Dragoon Halloween

Crown 87

I own nothing

Chapter 1

Ethan's Costume Shop

"Hey, Xander!" Willow called to her friend. As he approached them she asked, "What'd you get?

He pulled a toy military rifle out of his bag and holds it up for Willow and Buffy to

see.

"That's not a costume." Buffy points out with a grin

"I got fatigues from an Army surplus at home." Xander said to Willow, ignoring Buffy. "Call me a two-dollar costume king, baby!"

"Hey, look, Xander..." Buffy said, pausing as he pointed the rifle at her, "I'm... really sorry about this morning."

"Do you mind, Buffy? I'm trying to repress."

"Okay, then I promise, from now on I'll let you get pummeled." Buffy said, putting her chin on his shoulder and pouting.

"Thank you." Xander said, rolling his eyes as Buffy smiled. "Okay, y'know, actually

I think I could've t..." He stopped as he watched Buffy walking towards a costume in the corner. "Hello! That was our touching reconciliation moment there."

She keeps walking over to a frilly, red, billowy 18th century gown, ignoring him.

"It's amazing." Willow said, moving to gawk at the dress with Buffy.

With a sigh Xander moved away from the girls and walked a little deeper into the shop. 'All worked up for a vampire, sheesh' Xander thought.

"Can I help you?" A snobbish British voice asked.

Xander jumped turning to see a well dressed man standing there, his name tag read Ethan. 'Must own the store." Xander thought.

"Uh no, I've got what you need." Xander said holding up the toy gun.

"Ahh yes, a soldier. I've sold a number of those today, mostly to children." He added the children part in a condescending tone.

"Well it's all I can afford okay." Xander said defensively.

Ethan looked at the boy. 'Might as well, tonight does need a certain balance on the side of good. I suppose I can dig up something...' "Stay right here, I may have something for you."

Xander looked at the retreating form of the British man and shrugged. "What do I got to lose?"

Ethan returned a while later holding something bulky in his hand. "here we are, I believe this should suit your needs. It's both original and cheap."

Xander's eyes fell on the object in the storeowner's hands. It was highly detailed, blood red armor, with shoulder pads. It left the wearer's right arm covered by what seemed to be a brown leather glove with a chain, while the left arm could be covered by a gauntlet that went just above the elbow. Also, there was a black shirt, a pair of pants, and a red bandana. The pants came with kneepads and ankle high brown boots. A belt was wrapped around the clothing a realistic plastic sword with a red hilt attached to it.

"Wow." Xander said.

"Yes, it is remarkable, but It's been in my stock for far to long." Ethan explained. "I could let it go for a let's say five dollars."

"Deal." Xander agreed, a smile on his face. The grin faltered slightly. "What is it?"

"I honestly don't know, but I assume a mercenary of some kind," Ethan guessed." Oh yes, these also go with the costume."

He handed Xander an old brown satchel, which was filled with eight marble sized spheres.

"Uh okay." Xander said, closing the bag and handing Ethan the money, never noticing how the 'marbles' all seemed to glow as he slipped out quietly passed Buffy and Willow.

Spikes Warehouse

"Spikey, Miss Edith says that everything's switching. Outside to inside." The insane vampiress Drusilla complained to Spike as he held her in arms. "It makes Slayer weak and my Kitten strong."

"Really?" Spike asked interested. "Did my pet have a vision?"

"Do you know what I miss? Leeches." Dru said, going off subject.

"Come on, talk to Daddy." Spike said, shaking her. "This thing that makes the Slayer weak? When is it?"

"Tomorrow." Drusilla said.

"Tomorrow's Halloween." Spike said. "Nothing happens on Halloween."

"Someone's come to change it all." Dru assured. "But Miss Edith said don't go, Kitten will fight you."

"If it's my chance to bag me a Slayer, no little lapdog of the Slayer is going to stop me."

Ethan's Costume Shop

Ethan sat in front of a blood covered statue, looking at his wounded hands in disdain. "The world that denies thee, thou inhabit."

He smeared the blood from his left hand over his right eyelid. "The peace that ignores thee..."

He smears the blood from his right hand over his left eyelid. "...thou corrupt."

He smears the blood from his left hand into a cross on his forehead. "Chaos. I remain, as ever, thy faithful, degenerate son."

End Chapter 1