A/N: This is a continuation of my Loki-Xander series started in Chapter 99. There will definitely be more to come in future chapters.
TTH FFA Challenge: Challenging Faith: Faith Lehane/Lady Sif (BtVS/Thor-Marvel Comics)
"What do you want with our boy?" Faith asked in a threatening manner, sword in hand.
Lady Sif, dressed in full battle regalia, regarded the rather brazen Slayer carefully. Her Asgardian blood was calling out to do battle with the Slayer. It had been some time since she had done so and the young woman threatening her with the sword was likely to give her the best challenge of all who were currently present. She wasn't the most powerful, that honor belonged to the Slayer-Prime, nor was she the most skilled, that was the Red Witches' lover, but something in her told Sif that Faith was by far the most dangerous.
She remembered back to the fight between the Slayer-Prime and the Dark Slayer. It was a confrontation long in coming. Many in Asgard had witnessed the fight, admiring the martial prowess by both combatants. In the end, The Slayer-Prime had won, somewhat, in part, due to the fact that the Dark Slayer held back, albeit subconsciously. Sif knew that, ultimately, she would win in a fight between herself and the Dark Slayer, but she also knew that the girl could and possibly would not leave her unscathed.
Many a Valkyrie had once been Slayers after all.
"Amora revealed herself to one of your number," Sif answered Faith honestly. While she mostly detested Loki and absolutely despised Amora, the Slayers, all of them, had her respect and she would not dishonor them by speaking falsehoods to them. "There are... Concerns... As to the integrity of the seals placed on Loki."
"You mean, Xander," Faith sneered. "So what? If they're not so good, you're gonna kill him?" As she said this, she raised her blade, gripping it in both hands. "Cuz the way I see it, lookin' as you do, you came down here spoilin' for a fight and if you go anywhere near Boy-Toy, you're gonna get one!"
Sif made no movement for her weapon, but did respond rather frostily to Faith's threats. "You have no idea of his true nature. Why do you protect him, knowing what he is, when you, at one time, tried to kill him yourself?"
Faith winched slightly at the mention of her attempt at killing Xander. "Because he's done me no wrong. In fact, he actually tried to help me more'n anyone else, 'cept for Angel."
"And what makes you think he won't betray you as you betrayed him?" Sif asked.
"Cuz that isn't him. Whatever he used to be, he's no longer that now," Faith answered. "Maybe if you weren't actin' like a jilted lover, you could see that."
"You know not of what you speak, girl! He seduced and took advantage of me!" Sif snapped.
Faith snorted. "He gave you what you wanted then left when he got bored with whatever games you were tryin' to play with him and his brother."
This time Sif did reach for her weapon, drawing in and pointing it at Faith. The Slayer tensed, but made no other movements. "Hold your tongue, harlot, lest I be inclined to remove it! You know nothing of Loki and his ways."
"Struck a nerve," Faith replied with a smirk, though it was for show. The Slayer was battle-ready. Faith's expression morphed into a frown. "I know enough. I know what it's like to feel second-rate, to not be good enough, to be seen as lower than trash, to struggle for any kind of acceptance and to work twice as hard for half the acceptance. Is it any wonder your boy Loki turned out as he did? Spitting on him every chance you got, stringing him along, imprisoning his kids because of something they might do! And then, kickin' him out, giving him a blank slate, but instead of putting him in a good home where he might like humans, you put him with some of the most despicable people imaginable and then have the balls to call him evil!"
"You question the All-Father's wisdom?" Sif hissed at Faith angrily.
"Someone's gotta, because after everything I've seen I can tell that not even gods are perfect and when they fuck up, they really screw the pooch," Faith argued.
"Faith," said a voice that startled both Sif and Father. It was Xander. He calmly walked to Faith's side, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her. "Faith, stand down."
"X..." Faith complained.
"Faith," Xander said sternly. He then turned to the Asgardian visitor glaring at her. "Sif."
"Loki."
"Xander," he corrected.
"Buffy," All three of them turned to the Slayer-Prime, who blushed lightly in embarrassment. They were also quick to note that she was holding Olaf's War-hammer slung over her shoulder. "What?"
Xander snorted and shook his head.
Faith, too had a hard time not smiling. "Don't ever change, B."
Xander turned to Sif, glaring at her once more though with the tension broken it wasn't as intense. "You need to leave."
"And if I refuse," Sif challenged him.
"Look, right now, we simply don't have time to deal with you. Stick around if you want, or don't- that would be better. Either way, stay out of our way," Xander said dismissing her harshly. "Maybe after we've dealt with the First, we can squeeze you in sometime between never and hell no, sooner if you learn to quit being such a bitch." Xander then turned on his heel and stormed off.
Angered greatly, Sif took a step forward to go after him but was stopped by the Dark Slayer and the Slayer-Prime. However, it was neither one who addressed her. "Xander told you to leave, I suggest you do so."
The Red Witch, though the roots of her hair were black and the irises of her eyes darker than the norm. Next to her was The Key looking as if she wanted to scratch her eyes out and that foolish girl Anyanka, who looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but there but was willing to support the others anyway.
"You know not, that which you seek to protect and like a viper he will strike when you least expect," Sif warned. "Heimdall!" In a flash of rainbow colors, Sif vanished, having presumably returned back to Asgard.