And So It Begins

"So as the blind that lead the allseeing
I will laugh at the turning of the wheel
Instead of trusting fate -that fickle being
I will dream my own fairytale real"

/Extract from the poem My Own Fairytale

Xander opened his eyes and blinked sleepily up at the roof. He. Opened. His. Eyes. Oh shit. Staying absolutely still he breathed slowly in and out. Feeling himself in his body. His mass was a lot less. His hair longer. He had two eyes. Fuck. He really was back in time. Alright Xander, be calm. Collected. Close your eyes and think.

Okay, so you are back in time. You are 16 years old again. The last 8 years of your life never happened. Acting roll of a lifetime. Yeah, definetly. How the hell am I going to do this? I have to try and forget the future somehow. Suppress it like with the hyena before, like with the soldier nightmares, like with the memory of staking my lover... well almost lover. Loved him though, loved him. Fuck. Jesse…

He closed his eyes even tighter.

Fine, I can do that, for a second chance, I can do that. I will do that. After all, I'm an expert at self-denial. I need a plan. Wonder what day it is?

He groaned and rolled out of bed. Thankfully his body remembered the manner in which he used to move.

Right, wouldn't do to start moving like a one eyed warrior from one day to the next. All right, but I need to start learning martial arts and stuff somewhere, if for no other reason than to keep things real and some meditation techniques. Sure I've got my own street fighting and the stuff I picked up on my travels, but that just ain't gonna cut it this time. I will be a force to reckon with so help me all the powers on Earth. Need to study magic and demonology and weapons and tactics, sure I've got an 8 years head start with fighting and researching behind me, but that still leaves me lacking so many things it wouldn't even be funny in a hundred years.

If I'm gonna be a leader and a fighter, if I'm gonna be all that I can be, I have to think big and detailed, nothing can be left out. Just the fact that I will effectively be changing history every day will take a gigantic amount of skill and knowledge to not fuck this world over to hell, literally. I mean god, all the things we fought in High School. Buffy's Death, Kendra, Angel and Angelus, Faith, Ethan, the Pack. God, the pack I have to learn iron control of my will if I'm to be able to make the Hyena Demon submit to me right away. If I should, can I justify letting four teens get possessed… Focus Alexander, one thing at a time. At least get some clothes on before you start plotting.

He got dressed in somewhat normal clothes; sure he'd dressed badly the last year or so. Mostly as a way to rebel against his parents really and because he was sick of the 'cool kids' and all the hassle that being in the 'in' crowd demanded. But he hadn't begun to wear the really horrible things until he had started to fight. He had then used the clothes to cover up bruises, muscles, danger, weapons, everything.

What date was it then? When had he arrived? He was just about to check the calendar when he suddenly smiled. His older soul had melded with his younger one, he actually remembered what date it was, it was… Oh. Oh. It was the day after he had staked Jessie. Shit. Fuck. They still wouldn't let him save him.

"God damnit. God fucking damnit!"

He picked up a shoe and threw it at the mirror across the room. Then he started to level the room. His anger was real enough, but there was a method to his madness. He was pissed off that Jessie had to die, but he remembered the Balance Demon's words. His friend, his lover, was an Angel now. That meant he wasn't really as dead as all that. The grief lessened a little at that, that and the 8 years he had already had to get used to the idea of missing a piece of himself. And though it made him sick to his stomach he recognized the tactical advantage for what it was.

Loosing a lover to the darkness was what made him be comfort boy the last time. Now he could use that event as a probable excuse to change his whole lifestyle without making anyone suspicious, course learning about all this shit should have made him act like that in the first time. Sometimes his heart was a curse. Strangely enough he felt no guilt at planning to use the death to his advantage. Jessie worked for the powers now, he would both understand and agree if he knew. Well maybe not agree wholeheartedly, he was after all an angel and Xander had no plans whatsoever to be one of those. He was going to become a warrior for earth, not the powers. He would become whatever he had to be to make sure the world did not fall to the darkness this time around -Even if it cost him his very soul.

With grim determination Xander continued making plans in his head while he tore down the last of his old posters and trinkets and everything that no longer sat well with him and threw it in a heap on the floor. When he was done with that he started with his wardrobe, throwing away almost all of his belongings except for some slacks and plain shirts. When he was finally done with the place, not much remained of his former life. The walls were bare and most of his things were on the floor.

He sighed once, grieving for his lost childhood and the innocence that would never be his again. Then he gathered up everything from the floor and carried it to the containers outside. That done he returned to his room for his most priced boyhood possession –his comics collection. He had been quite the collector and had managed to get his hand on some fairly rare copies. All in all he should get some dough out of selling them all. He hefted the box and walked out of the mostly barren room, setting sight on the comics' dealer downtown.

Having bartered with the store owner for a package price for the whole lot of his collection, Xander emerged from the backroom nearly 3000 dollars wealthier. Jeez, he really should speak to his relatives more often; apparently they were more generous than he gave them credit for. Of course most of his comics he'd gotten from his uncle Jack who now rested 6 feet under to his knowledge, hazard of working in the military.

Xander shook his head as to rid himself of the unbidden memory that thought had brought to surface. Fallen comrades, he knew that one, having fought a war for years without the support of a whole organization behind him. It was really fucked up how the warriors for light all fought seperatly. None knowing of each other or interacting. He'd have to do something about that. Later. Much later. He could draw up plans for it maybe, if he had the time some day. But first thing's first, he had to remember that. No matter how much he wanted to he just couldn't control everything for the years to come and whatever lay on his shoulders, he had to remain focused. He was one person, he could not do everything all at once, things would have to wait, would have to be dealt with as he had the time to deal with them. Right now he had to build the foundation of his new life.

With determination he walked the last steps towards one of Sunnydale's men's stores and entered the store putting on his 'adult persona' face as he met the eyes of the clerc and made a small nod. This was a face he had started to use on the work site when he acted as supervisor…fuck just a few months ago he had been the boss at the construction team working at rebuilding the old Sunnydale High and now here he was. 16 years old again and monday morning he was supposed to go back to class. It was surreal to say the least.

He shook off the slightly disturbing feeling and started perusing the store. He picked out mainly dark clothes, cargo pants, dark slacks, black and white t-shirts only. He also picked out some shirts that he would use to hide his weapons this time around and a new dress shirt too. No more Hawaii theme. Some v-necked casual sweaters too, these in colour; blue, red and grey. He picked up a pair of combat boots, dress shoes and sneakers. Finally done after some more odds and ends had been gathered he let the cashier ring up the total. The man seemed very pleased. Xander just smiled and handed over the 1500 dollars. Taking a cab home with all his bags he soon returned downtown for more shopping and hopefully finding a martial arts school.

He went to the Magic Shop. Currently owned by one Mr. Gratchet. He picked up a spell book that he knew contained good stuff for beginners. It was one that Giles had recommended to Willow. Her being the constant overachiever of course had ignored the advice and gone directly for the big stuff. He had to make sure she didn't lose herself in the magic this time around. If necessary he would bind her powers himself, he knew how to do that, had researched that spell in particular when he sensed that she was starting to go wrong. Of course by the time he actually conceded to his own point that she was out of hand Kingman's Bluff had happened. That would not, could not happen this time around. Xander knew that he had magic of his own. He had used it, but never often; only for big stuff or that time he happened to set that book on fire. He still couldn't believe Giles' only comment to that had been to 'not speak Latin to the books' I mean, come on books don't just spontaneously combust cause you talk to them. You have to say special things and have intent. Xander had never been one to research magic to much, he had wanted to let Willow exceed in that area alone. She so desperately needed attention and appreciation. That was then, this is now. I'll just have to take care of her some other way. Christ she's still in love with me at this moment. Have to fix that.

While continuing to plot on this new situation Xander walked through the all too familiar store. He picked up some sage, a burner and a mountain crystal, some coloured candles also made the list and a few other things. He found a beautiful poster of a fantastic landscape that he decided to frame and hang in his room. Satisfied for now with his purchases he went to the counter to pay. It was too bad really that he never tried much with the magic, he could have kept it secret and used it for a last resort. Of course he had still done that, he had done some small protections and stuff, but had never delved too deeply into the mystical arts, aborting almost all his study after that botched love spell, not that he'd actually been responsible for that. No that honour was reserved for the demon that had put a 24 hour curse of insanity on him to cover its retreat. Of course no one would have believed that explanation courtesy of his own ability to downplay himself. Digging his own grave, unknowingly digging everyone's. But really how the hell should he know that what the champions of Earth needed was a freakin' baby sitter? Well, anyways. Big no to spells like that, they were better done by people in the business like Anya or D'Hoffryn.

He smiled slightly at the memory of Anya. She was alive here, still a vengeance demon, but alive and really she shouldn't have left that business. Them getting together, though nice enough had been a mistake. He had been with her more of a sense of duty to protect than anything else. Gods, he had made so many mistakes. It really was true that the road to hell was paved by good intentions. Literally. He clenched his jaw in determination once more. Well this time there weren't going to be mistakes like that. This time he was going to listen to himself and not back down. Do things right, whether they were nice or justifiable or whatever. Just, do what needed to be done.

Leaving the magic stuff in the car Xander then headed for the only Martial Arts school in town as planned. He needed to learn some new moves and hone this young body in to shape. He had also a greater plan in mind. It involved setting up a training program for those willing to fight the darkness which he would need a skilled teacher for. Giles was too important in other areas to use. Coming to a halt infront of 'Master Shung's Dojo -Path of the Dragon' Xander felt a slight worry creep up on him. The windows were empty and boxes and crates were stacked inside. Curiously he knocked once and then tried to open the front door. To his relief it wasn't locked. He went inside.

"Mr. Shung?"

The word Master still gave him the creeps after that thing with Dracula. Sure the thrall had only set by half, that much he'd had to allow to be able to get close to the count without raising his suspicions. He had always been ready to step in and save any member of the team, when they had come to the mansion. Another bad decision. He should have just staked the bastard and been done with it. Ah well, self recrimination didn't really lead down any good path.

His voice echoed slightly off the barren walls. Looking around he could see that not all boxes were full, it looked like Mr. Shung was packing to leave. He had come just in time then, maybe he'd be able to prevent that, somehow. He had to try that was for sure. He wouldn't be able to work to his full potential if he had to get Giles or Angel to train him. Or Spike. No, Spike couldn't be trusted like that. Not yet. Having now opened his inner eyes fully, Xander could see how the master vampire had never been like other vampires; being too human all together. Something else he'd chosen to recognize only when absolutely necessary. Choosing once more to protect the core of the team and keeping Buffy from going down another road of damnation. Hadn't worked of course. Jeez, what the hell had been wrong with him all these years? Xander shook his head. No point on dwelling on the future past. That would not come to pass if he had anything to say about it, which fortunately he did.

"Hey kid. I'm sorry, but the dojo is closed for business. I'm packing up and moving out to LA."

The man the Xander assumed was Shung did not really look like he had expected, or talk like he had expected either. Which made Xander feel slightly contrite, he shouldn't make assumptions on the Hellmouth, 8 years of fighting and he still held prejudice as second nature. He shook his head, he really needed to let go of the persona he had created all those years ago.
Mr. Shung was a middle aged man with black hair that was starting to turn grey on the sides, he was lithe and muscular and moved like a panther. His face wore a slight smile even though his eyes seemed to hold unbearable pain. Xander drew in a tiny breath at he locked gazes with those eyes. That was a look he knew all too well. One that he knew was reflected in his own eyes, more so now than ever because he let it.

"Something bad happen?" His question was low, but evenly stated. His gaze never leaving the other mans eyes.

"Yeah kid. Lost my daughter last week to this damned town."

"I'm very sorry for your loss. The fucking Hellmouth takes its toll from all of us."

"Thank you. Hellmouth huh, that's a new name."

"No, Mr Shung. I'm afraid it's a very old name. I understand your need to leave this town; hell knows I've lost loved ones too. But…I need you here."

"Excuse me?"

The Asian male looked dumbfounded at this.

"I need someone to train me in martial arts and you are the only someone available in these parts at the moment."

"Look kid, I appreciate the faith, really. But as I already told you, I'm leaving."

"Tell me Mr. Shung, did your daughter die by natural causes?"

"What the fuck are you talking about kid?"

The demeanour of the other man had suddenly changed into something quite frightening, but Xander simply held firm. He had stared down death so many times it wasn't even funny.

"Perhaps there was something strange about her death. Perhaps, there was talk of stray dogs or gangs on PCP?"

The other man's eyes had narrowed into small slits and Xander could feel himself being measured, the man closing in on him like a predator. Xander held fast still, he knew all about predators. He flinched a little though, when the other mans hand came to rest ever so lightly on his shoulder, near the base of his neck. This was playing with fire. Really, why did he never learn not to play with matches unless he was wearing flame retardant clothing?

"Kid. I really think you should go now."

"Answer my question please Mr. Shung. I'm not trying to hurt you, but this is important."

The man looked down on him with a level stare and then nodded.

"Yes, her death was reported as a gang related incident."

"I'm sorry. Have you buried her yet?"

"Yes."

"Have you visited the cemetery since?"

"No, I haven't."

Xander swallowed and closed his eyes.

"Alright. Mr. Shung. I'm going to level with you. I know who was responsible for the death of your daughter."

The man suddenly let go of him completely and backed away slightly.

"You do?"

"Yes and am wondering if you are in for a little bit of payback."

"You're crazy kid."

"Funny, you're not the first person to think that and will definitely not be the last I reckon. But no Mr. Shung. I am not crazy, well not crazier than any dumbass volunteering for frontline service who's not so recently gotten his world turned upside down and had to kill his best friend and lover in self defence no more than 12 hours ago. Why some would say I act almost sane. But then again most would just put me in the mental ward on general principle because of what I am about to tell you. So Mr. Shung. Would you like the truth and nothing but the truth so help you whoever's currently not on my shit list of the powers upstairs?"

Mr. Shung just stared at him and Xander let a little smile slip. Just enough Xander babble to be enough. That would go real soon too, but one did not make total makeovers of oneself over night. Easy does it.

"Well?"

"Look kid. I really think you should go sit down for a while and if you did kill someone I'm sure it was an accident…"

Xander sighed and pulled a hand through his hair.

"Right then. Now I've said too much to let things go. Mind if we sit Mr. Shung, you might need to."

Without waiting for an answer Xander gracefully sank to his knees with his back against the counter, leaving a good view of the door and window of the store, and then he rearranged himself quickly into a cross-legged position. One he used whenever there was mystic mojo that he had to be involved in. Letting all his muscles loosen up, his blood and breath flowing as freely as possible and clearing his mind of everything but the task at hand. He needed to get through to this man.

"Mr. Shung. Please."

He gestured to the floor. The martial arts master looked him over one more time before letting out a sigh and gracefully sinking to the floor on his knees.

"Alright kid. Start talking."

"The name is Alexander Mr. Shung. Not kid. Now. This world is older than you know and contrary to popular belief it did not start out as a paradise…"

"…So, as you can see Mr. Shung. You could do a lot for the battle against the darkness by staying here in Sunnydale and train me and others in martial arts."
The martial arts instructors eyes had gone from amused to disbelieving to awed, through frightened to determined while listening to Xander's monologue about the things that go bump in the night. He had listened the whole time though and was now wearing an unreadable expression.

"So, Francesca, my daughter. She could be a vampire now?"

Xander winced. Damn, the man was perceptive, he had hoped that the clues wouldn't add up quite so fast, for the older man's sake.

"I'm afraid so Mr. Shung. If you want we could do a sweep of the cemetery where she was buried to see if the grave has been disturbed, as a minion however the chances are great that she has already been staked, maybe as recently as last night."

Actually, had she been made a childe her first victim would most likely have been her father from what Xander remembered hearing in the other timeline. He wasn't supposed to know that though, so he kept that to himself, no use to trouble the older man further at any rate.

"Look, Alexander. Crazy as it may seem, I actually think you're on the up and up, but I still want some sort of proof that you're not just a stark raving lunatic…"

Xander raised a hand.

"Say no more, a night of patrolling it is. Now though, if you excuse me, I need to meet up with the slayer and co. Just, please. Don't move out until you've seen for yourself what I'm talking about. And…please don't go out by yourself to hunt up some vamps. I know that you are a master in your art, but this is a different scene and I'd hate to see my teacher get hurt before he actually gets around to teaching me some stuff. Y'know…"

Realizing he was probably insulting the other man something fiercly, Xander tried on his patented goofy smile. The one that said 'hey, look I'm so nice and harmless; no one would like to hurt me, ever'.

"And when would that patrol take place?"

Xander's thoughts raced. Last night was the Harvest, today he needed to meet with the Scoobies. No, not the Scoobies, not this time around. He was meeting with the core group, that was it, the core. After that he needed to meet with Angel. Oh, what a joy, how was he going to do this? Suddenly remembering he had a question to answer, Xander shook his head.

"I don't know what night will be safe enough for an outing, I'll have to get back to you on that."

"Kid, I realize I'm new to this, but I can fend for myself. I'm sure anything a normal kid can handle, I will survive."

Xander smiled coldly.

"Yes and I'm sure you're sire will be very grateful for that attitude of yours. You're right though. I have things to do tonight that can not be put off any longer so lets say we meet here, tomorrow at sundown. I suggest you bring a sword, I'll be bringing stakes, holy water and a friend."

"You do realize that I will kick your ass if you're not on the up an´ up about this whole thing?"

"Actually, once we start training I fully expect you to kick my ass, a lot. Until I kick yours. That's the job of a good teacher right?"

"Right."

Mr. Shung looked disbelievingly at him.

"Until tomorrow then, Mr. Harris."

"Tomorrow."

Xander echoed the words in a solemn voice. Yes, tomorrow, he thought. If he lived to see the morrow that is. Oh well, he thought with a jaunty smile. I've missed the verbal sparring with Deadboy. Err… Okay, not good to alienate future husband too much like last time. No derogatory nicknames, Xander. Get a grip, now.

With that thought he left for home once more to brush up on some reading and do some exercising before heading over to the High School library. And won't that be a kicker. Going through High School once more. I'm really gonna enjoy blowing that place up again.