Title: A Challenge Fic Answered 3 (until we come up with an actual title!)
Authors: Twilight Unicorn & WhiteRavenHorse
Disclaimer: We don't own the concept that Joss Whedon created that makes up the Buffy universe, we're just tinkering with it ("make that sledge hammering it!" -TU). We do own the characters you don't recognize that show up in this story 'verse, as well as the Faith that you see here.
Spoilers: Buffy's 1st and 2nd seasons, and a little of the 3rd. All previous stories of A Challenge Fic Answered and Guardians of the Night 1: Eternal Soulmates.
Warning: This is an AU story!
Timeline: Near the end of the Summer of Buffy season 2 (right before s3).
Rating: PG/PG-13
Summary: TU & WRH are at it again! This time B/A and our beloved Faith are threatened by the past, present and future. Will they be able to correct the threat before it destroys them all?
Feedback: Please! It helps our story thrive.
Author's Note: So that you are aware of it, this is combined with the Guardians of the Night (GN) series. Thus, the A Challenge Fic Answered series is now part of the GN series, and will eventually be put completely with it (when we get around to it!).
Preface
Year 1998 A.D.
The moon shone white in the night sky, as Angel, Buffy, and Drusilla walked out of the catacomb. Outside of the stone circle, Maeve and the other Watchers looked on in unease.
They watched as the three supernatural beings stopped at the edge of the circle, and as Dru – laughing – left, slipping into the night. In peaceful silence, the vampire and Slayer walked the rest of the way to the Watchers.
"Where is Faith," Maeve asked, her gaze wary.
Angel looked at Buffy, then to Maeve, a faint smile tracing his lips, as he whispered, "Home."
The night air was filled with a sense unsettled calmness as Maeve nodded to the Watcher beside her. He quickly opened the car door and stepped back to let her in. Just as Maeve started to get into the vehicle, the calm was shredded by the sound of roaring. Her head jolted towards the sound as she sidestepped the door, the other watchers moved to protect Maeve. As the watchers moved in front of Angel and Buffy, Angel drew Buffy tightly to him.
A single beam of light could be seen swiftly moving closer towards them. Within moments, a sleek black Ducati motorcycle with accentuated silver chrome appeared in the distance. When a darkly clad rider swung to an abrupt stop, gravel flying every which way, as a frail body dressed in black leather had propped one leg to the ground to keep it from toppling to it side. The dust began to settle, seeing that the rider was armed with modern and archaic weapons, the watchers immediately spaced themselves between the rider and their charges.
The rider tilted the helmet to one side as Maeve moved forward warily. "Identify yourself! What is your purpose?
The rider laughed abruptly. The sound was filled with scornful disbelief.
The watchers chorographically moved towards the rider, as the rider rung out in a female voice, "Warrior of Kells! You are needed," into the tense silence that had fallen. Then the rider commanded, "Follow me!"
With dubious looks, the Watchers turned their gazes from the rider to their leader. There was a look of deep concentration upon Maeve's face as she gazed at the rider, and a look in her eyes that spoke of recognition.
She nodded curtly after a moment, before saying in a tone as commanding as the rider's had been, "We will follow. Everyone into the cars now!"
As the Watchers quickly obeyed, Maeve turned to Buffy and Angel, then gestured to the vehicle she stood beside while saying in a voice that broke no argument, "You two will ride with me."
Once all were in the cars, Maeve looked at the rider, thinking with a quiet intensity, We will follow wherever you lead, my Lady, as she turned and shut the door. With those actions, the rider revved her bike and skidded for a second on the loose gravel before pealing out, the other vehicles immediately following.