Summary: This is an ongoing AU from Xander being Wolf-possessed, not Hyena possessed, and I've kept as much of the original dialogue as possible, where circumstances are the same as 'canon.'
House of Mayor Richard Wilkins, 5PM, October 30th
"Well, so you're Darla," Mayor Wilkins smiled, shaking her hand and guiding her into the parlor, "I certainly hope you enjoy it here, young lady." He indicated for her to sit, as Lilah handed over a folder of various documents, records, identifications to the man.
"Yes, yes, Ms. Morgan, the paperwork I presume is all in order?" the man asked, and at her nod continued with a beaming smile, "Wonderful, then I guess, it's time Darla and I get to know one another. Good day, Ms. Morgan, I hope that both you and your associate Mr. Lindsay will join me for breakfast after I personally get our little lady here started at her new high school." The young lawyer nodded and left, amused by the fullness of the Mayor's act.
Spike's Warehouse, Los Angeles, 5 AM, October 31st
"Are the gangs ready?" Spike asked his gathered minion leaders, "I want us in Sunnydale at sunset." His second reported.
"We've grabbed enough vans and busses," the Minion reported, "And our still-human members will be ready to leave no later than four…with rush hour, we should be there by sunset."
"Good," Spike nodded, "By this time tomorrow, even without Dru, I want Sunnydale to burn and bleed." The assembled vampires growled with anticipation.
The Archducal Mansion, Los Angeles, 7 AM, October 31st
"Summarize this for me," His Evilness stated without emotion to his Intelligence Minion, "I haven't time to read it."
"It appears that there will be an attempt by an Aurelius vampire, Spike, to seize control of the Hell Mouth tonight with a sizable force of half-breeds," the demon briefed his master, "Wolfram and Hart are sending assistance to fellow Order member Wilkins to avert a possible Opening, but are also sending their own 'teams' with vampiric support as well. It seems that they haven't told Wilkins about these 'additional helpers.'"
"Anything else?" His Evil Grace questioned harshly, "I see none of this as a particular threat."
"The various predictors in our service have glimpsed many possible variables becoming important but cannot see resolution your stated status quo policy would support," the minion grimaced, "Nest rises again to open the Hell Mouth, Angelus ends the Black Thorn, Glorificus seizing the Key within a short time and bringing twenty-four hell dimensions and four human dimensions into War, and other variables."
"So they don't know?" the Arch Demon pressed.
"It will be a night of chaos, and the outcome is unsure," the minion conceded. "It will depend on the actions of all players. But the Necromancer and another, unidentified, Order member were glimpsed within the chaos."
"So the Order is turning to the individual interests?" the Archduke stated, finally letting anger start to seep out around the edges. "Quietly mobilize all of our minions. When I give the word, we will carry out The Purge as we planned years ago. But inform those who would've raided the richer neighborhoods, that they'll be my cohort to the Hell Mouth. They will leave in time to get to Wilkins' little town sometime after sundown. Let's make sure the vampires and others are all at the Hell Mouth when my minions wipe them out."
"What of Wilkins?" the minion asked, seeking clarification.
"Nothing direct," the Duke of Demons directed, "But anything found trying to control or open the Hell Mouth needs to be destroyed. We're comfortable here, why go back to the endless war of the Hell Planes? If any of the Order survives the night, we'll worry about the niceties tomorrow."
Knights of Byzantium Base, 8 AM, Bakersfield (Yes, Bakersfield)
Joseph, Field Commander of the Knights of Byzantium in North America, looked up from his computer, one of the few used by members of the Order. He'd been gathering the various auxiliary assets of the Order together for a mission to Africa sans the horses and armor. A 'coven' of reality-altering demons were attempting to convert demonic energy into soul/life energy as a means of taking over the bodies of humans as though they were their own. Forty-eight soldiers, including eight as medics/comm personnel. Now, he receives this order to drop everything and take the thirty full knights, hidebound traditionalists who disdained modern weaponry against demons and search for Glorificus and the Key while keeping an eye on the happenings on the Hell Mouth on All Hallow's Eve.
"Maurice," he sighed to his chief aide, "Have you read this?"
"Yes, My Lord," the adjutant emotionlessly replied, "Your orders?"
"Since it doesn't specifically proscribe me from taking all assets to Sunnydale, and all fifty knights with support, that's what we'll do," the Commander directed, nodding, "We'll bring up the twenty Knights over from the Eastern Chapter for sparring. Spread the word: Trucks and Trailers; Full Kits. With it being Halloween, we can send teams of five horsemen forward on each of the major streets as a decorative recon, with their squirage following behind with a real team each." His aide wrote down the orders, and readied to depart.
"I guess we'll never know how we'd have fared against the six demons in that African cave, huh?" he said as the adjutant saluted and hurried to issue the orders. "Hopefully we'll get to this town a little after dark."
Sunnydale Armory, 7:45 AM
"General Chamberlain, Sir, your costume is here," the young lieutenant, Riley Finn, reported to the base commander, "And the tailoring seems quite good." The general looked it over.
"What about the men and the costumes for the ladies?" the general quizzed his newest aide, "Are theirs up to snuff?"
"Yes Sir," Finn replied, "Mr. Rayne was able to come up with about a fifty-fifty split on the costumes, and the ladies should fit just fine."
"Well, I hope so," the older man sighed, "With the Mayor holding a First Annual Halloween Ball and inviting the crews of that Coast Guard boat and those naval trainees working with them, I want us to look our best."
Sunnydale High School Office, 7:45 AM
Principal Flutie was welcoming the Mayor's daughter to the school, and Snyder chaffed at having another 'untouchable' student outside his reach. And to find out he had to attend the First Annual Halloween Ball as soon as the kiddie groups returned was too much.
The Vice Principal winced at the thought of dressing up for the Mayor' party; after that big 'serial killing' thing had swept through the news, the public relations effort had gotten into gear; everybody from the military base officers, to police, to civil servants were being wrangled as part of the whole thing to put a friendly face on the region. Good thing Halloween was a quiet night' with all the brass of the area gathering at the Civic Center nearer the docks, base and airport, it should be alright. 'And the only costume left was something called a Ferengi…whatever that is.'
SHS Library, 8:00 AM
"And this, Miss Wilkins, is the School Library," Principal Flutie pointed out, "And we'll get your textbooks her." He looked for Rupert. "Ah, Mr. Giles, this is our new student, the Mayor's daughter. Darla, this is Mr. Giles our librarian." The demure blonde girl looked up and looked for recognition in the man's eyes, but didn't really see any.
"G-Good morning, Miss Wilkins," Giles replied, 'Darla? It can't be, she's the Mayor's daughter and it's day time, Rupert,' he chided himself while remaining British-looking, "I was given a list of your books, so I've taken the liberty of readying them for you." He gestured with his hand to the materials.
"Thank you, Mister Giles," the girl somewhat reticently replied, sighing, "One less thing to keep track of while I figure out where I'm supposed to be." She smiled wanly as he nodded understanding.
Oh, and Rupert please let Alexander know that the Mayor would like his daughter to participate in tonight's Halloween escort as away to familiarize herself with Sunnydale High and make friends," Flutie continued, smiling, "Now, I have a few things to take care of before I leave for the airport this afternoon, so Darla, let's introduce you to the school counselor, and next period…you have computer class."
Giles noted the girl's deeply sad look as the school administrator turned away.
Computer Class, 8:50 AM
Xander sat in between the cool kids and the hero kids in Ms. Calendar's class, and had just parried, countered, and riposted a Cordelia quip successfully when Principal Flutie brought a new student into the room. As the humor died down and computers fired up, the world narrowed for Xander Harris and Darla Wilkins.
Flutie made introductions, made a harmless witticism, and left as the two 'teens' locked gazes. Buffy, Ampa, Cordelia and a few others turned toward Xander with widening eyes as he began to sub-vocalize a growl that soon rose to be heard by those within a few feet. Buffy noticed his eyes taking on the hue he only sowed when he was extremely angered, his posture tensing as though to spring. Ampa and Willow were softly but franticly whispering to him in an attempt to calm down as Buffy started to recognize Angel's sire. Sitting up front, in the sunshine, cross around her neck, looking worriedly over her shoulder at Xander. Jenny Calendar then distracted the rest of the class by beginning lab assignments and getting Darla set up on a computer.
"What is it?!" whispered Cordelia to Buffy, "Who's the new girl?"
"Remember Darla from the Library last May?" Buffy whispered back while using slayer strength to keep her male friend from precipitous action. Cordelia nodded, "That's her up front and seemingly human?" Xander waved back his friends and girlfriends.
Darla whispered something to the dark-haired teacher, and received a pass and directions to the bathroom. She left, tearing slightly as she exited.
"Ms. Calendar?" Xander addressed his teacher aloud, "I just remembered an errand I needed to take care of for tonight, in the Library? May I be excused for a while? My assignments are up-to-date." Jenny nodded as she continued to help other students. Xander almost bolted from the room.
A minute later, concerned, Ms. Calendar sent Buffy to help Darla in case she got lost.
SHS Library, 9:00 AM
Giles watched from the upper stacks as Miss Wilkins raced through the doors of the library, crying and looking like she was fleeing something. Taking a deep breath, she just seemed to stare at the table and then to a spot on the floor, when Xander barged into the library, stopped, and slowly began to stalk her. Giles called out to them from up top.
"C-can I help you two?" the Watcher asked as he deliberately made his way toward what seemed to be a rather one-sided conflict. Darla backed slowly away from the spot that had held her fixated, moving toward the weapons cage. Buffy entered the library slowly but didn't stop as she saw her friend steadily moving on his prey.
"Xander, I think she's human," Buffy said softly, hoping to get through to the person who in two months had helped her through most of the issues she'd had building over the last couple of years.
"So was Jesse, Buff," Xander replied, "So was Jesse." Darla was a step away from the cage exterior when she finally spoke.
"I'm sorry," she very softly whispered, "Please don't hurt me…" Giles was flanking Xander, quietly asking him not to do anything until they knew more, like why she's resurrected. She backed into the cage, and cried out in surprise as two hands softly but irresistibly held her in place.
"So Grand-Mommy's come to her Dru," the still sane Edith spoke, "But Dru's not in control right now." The vampiress looked to the three for guidance. Darla slumped and sobbed.
"Make them go away," Darla whispered, "I-I can't stand it, Drusilla. End me." Giles and Buffy stopped in shock as Xander crouched within striking distance and used all of his senses to determine Darla's humanity.
"I'm Edith," the soul within the vampiress body informed her, "the demon Drusilla is no longer in control." Darla turned and looked into the female's eyes.
"How?" she asked, "How do you stand it?" Xander looked to Edith, who looked somewhere between angry and sad, for answers.
"She's talkin' 'bout the voices, Alexander," Edith responded, grimacing, "Of those victimized by the demon that is no longer in her. She feels all of the guilt and pain for what happened while her soul was elsewhere. Like Angelus."
"He's Angel, now," Buffy automatically and half-embarrassedly as she realized she'd done so.
"Do you hear them?" Xander asked, curious, a small smile for Buffy but never taking his eyes off the watching and tearing Darla.
"No, Alexander," she sighed, "Because I watched and screamed and tried to divert her the whole time. I lived it with them, was one of them. I played ea party and read children's books with her to try to slow the killing. I think I know all the good ones written in the last two centuries," she added sadly. "So I do know what she's going through, but she's four hundred years old and remembering all at once. They're not really there, or I'd be seeing 'em, I would. And remember, however they brought her back, she's the human with the memories of the vampire. But the demon isn't here any more. When vampires 'die' the demonic energy disperses into oblivion. Even if she were turned, it would be a different with all of the memories." She let go of the human girl, "I'm sleepy, so good morning to you all." She went back to her cot and pulled the blankets over herself.
"I-I don't know about this having you around," Xander said, taking a glass of holy water Giles had poured, "But if you survive drinking this…we'll see." She sipped it expecting pain, but then drank the whole thing without harm. "I guess you're not a monster now," he continued, "Buffy please take her back to class, I…have things I need to think about."