A/N: This chap took a bit longer cause I was out of reach of a computer for a while; sorry. So, on with the story and I hope it doesn't suck for you guys.
Anya steps up to the wheel and pulls down one side. It starts to expand as it spins faster and faster appearing to create a whirlpool in mid-air. She looks around at the room, now almost completely shrouded in darkness. A glow, eminating from the swirling mass, being the only source of light for her. She sees that Willow and the animals have gone and she is now alone in this place. Anya turns and shields her eyes as the pool suddenly flashes brightly for a moment. She looks back up to see a glowing portal now in it's place. Feeling she has no other option, she hesitantly steps through.
The portal closes behind her and she is faced with a large castle towering before her. It stands surrounded by nothing but darkness. Then sounds, coming from inside the main hall, draw her attention. Laughter and more singing; shouts for more drinks; pounding and cracks, which could only be the sounds of a good bar fight. "Those voices! I know them." She takes a step up to the door to listen more closely. "They work for D'Hoffryn." She pushes open the castle door to see the hall filled with demons, all talking and drinking. They stop when they notice her standing at the doorway. "Anyanka!" one of them greets with raised mug. The others start to cheer her name and sing.
"Anya! Anya! Anya! Anya! Anya!
Praise the winds of chance that blew
Anya back, where friends are true.
We would fight to death for you, Anyanka.
With her beauty and her smarts,
She makes vengeance into art,
No one tears them all apart like Anya!
Famed for malice and accord,
she's as feared as is adored.
You've not lived till you've been gored by Anya!"
Demon One: You lay waste to worlds as no lower being can!
Demon Two: You've got eyes that can tear out the heart of a man!
Demon Three: With one look you can wilt a flower!
Demon Four: Curdle milk an' make men cower!
All Demons: Welcome home, Anya, Welcome home!
Anya walks further into the room and looks to them confused "Wait. I thought you all hated me. Why the big musical praise, when I'm nothing but a pathetic human now?" D'Hoffryn steps out from behind a group of demons in front of her. He reaches out to her and runs his hand over her hair.
D'Hoffryn: You are the most divine, audacious warrior.
Demons can't help saluting your return.
And if you start my heart, It's just the way you slash and burn.
Bewitching woman, straining at the armour plate.
You singe me with the ardour you inflame.
And in my carnal heart, There's not a sorry shred of shame.
Demons: You and me make war! Doesn't matter what it's for! Pandemonium reigns and we're bludgeoning brains! Give us war, war, war! Keep it down to a roar!
Demon Five: Words of wisdom are here said...
D'Hoffryn: When in battle, Keep your head.
Demons: Harbingers of war, war, war!
Xander walks through the door and stops all of a sudden, as if he had run into a wall. He stares, bewildered at what he's seeing. It's the old high school library, he's sure. He turns around looking at all he can, before noticing the people gathered around the table, in the center, studying. "Uh... You know, I could've sworn we blew this place up." They all look up at him then, with bright smiles.
Angel: Hey, look, it's Xander.
Cordelia: Xander you're back.
Scoobies: Alexander! Alexander! Alexander! Over Anya he's been crossed. And he's paid a fearful cost. His once lover has been lost, Alexander. Now the demon's set him free. And he's found his home to be with his old friends, you and me, Alexander.
Buffy: You've been strung out from all of Anya's faults for so long.
Cordelia: Now we're grateful you've come back to the place you belong.
Angel: For all threats, the panacea,
Giles: Must be in this athenaeum!
Scoobies: Welcome home, Xander, Welcome home!
Xander looks at Buffy, perplexed "What, Anya? She's here too? She nearly killed me! Where is she?" Buffy stands in front of Xander and looks at him sympathetically.
Buffy: Demons, trolls, and beasts Have made their mark on you, leave their easy evil in the dust. If she'd stayed a mortal, We would make her welcome, too.
Scoobies: You and me make peace, with our books and prophecies! While the hours away, fetching snacks, saying 'Hey!'. We make peace, peace, peace; mindless chores that never cease.
Oz: Nothing changes but the time...
Cordelia and Wesley: We don't even change our mind!
Scoobies: Crusaders for peace, peace, peace!
(Back in D'Hoffryn's fort with Anya and Demons.)
D'Hoffryn: Pulverizing foes requires strategy. No immortals born here meet your skill. Anya, join my vision don't deny your destiny!
Demons: You and me make war! Doesn't matter what it's for!
Demon Six: Chop the tree down, burn the root!
D'Hoffryn: Vengeance can be such a hoot.
Demons: Harbingers of war, war, war!
(Library again.)
Buffy: Anya was no friend, she'd only twist your mind, And you could not change her deadly ways. Take this scythe... It's just a case of killing for mankind.
Scoobies: You and me make peace, with our books and prophecies!
Wesley: Just read and then sit by.
Giles and Oz: Checking facts until you die.
Scoobies: Crusaders for peace, peace, peace!
Scoobies: Peace is such a lovely state, war can kill you so can hate.
Demons: Fear, Lies!, Smite and smoke and pulverize!
Scoobies: Hear the slayer, she's always right!
Demons: Pus and Gore.
Scoobies: Just you put your hand in mine, Sure your future's on the line!
Demons: You've a friend you must avenge. Know you must extract revenge!
Scoobies: Don't be put aside by beauty, Xander you must do your duty.
Demons: War!
Scoobies: Peace!
Demons: War!
Scoobies: Peace!
Demons: War!
Scoobies: Peace!
Demons: War!
Scoobies: Peace!
Demons: War!
Anya draws a sword, from a sheath on one of the demons. She storms toward the door reaches for the handle. Xander grasps his scythe tighter as Buffy motions him to the door. Anya and Xander pull their doors open, simultaneously and all singing stops as they see each other in Illusia for the first time.
Panacea (pan-a-cee-a)- remedy
Athenaeum (ath-en-ee-um)- library
A/N: No eardrums were harmed in the writing of this chapter -Angel's voice was dubbed. And in case you were wondering; I thought it would be confusing if I had two Willows in the story, so I left her out of the library. I just told her and Dawn they could go play outside during these scenes. I think she was teaching Dawn how to float stuff or someth- OH GOD! MY EYE! MY EYEEYEY!
Dawn: "Hey, heads up! Flying pencils!"
Suuure; NOW she tells me. (pulls out pencil imbedded into eye)squishish..pop! No worries; just a flesh wound.