Title: Phoenix Risings
Rating: PG-13/R
Chapter Number: 3
Author: White Werewolf
Category: Buffy/Xander, Sam/Daniel, Gabrielle/Joxer
Spoilers/Timeframe: All I know for sure it is after "Becoming Part 2."
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the ideas and my computer.
Summery: After Buffy leaves Sunnydale, Xander decides to go looking for her. On the other side of the universe, Ninedinna wants the book she created...the Necronomicon Ex Mortis: the Book of the Dead.
Special Thanks: Danii, Tenhawk, Teri, Silent Bob Foley, BMT, and X-Lander
Crossovers Planned:
Buffy: the Vampire Slayer
Hercules: the Legendary Journeys
Evil Dead
Stargate SG-1
Xena: Warrior Princess
Three's Company
Cameo Crossovers are sudden to appear. See if you can spot any.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander placed the microphone back in it's position and looked at the crowd. They were applauding.
He grinned, "Thank you, thank you very much."
The teenager chuckled to himself, and jumped off the stage. He saw Lorne over at the bar cleaning some glasses. The Sunnydale resident approached the demon and asked, "What you think?"
Lorne stopped cleaning his glass and looked at the boy. "Not bad, King. You don't seem to have a bad voice. It's better to what I usually hear."
Xander got the reference, "Cute."
"Thanks."
"What was different about me, beside the fact that I'm human and not demon?"
The bar owner chuckled, "For one thing, Xander. The demons seem to sing off-key-way off-key."
Xander laughed a little too, "I guess I can understand that."
He nodded, "Well, they do. So, when you got up there, it was actually a treat to hear someone with a half way decent voice."
He blushed, "Thanks, Lorne. So..."
"So...?"
The brunette cleared his throat, "Did you read my aura?"
"Sure did, Sweetcheeks."
"And? Do I find Buffy?"
Lorne smiled, "You don't have to worry about that, Xander. You and your Slayer friend definitely will see each other again."
Xander sighed in relief, "Thank god."
"But..."
The boy didn't like that tone he had, "But what?"
Lorne answered, "You have some things to do before you find each other."
He showed a confusing look, "Like what?"
The bar owner answered, "Well, there is a ghost involved, but you will get help."
Xander showed a confusing look, "Ghost?"
A nod was made, "Yeah. A ghost is going to cause trouble."
"When does this happen?"
He sighed, "That I don't know, Sweetcheeks. But after you defeat the ghost you'll be closer to finding your friend."
"That's good to know." Then he remembered what the demon said, "Who's going to help me?"
***
The Spirit Guide answered, "Y'see, Buffy. The timeline that you saw is what would've happened if you staked Angel when you first got the chance."
"Huh?"
Xander's doubleganger replied, "You see, Buffy. Angel was never supposed to be your lover. What should've happened is that Angel was supposed to be your guide. With him as a guide, you would've never fell for him, gone after him when your mother was in the hospital, and staked Darla. With Darla still around, the Master wouldn't have thought to use your body as a protector."
Her eyes narrowed, "But Angel and I are soulmates! I love him, and he loves me! That, and why would I even stake him to begin with?"
He shook his head and leaned against the stalagmite next to the blond. "In this timeline that you just witnessed you were raised by Watchers. In that timeline, you had no friends like Xander or Willow. You would've only had Giles. You need your friends, Buffy. Without them, and you're as good as turned!"
She showed a confused look, "But how do my friends help me? I'm the Slayer...the Chosen one."
The Spirit Guide nodded, "Yes, you are. But I remember what you were thinking yesterday. You thought that it might've been better that you were raised only by the council. Well, the PTB sent me to show you what would've happened if your life was like that, and this version that you just dreamed about is the product."
She glanced at the ground and whispered, "I remember that..."
The guide smiled, "Good. But before we you wake up and start a new day. We're going to learn some things about your friends and see how much they want to be a part of your life. You have to realize that Xander and Willow love you, and how much of an effect that you have on them."
"How do we do this?"
"First, I'm going to show you what would happen in this timeline. And I promise you won't like the outcome."
"Why won't I like the outcome?"
He sighed, "Because I know everything that will happen, and I know how you think, and feel."
A determined look appeared on her face, "What could be so bad?"
The Spirit Guide took a deep breath, "Before I tell you, I want to say this. After we see those images. I'm going to show you what your friends have done for you, and show you how much they make a difference for you."
"Oh, ok," she paused, then continued, "but what's so bad that would happen in this timeline that I'm dreaming about?"
"It concerns William the Bloody."
Her eyes widened, "What does Spike have to do with this?"
"Let's just say this, Buffy. Without friends like Xander and Willow you'll be very lonely."
"What could happen with Spike?"
***
Lorne was about to answer when he heard a voice.
"So, Lorne? Where did you find this character?"
Xander turned around and looked at the person standing right next to him, "You're...you're...you're..."
The demon chuckled, "He gets that a lot, don't you?"
The new visitor nodded, "Yeah, I do, Lorne." He then turned to Xander, "The name's Kevin Sorbo."
Xander gasped, "Do you have any idea who you are?" He then glanced at Lorne, "Does he know who he is?"
Kevin chuckled, "As I told you before, I'm Kevin Sorbo."
His eyes widened, "You come here?"
The demon nodded, "And why not? Caritas is a bar for everyone, Sweetcheeks. Kevin must of heard of the place."
Xander chuckled, "Narcissist much?"
Kevin eyes widened. Narcissist. He knew that term. It came from ancient times. Narcissus was a young man that fell in love with himself. He had to be very careful and not let his secret identity come out.
After years of practice, it became second nature, but there were times when things did slip up and some of his old Herculean strength came through.
Lorne shook his head, "Nope. Not a narcissist. Just stating from the obvious. Caritas is a very well known place in Los Angeles."
His words cut Hercules off from his musings. "Yeah, the executive producer talking about this place. I've come here a few times, and I must say. You're not that bad of a singer."
Xander blushed, "Thanks, Mr. Sorbo."
Kevin smiled, "Call me Kevin."
A nod was made, "Alright, Kevin." (That feels weird to call him that,) he thought to himself.
"So..." Sorbo said, "where'd you find this kid, Lorne?"
The bar owner said honestly, "We met at Henson Park. I was watching children play, and he pulled me into a phone booth and called his watcher friend making sure I was a safe demon."
Xander shrugged, "Well, yeah. What else was I going to do? When I first saw him, I thought he was a stalker and maybe a pedophilic."
The television star chuckled, "You actually pulled Lorne into a phone booth?"
"With a baseball bat." Lorne added.
"A baseball bat? You mean to tell me that you were going to hit him with a bat?"
The teenager nodded, "I didn't know what to expect. So, I called a friend of mine, and we straightened it all out. So, Lorne invited me here, and then I sang."
Hercules stated, "Not a bad song. Tell me...," he drawled out, "what's your name again?"
"Xander."
"Alright, Xander. So, where are you from?"
The brunette answered, "Sunnydale. I'm just visiting."
Lorne interpreted, "He's trying to find his friend."
"Anything I can do?" Was Kevin's question.
***
"I don't want to get into it." Said Buffy's guide.
She narrowed her eyes. "Listen, Sprit Guide Xander Clone, you just told me that Angel and I weren't to be, in this universe I end up being turned all because I never had Xander and Willow, and something that has to deal with Spike. Why on Earth would I do anything with Spike? He's a vampire that trying to kill me!"
The guide winced, "Because..."
"Because why?"
"Because you two end up together romantically. Spike and your vampire self get together and take over Sunnydale."
She shook her head, "There is no way that I would ever hook up with Spike!"
He gulped, "You got to remember, Buffy. This is your vampire self. With your soul long gone, your body is an empty shell," the guide stopped.
"Why did you stop?"
The Spirit Guide walked over to her, and said, "It's going to be easier if I show you what happens. Like I said, you may not like it, but you have to remember, this is a warning to you. This is going to show you what would happen if you became the council raised Slayer."
"I understand."
A smile appeared on his face, "Good. We better go."
And with that, the room was engulfed in white, and everyone disappeared.
***
Buffy Summers and her Spirit Guide appeared in the middle of Main Street in Sunnydale.
Buffy looked around and could see that the town was in shambles. Nothing from her Sunnydale was the same. Flames of fire decorated the street. Lampposts were on the ground along with live wire from the telephone posts.
"How'd this happen?" She asked herself. "This place looks like Hell."
Xander's doubleganger replied, "As I told you, Buffy. This place is what would happen if were turned by the Master. Remember, Willow and Xander never existed. Darla is gone and you became the Master's protector."
She nodded, "I know all that. You told me. But what I want to know is how could my vampire self do this?"
"It all has to do with the death of Drusilla, Buffy"
Buffy turned around and faced him, "What happened to Drusilla?"
"You dusted her so you could get together with Spike."
Her eyes widened, "What?"
***
Xander shook his head, "Not at the moment. Thanks anyway."
Hercules smiled and went inside his pocket and pulled out a card. He gave it to him, "This is my card, Xander. It's to my direct line. I'll help you in anyway I can."
He nodded, "Thanks, Kevin."
The son of Zeus said, "Keep in touch. I'll help you in anyway I can." Then he left.
Xander sat on his bar stool and looked at the bar owner, "I can't believe I just met Kevin Sorbo."
Lorne smiled, "Well, you're easily liked, Sweetcheeks. Kevin's the kinda guy that willing to help in anyway possible. That is of course if it doesn't interfere with his show."
Xander's eyes widened, "Did you just say help?"
Lorne showed a confused look, "What?"
The teenager repeated himself, "Did you just say help?"
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"I'll see you later, Lorne."
And before Lorne could say anything, Xander left in pursuit of Kevin Sorbo. (I hope I'm right about this.)
***
The Spirit Guide replied, "Yeah, you did, Buffy. When the Master sired you, you had a hard time obeying orders. Apparently, since your soul was long gone, your vampire self lost all the humanity and you became a wild animal. And what do wild animals need?"
Wild animal? Of course she realized that vampires were basically enraged animals, but there was something else.
Something else that made her eyes widened? Wild animals needed a mate. Then she remembered Xander as the hyena.
He practically raped her, and he would've too if it wasn't for her throwing the desk. But she couldn't help having a smile appear on her face. Xander was a wild animal and so gentle.
Her dark side craved him. She wanted him to take her. Well, a small part anyway. Then she realized that he wasn't the true Xander. And he would never forgive her if she had her way with him.
Her body still craved the darkness. And since Xander was Willow's territory back then, she had Angel to move on with. The Vampire was the safe bet.
"Buffy?"
His voice brought her back to reality. "Sorry. Mind wandered."
The Spirit Guide glared at her, "Listen, Buff. I'm trying to help you and you're not even paying attention."
She said innocently, "Sorry."
Xander's doubleganger shrugged, "Forget it. Now what's your answer?"
A confused look came upon her face, "What was the question?"
He shook his head, "And what do wild animals need?"
Buffy grinned getting an idea, "Food."
"No!" He said with his eyes narrowing.
"Actually, they do. Animals need food to survive."
A chuckle was made, "Right. But that wasn't the answer I was looking for."
"I know.....uh?"
"What's wrong?"
"What do I call you? I mean you're my Spirit Guide, and you look like Xander. But you aren't Xander. So, what do I call you?"
He shrugged, "Dunno. Never thought of it."
"Let me think," she said to herself as she walked over to him and took a good look at him.
He in fact looked very much like Xander. They had the same hair and eye color. And his humor was the same. Which she did like, and only made her miss him even more.
But he also was a Spirit Guide. The problem with that was though that she didn't have any thing to compare his behavior too. He was strange, but like she just thought. Maybe that was the way Spirit Guides were supposed to act.
But what to call him? He had the Xander qualities and he had the spirit guide qualities too.
Then one name came up.
It was something that Buffy always thought Xander should've stayed with. It was the perfect name, and illustrated him perfectly.
With a smile, she suggested, "How about, Alex?"
"Alex, huh?"
Buffy nodded, "Yeah, Alex."
A weird look appeared on his face, "But isn't Alex the name that Xander hated." He opened his mouth to take a breath, and then closed it. The she said, "We're getting off topic. Now, Buffy. What do wild animals need?"
She continued the joke, "Water?"
"Your impossible you know that?"
Buffy smiled, "I know. I know. Wild animals need a mate."
A sigh was made, "Finally. You're right. Vampire you needed a mate. And Spike fit the bill. Now, I'm going to take you to see something."
"What are you going to show me?"
***
Xander ran out of the club real fast and saw Kevin Sorbo walking to the parking lot.
"Kevin! Wait up!"
The son of Zues was about to turn around when something came out of the shadows.
"Don't you ever leave me alone?" Kevin asked them.
"Why would we do that?" One of the vampires asked.
Another vampire said, "Think of it. We kill a celebrity, and we become celebrities."
"Nice thought, but it won't do any good."
Kevin and the five vampires looked turned to their right and saw someone coming.
"Get out of here, Xander! These guys are bad news!"
Xander smirked, "I'm used to it." He then went inside his pocket and pulled out his stake. "C'mon, overbites. Let's dance."
And with that, one of the vampires ran to Xander and grabbed him by the arm, then flung him to the back of a parked car.
"That's gotta hurt." Said the first vampire.
Xander slowly rose from the car, and said, "You're going to pay for that." But before he could do anything, his eyes rolled back, and fainted.
Hercules smiled, "Well, at least he won't see anything."
With that said, the demigod ran over to Xander and grabbed his stake. "Hope you don't mind, Xander."
After taking the stake, Hercules launched the wooden weapon at one of the undead demons and it immediately shattered into dust. "One down, four to go."
"Lucky throw." One of the vampires said.
A smile crossed his face, "Nothing lucky about it." He grabbed the demon and flung him to where the other three vampires were. They all fell to the ground.
As they were about to get up, Hercules picked up the fallen stake and jammed it into the demon that lied on top of the undead heap. It soon crumbled into dust.
But before it vanished, it said, "This sucks."
He then grabbed another vampire by the collar and held him close to his face, "Look what you made me do. You made have to dust you, and these are new cloths. Do you have any idea how much this is going to cost to get clean?"
The vampire spit in response.
"That's disgusting." Then he staked him.
The two remaining vampires soon got to their feet and circled Kevin. "You're dead," one of them said.
"Yeah, what he said," the other one said.
"I don't think so." He then threw the one of them and landed on the car that Xander fell. "Crap." Kevin saw where he was about to land, and noticed Xander wasn't there anymore.
"Where'd he go?" Hercules asked himself.
"Right here." Xander said as the last vampire became dust.
The demigod turned around and saw Xander standing right behind where the demon stood. Xander approached Hercules. "Two things, Kevin."
He gulped, "Yeah?"
"One. Can I have my stake back?" The son of Zues nodded and handed his stake back.
"Good. Two, what the hell are you?"
Hercules looked at the young man in front of him. He thought Xander was out and was safe to use his superior strength against the vampires. But apparently, he was wrong.
But he couldn't tell Xander the truth. He couldn't tell anyone that the name, Kevin Sorbo, was just a cover for him to use to keep his identity as Hercules safe.
If anyone knew the truth, it would be chaos. People would think that he was crazy, and put him in an insane asylum.
"I'll ask you again. What the hell are you?"
Xander's voice stopped his inner musings. With a straight face, he said, "I
told you, Xander. I'm Kevin Sorbo. I just happen to work out a lot. Y'know,
I have to have a good body to play Hercules on the show."
"Sure..." he said to himself and to the actor. Xander wasn't buying that excuse. His time on the Hellmouth taught him to look for the inner truth. "Listen. I just saw you throw vampires as if they were nothing. I know the Slayer and she's strong. But, you're obviously stronger. Buffy has the strength of ten men. You have something more."
He took a breath, and continued, "Working out doesn't make you that strong. You're the strongest person I ever saw, and I've seen bigger men then you. And I don't mean Thing, Hulk, or the late Andre the Giant."
Xander was right. There was no way his excuse of exercise would give him the answer that Xander wanted. True, Andre the Giant was bigger, but Hercules had something more. He had the strength that his father gave him. And when you have godly power, you don't need to be bigger to be stronger.
Apparently, Xander knew about Slayers, demons, and vampires. So, he certainly knew about the world around him. If he knew about that, maybe he would be able to understand Hercules' past. Plus, it would be nice to be able to talk to someone about this kind of stuff.
The last person he really was able to talk to about this was his friend, Iolaus. And that was centuries ago.
"I well...I don't know how to say this." He said with a chuckle at the end.
"I'm waiting." Xander said determinedly.
Hercules decided that he should tell him. Even though that they just met, he felt that his secret was safe with him. He couldn't understand it, but for some strange reason, he felt Xander would be trusted.
"We better go somewhere safe and talk."
Xander nodded, "Where do you want to talk?"
Kevin smiled, "Somewhere that won't be crawling with fans. We could go to my house."
The teenager shrugged, "That could work, or we could go to my apartment in Santa Monica?"
"Santa Monica?"
"Well, yeah. I just got the place yesterday. And we do need to talk."
He shook his head, "We better go somewhere private. Let's just go to my house."
"Works for me."
"Good. Let's go, my friend."
And with that, Hercules and Xander jumped into Kevin's car and drove off.
***
"What are you going to show me?"
"This," Alex said as the area around them flashed white.
When the whiteness dissipated, Buffy and her Spirit Guide found themselves in the Factory. It was just the same as always. Nothing seemed different in the way it was decorated.
Buffy looked at Alex, "What am I supposed to see?"
Xander's doubleganger pointed to the other side of the room. "What do you see, Buff?"
Xander's friend looked at the direction she was pointed to and saw Spike pacing back and forth. "What are we going to do now, Luv?"
"I dunno, Spike. What do you wanna do?" A voice asked.
"Who said that?" Buffy asked.
"Take a look around."
She nodded and started to walk around.
"Oh, by the way. No one can see or hear you in this universe. So, you can't intervene."
"Let me guess. It's a It's a Wonderful Life kinda deal, huh?"
Alex nodded, "You got that right, Buff. Take a look around."
Buffy crossed the room and saw Spike walking in the same fashion.
"Well, we already own Sunnydale. First, you staked your own sire. Then killed my Dru. Granted, I love you. But what do you want to do now?"
Buffy looked to where Spike was staring. And that when she saw the source of the voice.
It was her.
It was herself as a vampire.
"I'm hungry, Spike. Give me that bitch we got from the Bronze an hour ago."
He nodded, "Sure thing, Pet. Hold on."
With that said, Spike disappeared from Buffy's view and left. But Buffy wasn't watching. She was watching her doubleganger.
Her vampire self had her hair let down. And she was wearing black leather that seemed to be sucking the life out of her. Then again, her vampire clone didn't need to breath. "Gawd."
"What is it, Buffy?"
Buffy glanced at her guide. "I'm so thin. Remind me to eat more when we get back."
Alex chuckled, "Well this representation of yourself isn't that far from another version of yourself. In another timeline, your skinny as hell and you don't even come close to what you are now. So, actually, this version of you that was talking to Spike a second ago is a fresher version of you. Dead nevertheless though."
"Doesn't matter. I don't want to be that skinny. I'm definitely going to eat more."
"That's your call. But keep watching."
She turned back to her undead version. "She's feisty."
A smile crossed the undead vampiress face as she walked over to her lover. She kissed him on the lips. "Thanks, Spike."
"That's gross!" Buffy yelled out loud. "I'm actually kissing him!"
"Keep watching, Buffy."
Buffy glanced back at them as Spike handed her the girl.
Her eyes widened at whom she saw. "Cordelia?!"
***
Xander and Kevin satin the living room of the big house.
It was big, white, and it housed some windows. Not that many, but it still had some.
The two of them sat in opposite tan cushioned chairs with a clear coffee table in between them.
Xander took a sip of his bottled water. "Thanks for the water, Kevin.
Can we get back to what happened at the parking lot?"
He nodded. "Right. Tell me, Xander. How much do you know about Greek Mythology?"
"A good amount. Combined between your show and the research that I do regularly. Why do you ask?"
He sighed, "What if it was true? What if all those myths about Medusa, Minotaurs, Aphrodite were all true? Would you believe it?"
He shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. Of course there has to be good evidence supporting that theory."
"Well, I do have some evidence, Xander." Then he sat back down.
"What are you talking about?"
"Xander, I don't know how to tell you this. But I'm..."
"You're what?"
He took a deep breath, "I'm Hercules."
"Huh?"
----------------------------------------------------
TBC
Rating: PG-13/R
Chapter Number: 3
Author: White Werewolf
Category: Buffy/Xander, Sam/Daniel, Gabrielle/Joxer
Spoilers/Timeframe: All I know for sure it is after "Becoming Part 2."
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the ideas and my computer.
Summery: After Buffy leaves Sunnydale, Xander decides to go looking for her. On the other side of the universe, Ninedinna wants the book she created...the Necronomicon Ex Mortis: the Book of the Dead.
Special Thanks: Danii, Tenhawk, Teri, Silent Bob Foley, BMT, and X-Lander
Crossovers Planned:
Buffy: the Vampire Slayer
Hercules: the Legendary Journeys
Evil Dead
Stargate SG-1
Xena: Warrior Princess
Three's Company
Cameo Crossovers are sudden to appear. See if you can spot any.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander placed the microphone back in it's position and looked at the crowd. They were applauding.
He grinned, "Thank you, thank you very much."
The teenager chuckled to himself, and jumped off the stage. He saw Lorne over at the bar cleaning some glasses. The Sunnydale resident approached the demon and asked, "What you think?"
Lorne stopped cleaning his glass and looked at the boy. "Not bad, King. You don't seem to have a bad voice. It's better to what I usually hear."
Xander got the reference, "Cute."
"Thanks."
"What was different about me, beside the fact that I'm human and not demon?"
The bar owner chuckled, "For one thing, Xander. The demons seem to sing off-key-way off-key."
Xander laughed a little too, "I guess I can understand that."
He nodded, "Well, they do. So, when you got up there, it was actually a treat to hear someone with a half way decent voice."
He blushed, "Thanks, Lorne. So..."
"So...?"
The brunette cleared his throat, "Did you read my aura?"
"Sure did, Sweetcheeks."
"And? Do I find Buffy?"
Lorne smiled, "You don't have to worry about that, Xander. You and your Slayer friend definitely will see each other again."
Xander sighed in relief, "Thank god."
"But..."
The boy didn't like that tone he had, "But what?"
Lorne answered, "You have some things to do before you find each other."
He showed a confusing look, "Like what?"
The bar owner answered, "Well, there is a ghost involved, but you will get help."
Xander showed a confusing look, "Ghost?"
A nod was made, "Yeah. A ghost is going to cause trouble."
"When does this happen?"
He sighed, "That I don't know, Sweetcheeks. But after you defeat the ghost you'll be closer to finding your friend."
"That's good to know." Then he remembered what the demon said, "Who's going to help me?"
***
The Spirit Guide answered, "Y'see, Buffy. The timeline that you saw is what would've happened if you staked Angel when you first got the chance."
"Huh?"
Xander's doubleganger replied, "You see, Buffy. Angel was never supposed to be your lover. What should've happened is that Angel was supposed to be your guide. With him as a guide, you would've never fell for him, gone after him when your mother was in the hospital, and staked Darla. With Darla still around, the Master wouldn't have thought to use your body as a protector."
Her eyes narrowed, "But Angel and I are soulmates! I love him, and he loves me! That, and why would I even stake him to begin with?"
He shook his head and leaned against the stalagmite next to the blond. "In this timeline that you just witnessed you were raised by Watchers. In that timeline, you had no friends like Xander or Willow. You would've only had Giles. You need your friends, Buffy. Without them, and you're as good as turned!"
She showed a confused look, "But how do my friends help me? I'm the Slayer...the Chosen one."
The Spirit Guide nodded, "Yes, you are. But I remember what you were thinking yesterday. You thought that it might've been better that you were raised only by the council. Well, the PTB sent me to show you what would've happened if your life was like that, and this version that you just dreamed about is the product."
She glanced at the ground and whispered, "I remember that..."
The guide smiled, "Good. But before we you wake up and start a new day. We're going to learn some things about your friends and see how much they want to be a part of your life. You have to realize that Xander and Willow love you, and how much of an effect that you have on them."
"How do we do this?"
"First, I'm going to show you what would happen in this timeline. And I promise you won't like the outcome."
"Why won't I like the outcome?"
He sighed, "Because I know everything that will happen, and I know how you think, and feel."
A determined look appeared on her face, "What could be so bad?"
The Spirit Guide took a deep breath, "Before I tell you, I want to say this. After we see those images. I'm going to show you what your friends have done for you, and show you how much they make a difference for you."
"Oh, ok," she paused, then continued, "but what's so bad that would happen in this timeline that I'm dreaming about?"
"It concerns William the Bloody."
Her eyes widened, "What does Spike have to do with this?"
"Let's just say this, Buffy. Without friends like Xander and Willow you'll be very lonely."
"What could happen with Spike?"
***
Lorne was about to answer when he heard a voice.
"So, Lorne? Where did you find this character?"
Xander turned around and looked at the person standing right next to him, "You're...you're...you're..."
The demon chuckled, "He gets that a lot, don't you?"
The new visitor nodded, "Yeah, I do, Lorne." He then turned to Xander, "The name's Kevin Sorbo."
Xander gasped, "Do you have any idea who you are?" He then glanced at Lorne, "Does he know who he is?"
Kevin chuckled, "As I told you before, I'm Kevin Sorbo."
His eyes widened, "You come here?"
The demon nodded, "And why not? Caritas is a bar for everyone, Sweetcheeks. Kevin must of heard of the place."
Xander chuckled, "Narcissist much?"
Kevin eyes widened. Narcissist. He knew that term. It came from ancient times. Narcissus was a young man that fell in love with himself. He had to be very careful and not let his secret identity come out.
After years of practice, it became second nature, but there were times when things did slip up and some of his old Herculean strength came through.
Lorne shook his head, "Nope. Not a narcissist. Just stating from the obvious. Caritas is a very well known place in Los Angeles."
His words cut Hercules off from his musings. "Yeah, the executive producer talking about this place. I've come here a few times, and I must say. You're not that bad of a singer."
Xander blushed, "Thanks, Mr. Sorbo."
Kevin smiled, "Call me Kevin."
A nod was made, "Alright, Kevin." (That feels weird to call him that,) he thought to himself.
"So..." Sorbo said, "where'd you find this kid, Lorne?"
The bar owner said honestly, "We met at Henson Park. I was watching children play, and he pulled me into a phone booth and called his watcher friend making sure I was a safe demon."
Xander shrugged, "Well, yeah. What else was I going to do? When I first saw him, I thought he was a stalker and maybe a pedophilic."
The television star chuckled, "You actually pulled Lorne into a phone booth?"
"With a baseball bat." Lorne added.
"A baseball bat? You mean to tell me that you were going to hit him with a bat?"
The teenager nodded, "I didn't know what to expect. So, I called a friend of mine, and we straightened it all out. So, Lorne invited me here, and then I sang."
Hercules stated, "Not a bad song. Tell me...," he drawled out, "what's your name again?"
"Xander."
"Alright, Xander. So, where are you from?"
The brunette answered, "Sunnydale. I'm just visiting."
Lorne interpreted, "He's trying to find his friend."
"Anything I can do?" Was Kevin's question.
***
"I don't want to get into it." Said Buffy's guide.
She narrowed her eyes. "Listen, Sprit Guide Xander Clone, you just told me that Angel and I weren't to be, in this universe I end up being turned all because I never had Xander and Willow, and something that has to deal with Spike. Why on Earth would I do anything with Spike? He's a vampire that trying to kill me!"
The guide winced, "Because..."
"Because why?"
"Because you two end up together romantically. Spike and your vampire self get together and take over Sunnydale."
She shook her head, "There is no way that I would ever hook up with Spike!"
He gulped, "You got to remember, Buffy. This is your vampire self. With your soul long gone, your body is an empty shell," the guide stopped.
"Why did you stop?"
The Spirit Guide walked over to her, and said, "It's going to be easier if I show you what happens. Like I said, you may not like it, but you have to remember, this is a warning to you. This is going to show you what would happen if you became the council raised Slayer."
"I understand."
A smile appeared on his face, "Good. We better go."
And with that, the room was engulfed in white, and everyone disappeared.
***
Buffy Summers and her Spirit Guide appeared in the middle of Main Street in Sunnydale.
Buffy looked around and could see that the town was in shambles. Nothing from her Sunnydale was the same. Flames of fire decorated the street. Lampposts were on the ground along with live wire from the telephone posts.
"How'd this happen?" She asked herself. "This place looks like Hell."
Xander's doubleganger replied, "As I told you, Buffy. This place is what would happen if were turned by the Master. Remember, Willow and Xander never existed. Darla is gone and you became the Master's protector."
She nodded, "I know all that. You told me. But what I want to know is how could my vampire self do this?"
"It all has to do with the death of Drusilla, Buffy"
Buffy turned around and faced him, "What happened to Drusilla?"
"You dusted her so you could get together with Spike."
Her eyes widened, "What?"
***
Xander shook his head, "Not at the moment. Thanks anyway."
Hercules smiled and went inside his pocket and pulled out a card. He gave it to him, "This is my card, Xander. It's to my direct line. I'll help you in anyway I can."
He nodded, "Thanks, Kevin."
The son of Zeus said, "Keep in touch. I'll help you in anyway I can." Then he left.
Xander sat on his bar stool and looked at the bar owner, "I can't believe I just met Kevin Sorbo."
Lorne smiled, "Well, you're easily liked, Sweetcheeks. Kevin's the kinda guy that willing to help in anyway possible. That is of course if it doesn't interfere with his show."
Xander's eyes widened, "Did you just say help?"
Lorne showed a confused look, "What?"
The teenager repeated himself, "Did you just say help?"
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"I'll see you later, Lorne."
And before Lorne could say anything, Xander left in pursuit of Kevin Sorbo. (I hope I'm right about this.)
***
The Spirit Guide replied, "Yeah, you did, Buffy. When the Master sired you, you had a hard time obeying orders. Apparently, since your soul was long gone, your vampire self lost all the humanity and you became a wild animal. And what do wild animals need?"
Wild animal? Of course she realized that vampires were basically enraged animals, but there was something else.
Something else that made her eyes widened? Wild animals needed a mate. Then she remembered Xander as the hyena.
He practically raped her, and he would've too if it wasn't for her throwing the desk. But she couldn't help having a smile appear on her face. Xander was a wild animal and so gentle.
Her dark side craved him. She wanted him to take her. Well, a small part anyway. Then she realized that he wasn't the true Xander. And he would never forgive her if she had her way with him.
Her body still craved the darkness. And since Xander was Willow's territory back then, she had Angel to move on with. The Vampire was the safe bet.
"Buffy?"
His voice brought her back to reality. "Sorry. Mind wandered."
The Spirit Guide glared at her, "Listen, Buff. I'm trying to help you and you're not even paying attention."
She said innocently, "Sorry."
Xander's doubleganger shrugged, "Forget it. Now what's your answer?"
A confused look came upon her face, "What was the question?"
He shook his head, "And what do wild animals need?"
Buffy grinned getting an idea, "Food."
"No!" He said with his eyes narrowing.
"Actually, they do. Animals need food to survive."
A chuckle was made, "Right. But that wasn't the answer I was looking for."
"I know.....uh?"
"What's wrong?"
"What do I call you? I mean you're my Spirit Guide, and you look like Xander. But you aren't Xander. So, what do I call you?"
He shrugged, "Dunno. Never thought of it."
"Let me think," she said to herself as she walked over to him and took a good look at him.
He in fact looked very much like Xander. They had the same hair and eye color. And his humor was the same. Which she did like, and only made her miss him even more.
But he also was a Spirit Guide. The problem with that was though that she didn't have any thing to compare his behavior too. He was strange, but like she just thought. Maybe that was the way Spirit Guides were supposed to act.
But what to call him? He had the Xander qualities and he had the spirit guide qualities too.
Then one name came up.
It was something that Buffy always thought Xander should've stayed with. It was the perfect name, and illustrated him perfectly.
With a smile, she suggested, "How about, Alex?"
"Alex, huh?"
Buffy nodded, "Yeah, Alex."
A weird look appeared on his face, "But isn't Alex the name that Xander hated." He opened his mouth to take a breath, and then closed it. The she said, "We're getting off topic. Now, Buffy. What do wild animals need?"
She continued the joke, "Water?"
"Your impossible you know that?"
Buffy smiled, "I know. I know. Wild animals need a mate."
A sigh was made, "Finally. You're right. Vampire you needed a mate. And Spike fit the bill. Now, I'm going to take you to see something."
"What are you going to show me?"
***
Xander ran out of the club real fast and saw Kevin Sorbo walking to the parking lot.
"Kevin! Wait up!"
The son of Zues was about to turn around when something came out of the shadows.
"Don't you ever leave me alone?" Kevin asked them.
"Why would we do that?" One of the vampires asked.
Another vampire said, "Think of it. We kill a celebrity, and we become celebrities."
"Nice thought, but it won't do any good."
Kevin and the five vampires looked turned to their right and saw someone coming.
"Get out of here, Xander! These guys are bad news!"
Xander smirked, "I'm used to it." He then went inside his pocket and pulled out his stake. "C'mon, overbites. Let's dance."
And with that, one of the vampires ran to Xander and grabbed him by the arm, then flung him to the back of a parked car.
"That's gotta hurt." Said the first vampire.
Xander slowly rose from the car, and said, "You're going to pay for that." But before he could do anything, his eyes rolled back, and fainted.
Hercules smiled, "Well, at least he won't see anything."
With that said, the demigod ran over to Xander and grabbed his stake. "Hope you don't mind, Xander."
After taking the stake, Hercules launched the wooden weapon at one of the undead demons and it immediately shattered into dust. "One down, four to go."
"Lucky throw." One of the vampires said.
A smile crossed his face, "Nothing lucky about it." He grabbed the demon and flung him to where the other three vampires were. They all fell to the ground.
As they were about to get up, Hercules picked up the fallen stake and jammed it into the demon that lied on top of the undead heap. It soon crumbled into dust.
But before it vanished, it said, "This sucks."
He then grabbed another vampire by the collar and held him close to his face, "Look what you made me do. You made have to dust you, and these are new cloths. Do you have any idea how much this is going to cost to get clean?"
The vampire spit in response.
"That's disgusting." Then he staked him.
The two remaining vampires soon got to their feet and circled Kevin. "You're dead," one of them said.
"Yeah, what he said," the other one said.
"I don't think so." He then threw the one of them and landed on the car that Xander fell. "Crap." Kevin saw where he was about to land, and noticed Xander wasn't there anymore.
"Where'd he go?" Hercules asked himself.
"Right here." Xander said as the last vampire became dust.
The demigod turned around and saw Xander standing right behind where the demon stood. Xander approached Hercules. "Two things, Kevin."
He gulped, "Yeah?"
"One. Can I have my stake back?" The son of Zues nodded and handed his stake back.
"Good. Two, what the hell are you?"
Hercules looked at the young man in front of him. He thought Xander was out and was safe to use his superior strength against the vampires. But apparently, he was wrong.
But he couldn't tell Xander the truth. He couldn't tell anyone that the name, Kevin Sorbo, was just a cover for him to use to keep his identity as Hercules safe.
If anyone knew the truth, it would be chaos. People would think that he was crazy, and put him in an insane asylum.
"I'll ask you again. What the hell are you?"
Xander's voice stopped his inner musings. With a straight face, he said, "I
told you, Xander. I'm Kevin Sorbo. I just happen to work out a lot. Y'know,
I have to have a good body to play Hercules on the show."
"Sure..." he said to himself and to the actor. Xander wasn't buying that excuse. His time on the Hellmouth taught him to look for the inner truth. "Listen. I just saw you throw vampires as if they were nothing. I know the Slayer and she's strong. But, you're obviously stronger. Buffy has the strength of ten men. You have something more."
He took a breath, and continued, "Working out doesn't make you that strong. You're the strongest person I ever saw, and I've seen bigger men then you. And I don't mean Thing, Hulk, or the late Andre the Giant."
Xander was right. There was no way his excuse of exercise would give him the answer that Xander wanted. True, Andre the Giant was bigger, but Hercules had something more. He had the strength that his father gave him. And when you have godly power, you don't need to be bigger to be stronger.
Apparently, Xander knew about Slayers, demons, and vampires. So, he certainly knew about the world around him. If he knew about that, maybe he would be able to understand Hercules' past. Plus, it would be nice to be able to talk to someone about this kind of stuff.
The last person he really was able to talk to about this was his friend, Iolaus. And that was centuries ago.
"I well...I don't know how to say this." He said with a chuckle at the end.
"I'm waiting." Xander said determinedly.
Hercules decided that he should tell him. Even though that they just met, he felt that his secret was safe with him. He couldn't understand it, but for some strange reason, he felt Xander would be trusted.
"We better go somewhere safe and talk."
Xander nodded, "Where do you want to talk?"
Kevin smiled, "Somewhere that won't be crawling with fans. We could go to my house."
The teenager shrugged, "That could work, or we could go to my apartment in Santa Monica?"
"Santa Monica?"
"Well, yeah. I just got the place yesterday. And we do need to talk."
He shook his head, "We better go somewhere private. Let's just go to my house."
"Works for me."
"Good. Let's go, my friend."
And with that, Hercules and Xander jumped into Kevin's car and drove off.
***
"What are you going to show me?"
"This," Alex said as the area around them flashed white.
When the whiteness dissipated, Buffy and her Spirit Guide found themselves in the Factory. It was just the same as always. Nothing seemed different in the way it was decorated.
Buffy looked at Alex, "What am I supposed to see?"
Xander's doubleganger pointed to the other side of the room. "What do you see, Buff?"
Xander's friend looked at the direction she was pointed to and saw Spike pacing back and forth. "What are we going to do now, Luv?"
"I dunno, Spike. What do you wanna do?" A voice asked.
"Who said that?" Buffy asked.
"Take a look around."
She nodded and started to walk around.
"Oh, by the way. No one can see or hear you in this universe. So, you can't intervene."
"Let me guess. It's a It's a Wonderful Life kinda deal, huh?"
Alex nodded, "You got that right, Buff. Take a look around."
Buffy crossed the room and saw Spike walking in the same fashion.
"Well, we already own Sunnydale. First, you staked your own sire. Then killed my Dru. Granted, I love you. But what do you want to do now?"
Buffy looked to where Spike was staring. And that when she saw the source of the voice.
It was her.
It was herself as a vampire.
"I'm hungry, Spike. Give me that bitch we got from the Bronze an hour ago."
He nodded, "Sure thing, Pet. Hold on."
With that said, Spike disappeared from Buffy's view and left. But Buffy wasn't watching. She was watching her doubleganger.
Her vampire self had her hair let down. And she was wearing black leather that seemed to be sucking the life out of her. Then again, her vampire clone didn't need to breath. "Gawd."
"What is it, Buffy?"
Buffy glanced at her guide. "I'm so thin. Remind me to eat more when we get back."
Alex chuckled, "Well this representation of yourself isn't that far from another version of yourself. In another timeline, your skinny as hell and you don't even come close to what you are now. So, actually, this version of you that was talking to Spike a second ago is a fresher version of you. Dead nevertheless though."
"Doesn't matter. I don't want to be that skinny. I'm definitely going to eat more."
"That's your call. But keep watching."
She turned back to her undead version. "She's feisty."
A smile crossed the undead vampiress face as she walked over to her lover. She kissed him on the lips. "Thanks, Spike."
"That's gross!" Buffy yelled out loud. "I'm actually kissing him!"
"Keep watching, Buffy."
Buffy glanced back at them as Spike handed her the girl.
Her eyes widened at whom she saw. "Cordelia?!"
***
Xander and Kevin satin the living room of the big house.
It was big, white, and it housed some windows. Not that many, but it still had some.
The two of them sat in opposite tan cushioned chairs with a clear coffee table in between them.
Xander took a sip of his bottled water. "Thanks for the water, Kevin.
Can we get back to what happened at the parking lot?"
He nodded. "Right. Tell me, Xander. How much do you know about Greek Mythology?"
"A good amount. Combined between your show and the research that I do regularly. Why do you ask?"
He sighed, "What if it was true? What if all those myths about Medusa, Minotaurs, Aphrodite were all true? Would you believe it?"
He shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. Of course there has to be good evidence supporting that theory."
"Well, I do have some evidence, Xander." Then he sat back down.
"What are you talking about?"
"Xander, I don't know how to tell you this. But I'm..."
"You're what?"
He took a deep breath, "I'm Hercules."
"Huh?"
----------------------------------------------------
TBC