Title: Best Laid Plans.
Author: Charlie
Timeline: Post BtVS S7 (initially), later on Post AtS S5.
Summary: Xander begins a new chapter of his life.
-Crestview School for the Gifted. The next day, near 11am-
As before they pulled into the driveway and Harmony buzzed them through. This time though they found Andrew waiting for them in the parking lot. Alex examined the younger man as he left the car. Andrew looked remarkably like he had two years prior. He was still rather thin with an expression between curiosity and concern always on his face. Andrew wore a pair of khaki slacks with a dark blue short-sleeved shirt.
"Hello Andrew."
"Hi Xand-, I mean Alex." The former trio member corrected himself. "I'll take you to where Dawn, Cordelia and Willow are."
The other two nodded and followed him into the school.
"Hey Andrew." Alex spoke
"Yes?"
"Thanks for being a good Max."
Andrew blinked and smiled at him.
-The library-
Spike sat slumped down in his chair. He glanced down at the book open in front of him. A scowl crossed his face and he turned his attention to the open notebook beside it. Several sentences were scrawled in it, some of them rhyming, some not. A shadow fell across the notebook, causing Spike to look up and scowl even further.
"Hello Poof."
Angel looked down at the younger vampire for a moment before taking his seat. His attention went to the other side of the table where one of the surviving watchers sat. Phillip Mallard had worked for the lower levels of the council early in his life but had retired to a small town in Vermont. Faith and Wood had found him by accident and recruited him as a member of the 'new' council, which Giles currently headed.
"I take it that Mr. Giles, Principal Wood, the slayers and Ms. Rosenberg are on their way?" Mallard inquired.
"Willow's going to be a little late."
"May I inquire as to why?"
"She's meeting with an old friend."
"So Droopy came back to apologize and beg for forgiveness did he? Harris had better be glad that he isn't a toad or a rat right now. Arrogant little sod, always harping on about himself."
Angel paid no attention to Spike's comments, opting instead to wait for the others in silence.
-Underground-
The sound of footsteps reached their ears well before the figures came into sight. Five large men with demonic faces and yellow eyes crept into view. The newcomers eyed the larger figures carefully; one of them stepped closer. He locked eyes with the largest of the brown robed figures for a few minutes. Then both and the other creature turned and gazed up at the ceiling. It was almost time.
-Crestview faculty apartments-
Andrew led the two of them into a recently remodeled three-story building that served as home. It had required a great deal of money and work to bring the building up to spec. New wallpaper, fresh paint and all new fixtures in the bathroom. He led them up the stairs, down the hallway and stopped in front of a door on the second floor. Nervously he knocked on the door twice.
"Come in." came Dawn's voice.
He opened the door for the two men and followed them in. Andrew led them into the living room where the girls waited. Alex looked around the modestly furnished room, eyeing the other people there, Dawn, Cordelia and Willow. Willow was dressed in black pants and a red shirt with long sleeves that were up at the elbow. The red head's expression was one of hurt mixed with guilt as she eyed her childhood friend. Beside her, Cordelia wore a black mini skirt with a white cotton blouse. Her soft, black hair was almost as long as he remembered it was in high school. But it was Dawn who surprised him the most. She wore a full-length festive looking skirt and a light tan blouse. She became extremely nervous as she saw him studying her.
"You look like-"
Dawn's lower lip trembled as she answered, "Like Tara". Upon hearing that name Willow inhaled deeply, briefly resting her head in her hands. An awkward silence settled over the room for a time. Finally Willow looked up and spoke.
"Xander I-"
"No." Cordelia cut her off and gestured to Dawn who nodded and addressed him.
"Alex, I-I don't know what happened. I'm sorry about Anya and I'm sorry that I took you for granted. And I-"
"Dawn. You don't have to apologize for anything. You didn't do anything wrong so you have nothing to apologize for anything."
Alex paused before continuing "I want to say thank you."
She looked up surprised.
"Thank me? For what?"
"You pulled me out of the school, after." His voice trailed off then resumed; "You saved me when no one else did. Thank you."
Dawn looked flushed at his words. Cordelia shot an ugly look at the witch before smiling as well. Willow flinched at his words and sunk deeper into her seat.
Cordelia stood up, drawing everyone's attention to her. She took a deep breath and then addressed her former boyfriend. "Alex, I want to say I'm sorry for not saying anything to you after graduation. I should have called you at least once in a while. And I want to thank you for making me a better person." She finished.
The youngest and only surviving Harris looked at her for a long time before answering, "I didn't make you into a better person Cordy. You were always that person, You just needed the opportunity to show it." Cordelia brightened considerably at his words. She took several steps closer and embraced him in a hug, resting her head on his chest for a few moments. Hesitating Dawn came up behind her and took one of Alex's hands and simply held it with both of hers. The redhead slumped even further into her chair, casting her eyes down.
Reluctantly Cordelia released her hug on him and took only a step back. She looked up into his face and smiled. Silently Willow got to her and moved past the group. The closer she got the door, the quicker she moved. Andrew caught sight of her moving towards the door.
"Willow."
"I- I just can't Andrew. I have to go." She slammed the door in her haste to leave the apartment and ran towards the library.
Riley observed the whole thing in silence.
-The Library-
The doors to the library banged open for a second time in two days as Willow burst into room. She paid no attention to the stares she was getting from the others.
"Willow?"
She turned and saw Kennedy coming toward her. "You've been crying again." Willow nodded numbly and allowed herself to be led back to the table.
-Underground-
The largest of brown robed things looked up and growled. It was time.
-The Library-
Willow jerked her head up as she felt something at the base of her spine. She barely had time to register her surprise before it happened.
The floor of the library seemed to glow briefly before exploding upwards sending wooden splinters out like shrapnel. Angel and Spike had instinctively ducked behind the table and were both shielded from the barrage. With the boom of the explosion still ringing in their ears, they stood up to take see what had happened. Phillip Mallard had been in his mid forties when his hair was just going gray and he would now never see fifty. A large piece of wood had been hurled like a javelin and struck him through the chest killing him instantly. The others were alive though bleeding from a variety of wood inflicted cuts and scratches. Spike was immediately by Fred's side holding her as she tried to stand up.
"Are you all right pet?"
"No she is not." An unfamiliar voice reached his ears. Spike and Fred looked in the direction of it. Standing by the now gaping hole in the floor were three large brown robed things with yellow eyes. Behind them on the other side of the hole were five large men though their faces revealed them to be vampires. The largest of the brown robed things spoke as it stepped forward.
"The human isn't all right and neither will you be." It intoned in a menacing tone. Spike growled as he shifted moving between Fred and the thing.
"We'll see about that mate".
-Dawn's room, faculty apartments-
Following Willow's departure, Cordelia and Dawn had found seats on the couch. Alex was sitting in a beige recliner while Riley leaned against the wall near the entranceway. Andrew was in the kitchen getting everyone drinks. The girls were explaining what had happened in the past two years.
"The building was going to be a real school but then local funding dried up and it was abandoned. Giles managed to get a good deal on the property with Angel's help. After what went down in LA, we decided to move here and help train the new slayers."
Alex was quiet for a little bit before he spoke, "I thought you were going to be an actress Cor, what happened?"
A look of regret and sadness came over her face as she answered. "I got older too."
Alex looked over at the former cheerleader, contemplating her words as he did so. He opened his mouth to reply but then shut it as the sound of an explosion was heard. Riley was off the wall in an instant, his eyes turned towards the door as he listened for footsteps and he reached inside his coat. Hearing none his hand remained in his coat but he quickly looked around as Andrew came running into the room. Cordelia looked a little pale as she spoke.
"That sounded like it came from the library".
The group looked at each other for a second. Seconds later the door slammed shut as they ran towards the source of the explosion.
-The library-
The first thing that Alex saw as they burst into the building was a rather large hole in the wooden floor. The second thing he saw was a reddish-yellow flash of light towards the back. He quickly looked back in time to see Wood, Giles, Wesley and an unfamiliar man slam into the back wall. Standing in the back were three larger then human figures dressed in brown, dirt-covered robes. His attention was quickly shifted back to in front of him as he noticed five large men with cruel twisted faces. The vampires growled for a bit before charging them.
Riley fired at the nearest vampire; the bullet caught the creature in the shoulder jerking it back a little. Without hesitation, he shifted his aim and fired a second time this hitting it in the kneecap. Howling in agony, the vampire dropped to one knee. Riley was prevented from firing a third time as he was tackled by another vampire. With one vamp down and another engaged with Riley, the remaining three attacked Cordelia, Dawn, Andrew and Alex.
One of the vampires attacked the girls, the other two split up, one taking Andrew, the final one on Alex. Andrew grabbed a nearby chair and hit the vampire attacking him with it. The creature shrugged it off and grabbed him around the throat. It hoisted him up and threw him against the wall, stunning him. Alex threw a punch at the vampire striking him in the face. The undead shrugged it off and kicked him in the stomach, doubling him over. He was kicked in the jaw and sent flying over the counter. Alex tried to regain his breath as he heard the creature coming to finish the job.
"Okay, take over".
The remaining vampire had backed Cordelia and Dawn back into a corner. It smiled a thoroughly evil smile as it stalked closer. Dawn and Cordelia looked at each other for a second, nodded and attacked the vampire with surprising intensity. A look of shock was on its features as the young women's fists and feet struck it repeatedly. With a snarl, the creature grabbed Cordelia's arm and held it in place. Dawn grabbed a piece of wood and stabbed it in the chest. To Dawn's surprise the vampire was unharmed and casually backhanded her to the ground. It then grabbed the offending the makeshift stake, yanked it free and smiled at the former seer as it prepared to strike her through the chest. That plan fell apart as another vampire crashed into it, sending it sprawling and allowing the young woman to escape. She looked up and saw a strange man standing on the counter staring towards the back of the room.
"Hey toadsuckers!"
The man's voice rang out but none of the creatures paid attention. He tried a second time, "Hey you human-loving, slime encrusted piles of rat turds." That got their attention and the largest of the group turned it's gaze to him.
"Why don't you quit screwing around with the JV squad and step to play the varsity."
"Do not be anxious human, you will join them shortly."
"Oh really?" The man seemed amused by the demon's words. Smiling he rolled up his left sleeve and showed the creature his exposed shoulder. The thing's eyes focused on the strange mark, afterwards they narrowed and a low growl rumbled forth from it.
"Hunter." It hissed the word. "Kill him."
The man smiled at the demon's words. He turned his attention towards the two vamps that had crept closer to him. His gaze shifted to a fragment of wood lying nearby.
"That won't help you human. Stakes don't work on us."
"Yeah I know." Saying that the man drew back his coat and held his right hand open. Something flew from inside his coat into his hand. A blade of pure green energy erupted from the end of it.
"Stakes don't work but I reckon this will."
The vampires charged in response. The man flipped off the counter, twisting as he did so and landed behind them. He stabbed the first vampire from behind and then slashed the second one across the back. The reaction of both vampires was immediate. They both screamed in pain, as green light seemed to emanate from their bodies. Cordelia and Dawn watched in shock, as both vampires seemed to burn from the inside out. They caught glimpses of each creature's skeleton as their bodies melted and fell apart.
The stranger smirked at the results of his strike, "Vampires.' He turned his attention to the other vamps, "Next?"
Meanwhile Riley was struggling with the one that had attacked him earlier. Andrew had regained consciousness and was trying to help him. The former geek spotted a bottle of wood varnish, grabbed it and smashed it on the vampire. It's contents soaked through the vampires clothing, distracting the vamp. Riley used the opportunity to grab his fallen firearm and jam it into creature's clothing. He squeezed the trigger twice and the muzzle flame ignited the varnish setting the vamp on fire. It screamed as the flame consumed its body, and turned to ash.
The remaining two vampires met the same fate as the others, dying via single sword strikes from the green blade. The stranger seemed to pause for a bit before turning his attention across the hole to the brown robed figures.
"Well it looks like you're gonna need some new vampire guys."
The largest one growled something and the other two abandoned their current targets and strode toward the man. They removed their robes as they did so, revealing themselves to be a cross between a bull and a lizard in appearance with green scaled skin. One wielded a large metal rod with a hook on the end, the other an unusual shaped axe.
The man nodded and attacked striking at the axe wielder first. The second demon intercepted his attack and deflected it. The first demon used the opening swing his axe with the aim of slicing off the human's hands. The man let go of the sword not watching as it dropped to the ground. He danced back narrowly avoiding the swing. The hook wielder took the opening and struck him across the ribs. The other demon took the opportunity and raised the axe to strike. Riley took aim and fired at the axe wielder striking it in mid-swing. With a painful cry it's grip on the axe weakened and the weapon clattered to the floor as the demon sunk to its knees.
The second demon was distracted by the fate of the first and that allowed the man to get close and deliver a backhand punch to the face. He followed that up with a strong punch to the thing's stomach stunning it. Finally he slammed his right forearm into the thing's chin and finished by executing a spinning roundhouse kick to the other side of the thing's head. Dazed, the creature dropped its weapon and crumpled to the ground. The stranger took a second to look at fallen demon.
"Good old hell chain."
With a roar the wounded demon rose behind him and charged. The man flipped up the axe with his feet, got a firm grip and swung it like a baseball bat. The axe connected with the demon's chest and the blade sunk in more then halfway. The demon slumped to the floor dead. There was little time to celebrate as the stunned demon began stir. The man sighed as he picked up the rod and walked over to the demon trying to stand up. He kicked it's knees from behind, yanked back on the head and rammed the rod into the demon's mouth so hard it burst forth from the back of the head. The stranger let the dead body fall to the floor and turned to address the remaining demon.
"Offhand, I'd say you're out of flunkies. You might want to quit while you're still alive twinkle toes."
The demon threw off its robe in response. It was larger then the other two with yellow patches on it's body. And a large sword with serrated edges in the thing's hands.
The man smirked and gestured at the demon. "Come on."
The remaining demon charged and hopped at him. Suddenly the man's green bladed sword leaped off the ground and flew into his hand in time to block the attack. Sparks flew briefly as the weapons clashed and then the two combatants backed off. Snarling the demon swung down at the man, forcing him to use both hands on his weapon. He seemed to wince in pain as the demon pressed further backing him against the wall. The man took the time to look up at the smiling demon flinching as he did.
"When's the last time you brushed? You desperately need a mint or something. Your breath can strip paint."
Angered, the demon shoved him back into the wall. The demon then tried to stab him but he dodged and quickly ran past it. The creature altered its strike and whirled around slashing as it did so. All of which struck nothing but air. The demon saw nothing but noticed the young blonde female human looking upward. It looked up in time to see the man come straight down and feel his blade cut through its body straight down. The demon had time to see the coldness in the human's blue eyes before it split in half.
"Loser."
The man fiddled with his weapon for a second as he reached inside his coat for a pair of sunglasses and slipped them on. Behind him, Buffy stared in shock at what had happened. Ignoring the pain from her injuries, she shyly stepped closer to the brunette and lightly touched his back.
"Xander?"
The man turned around, lowering his sunglasses as he did. Buffy shivered involuntarily as the coldest blue eyes she had ever seen settled on her. Time almost seemed to slow down before he spoke to her.
"Not quite."
Author: Charlie
Timeline: Post BtVS S7 (initially), later on Post AtS S5.
Summary: Xander begins a new chapter of his life.
-Crestview School for the Gifted. The next day, near 11am-
As before they pulled into the driveway and Harmony buzzed them through. This time though they found Andrew waiting for them in the parking lot. Alex examined the younger man as he left the car. Andrew looked remarkably like he had two years prior. He was still rather thin with an expression between curiosity and concern always on his face. Andrew wore a pair of khaki slacks with a dark blue short-sleeved shirt.
"Hello Andrew."
"Hi Xand-, I mean Alex." The former trio member corrected himself. "I'll take you to where Dawn, Cordelia and Willow are."
The other two nodded and followed him into the school.
"Hey Andrew." Alex spoke
"Yes?"
"Thanks for being a good Max."
Andrew blinked and smiled at him.
-The library-
Spike sat slumped down in his chair. He glanced down at the book open in front of him. A scowl crossed his face and he turned his attention to the open notebook beside it. Several sentences were scrawled in it, some of them rhyming, some not. A shadow fell across the notebook, causing Spike to look up and scowl even further.
"Hello Poof."
Angel looked down at the younger vampire for a moment before taking his seat. His attention went to the other side of the table where one of the surviving watchers sat. Phillip Mallard had worked for the lower levels of the council early in his life but had retired to a small town in Vermont. Faith and Wood had found him by accident and recruited him as a member of the 'new' council, which Giles currently headed.
"I take it that Mr. Giles, Principal Wood, the slayers and Ms. Rosenberg are on their way?" Mallard inquired.
"Willow's going to be a little late."
"May I inquire as to why?"
"She's meeting with an old friend."
"So Droopy came back to apologize and beg for forgiveness did he? Harris had better be glad that he isn't a toad or a rat right now. Arrogant little sod, always harping on about himself."
Angel paid no attention to Spike's comments, opting instead to wait for the others in silence.
-Underground-
The sound of footsteps reached their ears well before the figures came into sight. Five large men with demonic faces and yellow eyes crept into view. The newcomers eyed the larger figures carefully; one of them stepped closer. He locked eyes with the largest of the brown robed figures for a few minutes. Then both and the other creature turned and gazed up at the ceiling. It was almost time.
-Crestview faculty apartments-
Andrew led the two of them into a recently remodeled three-story building that served as home. It had required a great deal of money and work to bring the building up to spec. New wallpaper, fresh paint and all new fixtures in the bathroom. He led them up the stairs, down the hallway and stopped in front of a door on the second floor. Nervously he knocked on the door twice.
"Come in." came Dawn's voice.
He opened the door for the two men and followed them in. Andrew led them into the living room where the girls waited. Alex looked around the modestly furnished room, eyeing the other people there, Dawn, Cordelia and Willow. Willow was dressed in black pants and a red shirt with long sleeves that were up at the elbow. The red head's expression was one of hurt mixed with guilt as she eyed her childhood friend. Beside her, Cordelia wore a black mini skirt with a white cotton blouse. Her soft, black hair was almost as long as he remembered it was in high school. But it was Dawn who surprised him the most. She wore a full-length festive looking skirt and a light tan blouse. She became extremely nervous as she saw him studying her.
"You look like-"
Dawn's lower lip trembled as she answered, "Like Tara". Upon hearing that name Willow inhaled deeply, briefly resting her head in her hands. An awkward silence settled over the room for a time. Finally Willow looked up and spoke.
"Xander I-"
"No." Cordelia cut her off and gestured to Dawn who nodded and addressed him.
"Alex, I-I don't know what happened. I'm sorry about Anya and I'm sorry that I took you for granted. And I-"
"Dawn. You don't have to apologize for anything. You didn't do anything wrong so you have nothing to apologize for anything."
Alex paused before continuing "I want to say thank you."
She looked up surprised.
"Thank me? For what?"
"You pulled me out of the school, after." His voice trailed off then resumed; "You saved me when no one else did. Thank you."
Dawn looked flushed at his words. Cordelia shot an ugly look at the witch before smiling as well. Willow flinched at his words and sunk deeper into her seat.
Cordelia stood up, drawing everyone's attention to her. She took a deep breath and then addressed her former boyfriend. "Alex, I want to say I'm sorry for not saying anything to you after graduation. I should have called you at least once in a while. And I want to thank you for making me a better person." She finished.
The youngest and only surviving Harris looked at her for a long time before answering, "I didn't make you into a better person Cordy. You were always that person, You just needed the opportunity to show it." Cordelia brightened considerably at his words. She took several steps closer and embraced him in a hug, resting her head on his chest for a few moments. Hesitating Dawn came up behind her and took one of Alex's hands and simply held it with both of hers. The redhead slumped even further into her chair, casting her eyes down.
Reluctantly Cordelia released her hug on him and took only a step back. She looked up into his face and smiled. Silently Willow got to her and moved past the group. The closer she got the door, the quicker she moved. Andrew caught sight of her moving towards the door.
"Willow."
"I- I just can't Andrew. I have to go." She slammed the door in her haste to leave the apartment and ran towards the library.
Riley observed the whole thing in silence.
-The Library-
The doors to the library banged open for a second time in two days as Willow burst into room. She paid no attention to the stares she was getting from the others.
"Willow?"
She turned and saw Kennedy coming toward her. "You've been crying again." Willow nodded numbly and allowed herself to be led back to the table.
-Underground-
The largest of brown robed things looked up and growled. It was time.
-The Library-
Willow jerked her head up as she felt something at the base of her spine. She barely had time to register her surprise before it happened.
The floor of the library seemed to glow briefly before exploding upwards sending wooden splinters out like shrapnel. Angel and Spike had instinctively ducked behind the table and were both shielded from the barrage. With the boom of the explosion still ringing in their ears, they stood up to take see what had happened. Phillip Mallard had been in his mid forties when his hair was just going gray and he would now never see fifty. A large piece of wood had been hurled like a javelin and struck him through the chest killing him instantly. The others were alive though bleeding from a variety of wood inflicted cuts and scratches. Spike was immediately by Fred's side holding her as she tried to stand up.
"Are you all right pet?"
"No she is not." An unfamiliar voice reached his ears. Spike and Fred looked in the direction of it. Standing by the now gaping hole in the floor were three large brown robed things with yellow eyes. Behind them on the other side of the hole were five large men though their faces revealed them to be vampires. The largest of the brown robed things spoke as it stepped forward.
"The human isn't all right and neither will you be." It intoned in a menacing tone. Spike growled as he shifted moving between Fred and the thing.
"We'll see about that mate".
-Dawn's room, faculty apartments-
Following Willow's departure, Cordelia and Dawn had found seats on the couch. Alex was sitting in a beige recliner while Riley leaned against the wall near the entranceway. Andrew was in the kitchen getting everyone drinks. The girls were explaining what had happened in the past two years.
"The building was going to be a real school but then local funding dried up and it was abandoned. Giles managed to get a good deal on the property with Angel's help. After what went down in LA, we decided to move here and help train the new slayers."
Alex was quiet for a little bit before he spoke, "I thought you were going to be an actress Cor, what happened?"
A look of regret and sadness came over her face as she answered. "I got older too."
Alex looked over at the former cheerleader, contemplating her words as he did so. He opened his mouth to reply but then shut it as the sound of an explosion was heard. Riley was off the wall in an instant, his eyes turned towards the door as he listened for footsteps and he reached inside his coat. Hearing none his hand remained in his coat but he quickly looked around as Andrew came running into the room. Cordelia looked a little pale as she spoke.
"That sounded like it came from the library".
The group looked at each other for a second. Seconds later the door slammed shut as they ran towards the source of the explosion.
-The library-
The first thing that Alex saw as they burst into the building was a rather large hole in the wooden floor. The second thing he saw was a reddish-yellow flash of light towards the back. He quickly looked back in time to see Wood, Giles, Wesley and an unfamiliar man slam into the back wall. Standing in the back were three larger then human figures dressed in brown, dirt-covered robes. His attention was quickly shifted back to in front of him as he noticed five large men with cruel twisted faces. The vampires growled for a bit before charging them.
Riley fired at the nearest vampire; the bullet caught the creature in the shoulder jerking it back a little. Without hesitation, he shifted his aim and fired a second time this hitting it in the kneecap. Howling in agony, the vampire dropped to one knee. Riley was prevented from firing a third time as he was tackled by another vampire. With one vamp down and another engaged with Riley, the remaining three attacked Cordelia, Dawn, Andrew and Alex.
One of the vampires attacked the girls, the other two split up, one taking Andrew, the final one on Alex. Andrew grabbed a nearby chair and hit the vampire attacking him with it. The creature shrugged it off and grabbed him around the throat. It hoisted him up and threw him against the wall, stunning him. Alex threw a punch at the vampire striking him in the face. The undead shrugged it off and kicked him in the stomach, doubling him over. He was kicked in the jaw and sent flying over the counter. Alex tried to regain his breath as he heard the creature coming to finish the job.
"Okay, take over".
The remaining vampire had backed Cordelia and Dawn back into a corner. It smiled a thoroughly evil smile as it stalked closer. Dawn and Cordelia looked at each other for a second, nodded and attacked the vampire with surprising intensity. A look of shock was on its features as the young women's fists and feet struck it repeatedly. With a snarl, the creature grabbed Cordelia's arm and held it in place. Dawn grabbed a piece of wood and stabbed it in the chest. To Dawn's surprise the vampire was unharmed and casually backhanded her to the ground. It then grabbed the offending the makeshift stake, yanked it free and smiled at the former seer as it prepared to strike her through the chest. That plan fell apart as another vampire crashed into it, sending it sprawling and allowing the young woman to escape. She looked up and saw a strange man standing on the counter staring towards the back of the room.
"Hey toadsuckers!"
The man's voice rang out but none of the creatures paid attention. He tried a second time, "Hey you human-loving, slime encrusted piles of rat turds." That got their attention and the largest of the group turned it's gaze to him.
"Why don't you quit screwing around with the JV squad and step to play the varsity."
"Do not be anxious human, you will join them shortly."
"Oh really?" The man seemed amused by the demon's words. Smiling he rolled up his left sleeve and showed the creature his exposed shoulder. The thing's eyes focused on the strange mark, afterwards they narrowed and a low growl rumbled forth from it.
"Hunter." It hissed the word. "Kill him."
The man smiled at the demon's words. He turned his attention towards the two vamps that had crept closer to him. His gaze shifted to a fragment of wood lying nearby.
"That won't help you human. Stakes don't work on us."
"Yeah I know." Saying that the man drew back his coat and held his right hand open. Something flew from inside his coat into his hand. A blade of pure green energy erupted from the end of it.
"Stakes don't work but I reckon this will."
The vampires charged in response. The man flipped off the counter, twisting as he did so and landed behind them. He stabbed the first vampire from behind and then slashed the second one across the back. The reaction of both vampires was immediate. They both screamed in pain, as green light seemed to emanate from their bodies. Cordelia and Dawn watched in shock, as both vampires seemed to burn from the inside out. They caught glimpses of each creature's skeleton as their bodies melted and fell apart.
The stranger smirked at the results of his strike, "Vampires.' He turned his attention to the other vamps, "Next?"
Meanwhile Riley was struggling with the one that had attacked him earlier. Andrew had regained consciousness and was trying to help him. The former geek spotted a bottle of wood varnish, grabbed it and smashed it on the vampire. It's contents soaked through the vampires clothing, distracting the vamp. Riley used the opportunity to grab his fallen firearm and jam it into creature's clothing. He squeezed the trigger twice and the muzzle flame ignited the varnish setting the vamp on fire. It screamed as the flame consumed its body, and turned to ash.
The remaining two vampires met the same fate as the others, dying via single sword strikes from the green blade. The stranger seemed to pause for a bit before turning his attention across the hole to the brown robed figures.
"Well it looks like you're gonna need some new vampire guys."
The largest one growled something and the other two abandoned their current targets and strode toward the man. They removed their robes as they did so, revealing themselves to be a cross between a bull and a lizard in appearance with green scaled skin. One wielded a large metal rod with a hook on the end, the other an unusual shaped axe.
The man nodded and attacked striking at the axe wielder first. The second demon intercepted his attack and deflected it. The first demon used the opening swing his axe with the aim of slicing off the human's hands. The man let go of the sword not watching as it dropped to the ground. He danced back narrowly avoiding the swing. The hook wielder took the opening and struck him across the ribs. The other demon took the opportunity and raised the axe to strike. Riley took aim and fired at the axe wielder striking it in mid-swing. With a painful cry it's grip on the axe weakened and the weapon clattered to the floor as the demon sunk to its knees.
The second demon was distracted by the fate of the first and that allowed the man to get close and deliver a backhand punch to the face. He followed that up with a strong punch to the thing's stomach stunning it. Finally he slammed his right forearm into the thing's chin and finished by executing a spinning roundhouse kick to the other side of the thing's head. Dazed, the creature dropped its weapon and crumpled to the ground. The stranger took a second to look at fallen demon.
"Good old hell chain."
With a roar the wounded demon rose behind him and charged. The man flipped up the axe with his feet, got a firm grip and swung it like a baseball bat. The axe connected with the demon's chest and the blade sunk in more then halfway. The demon slumped to the floor dead. There was little time to celebrate as the stunned demon began stir. The man sighed as he picked up the rod and walked over to the demon trying to stand up. He kicked it's knees from behind, yanked back on the head and rammed the rod into the demon's mouth so hard it burst forth from the back of the head. The stranger let the dead body fall to the floor and turned to address the remaining demon.
"Offhand, I'd say you're out of flunkies. You might want to quit while you're still alive twinkle toes."
The demon threw off its robe in response. It was larger then the other two with yellow patches on it's body. And a large sword with serrated edges in the thing's hands.
The man smirked and gestured at the demon. "Come on."
The remaining demon charged and hopped at him. Suddenly the man's green bladed sword leaped off the ground and flew into his hand in time to block the attack. Sparks flew briefly as the weapons clashed and then the two combatants backed off. Snarling the demon swung down at the man, forcing him to use both hands on his weapon. He seemed to wince in pain as the demon pressed further backing him against the wall. The man took the time to look up at the smiling demon flinching as he did.
"When's the last time you brushed? You desperately need a mint or something. Your breath can strip paint."
Angered, the demon shoved him back into the wall. The demon then tried to stab him but he dodged and quickly ran past it. The creature altered its strike and whirled around slashing as it did so. All of which struck nothing but air. The demon saw nothing but noticed the young blonde female human looking upward. It looked up in time to see the man come straight down and feel his blade cut through its body straight down. The demon had time to see the coldness in the human's blue eyes before it split in half.
"Loser."
The man fiddled with his weapon for a second as he reached inside his coat for a pair of sunglasses and slipped them on. Behind him, Buffy stared in shock at what had happened. Ignoring the pain from her injuries, she shyly stepped closer to the brunette and lightly touched his back.
"Xander?"
The man turned around, lowering his sunglasses as he did. Buffy shivered involuntarily as the coldest blue eyes she had ever seen settled on her. Time almost seemed to slow down before he spoke to her.
"Not quite."