Chaos Theory : ReKeyed

by PitViper

This is a BtVS, NGE, SG1, SW, ST, LotR, Halo crossover. Based on the Halloween costume episode. Very AU. The Key's spell goes both forwards and backwards in time… what happens when it interacts with Ethan's Halloween?

2. Coming to Terms I'm Older Than I Look

Chaos Theory – Re-keyed. Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Neon Genesis Evangelion/Stargate SG-1/Star Wars/Star Trek/Halo/Lord of the Rings Crossover...

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Title: Chaos Theory: Re-keyed
Rating: PG - Language and Violence.
Genre: Crossover
Author: PitViper
Date (Part Two): 2007-03-11
Summary: This is a BtVS/NGE/SG-1/SW/ST/LotR/Halo crossover. Based on the Halloween costume episode. Very AU. The Key's spell goes both forwards and backwards in time… what happens when it interacts with Ethan's Halloween?

Disclaimer: I don't own it, wish I did. I'm not making any money off of it – so please don't sue me. BtVS is the property of Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox. Neon Genesis Evangelion is the product of Gainax and ADV Films. Star Wars is owned by George Lucas. Stargate SG-1 belongs to Double Secret Productions and Sci-Fi channel. Lord of the Rings is the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and his family. Halo is owned by Bungie. And Star Trek is the property of Paramount Pictures (Who obviously understand nothing about Gene's vision of the future).

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Chaos Theory: Re-keyed
Part Two: "Coming to Terms/I'm Older Than I Look."

The energies of the transformation had left Dawn, finally, and the now-fourteen going on four billion year-old girl found herself staring out into the distant night. Most young women would be terrified to be out here alone in the dark, near the edge of scrub brush with the city lights a mile or two in the distance.

Indeed most would. But Dawn was no longer most girls. She didn't even know if she could classify herself as a girl anymore. She did not even know if she was still human. She had played host to a powerful entity, although this entity was nothing what people thought she was. It probably had something to do with two of the wings falling off during her brief foray around Sunnydale attempting to collect treats. It was this slight change before the spell or whatever it was that changed people into their costumes probably created the differences in her character. She was possessed by 'a' Lilith, but certainly not the one of Jewish legend and even slightly different from the one in Evangelion – although that was debatable. Part of her was actually glad for this minor difference. Millions of years of memories are bad enough – add into that being the equivalent of God… well, nobody needs that sort of power.

"To the victors go the spoils of war. And to their descendents, their version of what really happened." She muttered to herself with an almost angry flair. In the beginning, when this world was first settled – before the demons, before gods and goddesses came… Before all those things… there was the Commonwealth.

It spanned six galaxies at its height and boasted the membership of thousands of races. The common good was for all beings in its membership – freedom and justice a mainstay of its design. And the race that had pulled all this together was considered as near to 'God' as any race could be. Although in truth they were not Gods, and were not presumptuous enough to even consider the thought. This race was called Angelic.

Dawn wrapped her wing-tendrils around her body tightly, holding in the heat in the cool night. The plug-suit's power cell had run down after the spell had ended, and the thin uniform was little protection against the slightly cooler than usual California night. She tried, fitfully, to remind herself that the images and memories flowing through her mind were simply remnants of another universe – a place and time that did not exist here. There had been no Commonwealth here... no Angelic race. The demons had been the first settlers of an Earth barely fit to support even their kind. Still, she had been changed. And with that change came the various longings.

She longed for the sun, that glorious warmth. She wanted to spread her wings out on the near-white sand of the beach and soak up the almost limitless energy there. Her species thrived on sunlight, absorbing the energy and converting it into necessary proteins and complex chains of a powerful organic-base that formed the substance of her blood. If the sun here had not been the right type, or if the air just hadn't been 'so' then she'd be forced to feed on the local animals to extract the proper proteins. She longed to let her wings catch the turbulent ocean air, and ride the thermal updrafts along the rocky beaches.

Yes… this was a beautiful world for one of her kind. Its air and its sun were perfect for their species. When this world had first formed, the Angelics saw the Earth and saw its potential. They saw its caustic seas and its jagged volcanic mountains, its methane rain and violent upheavals and were immediately reminded of one place: Home. They knew, from the history of their own home world, that this one would become a haven for life.

For the Angelics had found one constant in the universe: Intelligent life was spawned on violent worlds. And there was no better place to seed life than in one of these crucibles. Natural selection and evolution invariably forced life forms to an efficient model to handle the pressures of the surrounding climate. And almost universally this pattern evolved into a bi-pedal race standing between one and two meters in height and possessing two to six additional appendages, depending on the evolutionary track.

Dawn knew so much now. So much about the being she had dressed up as for Halloween. Whatever stories existed about Lilith in the Evangelion universe were wrong. She was not a betrayer. She was not a destroyer. And she was certainly no demonic slut. She couldn't say about the Lilith that had existed here… but for the one she'd dressed up as – she knew the truth.

The girl closed her eyes and let out a breath into the night air. When she opened them again, she took in her surroundings. Around her lay the broken bodies of a hundred powerful demons – their corpses charred and torn – sliced and diced. Some even resembled Julianne fries. She considered the weapon that had helped her do this. Lancea Longini – the Lance of Longinus. Well… not really the Lance. It was called that, and it was certainly capable of doing the job, but this was not the Spear of Destiny. That weapon was an ordinary Roman centurion's spear – one that was used upon the Christ to end his suffering. The blood of God made that weapon powerful.

Her weapon, though, was something completely different. Some Angelic warriors nick-named these weapons "Reapers"; although any English word used to describe the Angelic language was sorely lacking. After all, the English language simply didn't contain the vocabulary to match up with an incredibly powerful, technologically advanced ancient race. The lances were an extremely advanced technology – that combined both energy and nano-technology to deadly purpose. The weapon could kill anything. It could cut anything – anything except for its master.

It was a living weapon that responded to its master's mental commands. And as Dawn's senses flared, the weapon responded in kind.

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Spike had been running ever since he'd leaped for the library window and made his hasty exit. Fear pumped through his veins, through his newly beating heart. Fear that Dru was dead. Fear that having a heartbeat wouldn't stop the slayer from living up to her name. Fear that this darkness inside him would consume him.

The only thing he wasn't afraid of was the demons around him. He almost smiled as a vampire turned to dust after meeting the edge of his Sith blade. 'Actually,' Spike thought, 'That begs the question… how the bloody sodding hell does a beam of light have an edge?'

Suddenly the force flared within him and he came to a very rapid stop… the point of a very sharp weapon a millimeter from his Adam's apple. "Bloody hell!" He exclaimed. The demon-turned soul within him screeched in horror. This thing was blessed and holy beyond anything he'd ever sensed before. He could sense the energy, and the weapon was screaming 'God Killer'.

The weapon was pulled away quickly though, as the person wielding it gasped. "Gomen nasai, Spike-san."

Spike's eyes widened as he took in the carnage surrounding them. Then he took in the source of that small, quiet voice. Again there was confusion. Spike looked at her for several moments before recognizing who was before him: "Gods! Bit? Little Bit?"

The lance clattered to the ground, as the girl leaped at him with a bone-crushing hug. Spike just held her for a moment, his own concerns melting away. Even as a demon he couldn't hurt Buffy's little sister. It was uncanny how the little one just wormed her way into his undead heart the night they first met. Spike would gladly kill anything around him – just for the hell of it… But Dawn… she was something special. "There, there, little Bit. I've gotcha. It's all over. The Big-Bad's 'ere and he's going to chase away all the other baddies." He ran his hand through the blue locks that now adorned his 'Little Bit's' head. He was getting more and more pissed off as each minute passed.

He thought back to the night. He wanted to get disguises for him and his minions. Luckily for him, he came across a dumpster outside a Halloween store that was disposing of its extra inventory. Dozens of dark silky robes and almost four dozen Darth Vader costumes, complete with lightsabers and everything. Plus there were a few other 'Darth' things in there. And lightsabers: lots of lightsabers.

In fact, he was still wearing a Palpatine robe now. Suddenly he realized why he'd been transformed, and why Dawn was crying. "When I find the owner of that bloody shop…" Spike trailed off, feeling Dawn tense at his anger. He forced himself to relax. "Come on, Bit. Got to get you back to your sis'. She's gonna be bloody worried 'bout you, and I don't wanna be the target of her ire."

Dawn reluctantly released the formerly undead being, and reached down to grab the Lance. With a thought, the lance became liquid and twined itself around her arm and the rest of her body. It was like someone had put red armor over top of her white plug-suit. Spike couldn't help but think of her as some form of goddess.

"Bit… who did you dress as?" Spike finally asked.

"Lilith." Dawn finally responded. She felt a burst of emotion flee Spike's mind.

"Bloody hell, Bit? You don't do things by halves, do you?" Spike gasped out. Every vampire more than a few centuries old knew the stories about Lilith. Funny thing though, the vamps didn't know the truth. Oh there were stories a plenty, but nothing that could be confirmed.

Dawn, for her part, looked sheepish. "Spike… It's not the Lilith you know. It's different. It was from an Anime."

"Still though," Spike said, looking at how the girl had changed, "Powerful creature that one. Rumor has it that she considered humanity her children."

"The truth isn't rumor, Spike. The truth… hell, I don't think even she knew all the truth. In any case, it doesn't apply here. I… this Lilith, was from a completely different reality."

Spike wanted to shake his head, but instead opted to get their journey started. "Best be off, little one. Don't want the slayer after me, thinking I had something to do with hurting you."

Dawn smiled softly. "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

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In the Library, people shook their heads in the aftermath of what had just happened. It seemed as though, for a brief moment, the air itself had become alive with change. Then it passed quickly. Those without sensitivity to the Force noticed no change, but those who could feel the universe understood that something fundamental had been altered in the moment they just experienced. Still, though, almost none had an idea of exactly what had changed until Guilty Spark spoke.

"A temporal anomaly… fascinating," Guilty Spark looked around, "It would appear that something has fundamentally changed one or more of the base parameters in this universe." The floating sphere of metal and energy moved slightly, its aspect almost as though it were tilting its head, "Perhaps something to do with the chaotic energies associated with this evening's event?"

"The light bulb may be right." Cortana noted sourly as Jack levered himself up off the floor yet again. "However, since I don't have the sensor suite of a Halcyon class cruiser at my disposal right now, it's a little hard to tell."

Xander shook his head, "Never a dull moment in Sunnyhell." He looked around, frowning as he put his helmet on. After a moment or two, a new thought tore through his mind, "Hey… anyone notice someone missing?"

Buffy frowned as well. Something was nagging at her mind – as though someone should be there. Someone important. But she, for the life of her, couldn't remember who. "Dunno. Maybe Miss Calendar?"

The mention of Jenny Calendar brought back some memories to Xander. Jenny… She, Lilly and Carol had bought new costumes… along with… It was a bit fuzzy in his mind… Hadn't he taken Dawn to Ethan's? His eyes widened as his memories of the younger Summers came rushing back. "Dawn… Dawn's missing!"

Buffy's frown became a look of concern. The name had triggered something in her mind, but for the life of her she couldn't remember what it was, "Xander, who's Dawn?"

"Dawn," Xander said with a slight exasperation, "you don't remember Dawn-patrol? Your sister?" He looked around at the confused faces of everyone in the room, and remembered the look of confusion on Jenny, Lilly, and Carol's faces. They had reacted as though they had never met Dawn before, but after a few seconds with her… "Oh god… None of you remember Dawn?" This was looking really bad.

"Ain't ringing any bells, Xander." Buffy said calmly, "Although I had a feeling that I should know what you're talking about. It's almost like a… splinter in the back of my mind."

"To the best of my knowledge," Giles started, "Buffy was an only child."

Jack looked at the conscious members of his team. "Not making any connections here, but then again, we've only been in town for two days."

"The temporal disturbance may be the cause of this." Carter noted with a small frown, "Nobody knows what had changed, and we might not realize it until we see it. It's possible that this Dawn was part of the reason for the time-disturbance." She paused for a moment, "And that your Force sensitivity is allowing some memories of the previous time-stream's events to filter through to the present. Or perhaps this 'Dawn' didn't exist before the disturbance, and your sensitivity is allowing the old memories to override or supplant the memories changed by the temporal-flux."

"That doesn't make sense with what I remember." Xander said, frowning even more. "I just wish Willow was conscious. This feels like magic. She'd be able to sense any magic happening around here and tell us who's memories are correct."

Just then, the conscious Jedi all turned their eyes towards the door.

"Something's coming…" Buffy said at a whisper, her lightsaber in hand. It was a threat… and something powerful, yet familiar. 'Almost like…'

The doors to the Library opened as everyone tensed. As the doors swung wide, they revealed a nervous former-Vampire that went by the name of Spike. "Don't look at me, mates. Wasn't my idea. The little bit made me bring her back here…" With that he stepped aside, revealing Dawn.

Xander sighed with relief, right before he noticed the plug suit and Dawn's hair and eyes. "Oh god…. Dawn?"

"Sorry, Xander. Should have listened to you, I guess." She said sheepishly, ignoring the bewildered looks of the others in the room. Dawn cautiously made her way inside, and watched as the confused stares became blank for a moment… then Buffy shook her head.

"Dawn!" She screamed, almost panicked. She rushed up to the little girl. Well, not so little anymore, considering her transformation. "Mom's going to be soooo mad with you!" She said, hugging her little sister. 'I can't believe that I didn't realize she wasn't here. What kind of sister forgets about their little sis even for a second?' Buffy mentally berated herself as she held Dawn close to her.

Dawn felt the tears prickling her eyes as she held onto Buffy for dear life. "It's ok. Please don't tell mom, Buffy. I don't think she'd be too happy with either of us."

Finally Buffy pushed Dawn to arm's length, still holding onto her shoulders gently. "What are you doing walking around with him?" She jerked her head in Spike's direction.

"He found me out near the edge of town. He was running like hell was on his heels, and stumbled across me." Dawn said, a small smile on her face. "He helped me get back here, safe and sound."

Buffy looked up in shock at the peroxide-blond former vampire. "He helped you?"

"Wasn't my choice, slayer." Spike bit out nervously. He didn't want to ruin his reputation as the 'Big Bad'. "I ran across the little one, I knew I had to help her back. Didn't want you chasing me down if something had happened to her." He swallowed whatever pride he had left, "How's Dru?" He suddenly asked.

Just as Buffy was about to answer, Angel stepped forward, "Why are you worried?" He growled out, "You're the one that stabbed her in the first place."

"Lay off, Peaches." Spike bit out, "I care about her, you know? Always have, and always will. And that was Palpatine, you twit, not me."

"Speaking of which…" Giles started, after finally 'recognizing' Dawn, "Exactly how many Sith possessed vampires are out there right now?"

Spike looked down, depressed, "Dozens. More maybe." There were plenty of nasties out there right now, "You dusted a few of them, but I'm sure that there were plenty that went to ground. They'll be all over the world in a matter of hours, especially seeing that they don't have to worry about becoming crispy in the daylight hours anymore. And they'll probably want to keep their hearts beating. After all, being amongst the living and having the Force is pretty nice compensation for having lost all those Vamp benefits."

Giles nodded, pulling off his glasses to start polishing them. "Um… that's not what I was hoping to hear. What are your intentions?"

Spike looked up, "Don't wanna be a sith," He growled out. "I was evil enough before, but even I'm not that bloody stupid."

Giles breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked over at the transformed Dawn. "And you, my dear? Who did you dress as?"

Dawn looked at the ground, slowly backing away from her sister. "I… I dressed as an Evangelion character."

Dawn's reluctant admission had Giles polishing his glasses again. He had known about the phenomena of Japanese Anime. He had even read about some of the different programs. Evangelion was considered a very deep and emotionally tearing anime, a real mind blowing jaunt through mankind's penchant for darkness. Children called upon to fight beasts known as 'Angels' using massive bio-mechanical constructs named Evangelions - weapons that had consumed the souls of their respective parents. Certainly not something that young minds could absorb easily. He almost didn't want to know exactly who Dawn had dressed as. However, Buffy was of a different mind.

"Who did you dress as, Dawnie?" Buffy asked gently, not understanding why her sister was suddenly so depressed.

She looked at the gathered souls there, and responded with a soft whisper: "Lilith."

The sound of Giles' glasses breaking in half echoed through the library.

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Author's Note:
By the way, thanks to everyone who sent feedback and encouragement, I really enjoy getting reviews. Some of the things you'd have me do - especially to Ethan... shudder Still, I've got plenty of plans going. I'm trying to stick to the main story-arcs of the various crossovers I've got in here, but we'll see if I can incorporate anything else. Writing a story is like painting a picture or series of pictures. It takes a certain talent not to make a picture "too busy" while still giving plenty for the viewer to identify with. Same is true of having the story with too many alternate plot lines. You'll be seeing just how many different universes are a part of "Chaos Theory", but not everyone is going to get into the spotlight in this particular story.

I've broken Chaos Theory down into what would normally be my version of "Chapters" - Basically, my chapters are as long as a lot of people's stories. So don't be surprised if you see things that don't make sense at the time, but come back a few "stories" later and are explained. My writing style may be a little strange, but at least its mine. :)

So keep the reviews coming, as they let me know that I should be continuing this.

Thanks,
PitViper