Xander kneeled on the floor of Angel's training room. He was naked save for
a small towel around his waist. In front of him Ian was also kneeling, also
in a towel. To see them thus was to see a study in contradiction. Xanders
body was big. Years of working with his hands had given him the physique of
a builder, someone used to working at a constant rate. His waist tapered,
coming to meet the legs. His legs were used for power. Something comparable
would be to say he had the build of a bear.
Ian's physique, on the other hand, was more feline. While he lacked his apprentices mass, he made up for it in density. Underneath his skin, cables of muscle shifted and rippled. Muscles achieved through a life time of hunting and training. His body was designed for agility and speed, power to a lesser degree. His skin was stretched taut over his body, ripped to an extreme. Scars were highlighted over much of his torso and arms. Along his upper body, most notably his chest, back, and arms were an array of tattoos, none of which looked pointless. He had the body of a hunter, one that was good at its job.
"Are you ready, Xander?"
"I think I am. I'll do my best."
"That's all that can be asked of you. Before we begin, you need to understand a few things. First, while our bodies will remain here, our souls will be traveling to another dimension where time moves differently. What the soul can understand, the body can achieve. Second, your teacher will place the necessary skills into your head, then hone them. By the time you return, you will have the ability to stand up to any man. However, it will take time to get your body used to this. And third, you will not die." He grinned. "No matter how much you want to."
Xander gulped. Here it is, the big time. He calmed himself, drawing on his near endless inner strength. "I am ready."
Ian took Xander's hands in his and began to chant. Xander didn't understand the language but he found it strangely soothing. Soon he found he couldn't keep his eyes open. As his eyes began to fall closed he noticed he could barely hear Ian. Finally, his eyes fell shut.
A moment later he heard Ian calling to him. Opening his eyes, he no longer found himself in Angel's basement. He was in some oriental temple, very ancient looking. The room was lit by torches, which flickered eerily. He turned to see Ian, who was no longer nearly naked. He was now dressed in a black outfit that covered him from head to toe. It was underneath a breastplate, arm guards, leather gauntlets, and leggings of dark green. His hair was in it's usual tight ponytail. Looking down at himself, he found he himself dressed similarly, only with deep red rather than green.
"Why are we dressed like ninjas?"
"Because you're about to learn a powerful form of ninjitsu."
"Where are we, exactly?"
"The Realm of the Dead."
"Oh." Xanders head whipped to Ian. "Say that again, because I could have sworn you just said we were in the realm of the dead."
"Your teacher has been dead for a few centuries now. He became undead about a decade ago to seek revenge on the clan that killed him and his family. A few years ago he found it. Now he exists here. Ahh, here he comes."
Xander turned to the hallway. Walking down the path was a man dressed like them, only in yellow with a mask that covered the lower part of his face. As he came closer Xander realized that his eyes were completely opaque. He was six feet away when he stopped. Turning to Ian, he bowed deeply.
"Red Death."
Ian returned the bow. "Master Scorpion."
Scorpion turned to Xander. "Whom have you brought to me?"
"This is my apprentice. He has no name as yet, but I believe he will shortly. He is the one I wish you to train."
"Our debt will be cleared then."
"Completely."
Scorpion walked to Xander. "Let us begin." Having said this, he buried his fingers INSIDE Xander's skull. A deep burning began as the yellow clad ninja transferred much of his combat knowledge into the young man's head.
Finally the ordeal was over. Xander dropped to his knee, exhausted. He took a moment to catch his breath, then rose to his feet, his head high. He looked into the soulless eyes of his teacher and waited.
Without warning Scorpion began his attack. Sending a flurry of punches and kicks, he held nearly nothing back as he tried to destroy Xander. To everyones surprise, none more than Xander, he couldn't touch him. The young man moved and blocked so effectively that there wasn't a mark on him. Deciding to take things up a notch, Scorpion leapt back and flung his right hand forward, palm out. A spear exploded out of his palm attached to an fleshy umbilical cord, directed straight at Xander's chest. Without missing a beat Xander blocked. Unfortunately, the spear veered at the last second, rounded Harris, and entered his back. Paralyzed, he could nothing as the ninja reeled him in. When he was within range, Scorpion shot his fist up in an uppercut, lifting Xander off the ground and tearing the spear out. Xander landed hard several feet away and did not move.
Standing above him Ian turned to his former sensei. "What do you think?"
"He has a tremendous amount of ability and acclimated the knowledge so rapidly he needed no time for meditation. Even quicker than you. I believe it will not take long to make him into a master."
"That is why I brought him to you rather than Ezekial."
Xander came back to consciousness. "Now I know what a worm on a hook feels like." Taking Ian's proferred hand Xander got to his feet. "That was fun in away that was not. What the hell is that thing?"
"One of my abilities. Hence my name." With that Scorpion began his attack again.
For several hours this continued. Xander 'died' many times, only to come back from it stronger. Finally, the yellow ninja called for the training to stop.
"I can teach you no more, young man. You have mastered all that can be taught to you for now." With that the ninja bowed deeply to him. Xander returned the bow. "Go forth and kill thy enemies." Scorpion turned and disappeared up the path.
Xander turned to Ian. "Kill thy enemies?"
"He's centuries old. I didn't understand half the things he was talking about when he taught me." Ian clapped his hands. Xander found himself back in his body facing Ian.
"So, how'd I do?" he asked apprehensively.
"Remember how I said you could be greater than me?" Xander nodded. "I'm more sure of that than ever."
"Really? I thought I was kind of clumsy."
"You just did in a few hours what it takes years in the real world. It took me two such trips to get where you are." Xander grinned at the praise. "Don't let it go to your head, boy. You still have to learn to execute it in this body. That will take a few weeks to perfect, which is where I come in."
Xander nodded at this, understanding. He did have two questions from the experience, though. "What was that thing about him calling you Red Death?"
"Different groups have different names for me. When you've done the things I've done you meet lots of different groups. I'd say I have roughly seven names, depending on who you ask."
"Why didn't you tell him my name when he asked?"
"Two reasons. One, never tell the dead your real name. It gives them a certain degree of power over you. Most won't do anything with it, but better safe than sorry. And two, you have no name. With what you are doing you have to earn a name. Most of the world does not know me as Ian McCloud. That way they can't find me when I don't want to be found."
Ian grasped Xander;s shoulder. "You are the first person I have ever taught. I do not trust people lightly. Call me cynical, but most people will disappoint you. Usually this isn't their fault, it's just the way it goes. You, I think, will not disappoint me. I see a great man in you, Alexander, and I will not let you disappoint me. I just pray I don't let you down."
Xander grasped Ian's shoulder in kind. "How could you ever let me down? You're my brother in everything but blood."
Ian smirked. "At least I'm not like a father to you."
"That position is taken by an old friend from Sunnydale. And he's not my real father, thoughj I wish he had been."
"I can disappoint you by getting you all killed. Xander, let me make this clear. No matter what happens, you protect the Pack over me. I am not important. They are."
"The Pack?" Xander said with a grin. "I like it."
"I thought you would. Promise me, Harris. Promise me you'll put their lives before mine."
"I promise, but why?"
Ian was silent for a few moments. "Xander, everyone has gifts they're born with. Most never realize theirs. We all have. You and Spike are capable of an incredible love. Both of you will stand by those people you care for, no matter what stands in your way. Your loyalty is absolute, even at the cost of your lives and dignity."
"Dawn instills a desire in others to protect her. Even though she is incredibly powerful in her own right, others still feel a need to protect her. They will make themselves better, stronger on the off chance that she will need that strength."
"Faith is a survivor. She has gone through a life that many warriors would buckle under, and she has had to do it alone for the most part. She has felt very little love from others, so she has craved the brief affection strangers give her during sex. Many will look at her and see a woman of no hope, a lost cause. But after all that, she's still standing. She will always find a way to survive, no matter what. I don't think she will allow herself to ever truly give up."
Xander was blown away. He had never thought of it that way, but now that he thought about it he felt what Ian had said was true. Those were gifts his Family had.
"And what is yours, Ian?"
"Mine is the least of all. I'm a killer, Xander. No more, no less. I have a gift of death since I was born. I can turn myself into a machine, emotionless. I have killed scores and only one of those bothers me, because of the brutality. I will kill to keep mine safe, no matter what. Many think I'm noble. Many have said that I do what must be done. But when it all comes down to it, I'm nothing but a killer. And a coward."
Xander was shocked. Ian may be many things, but a coward was not one of them. "Ian, how can you say you're a coward?"
"Because I gave up. A few years ago it all just became too much. All the death, all the pain, and I had to do it all alone. Before you all came to me I only truly connected with one man, who died. It all became too much. So I sought to end my life."
"It wasn't as easy as you may think. I couldn't just kill myself, there is no honor in that. I had to be killed in battle. So, after searching, I found my executioners. I took on an enemy that was so mighty I didn't stand a chance. I walked into a mansion in Brazil and took on an entire clan of vampires. Six masters and roughly thirty minions, along with a smattering of fledglings."
Hearing Xanders gasp Ian grinned. "As you can see, my plan didn't go as planned. Something took over me and wouldn't let me die. I don't really know what happened. The next thing I knew it was morning and I was surrounded by dust."
"Whoa, that is so cool."
"In hindsight, it was kind of cool. On the bright side, I didn't want to die anymore. Unfortunately I was almost dead. More broken bones than I could count, eyes nearly swollen shut. If it hadn't been for a priest nursing me back to health I would have died."
"Now I have a family. I have people who depend on me, people I can depend on. I now truly have people to fight for, not just an ideal."
Xander did something unexpected. He pulled Ian into a hug. Ian was startled at first, then returned it. They stayed like that for a few seconds before something occurred to him.
"Xander?"
"Yes Ian."
"First let me say that I appreciate the hug. But umm. can I ask you a question?"
"Knock yourself out."
"Did our towels fall off?"
Xander did a quick inventory and found that, yes, he could not feel either towel.
"I believe they have, Ian."
"So what we have here is two naked men, hugging."
"True."
"Strangly enough, it doesn't bother me much."
"I would have to agree."
"I do think we need to stop hugging."
"Right."
Both men backed up. Both waited for embarrassment, but it never came. They felt comfortable with each other. Both heard something and turned towards the dark stairwell.
"That better not have been laughter we heard."
Ian's physique, on the other hand, was more feline. While he lacked his apprentices mass, he made up for it in density. Underneath his skin, cables of muscle shifted and rippled. Muscles achieved through a life time of hunting and training. His body was designed for agility and speed, power to a lesser degree. His skin was stretched taut over his body, ripped to an extreme. Scars were highlighted over much of his torso and arms. Along his upper body, most notably his chest, back, and arms were an array of tattoos, none of which looked pointless. He had the body of a hunter, one that was good at its job.
"Are you ready, Xander?"
"I think I am. I'll do my best."
"That's all that can be asked of you. Before we begin, you need to understand a few things. First, while our bodies will remain here, our souls will be traveling to another dimension where time moves differently. What the soul can understand, the body can achieve. Second, your teacher will place the necessary skills into your head, then hone them. By the time you return, you will have the ability to stand up to any man. However, it will take time to get your body used to this. And third, you will not die." He grinned. "No matter how much you want to."
Xander gulped. Here it is, the big time. He calmed himself, drawing on his near endless inner strength. "I am ready."
Ian took Xander's hands in his and began to chant. Xander didn't understand the language but he found it strangely soothing. Soon he found he couldn't keep his eyes open. As his eyes began to fall closed he noticed he could barely hear Ian. Finally, his eyes fell shut.
A moment later he heard Ian calling to him. Opening his eyes, he no longer found himself in Angel's basement. He was in some oriental temple, very ancient looking. The room was lit by torches, which flickered eerily. He turned to see Ian, who was no longer nearly naked. He was now dressed in a black outfit that covered him from head to toe. It was underneath a breastplate, arm guards, leather gauntlets, and leggings of dark green. His hair was in it's usual tight ponytail. Looking down at himself, he found he himself dressed similarly, only with deep red rather than green.
"Why are we dressed like ninjas?"
"Because you're about to learn a powerful form of ninjitsu."
"Where are we, exactly?"
"The Realm of the Dead."
"Oh." Xanders head whipped to Ian. "Say that again, because I could have sworn you just said we were in the realm of the dead."
"Your teacher has been dead for a few centuries now. He became undead about a decade ago to seek revenge on the clan that killed him and his family. A few years ago he found it. Now he exists here. Ahh, here he comes."
Xander turned to the hallway. Walking down the path was a man dressed like them, only in yellow with a mask that covered the lower part of his face. As he came closer Xander realized that his eyes were completely opaque. He was six feet away when he stopped. Turning to Ian, he bowed deeply.
"Red Death."
Ian returned the bow. "Master Scorpion."
Scorpion turned to Xander. "Whom have you brought to me?"
"This is my apprentice. He has no name as yet, but I believe he will shortly. He is the one I wish you to train."
"Our debt will be cleared then."
"Completely."
Scorpion walked to Xander. "Let us begin." Having said this, he buried his fingers INSIDE Xander's skull. A deep burning began as the yellow clad ninja transferred much of his combat knowledge into the young man's head.
Finally the ordeal was over. Xander dropped to his knee, exhausted. He took a moment to catch his breath, then rose to his feet, his head high. He looked into the soulless eyes of his teacher and waited.
Without warning Scorpion began his attack. Sending a flurry of punches and kicks, he held nearly nothing back as he tried to destroy Xander. To everyones surprise, none more than Xander, he couldn't touch him. The young man moved and blocked so effectively that there wasn't a mark on him. Deciding to take things up a notch, Scorpion leapt back and flung his right hand forward, palm out. A spear exploded out of his palm attached to an fleshy umbilical cord, directed straight at Xander's chest. Without missing a beat Xander blocked. Unfortunately, the spear veered at the last second, rounded Harris, and entered his back. Paralyzed, he could nothing as the ninja reeled him in. When he was within range, Scorpion shot his fist up in an uppercut, lifting Xander off the ground and tearing the spear out. Xander landed hard several feet away and did not move.
Standing above him Ian turned to his former sensei. "What do you think?"
"He has a tremendous amount of ability and acclimated the knowledge so rapidly he needed no time for meditation. Even quicker than you. I believe it will not take long to make him into a master."
"That is why I brought him to you rather than Ezekial."
Xander came back to consciousness. "Now I know what a worm on a hook feels like." Taking Ian's proferred hand Xander got to his feet. "That was fun in away that was not. What the hell is that thing?"
"One of my abilities. Hence my name." With that Scorpion began his attack again.
For several hours this continued. Xander 'died' many times, only to come back from it stronger. Finally, the yellow ninja called for the training to stop.
"I can teach you no more, young man. You have mastered all that can be taught to you for now." With that the ninja bowed deeply to him. Xander returned the bow. "Go forth and kill thy enemies." Scorpion turned and disappeared up the path.
Xander turned to Ian. "Kill thy enemies?"
"He's centuries old. I didn't understand half the things he was talking about when he taught me." Ian clapped his hands. Xander found himself back in his body facing Ian.
"So, how'd I do?" he asked apprehensively.
"Remember how I said you could be greater than me?" Xander nodded. "I'm more sure of that than ever."
"Really? I thought I was kind of clumsy."
"You just did in a few hours what it takes years in the real world. It took me two such trips to get where you are." Xander grinned at the praise. "Don't let it go to your head, boy. You still have to learn to execute it in this body. That will take a few weeks to perfect, which is where I come in."
Xander nodded at this, understanding. He did have two questions from the experience, though. "What was that thing about him calling you Red Death?"
"Different groups have different names for me. When you've done the things I've done you meet lots of different groups. I'd say I have roughly seven names, depending on who you ask."
"Why didn't you tell him my name when he asked?"
"Two reasons. One, never tell the dead your real name. It gives them a certain degree of power over you. Most won't do anything with it, but better safe than sorry. And two, you have no name. With what you are doing you have to earn a name. Most of the world does not know me as Ian McCloud. That way they can't find me when I don't want to be found."
Ian grasped Xander;s shoulder. "You are the first person I have ever taught. I do not trust people lightly. Call me cynical, but most people will disappoint you. Usually this isn't their fault, it's just the way it goes. You, I think, will not disappoint me. I see a great man in you, Alexander, and I will not let you disappoint me. I just pray I don't let you down."
Xander grasped Ian's shoulder in kind. "How could you ever let me down? You're my brother in everything but blood."
Ian smirked. "At least I'm not like a father to you."
"That position is taken by an old friend from Sunnydale. And he's not my real father, thoughj I wish he had been."
"I can disappoint you by getting you all killed. Xander, let me make this clear. No matter what happens, you protect the Pack over me. I am not important. They are."
"The Pack?" Xander said with a grin. "I like it."
"I thought you would. Promise me, Harris. Promise me you'll put their lives before mine."
"I promise, but why?"
Ian was silent for a few moments. "Xander, everyone has gifts they're born with. Most never realize theirs. We all have. You and Spike are capable of an incredible love. Both of you will stand by those people you care for, no matter what stands in your way. Your loyalty is absolute, even at the cost of your lives and dignity."
"Dawn instills a desire in others to protect her. Even though she is incredibly powerful in her own right, others still feel a need to protect her. They will make themselves better, stronger on the off chance that she will need that strength."
"Faith is a survivor. She has gone through a life that many warriors would buckle under, and she has had to do it alone for the most part. She has felt very little love from others, so she has craved the brief affection strangers give her during sex. Many will look at her and see a woman of no hope, a lost cause. But after all that, she's still standing. She will always find a way to survive, no matter what. I don't think she will allow herself to ever truly give up."
Xander was blown away. He had never thought of it that way, but now that he thought about it he felt what Ian had said was true. Those were gifts his Family had.
"And what is yours, Ian?"
"Mine is the least of all. I'm a killer, Xander. No more, no less. I have a gift of death since I was born. I can turn myself into a machine, emotionless. I have killed scores and only one of those bothers me, because of the brutality. I will kill to keep mine safe, no matter what. Many think I'm noble. Many have said that I do what must be done. But when it all comes down to it, I'm nothing but a killer. And a coward."
Xander was shocked. Ian may be many things, but a coward was not one of them. "Ian, how can you say you're a coward?"
"Because I gave up. A few years ago it all just became too much. All the death, all the pain, and I had to do it all alone. Before you all came to me I only truly connected with one man, who died. It all became too much. So I sought to end my life."
"It wasn't as easy as you may think. I couldn't just kill myself, there is no honor in that. I had to be killed in battle. So, after searching, I found my executioners. I took on an enemy that was so mighty I didn't stand a chance. I walked into a mansion in Brazil and took on an entire clan of vampires. Six masters and roughly thirty minions, along with a smattering of fledglings."
Hearing Xanders gasp Ian grinned. "As you can see, my plan didn't go as planned. Something took over me and wouldn't let me die. I don't really know what happened. The next thing I knew it was morning and I was surrounded by dust."
"Whoa, that is so cool."
"In hindsight, it was kind of cool. On the bright side, I didn't want to die anymore. Unfortunately I was almost dead. More broken bones than I could count, eyes nearly swollen shut. If it hadn't been for a priest nursing me back to health I would have died."
"Now I have a family. I have people who depend on me, people I can depend on. I now truly have people to fight for, not just an ideal."
Xander did something unexpected. He pulled Ian into a hug. Ian was startled at first, then returned it. They stayed like that for a few seconds before something occurred to him.
"Xander?"
"Yes Ian."
"First let me say that I appreciate the hug. But umm. can I ask you a question?"
"Knock yourself out."
"Did our towels fall off?"
Xander did a quick inventory and found that, yes, he could not feel either towel.
"I believe they have, Ian."
"So what we have here is two naked men, hugging."
"True."
"Strangly enough, it doesn't bother me much."
"I would have to agree."
"I do think we need to stop hugging."
"Right."
Both men backed up. Both waited for embarrassment, but it never came. They felt comfortable with each other. Both heard something and turned towards the dark stairwell.
"That better not have been laughter we heard."