Brave New World 4
Authors: lirpa - liroa15@yahoo.ca
shana
Dedication: To all those who have inspired us.
Distribution: Our site, if you want it just ask.
Disclaimer: They belong to Joss and Marvel, not to us. If they really did this wouldn't be on the internet.
A.N: I don't know very much about the X-Men comics. I own a few, but that's it. I'm apologizing in advance if we screw up the dialects. Just for the record I'm also a grammar freak so the dialects might not be as involved as they normally are.
There have been some concerns raised that the characters are OOC. If you find this to be the case we apologize. It was never intentional and probably has more to do with our individual writing styles than anything else. The fact remains that the story is written and while minor revisions may be made during the editing and typing processes there is little I can do for the main idea at this point in time. In fact, this story was completely finished before anyone, besides my self and my co-author, saw the prologue. What I can do to make the characters more in character I will try to do, and if it helps, think of it more as the movie Wolverine. The only reason that the comics were needed at all was to bring Gambit into the story. So if it helps to place it in the movieverse, have at it.
Questions and Answers to follow. This is where I'll answer your questions, and the questions anyone has. It's actually a kind of novel idea because I've never had to do this before.
To MX at ff.n. I'm sorry that you couldn't find a single nice thing to say about our story. Obviously, Bambi never made a big impression on you as a child. To deal with your points in order I shall have you refer to the Author's Notes that begin every chapter. They don't change, things are only added. They state clearly that we don't have all that much experience dealing with the X-Men comic universe. They also state that it would probably be better for people who are easily offended by the fact that this story will not follow the comic continuum to think of it as a movieverse fic. As for Logan, much can be said on him. Again, had you read the Author's Notes included in the previous chapter you would have come across one dealing with Logan. Or perhaps that is to what you are referring? The fact remains that while Logan has had a great deal of experience fighting battles in the recent past he has not been forced to fight at a marked disadvantage. As you yourself pointed out he has more battle experience that most people on the planet, completely forgetting the amnesia associated with the Weapon X project. Also, Logan is placed at the disadvantage of trying to hide his nature, because while he knows Faith is not human the same cannot be said of Buffy. As for your rather scathing review of our characterization, I'm sorry you found the characters to be juvenile, but when dealing with stressful situations I've found that people often revert to the persona they are most comfortable with. To me this can easily be identified as the high school Buffy and friends that we witnessed in the first few seasons. Also, quite frankly, perhaps we simply see the characters in a different light than you do. The fact remains that the story is written, as previously stated, and if it simply offends you that much I would suggest that you avoid it in the future.
To S.M at ff.n. Thank you for your kind review. We'll try to get more up as soon as possible.
To JUSTME at Twisting the Hellmouth. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and leave a review. We're glad that you're enjoying it and we hope that it continues to entertain you.
To Telperoswen at Twisting the Hellmouth. Thank you for the hug, after some of the reviews we've received it really brightened our day. We're glad you enjoyed the fic and we'll try to get more up as soon as possible.
To Harry2 at ff.n. Thank you for all your reviews. I don't think there were any questions that I could answer, but if there are just point them out to me and I'll try my best. Again, thank you for all your support, it was much appreciated.
To mar at ff.n. I'm sorry you don't like our story. Unfortunately the only recourse I can suggest to you is that you discontinue reading it. We feel that our work is neither trite nor random and we fully believe in both the story and its characters. We feel that the characters are as genuine as we could possibly write them and that none of the story is unbelievable. As for the blood test, it is our thought that the Slayers undertook such a venture to prove they had nothing to hide. The X-Men would naturally be interested in such a procedure because Faith was able to stop Logan, which would take a considerable amount of strength not present in a normal human being. Furthermore, while Faith and Buffy did mend some fences, so the speak, in the finale, they are by no means best friends. We believe that there would still be some natural antagonism between the two Slayers that only time will erase completely. That time has not yet elapsed, however. You are, however, entitled to your opinions and we will respect that, even if they differ from our own.
lirpa
Brave New World 4
by lirpa and shana
As they neared the airship, both Slayers began to struggle against the invisible bonds holding them.
"Put us down, you metal head," Faith screamed, watching as Logan and Remy were thrown backwards. They'd been trying to reach the girls.
"Faith, I think we've got bigger problems."
"What, B?"
"That's Xander floating in that bubble."
Faith swung around, a difficult thing to accomplish if you've never been trapped in a floating bubble before. "Oh my God," she whispered, horrified.
"I never should have brought him here," Buffy moaned.
"Hey! You!" Faith called, drawing Magneto's attention to her at last.
"What do you want, little girl?"
"The world, but I'll settle for you putting us down, all of us."
"Funny little girl." The bubbles containing the three visitors from Sunnydale, the bonds having transmuted into bubbles, floated into the open door of the airship.
Magneto laughed as the doors slammed shut on his new, and amusing, captives. The pathetic rescue attempts of the X-Men only served to further amuse him. Magneto began to pull back, feeling as if he'd gotten what he'd wanted. He propelled himself into the airship, not opening the cargo doors that had closed on the others, but a different set, and sped it away from the X-Men's mansion.
Magneto was not pleased, but surprised, to find the blonde and brunette girls working together to knock him down the moment he entered the area they were in. The young man, he'd also taken, stood calmly to the side of the fight, not terrified at all.
"What Buff and Faith really want to know, metal head," his voice clear and unwavering, "is why you took us. It's not like we're even X-men."
Magneto flung both, too strong, women off him. "I doubt that child. Both of these pretty young ladies are mutants."
"I'm not some freaking mutant," Faith screamed.
"You'll have to excuse her," Xander murmured, leaning down to talk to Faith. "She's having a bad week."
"I can see that," Magneto muttered, bending over to offer Faith a hand up.
Buffy broke in, after Faith was standing, "I hate to interrupt, but you didn't answer Xander's question from before. Why'd you take us?"
"I'm afraid that you three were just the closest, and least defended, people on the battle field."
"Great," Faith snapped. "Now will you let us go?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. You two young ladies, at the very least, are mutants."
"We are not mutants," Buffy insisted calmly.
"Then what are you?"
"Vampire Slayers."
"Vampires-"
"Are real," Buffy interrupted.
Magneto turned curious eyes on Xander. "And what are you?"
"The Zeppo."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm just a normal, powerless, human."
"And yet you stand up to those who are not?"
"Well," Xander quipped, "it's kind of become a way of life."
Magneto blinked, trying not to look like an idiot, and failing.
"Hey, Tin-Head," Faith called.
"My name is Magneto."
"Fine, then, Magneto, where are we going?"
"To my base."
"Is that like your secret lair?" Xander queried.
Magneto looked a little bit perplexed. "I suppose that it could be called that. I've never heard that before, however."
"Cool. We're being abducted by and evil genius with a secret lair."
Magneto did a double take, shocked at Xander's attitude.
"Excuse me?"
"We've never been abducted by an evil genius and taken to his secret lair before."
"It's not really a secret…"
"You're ruining the mystique, Mr. Magneto."
Magneto couldn't help but laugh. "You three are the most unique individuals I've ever met."
"Why, thank you, Magneto," Faith murmured. She was busy examining the airship controls having worked her way around Magneto and through the open door behind him.
"You are most interesting. Though you two need to accept that you are mutants."
"Vampire Slayers are gifted with supernatural strength that only leaves when they die," Faith shot back.
"But I died, and I still have my strength."
Xander blinked. "So, ladies, that means that there is a chance…"
"That we're mutants," Faith interjected before Xander could finish. She looked horrified. "Which means that guy could actually be my father."
"Actually, Faith," Xander whispered, "it means that he probably is."
"Damn it," Faith swore. "I really hate that idea."
"Who is 'that man?'"
Buffy answered for Faith. "My cousin calls him Logan."
"My dear girl," Magneto replied, "I extend to you my most sincere sympathies."
"Thanks Metal Head."
"You are welcome, my dear."
"My name is Faith."
"Faith, then."
"And you, my dear, who is your cousin?"
"Well, I'm Buffy Summers, and my cousin is Scott Summers."
"Heavens, you are the cousin of the formidable Cyclops."
"Oh. Is that his name when he goes out and fights the evils of the world?"
"Yes."
"I just go by Buffy."
Magneto laughed at that. "I will simply reiterate that you are the most unique people I've ever met."
"You mean you believe us?"
"I am not sure that I believe you, but what you say con not be easily discounted."
"Thank God. Finally, some one with some sense. I mean people can shoot beans out of their eyes, but they won't believe in vampires?"
"The people who shoot beams out of their eyes are down trodden upon by those who can not. My own experiences have shown me that mutants and humans can not exist together. One species must prevail, it is the only for one to survive."
"Huh?"
Magneto continued to rant, "The humans try to destroy what they do not understand, they always have. They kill what they fear, and now they fear the mutants, and they kill the mutants, and it is the mutants who suffer. It is the mutants that they oppress and degrade, revile and fear. That they expect to obey their stupid laws. I have had it with human prejudices. I decided that there would not be another Holocaust. That it must be stopped before it occurred. And that I must be the one to stop it. No one else sees things clearly enough.
I became a powerful leader, interested only in protecting mutants at any cost, yet the world still will not listen, still will not believe. And so I must fight, and do what needs doing. Not because I want to, but because I must," Magneto concluded passionately.
Xander looked indignant. "First of all," he began. "Hitler was prepared to do whatever must be done to protect the German race from what he saw as a threat. There wasn't a real threat, but he sacrificed eleven million in the death camps to that end, six million of them Jews. But he honestly thought that he was doing what was necessary to protect his race. I didn't think that you fit that mold as well."
Magneto looked outraged at the comparison. "I am…"
"Acting just like a power hungry maniac. I'm sure that most of the people that you're trying to free don't even know why you're doing it. Most probably assume that you want the power that comes with leading the downtrodden into a new world by creating it from the ashes of the old one."
"I never wanted…"
"None the less that's the image that you've created for yourself. Some mutants even hate you because they think you draw unnecessary attention to them."
"But…"
"I'm not saying that there isn't a problem, or that if we don't do anything it will go away. I'm not saying that we can't live together and one species must die, but I am saying that to kill one species is to kill the other. Because on the most basic level we aren't humans and mutants, we're all people, and people need people. So, the people should be working together to deal with the problem."
Everyone was looking at Xander, their mouths hanging open and their eyes wide.
"Guys…" he started.
"Xan, when did you learn all of that?" Buffy asked, recovering her senses first.
"Well," he mumbled, "you know, from Wills mostly, but I kept up with what was going on. It was at first just incase we ever had to deal with anything like that when we we're fighting. I was afraid of a mutant vamp. Then, I just kind of got drawn in, and so I kept up to date on it."
"Xander, man," Faith interrupted, "that was like too cool. How you knew all that stuff, you were having a Willow moment, and you really cared about all of it too. It was awesome."
Three pairs of eyes became focused on Magneto, who had a thoughtful look on his face.
"I am forced to conclude," he began, "that you do yourself a great disservice by calling yourself "the zeppo." I have met very few human beings with as much life and passion in them that stay true their beliefs. I have met very few people with that quality indeed. You have given me much to think on. And if you are a representative of human beings, I can finally hope that Xavier's silly dream may come true."
"Thank you."
"You are most welcome… Xander."
"Oh, right. I'm sure that sounds pretty strange to you. It's actually short for Alexander, but I never go by my full name."
"Then you are most welcome, Alexander."
The airship chose that moment to begin to descend.
"Where are we?" Faith asked.
"We are at my base in Maine. Here we will wait for the X-men to come, as I'm sure they will. You are free to go with them when they arrive."
"Thank you."
"It is the least I can do. I con only hope that you will continue to do with me as you have already done."
"Be ourselves?" Buff asked.
"No. Be three extraordinarily brace, gifted young people with the power to shape our future."
"Well, that's a tall order," Xander quipped, trying to lighten the mood, "but we'll do our best."
"Then I am sure that you will succeed. Now, if you'll follow me I'm sure that the X-men, and your relatives, will be here shortly."
"You just had to remind me," Faith whined, causing Magneto to smile.
"Perhaps you will not find the situation as terrible as you perceive when you both had been given time to adjust."
"Not likely."
Faith had barely gotten the words out, when the door they had just entered was blown open
"Look my dears," Magneto drawled, "company has arrived."
Scott ran up to Buffy. He glared at Magneto the whole time.
"Buffy, are you alright?"
"Yeah, Scott. We're all fine. We might have actually hurt him with all that mutant strength."
"You believe now?"
"Thanks to the tin can."
Scott looked perplexed. Magneto had succeeded where they had not. He had convinced them that they were mutants… and not vampire slayers.
"So you're not vampire slayers?"
"No, it's been decided that vampire slayers are mutants.:
"Hey, Blue," Faith called out to Beast, "did you redo those tests?"
"Indeed, I did. The results remained the same however."
"I'm going to die," Faith moaned.
"Uh, girls?"
"What Xander?" Both Slayer returned.
"I think we're all going to be dead if you don't do something."
The Slayers pivoted, and ended up facing the open doors.
"Hey, tin head?"
"Yes, my dear?" Magneto replied, causing Logan to growl.
"Is this place a residence?"
"No, it's a lab."
"Shit. I guess that's public enough of them." Faith reached down to pull a stake from her boot, as Buffy grabbed one from her small bag, which was acting as her hand bag, which Scott had kindly brought for her.
"Xander?" Buffy called.
"Yeah?"
"See what you can do about those doors."
Logan was growling. "Something don't smell right about them."
"Well," Faith said, side stepping a charging vamps attack and shoving a stake through another's heart, "that would be because they're dead."
"I'll explain later," Buffy yelled to Scott before joining the battle.
At Xander's insistence, Magneto was moving the door back into place. This steamed the tide of approaching vampires.
"How do you kill these things?" Logan growled.
"Take off its head, stake it with wood through the heart, burn it, or put it in the sun, but it's dark right now so only the first three."
Gambit's charged cards and Scott's eye beams started to incinerate vampires, Logan's claws beheaded them, and Buff and Faith continued to stake them,
Twenty minutes later only ash remained where before there had been vampires
"Well, those were vampires," Xander drawled. "I'd keep those doors up for a while, there could be more out there."
"So what now?" Beast asked.
"We're basically stuck in here until dawn. So, all of you play nice," Buffy ordered. Then she turned to Scoot, who was white.
"Vampires! That means you slay them?"
"Yeah. We're responsible for killing them and countless other evil nasties that come around to destroy this, that and the other."
"Why you?"
"I was chosen. And knowing what I know, I couldn't turn my back on the truth. So, I fight."
Fini Chapter Four
Authors: lirpa - liroa15@yahoo.ca
shana
Dedication: To all those who have inspired us.
Distribution: Our site, if you want it just ask.
Disclaimer: They belong to Joss and Marvel, not to us. If they really did this wouldn't be on the internet.
A.N: I don't know very much about the X-Men comics. I own a few, but that's it. I'm apologizing in advance if we screw up the dialects. Just for the record I'm also a grammar freak so the dialects might not be as involved as they normally are.
There have been some concerns raised that the characters are OOC. If you find this to be the case we apologize. It was never intentional and probably has more to do with our individual writing styles than anything else. The fact remains that the story is written and while minor revisions may be made during the editing and typing processes there is little I can do for the main idea at this point in time. In fact, this story was completely finished before anyone, besides my self and my co-author, saw the prologue. What I can do to make the characters more in character I will try to do, and if it helps, think of it more as the movie Wolverine. The only reason that the comics were needed at all was to bring Gambit into the story. So if it helps to place it in the movieverse, have at it.
Questions and Answers to follow. This is where I'll answer your questions, and the questions anyone has. It's actually a kind of novel idea because I've never had to do this before.
To MX at ff.n. I'm sorry that you couldn't find a single nice thing to say about our story. Obviously, Bambi never made a big impression on you as a child. To deal with your points in order I shall have you refer to the Author's Notes that begin every chapter. They don't change, things are only added. They state clearly that we don't have all that much experience dealing with the X-Men comic universe. They also state that it would probably be better for people who are easily offended by the fact that this story will not follow the comic continuum to think of it as a movieverse fic. As for Logan, much can be said on him. Again, had you read the Author's Notes included in the previous chapter you would have come across one dealing with Logan. Or perhaps that is to what you are referring? The fact remains that while Logan has had a great deal of experience fighting battles in the recent past he has not been forced to fight at a marked disadvantage. As you yourself pointed out he has more battle experience that most people on the planet, completely forgetting the amnesia associated with the Weapon X project. Also, Logan is placed at the disadvantage of trying to hide his nature, because while he knows Faith is not human the same cannot be said of Buffy. As for your rather scathing review of our characterization, I'm sorry you found the characters to be juvenile, but when dealing with stressful situations I've found that people often revert to the persona they are most comfortable with. To me this can easily be identified as the high school Buffy and friends that we witnessed in the first few seasons. Also, quite frankly, perhaps we simply see the characters in a different light than you do. The fact remains that the story is written, as previously stated, and if it simply offends you that much I would suggest that you avoid it in the future.
To S.M at ff.n. Thank you for your kind review. We'll try to get more up as soon as possible.
To JUSTME at Twisting the Hellmouth. Thank you for taking the time to read our story and leave a review. We're glad that you're enjoying it and we hope that it continues to entertain you.
To Telperoswen at Twisting the Hellmouth. Thank you for the hug, after some of the reviews we've received it really brightened our day. We're glad you enjoyed the fic and we'll try to get more up as soon as possible.
To Harry2 at ff.n. Thank you for all your reviews. I don't think there were any questions that I could answer, but if there are just point them out to me and I'll try my best. Again, thank you for all your support, it was much appreciated.
To mar at ff.n. I'm sorry you don't like our story. Unfortunately the only recourse I can suggest to you is that you discontinue reading it. We feel that our work is neither trite nor random and we fully believe in both the story and its characters. We feel that the characters are as genuine as we could possibly write them and that none of the story is unbelievable. As for the blood test, it is our thought that the Slayers undertook such a venture to prove they had nothing to hide. The X-Men would naturally be interested in such a procedure because Faith was able to stop Logan, which would take a considerable amount of strength not present in a normal human being. Furthermore, while Faith and Buffy did mend some fences, so the speak, in the finale, they are by no means best friends. We believe that there would still be some natural antagonism between the two Slayers that only time will erase completely. That time has not yet elapsed, however. You are, however, entitled to your opinions and we will respect that, even if they differ from our own.
lirpa
Brave New World 4
by lirpa and shana
As they neared the airship, both Slayers began to struggle against the invisible bonds holding them.
"Put us down, you metal head," Faith screamed, watching as Logan and Remy were thrown backwards. They'd been trying to reach the girls.
"Faith, I think we've got bigger problems."
"What, B?"
"That's Xander floating in that bubble."
Faith swung around, a difficult thing to accomplish if you've never been trapped in a floating bubble before. "Oh my God," she whispered, horrified.
"I never should have brought him here," Buffy moaned.
"Hey! You!" Faith called, drawing Magneto's attention to her at last.
"What do you want, little girl?"
"The world, but I'll settle for you putting us down, all of us."
"Funny little girl." The bubbles containing the three visitors from Sunnydale, the bonds having transmuted into bubbles, floated into the open door of the airship.
Magneto laughed as the doors slammed shut on his new, and amusing, captives. The pathetic rescue attempts of the X-Men only served to further amuse him. Magneto began to pull back, feeling as if he'd gotten what he'd wanted. He propelled himself into the airship, not opening the cargo doors that had closed on the others, but a different set, and sped it away from the X-Men's mansion.
Magneto was not pleased, but surprised, to find the blonde and brunette girls working together to knock him down the moment he entered the area they were in. The young man, he'd also taken, stood calmly to the side of the fight, not terrified at all.
"What Buff and Faith really want to know, metal head," his voice clear and unwavering, "is why you took us. It's not like we're even X-men."
Magneto flung both, too strong, women off him. "I doubt that child. Both of these pretty young ladies are mutants."
"I'm not some freaking mutant," Faith screamed.
"You'll have to excuse her," Xander murmured, leaning down to talk to Faith. "She's having a bad week."
"I can see that," Magneto muttered, bending over to offer Faith a hand up.
Buffy broke in, after Faith was standing, "I hate to interrupt, but you didn't answer Xander's question from before. Why'd you take us?"
"I'm afraid that you three were just the closest, and least defended, people on the battle field."
"Great," Faith snapped. "Now will you let us go?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that. You two young ladies, at the very least, are mutants."
"We are not mutants," Buffy insisted calmly.
"Then what are you?"
"Vampire Slayers."
"Vampires-"
"Are real," Buffy interrupted.
Magneto turned curious eyes on Xander. "And what are you?"
"The Zeppo."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm just a normal, powerless, human."
"And yet you stand up to those who are not?"
"Well," Xander quipped, "it's kind of become a way of life."
Magneto blinked, trying not to look like an idiot, and failing.
"Hey, Tin-Head," Faith called.
"My name is Magneto."
"Fine, then, Magneto, where are we going?"
"To my base."
"Is that like your secret lair?" Xander queried.
Magneto looked a little bit perplexed. "I suppose that it could be called that. I've never heard that before, however."
"Cool. We're being abducted by and evil genius with a secret lair."
Magneto did a double take, shocked at Xander's attitude.
"Excuse me?"
"We've never been abducted by an evil genius and taken to his secret lair before."
"It's not really a secret…"
"You're ruining the mystique, Mr. Magneto."
Magneto couldn't help but laugh. "You three are the most unique individuals I've ever met."
"Why, thank you, Magneto," Faith murmured. She was busy examining the airship controls having worked her way around Magneto and through the open door behind him.
"You are most interesting. Though you two need to accept that you are mutants."
"Vampire Slayers are gifted with supernatural strength that only leaves when they die," Faith shot back.
"But I died, and I still have my strength."
Xander blinked. "So, ladies, that means that there is a chance…"
"That we're mutants," Faith interjected before Xander could finish. She looked horrified. "Which means that guy could actually be my father."
"Actually, Faith," Xander whispered, "it means that he probably is."
"Damn it," Faith swore. "I really hate that idea."
"Who is 'that man?'"
Buffy answered for Faith. "My cousin calls him Logan."
"My dear girl," Magneto replied, "I extend to you my most sincere sympathies."
"Thanks Metal Head."
"You are welcome, my dear."
"My name is Faith."
"Faith, then."
"And you, my dear, who is your cousin?"
"Well, I'm Buffy Summers, and my cousin is Scott Summers."
"Heavens, you are the cousin of the formidable Cyclops."
"Oh. Is that his name when he goes out and fights the evils of the world?"
"Yes."
"I just go by Buffy."
Magneto laughed at that. "I will simply reiterate that you are the most unique people I've ever met."
"You mean you believe us?"
"I am not sure that I believe you, but what you say con not be easily discounted."
"Thank God. Finally, some one with some sense. I mean people can shoot beans out of their eyes, but they won't believe in vampires?"
"The people who shoot beams out of their eyes are down trodden upon by those who can not. My own experiences have shown me that mutants and humans can not exist together. One species must prevail, it is the only for one to survive."
"Huh?"
Magneto continued to rant, "The humans try to destroy what they do not understand, they always have. They kill what they fear, and now they fear the mutants, and they kill the mutants, and it is the mutants who suffer. It is the mutants that they oppress and degrade, revile and fear. That they expect to obey their stupid laws. I have had it with human prejudices. I decided that there would not be another Holocaust. That it must be stopped before it occurred. And that I must be the one to stop it. No one else sees things clearly enough.
I became a powerful leader, interested only in protecting mutants at any cost, yet the world still will not listen, still will not believe. And so I must fight, and do what needs doing. Not because I want to, but because I must," Magneto concluded passionately.
Xander looked indignant. "First of all," he began. "Hitler was prepared to do whatever must be done to protect the German race from what he saw as a threat. There wasn't a real threat, but he sacrificed eleven million in the death camps to that end, six million of them Jews. But he honestly thought that he was doing what was necessary to protect his race. I didn't think that you fit that mold as well."
Magneto looked outraged at the comparison. "I am…"
"Acting just like a power hungry maniac. I'm sure that most of the people that you're trying to free don't even know why you're doing it. Most probably assume that you want the power that comes with leading the downtrodden into a new world by creating it from the ashes of the old one."
"I never wanted…"
"None the less that's the image that you've created for yourself. Some mutants even hate you because they think you draw unnecessary attention to them."
"But…"
"I'm not saying that there isn't a problem, or that if we don't do anything it will go away. I'm not saying that we can't live together and one species must die, but I am saying that to kill one species is to kill the other. Because on the most basic level we aren't humans and mutants, we're all people, and people need people. So, the people should be working together to deal with the problem."
Everyone was looking at Xander, their mouths hanging open and their eyes wide.
"Guys…" he started.
"Xan, when did you learn all of that?" Buffy asked, recovering her senses first.
"Well," he mumbled, "you know, from Wills mostly, but I kept up with what was going on. It was at first just incase we ever had to deal with anything like that when we we're fighting. I was afraid of a mutant vamp. Then, I just kind of got drawn in, and so I kept up to date on it."
"Xander, man," Faith interrupted, "that was like too cool. How you knew all that stuff, you were having a Willow moment, and you really cared about all of it too. It was awesome."
Three pairs of eyes became focused on Magneto, who had a thoughtful look on his face.
"I am forced to conclude," he began, "that you do yourself a great disservice by calling yourself "the zeppo." I have met very few human beings with as much life and passion in them that stay true their beliefs. I have met very few people with that quality indeed. You have given me much to think on. And if you are a representative of human beings, I can finally hope that Xavier's silly dream may come true."
"Thank you."
"You are most welcome… Xander."
"Oh, right. I'm sure that sounds pretty strange to you. It's actually short for Alexander, but I never go by my full name."
"Then you are most welcome, Alexander."
The airship chose that moment to begin to descend.
"Where are we?" Faith asked.
"We are at my base in Maine. Here we will wait for the X-men to come, as I'm sure they will. You are free to go with them when they arrive."
"Thank you."
"It is the least I can do. I con only hope that you will continue to do with me as you have already done."
"Be ourselves?" Buff asked.
"No. Be three extraordinarily brace, gifted young people with the power to shape our future."
"Well, that's a tall order," Xander quipped, trying to lighten the mood, "but we'll do our best."
"Then I am sure that you will succeed. Now, if you'll follow me I'm sure that the X-men, and your relatives, will be here shortly."
"You just had to remind me," Faith whined, causing Magneto to smile.
"Perhaps you will not find the situation as terrible as you perceive when you both had been given time to adjust."
"Not likely."
Faith had barely gotten the words out, when the door they had just entered was blown open
"Look my dears," Magneto drawled, "company has arrived."
Scott ran up to Buffy. He glared at Magneto the whole time.
"Buffy, are you alright?"
"Yeah, Scott. We're all fine. We might have actually hurt him with all that mutant strength."
"You believe now?"
"Thanks to the tin can."
Scott looked perplexed. Magneto had succeeded where they had not. He had convinced them that they were mutants… and not vampire slayers.
"So you're not vampire slayers?"
"No, it's been decided that vampire slayers are mutants.:
"Hey, Blue," Faith called out to Beast, "did you redo those tests?"
"Indeed, I did. The results remained the same however."
"I'm going to die," Faith moaned.
"Uh, girls?"
"What Xander?" Both Slayer returned.
"I think we're all going to be dead if you don't do something."
The Slayers pivoted, and ended up facing the open doors.
"Hey, tin head?"
"Yes, my dear?" Magneto replied, causing Logan to growl.
"Is this place a residence?"
"No, it's a lab."
"Shit. I guess that's public enough of them." Faith reached down to pull a stake from her boot, as Buffy grabbed one from her small bag, which was acting as her hand bag, which Scott had kindly brought for her.
"Xander?" Buffy called.
"Yeah?"
"See what you can do about those doors."
Logan was growling. "Something don't smell right about them."
"Well," Faith said, side stepping a charging vamps attack and shoving a stake through another's heart, "that would be because they're dead."
"I'll explain later," Buffy yelled to Scott before joining the battle.
At Xander's insistence, Magneto was moving the door back into place. This steamed the tide of approaching vampires.
"How do you kill these things?" Logan growled.
"Take off its head, stake it with wood through the heart, burn it, or put it in the sun, but it's dark right now so only the first three."
Gambit's charged cards and Scott's eye beams started to incinerate vampires, Logan's claws beheaded them, and Buff and Faith continued to stake them,
Twenty minutes later only ash remained where before there had been vampires
"Well, those were vampires," Xander drawled. "I'd keep those doors up for a while, there could be more out there."
"So what now?" Beast asked.
"We're basically stuck in here until dawn. So, all of you play nice," Buffy ordered. Then she turned to Scoot, who was white.
"Vampires! That means you slay them?"
"Yeah. We're responsible for killing them and countless other evil nasties that come around to destroy this, that and the other."
"Why you?"
"I was chosen. And knowing what I know, I couldn't turn my back on the truth. So, I fight."
Fini Chapter Four