(I'm speaking in Classical Greek)
Xander had just provided Phil with a dish of water when the Library telephone rang, which it had not done before. Xander picked up the phone, knowing it would probably be Dawnie.
"Xander speaking…"
"Hey Ms. S, what can I do for you?"
"Sure it's okay, I'll pick her up in a few minutes and she can hang out until the trick-or-treat thing. She'll probably be in my group…why inflict the Fighting Summers Sisters on the kids, huh?"
"There might be a party thing afterwards, but definitely back by nine."
"No problem, if it lets you get business done in LA instead, it works out by me. Hey, if you're going to be late, I might just swing by with Dawn to a burger joint or a café and grab a late dinner, okay?"
"Gee, thanks, but I have money, Ms. Summers, just don't forget me at the next Summers family dinner…"
"Dawn has your number?"
"Great…bye."
Twenty minutes later, after running home to rob his old man and swipe the car, Xander pulled up in front of the middle school to find Dawn waiting. She excitedly jumped into the car, greeting her sister's friend, no…her friend Xander.
"So," Dawn said, beaming, "What are we going as? Bonnie and Clyde? Batman and Bat Girl? What?"
"I'm thinking something a little more traditional, Dawn," the young man considered, "And after our discussion yesterday about you getting involved, even though you're a bit young to be called as a Slayer, how about you go as Buffy, and I go—"
"As Giles?!" Dawn laughed, then caught his strange look "Oh my god, he's a perv?"
"No, Dawnie," Xander sighed, "But I did go as him once and let's say I disagree with a few things he's done and leave it there. He's a good man, now." He sighed again. "I was planning to go as Alexander the Great, but I'm thinking an Alexander the Great that knew about slayers and cleared out every nest on his march through Asia and knows all about the bad things."
"How would we do this?" Dawn asked as the pulled up in front of her house.
"Go grab your sister's basic patrol clothes and diary," he said, then described them, "Hurry, you have ten minutes before they get here. Then, we'll go to Ethan's and pick up enough extras for Ethan to juice up."
"Can I help you again, young man, young lady?" the annoyed chaos mage asked. "I'm just about to close."
"Yes you can help us," Xander said as Dawn put the clothes on the counter and Xander dropped forty dollars next to them and pulled out a book entitled Slayer's Handbook, "I'd like to go as Alexander the Great, but the important thing is that we found this old book on the Librarian's desk, and thought it would be cool to have Dawnie dress up as one of these slayer-girls. We think old Giles'll figure it out, but since you're British made you'd know what this myth person is."
"Would that be Rupert Giles by any chance?" Ethan responded, his false smile becoming genuinely feral, "If so we go way back, and I'll be happy to help you. I'll just take these things in back, and see what I can match up. Why don't you look around or grab a soda, it might be twenty or thirty minutes."
"Great, come on Dawn," Xander replied, as they went outside and killed time. A while later, Jonathan came by carrying an Alexander the Great costume.
"Hey, Jonathan," Xander called out, "Returning a costume already?"
"Yeah, it's too long for me," the young man grimaced, "I'm going to see what else they have." Xander and Dawn's eyes met, and they smiled.
"Well, I was looking for an Alexander the Great costume," Xander admitted, "So let me have that and I'll help you cover the cost of yours."
All three left the shop a few minutes later, Xander driving them to the school. Xander cut quite the dashing Alexander the Great figure, if a bit taller than the original, the beweaponed Slayer Dawn with Handbook, Diary and advanced Classical Greek textbook in her book bag, was ready to see what the night would hold. She'd written a note to herself in English that reminded them about Ethan's responsibility, just to be safe. Jonathan accompanied them as a Roman centurion, happy that his runner-up costume did fit. And of course he'd forgotten about Larry.
"Harris, Levinson, what are you," Larry snickered, "Cross-dressers? The little girl seems than man in your group." Xander walked by and smiled.
"A guy dressed like a pirate is looking at two other guys and know what a cross-dresser is, Larry?" Xander replied loudly, "I think you're the one with issues."
Larry lunged at the dark teen, and found himself grabbed by the wrist, kneed in the groin, and as he opened his eyes with his back on the floor, found a sword at his throat. Xander felt momentarily dizzy at the exact moment of déjà vu, and made note to vary his strike next time.
"Don't ever bother us again, Larry, understand?" Xander quietly and coldly asked, getting a terrified nod form the bully, "And stay away from my girls." Xander walked off and down the hall to where Snyder, Willow and Buffy stared at him in stunned amazement at the speed and controlled violence of their goofball friend. Snyder raised an index finger and was about to tear into Alexander Harris when the boy half-raised his sword in Snyder's direction, giving him the same look he'd given Larry.
"Keep your jocks on a leash, and stop singling us out," Xander ordered the suddenly-intimidated school official, "Now, where's the group of kids I'll be escorting?" Snyder simply pointed. As Xander left the trio, he winked at Willow, "And I bet you look yummy under that, Wills…" Underneath the ghost costume, Willow blushed as red as the sheet was white.
Xander's preoccupation with talking to Dawn and writing a note explaining the mini-demons are really children, meant that they did not quite return to school before the spell kicked in, but as Dawnie and Xander were acting strangely to them, Willow and Buffy followed them and Jonathan, not far behind when the spell hit.
(What place is this, it is not Susa,) Xander asked aloud, (My illness is passed.) He looked around to where two people where two women were talking, the body of one next to them. Very confusing. He stepped forward but not too close, not seeing any Macedonians, or other subjects.
(Women,) he said bluntly, interrupting their wary sizing up of each other, (Before you continue, I need to know where I am, and why I am here.)
The red-headed woman glanced over, curious at his speech, then seemed to notice her body on the ground and screamed. Her words were an amazing and horrific babbling in a foreign tongue, but he sensed from her hands moving through the other girl and her own body that she only now realized she was dead. In a panic, she raced away into the night yelling something. He turned to the young, heavily weaponed girl that oozed 'slayer' in his mind.
(I'm guessing you're the Slayer?) the King of the Macedons asked, (I, myself was in…Susa when I found myself here.)
"Xander, why are you talking in Greek," Dawn/Buffy asked, then continued, "Hey! I knew it was Greek!" Xander looked confused and very different to her somehow, very un-Xander-like. (Xander? Is that you? We should--)
(Greetings, I hear you speak Greek) Jonathan interrupted, addressing Xander, (And as you seem of high station--)
(Excuse, Jonathan, I was talking--)
(Quiet, woman, I'm addressing his lordship--)
(Who happens to be listening to the Slayer's explanation of what's going on here) Alexander stated, cutting the other man off. To the Slayer, (Please continue, young woman, I wish to know what's going on.)
(So you me know not?) she asked and at his agreement, then to Jonathan, (Or you?) He begrudgingly shook his head. She stared at them both, then pointed at Alexander's shield. (It's about twenty-four hundreds of years since he died, guessing I am your spirits are possessing two friends costumed in your honor were.)
(For what purpose would this be so?) the centurion questioned, (I was stationed in a backwater province of no importance.)
(This place located in an area where worlds meet, and the other worlds not good are) she continued, her fluency not very good, but they seemed to understand her. They heard a woman's scream, interrupting their conversation. Looking at each, the brunette turned to them.
(My duty calling,) she sighed, (I have to check it out.) The centurion and general nodded at each other.
(We'll accompany you,) the general declared, and headed after the fast-running slayer. They moved down the street, a terrified young woman was being tackled by six small demons and two larger blue ones. The slayer charged in before the men could intervene, drawing out a sword and a wooden stick, screaming at the top of her lungs in a language not understood by the general.
The dark-haired girl leapt into the air, kicking and slashing, punching and stabbing. The general smiled as she'd managed to distract all six things from their victims, curiously using the flat of her blade to subdue. Pointing to the large ones, he and the soldier charged the two larger things.
Slash/parry-right, stab-stab-stab-stab/parry-slash-kick, he struck and wounded the seven foot tall beast, driving it away from the terrified excessively-clothed woman. The centurion, gaining surprise, had stabbed his opponent twice, but now was hard-pressed to hold his own. Alexander stabbed his opponent in the throat, an admittedly lucky shot, then swung away to half sever the neck and spine of the soldier's opponent. The centurion sensed an opportunity, and slashed away the throat, ending the demon.
As the sixth small demon fell to the ground, three forms leapt out and quickly ended the demon, leaving only the loud woman and the trio of Greek speakers standing, slightly dusty, in the mouth of the alley. The general turned to the slayer.
(Good fight, Slayer, but why did you not kill the small ones,) Alexander asked, (Bounty?) The slayer looked at the man, then shook her head as the centurion attempted to calm the incessant heavily-garbed woman
(No,) the slayer corrected, (I can sense…the difference between demons and humans, and these children…changed by magic, maybe by the same man who brought you into these bodies.)
(This is not my original body,) he conceded, (Perhaps I have been brought here to help restore order with a sword. Until then, I will accept your lead in this matter, since it is your time, place and you are knowledgeable of these things. I am Alexander, Son of Philip, King of the Macedons.)
(Knowing that I'm still a Slayer,) the brunette slayer asserted, (And at least until we know more, I'm willing to accept help. Buffy my name is.)
(Casca Rufio Longinus,) the short centurion offered as he brought over his charge, whose face they finally saw.
"That's my face and costume!" the slayer called out, pointing, then at their incomprehension, translated. She took out her compact to find her sister's face staring back at her. She looked at the two men in horror, and pointed at the squawking ditz, (I dressed as a noble woman of centuries past, so I guess…my sister dressed as me to mock me...so I'm actually possessing my sister, strength and all!) NOW, they sorta understood.
(We need to take me to the Library to see if Giles can straighten this out,) Buffy directed, (Alexander, could you pick up Willow's body and bring it with us?)
They'd reached the parking lot of the nearby Library, when they encountered Ghost-Willow and Giles. The Lady lunged at Giles.
"Uncle Robert!" she cried, "I was attacked by the demons of Hell and this camp follower and men in skirts defeated them!" He patted her uncomfortably and looked for assistance.
"Uh, erm, Dawn, could you please help me with your sister?" Giles pled, eyes pained, "She seems quite out of it." The slayer moved forward.
"Sure, Giles," the brunette answered, "But since Dawn dressed up as her better-armed and Greek-knowing sister, I'm actually Buffy."
"Good Lord!" the Watcher exclaimed, "A-And what of Xander and the other student?"
(Giles, allow me to present Casca Rufio Longinus and Alexander of Macedon.)
"Good Lord!" he exclaimed again, causing the Conqueror of Asia to interrupt.
(What did he say?) the legend asked, (He seems to repeat himself.)
(Good Lord,) she repeated as she tried not to snicker, as they entered the Library building.
(I try to be,) the general responded. (Does he know where to find the sorcerer behind this trouble?) Giles translated for Willow as they set her body on the weapons cage cot.
(Yes,) Gils answered, Buffy translating, (At a merchant's store, we were going to take my…carriage…but it seems to be gone. We will have to go afoot.)
(I've done a bit of marching in my time,) Alexander the Great responded, (And from the looks of him so has Centurion Longinus.) The man nodded.
As they approached the shop, Buffy sensed a group a real demons coming up behind them.
"Giles, take Lady Whiny inside with you and end this spell," Buffy ordered, then turned to the ancients, (Guys, all these things are demons.) and charged a surprised Spike and his eight minions, impacting thirty seconds later.
"What the—" the vampire leader started, shocked that the sister of the slayer was charging them and just dusted a minion as two guys with swords waded in after her. "Kill them all!"
Buffy in her smaller body still managed to hold off and block the best Spike had to offer, his surprise turning to rage as he recognized one of the swordsmen as Angelus' bait back in September. Two more vampires were dusted as they regrouped and pressed in. a very brief lull occurred in the fight, as both sides assessed the other, when Buffy in only petticoats rushed out the door to join in. Dawn drew out her sword and charged against the minions, strength and speed gone, but some skill and her enemy's expectations working in her favor.
Jonathan managed to hold off his opponent, confused but his subconscious still working on momentum and adrenaline as Xander drew on his Horseman's capabilities and charged back in as Buffy double-kicked Spike in the air.
Slash to the left and right, Xander decapitated two vampires in three seconds, effectively robbing his 'fellow normals' of their opponents. Swearing in Hittite, Latin, and Sumerian, he kicked, laughed, stabbed and generally toyed with the three remaining undead as he drove them into a corner, not noticing that Spike had run off and his friends watched as he carefully and almost-cruelly bested the best the three opponents could attempt. Then, he jumped straight back, causing the three to rally and sequentially charge with the desperation of full vampiric speed.
Swish two heads flew off from the force of his full swing into their charge, then he back-kicks the third in the side of the knee, sending it into the wall at full force. Xander walks over to it, smirking.
"And now you know why they called me Death for over a thousand years," he stage-whispered to it, forgetting himself in the victory.
Silence.
"Death?" Giles asked nervously, Buffy back to her self looking worried, "I-I thought you'd dressed as Alexander the Great?" Xander sighed, and hedged.
"I dressed up as Methos, from Highlander," Xander replied, then looked into Giles eyes, "who at one time was Alexander the Great, Ripper." Giles startled as Xander hadn't been in the shop. He looked over to see Xander carefully nod, and nodded back.
"Oh, uh, of course," Giles replied, playing along. The group watched Xander entered the shop, they heard a British whimper of pain, and watched as the young man rejoined them with the cashbox under his arm.
"What? Just the spoils of war," he smirked, then turned to Dawn, "I promised your mom I'd feed you, so let's go for dinner at the café?" The girl nodded, feeling Xander was fully back. "Giles? Ethan's buying and if you say yes I'll tell you where I saw your car."
"As long as Ethan's buying, yes," Rupert sighed, then Ripper snarled, "Lord knows the bloody pillock never bought back in the day." He regained himself to everyone's comfort, "I-I think I'd like that, so let's go get Willow, shall we?"