Author's Note : I've had this idea tumbling around in my head for a while, but could never quite think of a plot to carry it. So no plot as such, just a nifty idea for a setting. If anyone's got an idea for a plot, feel free to let me know and this just might become a full-fledged story.

An American Vampire Slayer on Etheria
(X-Over with She-Ra, Princess of Power)

Whistling a jaunty tune, Faith the Vampire Slayer walked along the beaten path toward the inn she had spotted in the distance. It was a bright and sunny day, not a cloud in site, and she was feeling quite upbeat. How could she not? It was a great day altogether.

Oh, it had started crappy enough, as most days did with her. The G-Man had phoned her, telling her to come to the library because of some sort of emergency. The entire Scooby Gang (and who had come up with that name anyway?) had been assembled, including Miss Perfect Golden Slayer Buffy Summers, who wasted no time telling her how this unexpected emergency screwed up her precious, perfect life.

Anyway, the emergency had been the appearance of a guy called Whistler. To Faith he had looked like a slightly overweight guy in outdated clothing, but her Slayer senses picked up a definite demon vibe from him. According to B and the G-Man he was some kind of balancing demon. According to himself he was working for someone or something called the Powers That Be. And he needed a Slayer for a very important mission.

Which had immediately sent B on a rampage, telling everyone how she had no time for yet another important mission, she had enough stuff on her plate. Imagine how surprised she had been to learn that Whistler didn't want her for the mission. No, he had come for that other Slayer, Faith. The memory of a sputtering, indignant B still caused Faith to smile. How miffed the little blonde had been to find out that the latest apocalyptic, prophetic, holy mission didn't include her.

Whistler had told them a story of this place called Etheria, another dimension in definite need of someone to champion the cause of goodness and lost puppies everywhere. A Slayer, to be precise, or something much like it. The place didn't have vampires, apparently, but lots of other evil stuff that needed pounding.

The unfortunate gal chosen to be champion of this Etheria place was already there, Whistler had said, but she didn't know of her good fortunes yet. Someone needed to clue her in, show her the ropes, and deliver the shiny and very magical sword Faith had strapped to her back right now. She was tempted to keep it, honestly. Maybe she could put in a request for her own magical sword if she pulled this one off.

So here she was, off to another dimension, wearing clothes that seemed to hail out of some Middle Age fare, with a magical sword to deliver and a world to save (at least by proxy). And the best part of it all? She was number one here. No B to pull rank on her, no Scoobies to tell her how B would do it, nothing. Out on her own and loving it. Things couldn't get any better than this.

Of course she had no idea where to find this gal she was looking for, but that was but a minor inconvenience. She figured an inn was a good place to start. Whistler had given her some of the local currency and she doubted anyone would try to card her here.

Some people spared her a glance when she walked in, most of them guys, but no ruckus was raised. The people here looked perfectly human and, apart from the medieval state of this place, it might as well have been back home. Ordering a beer (or whatever passed for beer in this world) Faith sat down to study the surroundings.

"Welcome to our humble place, mylady," someone said. "I don't think I've seen you here before."

The guy uttering those cheesy lines sat down at her table and she gave him a measuring glance. Tall, well-built, good looks, and a moustache as cheesy as his lines, which seemed to hail right out of an Erol Flynn movie. He was dressed in some kind of armour, making him stand out a bit, and carried a bow and arrows on his back. A heart was engraved on his breast plate.

"Just my luck," she said sweetly. "Barely arrived and I already meet the local knight errand. Or is it Prince Charming?"

He obviously didn't get the reference, but kept smiling at her regardless.

"The name is Bow," he introduced himself. "Might I inquire your name, mylady?"

She wasn't sure whether to laugh or feel flattered. The guy was way over the top, but that just might pass for normal around here. Who knew? Besides, he was good-looking and well built, so she might as well see if she could get some use out of him. And maybe he could help with her quest thing, too.

"I'm Faith," she answered, giving a sitting mock-bow. "Do you always approach strange women in such a manner, Bow?"

"Only if they are as beautiful as you, mylady."

She was about to say something, but a commotion behind her drew the attention of her would-be knight. Faith saw several big, grey shapes entering. At the same time Bow's face darkened considerably. Gone was the charming grin, replaced by the grim face of a warrior who had spotted the enemy.

"Members of the Great Rebellion have been spotted in this area," one of the newcomers said. "All loyal citizens are ordered to provide any and all information they have."

There were three of them, huge figures clad in grey armour. Their chests were adorned by a crimson-red bat symbol, their eyes were glowing yellow slits. All three carried clubs and seemed willing to use them.

"Always the same," her sharp hearing picked up Bow's mutterings. "Try to have some fun, the Horde comes in."

Faith didn't need any further information, really. It was all there in Bow's glower and the way all the other patrons in this inn were cowering from the newcomers. These were the bad guys, no doubt about it. Concentrating on them, her Slayer senses seemed to agree that they were Slay-worthy.

Rising from her chair, she drew the wicked magical sword from her back.

"Mylady," Bow said, "you shouldn't..."

"I don't know who or what the Horde is," Faith told the three newcomers, "but you three Batman-wannabes are just what the Slayer ordered."

Without further ado Faith struck her first blow for freedom on Etheria.

THE END