Chapter 4

Disclaimer - I don't own DC comics or any of its characters nor do I own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This story is purely a work of fan fiction and does not seek to claim ownership or seek any financial gain.

Last Time:

Robin kicked out at Xander's knee trying to force him to release his arm. He scored the hit, but Xander didn't even twitch. With an astonished expression, he lifted Robin in to the air.

Robin felt a moment of fear as Xander's eye's flashed yellow. There was something dangerous almost predatory in those eyes before they returned to normal.

"What the heck?" whispered Xander right before Robin's boot connected with his face.

oOoOo

"I am uncomfortable with them knowing so much about us," said Robin. "And Harris has clearly been less than honest about his abilities." He shot a look over to where Amanda and Harris were talking with Black Canary.

Aqualad studied his younger teammate for a moment before replying, "It is not their fault that we are known as fictional characters in their world. Xander did not have any extraordinary powers or abilities prior to arriving here. M'gann has confirmed that."

"Well he certainly has powers now, he's a lot stronger than me," pointed out Robin.

"You know guys, maybe we should get to know them. They seem pretty nice," added Kid Flash.

"He looks shocked," said Artemis. "Harris that is, look at him."

Xander was gesturing wildly as Black Canary, Red Tornado, and Miss Martian tried to talk to him. Amanda was staring at Xander in apparent shock.

oOoOo

"What the hell happened?" demanded Xander.

"That is unclear Alexander. Perhaps further testing will clarify what appears to be happening," said Red Tornado.

"What's going on is, I'm suddenly strong enough to be a Slayer. And I want it gone!"

"Xan…" began Amanda.

"No," hissed Xander.

"What's going on Xan?" demanded Amanda.

"You don't understand," replied Xander. "I can feel it prowling around in my head. It wants the power and I…"

Amanda grabbed Xander as his knees buckled.

oOoOo

The Watchtower

"Why didn't we detect this second personality?" asked Batman.

"I did," replied J'onn. "Unfortunately, I made an error in identifying what it was."

Zatara cleared his throat, "We both did. I detected that Alexander had been the subject of a type of possession. I had thought the possession may have been responsible for some of the chaotic echoes I detected in his aura. Whatever had happened was decades old and was almost insignificant amid the newer chaotic magics that melded Amanda and Xander together."

"And I detected the shadow of the entity in his mind but there was no substance save for his memories," explained J'onn.

"So what exactly is happening here?" asked Superman.

"I have called in a few favours to the supernatural community and I believe that we now know what is happening. A Massai shaman in Africa identified it as an animal spirit. In this case, the spirit of a Hyena," explained Zatara. "Unfortunately, our ignorance has come at a cost for Mister Harris. When we separated Amanda and Alexander, the magic had an unforeseen result. The spirit of the Hyena which was hidden and locked away in Alexander's mind was released."

"How dangerous is he?" asked Batman.

Zatara frowned, "That is a difficult question to answer. He is very similar to a meta-human and like Amanda, he is strong and durable. We will need to test him to see how strong he is. So potentially he is very dangerous, but his personality and character remain in charge so to speak. The dilemma here is not the psychic residue of the animal spirit, but Alexanders fear of it."

"Why does he fear it?" asked Wonder Woman.

J'onn answered, "The initial possession happened when Alexander was in high school. The 'alpha' as he calls it took control briefly and assaulted a friend among other things. From what I can determine that is not likely to reoccur."

"Why not?" asked Green Lantern. "If it's happened before it can happen again. If Harris can't control it, he's a danger to others."

"There is nothing to control," explained J'onn. "The spirit of the Hyena is gone. All that is left behind is an echo of itself." Seeing that the others were not following, he explained further. "Think of it like this. Diana, let us say that someone makes a copy of your personality and powers. They then place them in a teenage girl. In a stressful moment, the strength of your personality overpowers the girl and you use your gifts to thwart a robbery. Eventually, your copy fades but it leaves behind an echo of you. A small part of your personality. The girl begins to seek out injustice, she now desires to help others.

Now imagine Alexander, the Hyena spirit is not evil, it is the essence of a Hyena. It is a social pack animal, a territorial hunter. It is concerned with the hunt, protecting the pack and breeding. We know that the rite was never permanent and given that Alexander was not a willing participant it soon faded away leaving him with some slightly heightened senses, reflexes and fear of its animalistic nature.

Regrettably, when we separated Amanda and Alexander, we unwittingly copied a portion of Amanda's powers as well. We theorize that the instincts and latent abilities the Hyena left and a portion of the powers of the Slayer blended together. This is what happened when Alexander unwittingly called on them during his sparring session with Robin."

"What can we do?" asked Superman.

"We must help him adjust to these new abilities. It was his fear of the return of the Hyena that sent him into shock," replied J'onn.

oOoOo

Xander found himself standing in the book cage of Sunnydale library as Alpha stalked around the cage.

"Embrace me," said Alpha.

"Never," hissed Xander.

"You could be so much more now. You are strong enough to protect your pack, your mate," argued Alpha.

"You forced me to try and rape Buffy!" Xander screamed at Alpha.

"You do not understand, I am you, embrace me," replied Alpha as he continued to pace around the book cage.

"I'll never let you out," replied Xander.

The Alpha stopped pacing and looked at him curiously, "Out? I…am…you. What you could be now that you are suitable."

"I'll kill myself first," replied Xander.

"That would be ill-advised Alexander," said the Martian Manhunter as he appeared outside the cage.

"Watch out," warned Xander expecting the Alpha to attack, but it only watched J'onn with an impassive expression.

"Alexander, we have discovered some information that you need to know. The animal spirit or Primal as you know it has already departed. This is simply a part of your subconscious," explained J'onn.

"What, no that's not right," said Xander as he shook his head in denial.

"You were not ready before, not prepared to blend with me," added the Alpha.

"When we separated you from Amanda you were imbued with some of her strength and skills. The Alpha has no power over you that you don't give it," explained J'onn.

Xander studied J'onn then turned back to the Alpha, who grinned.

"See Alexander, I'm you…the bit of you that enjoys the fight, the hunt, protecting the pack. All the things you are good at. You can be better now, stronger, faster a better protector. You are these things already."

"I…I'm no hero," replied Xander as he continued studying the Alpha.

The Alpha's grin widened as he extended a hand toward Xander.

Xander hesitated and then reached out, as his hand touched the Alphas, it was already twisting and shifting into a paw.

oOoOo

Amanda paced the room outside the medical bay. Her frustration with not knowing what was happening with Xander was making her edgy. Edgy Slayers were generally not a good thing. When Black Canary finally appeared, Amanda stalked toward her with narrowed eyes.

"Where is Xander?" she demanded, not even trying for a polite tone.

Black Canary gestured toward the medbay, "He's still unconscious but otherwise uninjured. As far as we can tell this seems to be linked to the magic that separated you both."

"What does that mean?" asked Amanda.

"It means that he appears to have been powered up so to speak," said Black Canary.

"Powered up, like as a Slayer?"

"We think it's something like that."

"Is it permanent?" asked Amanda. "Will he stay like that?"

"We don't know right now. Maybe we'll know more when he wakes up. Now let's get you back to your room. Have a shower and get some rest. We'll come and get you when he's awake."

oOoOo

"I'm sorry, but why?" asked Wally.

"You know why," replied Robin.

"I'm really not comfortable doing this," said Artemis.

"Look it's not like I'm putting a video camera in her shower. I'm just…" Robin trailed off as the door to Amanda's bathroom opened and she walked out wearing a towel around her waist and another in her hair.

Amanda screamed and pulled her towel up to cover her breasts, "What the fuck are you doing in here…get out!"

Robin was stammering gibberish as Wally turned as red as his hair. Artemis grabbed both of her teammates and dragged them out.

oOoOo

Five minutes later a furious Amanda stormed into the kitchen to find Miss Martian and Superboy talking quietly.

"Where are they?" she demanded in a volume just short of a scream.

Superboy stared open-mouthed, but Miss Martian stood and walked toward Amanda, "What's the matter?"

Amanda shot the Martian a look, "Where….are…they?"

"They who?" asked Miss Martian.

"The boy fucking wonder and his sidekicks," hissed Amanda.

"What has happened?" asked Aqualad from the doorway.

"You perverted friends were putting a camera in my room when I walked out of the shower!" screamed Amanda.

"They were what?" asked Aqualad.

Amanda stalked out of the kitchen almost radiating anger as she disappeared out the door after shouldering Aqualad out of the way.

"Oh dear, she's furious," said Miss Martian.

"Hopefully they will make themselves scarce," said Aqualad.

oOoOo

Earth Orbit

Fatality paused and consulted her ring. The energy signature had split into two separate signals. The outsider they were tracking appeared to be in two places at once.

Another scan gave the same result.

Fatality gestured for one of her companions, "I will take Yara and identify the first signal on Earth. Once we have identified the source, I'll approach her with the prophecy and make the offer."

"And if she refuses, or you can't get to her?" asked Miri.

Fatality sighed, "Then I'll observe and contact you two. You and Bellis go after the second. It looks like it's on the watchtower so a direct approach may be problematic."

Miri smiled, "I will use the stealth device to avoid the Justice League and any Green Lanterns."

oOoOo

Miri had not been 100% sure that the stealth device they had acquired would work. The fact that she had managed to get aboard the Watchtower had somewhat allayed that fear. The energy signal was just ahead. Opening the final door, she entered to find what appeared to be a medical facility. She scanned the room and frowned as she realized that her target was in the room. Only, it wasn't the promised outsider female.

A human, teenage male lay motionless on the bed.

Shocked, Miri scanned again…impossible the boy was the source. How was this possible? Had the prophecy been wrong? Her ring could sense the love for his friends, for his dead love. He had faced the darkness and still loved. Perhaps...

"I'm telling you Supe's there is an anomalous reading and it's near here," said a voice in the corridor.

Miri paused, she had come this far. Reaching into her belt pouch she removed a Sapphire Power ring and released it. The ring hovered for a moment before lowering on to the teen's chest where it began to glow. Decision made she took the ring back and dropped her stealth field. She then gently lowered her face to kiss him on the lips pouring healing energy into him. After a moment, she broke the kiss to see two brown eyes looking up at her.

"Wow…now that's medical treatment I can get behind," whispered Xander.

"I am Miri Riam of the Star…"

"Sapphires," finished Xander. "I know who you are. But I have to ask what, exactly is going on. Not that I'm averse to being kissed awake by beautiful blue women."

"Step away from him," ordered Superman as he walked into the room followed by a Green Lantern.

"Do you trust me?" asked Miri.

Xander only paused for the slightest moment before nodding.

"Alexander…" warned Superman as Green Lantern raised his ring.

Miri touched Xander on the shoulder and let his loving nature empower her as she teleported them away.

oOoOo

Fatality could sense the outsider below walking in a grassed area. She gestured to her companion and they descended toward the teenage girl.

oOoOo

Amanda fumed as she paced through the park near the entrance to Mount Justice. How dare they spy on her! Stupid comic book characters.

Then she felt…something, something powerful and getting closer. It didn't feel evil like a Vamp or a demon. In fact, it didn't feel threatening at all. It was more like Willow or one of the Coven witches. No that wasn't quite right either.

Sensing that the presence, no two presences were almost on top of her, she began looking around. And there they were…one human looking (but not feeling) and the other was a pale green colour and very obviously a demon…or considering her current location, an alien.

"You can stop right there," warned Amanda as she fell back into a defensive stance.

"We mean you no harm Outsider," said the human looking one.

"Outsider?" queried Amanda.

"You are the dimensional traveller, an outsider."

"I…I suppose so," admitted Amanda.

"There is a prophecy, an outsider will arrive, and she will be the one that has been chosen and has the strength to fight the nameless. She will be the one that sees."

"The one that sees, Oh Shite I think you want X-m…er Xander," replied Amanda. "Xander's up on the watchtower thingy getting sorted out."

"This Xander, she is the Chosen one?" asked the Green Demon/Alien.

"Um, no. I'm one of the chosen ones and Xander is the one who sees. That's what one of the big bads called…"

"You must come with us, we know what is to come," said the first witch or whatever they were.

Amanda shook her head, "Not without Xander or knowing what the bloody hell you are talking about."

"My sisters are collecting the other. You need not fear us, sister. We are the Star Sapphires, protectors of love." The two women held up their sapphire rings.

Amanda didn't know what to say to that but given their revealing costumes she did have to wonder, 'Er…like love, love or like get it on…Hang on you are like purple, um green lanterns."

The human looking one looked a bit miffed at the comparison but the green one nodded, "My name is Yara and this is my sister Fatality. As to the Green lanterns, we are similar in some ways. Their powers stem from the use of their will while ours are based on the emotion of love," She held up her ring and the second Star Sapphire joined her.

"For hearts long lost and full of fright, For those alone in blackest night, Accept our ring and join our fight, Love conquers all with violet light!"

Amanda studied the two women now outlined in violet auras, "Say I believe you, what or who is the big bad?"

"We know it only by the name the hidden seers gave it. The Whisperer in the darkness."

Amanda nodded, "Okay. So, it's got a nice ominous name. What's its thing?"

"The oldest records we can find speak of the Whisperer in the shadows as being the final remnant of a god, the last of the old gods," explained Yara. "It was cursed to sleep until the universe ended or until the outsider came and unlocked its prison. That is why we are here, the outsider is both the reason it is free and the key to its defeat."

"Whoa, hold on," replied Amanda. "I know Buffy and the others beat Glorificus and the First but I'm not Buffy, even if I do have Xander backing me up."

Yara drifted down to stand next to Amanda, "We need your assistance Outsider and you need ours because it's weakness is what it doesn't understand, love."

Amanda took a step backwards, "Are you sure that wasn't Voldemort?"

"Hold it right there," said Hal Jordan as he lowered himself to the ground using his power ring. Wonder Woman landed beside him and moved toward Amanda.

"What do you want Green lantern?" asked Fatality.

"Why are you here?" asked Wonder Woman.

Yara stepped forward, "We are not seeking a confrontation, but this girl must come with us."

Hal Jordan frowned, "Why?"

Yara threw the Green Lantern a purple crystal, "Use your ring Green Lantern. See what we have uncovered, and you will understand why she must join with us."

"What are you doing Yara?" asked Fatality.

"We do not need a fight with the Justice League to complicate matters Sister. We will return tomorrow for you Outsider," said Yara before she and Fatality disappeared in twin flashes of purple light.

"Well, that certainly complicates matters," said Green Lantern as he looked down at the crystal he held.

oOoOo