.
"But you can change us back first thing in the morning." Buffy pleaded.
"Please," added the duplicate Buffy.
"No is my final word," Giles said.
~~~~~ Part 3 ~~~~~
"I still don't understand" Willow pondered as she looked around.
The gang had all assembled at the Bronze as they planned. Oz was on stage playing a set with the Dingoes while the rest sat at a nearby table.
"Well I totally get it." Cordelia commented nodding her head as she spoke.
"Well?" Willow asked.
"Feminine power." Cordelia simply said.
"Totally." Buffy said as she returned to the table with an armful of drinks. "I used my wiley feminine way over the male of the species and voila."
"Still a bum-rap that I gotta be back to Giles' before too late" the Buffy double pouted as she quickly followed.
"Yeah but you're here so enjoy." Cordelia said accepting the drink from Buffy.
"Oh hey, it's Cordy and the 'Super Losers'," Harmony growled as she walked past the table with the remainder of the former 'Cordettes'. "What's it like being so low?"
"Just you come over here and say that to my face." Cordelia growled in response standing from her stool.
"I would but I wouldn't wanna stoop to that level," Harmony muttered as she walked off.
"Damn that woman is infuriating." Cordelia spat, "I wonder what I saw in her in the first place to make me wanna be friends."
"Your shallowness?" the Buffy double replied.
There was a moments silence as all eyes looked to everyone else.
"You're probably right," Cordelia agreed. "I know that I've been shallow for the longest time now. Thank God I'm so over that now."
"Troubles?" the voice of Xander floated across as he soon appeared behind Cordelia.
"Xander," Cordelia smiled as she leant back for a kiss. "Where are your crutches, mister?" she asks suddenly realising that he's not using them.
"I only went to the bathroom," Xander said in self defense.
"No excuse mister," Cordelia scowled her boyfriend. "I ain't running you around in a wheelchair again, get it."
"Got it," Xander agreed as he sat next to her and kissed her softly on the lips.
The Dingoes finish playing to a round of applause to those who listened. Oz put down his guitar and with a smile left the stage and rejoined Willow and the others at the table.
"Hey Oz, good show tonight," Buffy congratulated as he approached.
"Thanks." Oz replied as he sat next to Willow. "Hey guys, and the Buffy double."
"So how are you Buffy's adapting to this new way of living?" Xander asked as he took a bite out of his muffin.
The Buffy and her double looked at each other for a few moments as they try to decide how the events of the day had gone before they turned their attention back to the group. "I missed her," they both said at once.
"Amazing," Willow replied.
"Indeed," Oz added.
As the gang carry on talking a figure stood on the balcony above, not looking at them, however, hearing every word they are saying. The figure strikes a match on the balcony rail and lights a cigarette, inhaling the smoke as it rises into the air.
"Hey good looking," a female spoke out.
The figure looked sideways as a tall slender brunette approached and smiled.
"You got one of them matches spare?" she asked holding a cigarette in her hand.
"Ok," Cordelia said standing up from her seat. "I gotta go bathroom, but then you and me are dancing."
"You betcha," Xander replied as he watched her leave.
The rest of the group watch Xander's expression as he watches Cordelia leave and give a collective "arr" noise to tease how much he loves Cordelia.
"Hey, it's not that bad is it?" Xander said looking back.
"Nah," Buffy said. "It's nice, really Xand. It's good to know it's love you have, and not some allergic reaction."
"Or a Hellmouth-y relationship," Oz added.
"Very true," Xander agreed as he finished his drink. "I'll be right back" Xander added as he shook the empty container.
"I'll come with," Oz said as he got up and followed after Xander to the bar.
"So, err, Buffy's," Willow said looking at the two Slayers. "What did you get up to today."
"Well you know bout me Wills," Buffy said with a groan. "Giles took this opportunity to put me through my training, like all day. Plus he had me reading through these diaries of previous Slayers, I thought they'd be like all boring but some of them were interesting."
"Full of juicy stories?" Willow asked perking up.
"Kinda, but with all the training Giles makes me do, It's like nothing that the other Slayers had to endure"
"What bout you?" Willow asked the Buffy double.
"Well, classes," she simply replied. "Though I think I startled too many people."
"Err why?" Buffy asked looking at her double.
"The Modern English teacher said that I not only had my hand up more than usual but I'd gotten the questions right."
"Oh geez," Buffy mumbled. "How am I gonna explain that, I hate Modern English."
"Hmm could be interesting to explain away," Willow muttered, "but don't sell yourself short Buff, you're real smart and all."
Buffy didn't really pay attention to the last part as she was looking behind her.
"Buffy?" Wilow said.
"Huh?" Buffy's attention snapped back to her friend. "Sorry, just there's this bloke over there. I'm getting an unusual weird vibe of him that's all."
"Déjà vu of the Hellmouth forna?" the Buffy double said looking to where Buffy was.
"Yeah," Buffy muttered softly.
"Hey look, boyfriend with drinks," Willow said as she saw Oz returning to the table.
He passed out the drinks to the others and sat down next to Willow.
"What, no Xander?" Buffy wondered looking about.
"Oh, he's just coming," Oz said pointing back briefly. "So having a good time?"
"Oh yeah," the Buffy double said, "and the night is still young."
Buffy's attention was diverted again by the mysterious figure and she shook her head. "Damn this mystery person." Buffy fumed under her breath as she stood up.
"Y'a gonna introduce him to Mister Pointy?" Oz said looking over his shoulder.
"Damn straight." Buffy said, "I'll be right back."
Buffy started through the crowd of dancers to the back door where the person walked through shortly before.
"Damn this is all I need after a good night's non-slayage," Buffy muttered as she walked through the mass of bodies to a sign marked 'Exit'.
"You know, I never really knew how high strung the slayage was," the Buffy double mused as she took a sip from her drink.
"Yep," Willow replied, "definitely a seven day a week kinda deal."
"And it causes no end of hassle in the social life," Xander quipped as he returned to the table.
"You took your time," Willow said as he sat back down in front of his drink.
"I had a lot to, you know, do." Xander said trying not to elaborate too much.
"No?" Willow said innocently.
"I was in the bathroom."
"Owwww," Willow simply said and decided to keep quiet after that.
Buffy looked around the back of the club, the fresh breeze gently blowing around her. She couldn't see anybody or anything suspicious looking so she decided to walk down a little bit, enjoying the night's sky.
"Ok," she muttered quietly, "I'm gonna go back to my drink unless .." her muttering was cut of as not too far ahead she saw the dark outline of a person striking a match. "Damn," she cursed.
Buffy quickly launched into action, sprinting quickly and quietly, not giving the other person time to react to her presence.
The shadowed person looked in her direction just as she was about to launch herself at him. "Hey, I know you .."
Before the sentence was complete, the stake was out and Buffy had pinned the person against a dumster with her forearm ready to strike. "Sorry buddy," Buffy commented, "next time ruin someone's night out." She raised her stake up high when she heard the other person speak.
"Buffy!?" the other said with complete surprise and confusion. "What are you doing?"
Buffy grabbed the person by the shirt collar and pulled them into the light.
"Larry!" she blurted out, suddenly recognising the jock from Sunnydale High.
"What are you doing to me?" Larry asked looking down slightly at her arm pinned against his neck.
"Sorry," Buffy stammered letting go of Larry, "I'm sorry, it's just that .."
"What? Is it cause you saw me smoking?" Larry asked trying to find out why she was gonna attack him.
"Err," Buffy thought for a moment. "Yes. It is. It's a bad habit and you should stop, now."
Back inside the club Xander and the rest of the gang were looking back towards where Buffy had gone out several minutes earlier.
"Y'a know maybe we should go out there and back her up." Xander wondered.
"She can take care of herself against a vamp," Willow said, "unless it's not just one."
"Maybe we should go out there then," the Buffy double suggested getting from her seat.
Just then, the back door opened and Buffy re-appeared looking just a little flustered and annoyed about something.
"Wow, looks like the Buff-ster's night is going down hill slowly from that look on her face." Xander muttered as the Slayer started back on her way to the table.
"Can it get any worse?" Oz wondered.
Just then over the sound of the music and the other people in the club three women screamed loudly.
"Oz you had to say it," the Buffy double said as all three jumped from their seat to where the screams were heard.
Buffy was first to the scene as three females jumped from the bathroom door and through the dance floor.
The door swung back in Buffy's face as she got near so she didn't know what to expect inside. She took a deep breath as she reached out and touched the smooth wooden surface of the door and gave it a gentle push, before stepping inside.
As she walked into the bathroom she could see nothing but red, all over the walls, doors and mirrors.
"What the .." Buffy muttered as she looked the horrific scene she was now a part of. She looked downwards at the two bodies on the floor, and her heart froze.
"I dunno," Xander's voice echoed coming from behind, "maybe it's a large spider. I mean when a female sees one of them eight legged freaks and they just .."
"Oh my," Willow shuddered as the gang entered the bathroom. "Who did this?"
The three of them looked around the walls and the ceiling like Buffy did moments before, but it was Xander who looked downwards first.
"Oh my," he muttered silently.
Laying on the floor in a large puddle of blood was Harmony with an extremely large neck wound. Her face was etched with complete horror and her eyes were wide open. Kneeling next to her was Cordelia. She was shaking violently and her hands and clothes were covered in blood.
Buffy was the first to do anything. Taking a step forward, she knelt down beside Cordelia, careful not to get much, or if any blood on her clothes.
"Cordelia," Buffy spoke quietly. "Cordy?"
The room was in silence, the music of the club long ceased as more and more people gathered at the entrance of the bathroom, impeding staff members to get to the scene. The only sounds were of the mumblings of the lookers in the doorway and the heavy breathing of the gang inside the bathroom.
"What happened in here?" Buffy asked Cordelia.
There was continued silence for a moment or two before Cordelia whispered something.
"What was that?" Buffy said trying to look into Cordy's eyes.
Cordelia slowly turned her head towards Buffy, the blood on her face was streaked with tears and her eyes were puffy and red. She was about to answer when she noticed the legs of her boyfriend standing there. She knew there'd be a scene but she never thought of what Xander might have been thinking at that moment. Her gaze went up and met his and the others, then quickly looked back to Buffy's.
"What have I done?" Cordelia whispered softly again. "Oh God, what have I done!"
To be continued ..