Title: Cry Havoc Once More
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: First four series of Buffy with some elements of five and six.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy. I would buy it but I am broke.
Summary: The final battle is about to be joined and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Friends will become enemies and enemies will become friends. A look at the final battle and the path that lead to it. (Multi Crossovers)
AN: Generally I really like Buffy and I usually write B/X fics, but for this fic I have decided to incorporate and focus on one aspect of Buffy's personality that I usually overlook or tone down. Also no Glory or Dawn.
AN2: Steve, look, this story diverges after fourth series. Because of this, Tara and the Scoobies were able to bring Willow back from her magic addiction, like in the series till Tara dies. Also, because Buffy sis not die saving Dawn in series five, not existing in this story, then she never got pulled out of heaven and never did the whole mopey, brooding, 'the world is my hell' Spike shag fest. Stop looking for any errors and just run with it. Orion, I did use you idea for the flashing back and forth, sorry for not giving you credit for it earlier. Not going to have one present and a few past like you suggested for a number of reasons. The major ones include too much stuff in the past and it would get too repetitive in the 'present'.
AN3: Sorry people, got some writers block.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Present, 2015~
Xander looked at Tara's sleeping form and smiled. He rarely ever smiled anymore, almost as if he couldn't smile, and when he did, it was only ever for Tara. She had become the world to him, and he was only doing what he always had. He was protecting her. It sounds crazy, trying to end the world to protect one woman, but then again it is all a matter of perspective. He used to think that the Hellmouth opens and the world dies, now he knows that is not true. He is opening the Hellmouth to shift the balance, to change the world order and give Tara enough power that she will NEVER have to worry about anyone hurting her ever again.
Xander rose from the bed, after giving Tara a gentle kiss in the hollow of her neck, and pulled on some boxers. His well muscled body was covered in scars. A predominate scar was a burn scar that obliterated the tattoo of a cross from his shoulder. Xander lifted his left had and ran it through his lank, shoulder length hair (AN: think Aragorn, AKA Strider, as played by Viggo Mortensen, from the Lord of the Rings movies but without the beard. It just looks so cool.), absently noticing the small amount of scar tissue that formed a cross on his wrist. While this was his smallest and most unobtrusive scar, it was the most important and Tara had a matching scar on her own left wrist. It was a symbol of the day that had changed their lives, the day that Tara had been relieved of some of the burden of memory.
Apart from the scar on her wrist, Tara had only one other physical scar. It was not much to look at, barely an inch across just below her ribs and to the left of her spine, but it had almost killed her. A three inch section of a pocket knife had been embedded into Tara's back, missing anything major, during her captivity by her family. The broken blade shard had stayed in the wound for three weeks before Xander had rescued her. Due to the appallingly dirty and, naturally, less that sanitary conditions of her basement prison, the wound had been badly infected and she had required over a month in hospital to remove the blade shard and fight off the infection. Xander had been by her side almost every second, not following her into the lavatories or shower, to which the medical staff had stopped objecting after three hours for two reasons, one to shut Tara up and two, so that they could get some work done on her, for which she insisted on Xander's presence.
Tara stirred on the bed, turning slightly to reveal one bare breast, before slipping back into slumber. Xander noticed the predawn light, but could not keep his eyes off his slumbering queen. Soon full dawn would break and the fifth day of the battle would begin, neither side performing nightly raids. After a few more minutes, Tara began to awake. Xander moved to the bed as she awoke. Sitting with his back to the headboard, Xander set Tara down between his legs, where she leant back against his chest, they both felt an easy comfort, ignoring the fact that she was naked as easily as they ignored the upcoming fighting.
********
~The Past, Early 2004~
Xander leaned over and kissed Tara on the forehead. In the last six months, things had changed between Xander and Tara. Slowly they had changed from him helping her get her life together, to them living together as a couple. It had started simply. A brush of fingertips, an embrace held slightly longer. Over the months it had slowly but steadily progressed. Xander had never pushed, only going as far as Tara wanted and backing off at the first indication that she was the slightest bit uncomfortable. Last night had been special, Xander and Tara, at her initiation, had made love, and it had surpassed and of their previous experiences.
Xander rolled out of bed, slipping on some clothing, and shuffled into the kitchen to make breakfast. By the time Tara awoke, Xander had prepared an amazing breakfast and brought it to her in bed. Tara loved this little show of affection and they spent most of the morning just sitting in bed talking and being near each other. As evening approached, Xander prepared to go out, making sure he had his personal, light weapons on him, his pistol and a large knife.
"I love you, Xander." Tara said, almost making it a plea.
"I love you too, Tara. Don't worry. I will be back." Xander replied.
"Please, don't leave me!" Tara pleaded dropping slowly to her knees.
"Tara, honey. I'm doing this for you. Trust me. Please?" Xander replied, wrapping Tara in a hug and feeling, more than seeing her nod.
Xander rose and walked out the door leaving a very nervous Tara behind.
********
Xander entered the demon safe haven, cautiously looking around the area. The first thing he noticed was the pit, a large hole that had two demons fighting to the death in it. The next thing he noticed was the humans; there were a lot of them, almost as many as the demons, and almost all of them betting on the outcome of the match. Xander got directed to the man he had come to see by the human bartender. The 'man' was a powerful mage demon who owned some slaves who fought in the tournament, and Xander only knew him as Jerric, who only looked human. Xander sat down at Jerric's table and they began small talk. After an hour, and two matches, they had concluded their business, Jerric agreeing to Xander's request and Xander agreeing to Jerric's price. The next fight was about to start, one of the competitors was already in the pit, a large and fearsome looking demon, which looked slightly afraid.
"His opponent is one of mine. She is really quite remarkable." Jerric said.
Xander looked down at the emerging figure. Surprisingly it looked human, with long dark hair, a deadly gait. It's only armour was spiked shin guards, bladed bracers and shoulder pads with large spikes. In each hand she held a short sword. When she looked up, Xander was shocked. Firstly because it was Faith, but mostly because of the look in her eyes. They looked almost dead, a hardened look that was more at home in the eyes of world war one soldiers than women in their twenties, even Slayers.
"You own her?" Xander said, with a slight growl.
"Uh, yah." Jerric said nervously, knowing that this human was not to be messed with.
"How much to buy her?"
"At least a million dollars." Jerric said. "She's an excellent crowd pleaser."
"Done. Payment will arrive with the other, if she survives, but she gets released right after the match. And I want specs for her weapons and armour." Xander said authoritatively.
"Um. Ok." Jerric responded.
Ever since he had established the Hell's Commandos, Xander had been funnelling and investing his assets quite successfully. He now had something in the vicinity of a quarter of a billion dollars in various accounts and portfolios. He was also owed favours by many people and demons, from the highest ranks of the government to the depths of the underground, both criminal and demonic. He loved the policy of 'don't use a cannon to kill a flea.' In the pit, the match began.
********
~Present, 2015~
The increased bustle of the camp brought Xander out of his thoughts. He watched Tara dress and began to do so himself. He slowly got to his plate mail armour, Tara had to help him do up the straps due to their somewhat awkward positions. They dress in a comfortable silence, neither saying a word until they were about to leave the tent.
"I love you, you do know that. Don't you?" Xander said, slightly nervously.
Tara looked at him.
'After all this, he is worried about me breaking his heart?' she thought.
"I know. And I love you too, more than I ever thought possible." She replied aloud.
Xander let out a small sigh of relief and then led Tara through the tent flap. As they walked through the camp, Xander noticed how the troops looked at them, be they demon, vampire or human. They feared Xander, they would do whatever he asked because they were afraid of what he would do if they didn't. They did not fear Tara, the adored her. She really was their queen, and they would do anything for her out of love and devotion, which ultimately was more powerful because, odds were, there was something out there that they feared more than Xander, but there was nothing that they love more than Tara.
The armies lined up for another day of battle, noticeably smaller than on the first day. Over the five days, somewhere in the region of one point five million combatants had been killed, with millions more still fighting. Xander, Tara and Faith lined up in the centre once again, staring across the flats that were now blood-soaked, at their enemy, their former friends.
"From time to time, we must cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war once more." Xander said quietly, remembering the ancient Greek words.
"Amen to that." Faith said, as Tara lightly brushed his hand with hers.
Then the charge began and battle was joined.
TBC
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: First four series of Buffy with some elements of five and six.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy. I would buy it but I am broke.
Summary: The final battle is about to be joined and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. Friends will become enemies and enemies will become friends. A look at the final battle and the path that lead to it. (Multi Crossovers)
AN: Generally I really like Buffy and I usually write B/X fics, but for this fic I have decided to incorporate and focus on one aspect of Buffy's personality that I usually overlook or tone down. Also no Glory or Dawn.
AN2: Steve, look, this story diverges after fourth series. Because of this, Tara and the Scoobies were able to bring Willow back from her magic addiction, like in the series till Tara dies. Also, because Buffy sis not die saving Dawn in series five, not existing in this story, then she never got pulled out of heaven and never did the whole mopey, brooding, 'the world is my hell' Spike shag fest. Stop looking for any errors and just run with it. Orion, I did use you idea for the flashing back and forth, sorry for not giving you credit for it earlier. Not going to have one present and a few past like you suggested for a number of reasons. The major ones include too much stuff in the past and it would get too repetitive in the 'present'.
AN3: Sorry people, got some writers block.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Present, 2015~
Xander looked at Tara's sleeping form and smiled. He rarely ever smiled anymore, almost as if he couldn't smile, and when he did, it was only ever for Tara. She had become the world to him, and he was only doing what he always had. He was protecting her. It sounds crazy, trying to end the world to protect one woman, but then again it is all a matter of perspective. He used to think that the Hellmouth opens and the world dies, now he knows that is not true. He is opening the Hellmouth to shift the balance, to change the world order and give Tara enough power that she will NEVER have to worry about anyone hurting her ever again.
Xander rose from the bed, after giving Tara a gentle kiss in the hollow of her neck, and pulled on some boxers. His well muscled body was covered in scars. A predominate scar was a burn scar that obliterated the tattoo of a cross from his shoulder. Xander lifted his left had and ran it through his lank, shoulder length hair (AN: think Aragorn, AKA Strider, as played by Viggo Mortensen, from the Lord of the Rings movies but without the beard. It just looks so cool.), absently noticing the small amount of scar tissue that formed a cross on his wrist. While this was his smallest and most unobtrusive scar, it was the most important and Tara had a matching scar on her own left wrist. It was a symbol of the day that had changed their lives, the day that Tara had been relieved of some of the burden of memory.
Apart from the scar on her wrist, Tara had only one other physical scar. It was not much to look at, barely an inch across just below her ribs and to the left of her spine, but it had almost killed her. A three inch section of a pocket knife had been embedded into Tara's back, missing anything major, during her captivity by her family. The broken blade shard had stayed in the wound for three weeks before Xander had rescued her. Due to the appallingly dirty and, naturally, less that sanitary conditions of her basement prison, the wound had been badly infected and she had required over a month in hospital to remove the blade shard and fight off the infection. Xander had been by her side almost every second, not following her into the lavatories or shower, to which the medical staff had stopped objecting after three hours for two reasons, one to shut Tara up and two, so that they could get some work done on her, for which she insisted on Xander's presence.
Tara stirred on the bed, turning slightly to reveal one bare breast, before slipping back into slumber. Xander noticed the predawn light, but could not keep his eyes off his slumbering queen. Soon full dawn would break and the fifth day of the battle would begin, neither side performing nightly raids. After a few more minutes, Tara began to awake. Xander moved to the bed as she awoke. Sitting with his back to the headboard, Xander set Tara down between his legs, where she leant back against his chest, they both felt an easy comfort, ignoring the fact that she was naked as easily as they ignored the upcoming fighting.
********
~The Past, Early 2004~
Xander leaned over and kissed Tara on the forehead. In the last six months, things had changed between Xander and Tara. Slowly they had changed from him helping her get her life together, to them living together as a couple. It had started simply. A brush of fingertips, an embrace held slightly longer. Over the months it had slowly but steadily progressed. Xander had never pushed, only going as far as Tara wanted and backing off at the first indication that she was the slightest bit uncomfortable. Last night had been special, Xander and Tara, at her initiation, had made love, and it had surpassed and of their previous experiences.
Xander rolled out of bed, slipping on some clothing, and shuffled into the kitchen to make breakfast. By the time Tara awoke, Xander had prepared an amazing breakfast and brought it to her in bed. Tara loved this little show of affection and they spent most of the morning just sitting in bed talking and being near each other. As evening approached, Xander prepared to go out, making sure he had his personal, light weapons on him, his pistol and a large knife.
"I love you, Xander." Tara said, almost making it a plea.
"I love you too, Tara. Don't worry. I will be back." Xander replied.
"Please, don't leave me!" Tara pleaded dropping slowly to her knees.
"Tara, honey. I'm doing this for you. Trust me. Please?" Xander replied, wrapping Tara in a hug and feeling, more than seeing her nod.
Xander rose and walked out the door leaving a very nervous Tara behind.
********
Xander entered the demon safe haven, cautiously looking around the area. The first thing he noticed was the pit, a large hole that had two demons fighting to the death in it. The next thing he noticed was the humans; there were a lot of them, almost as many as the demons, and almost all of them betting on the outcome of the match. Xander got directed to the man he had come to see by the human bartender. The 'man' was a powerful mage demon who owned some slaves who fought in the tournament, and Xander only knew him as Jerric, who only looked human. Xander sat down at Jerric's table and they began small talk. After an hour, and two matches, they had concluded their business, Jerric agreeing to Xander's request and Xander agreeing to Jerric's price. The next fight was about to start, one of the competitors was already in the pit, a large and fearsome looking demon, which looked slightly afraid.
"His opponent is one of mine. She is really quite remarkable." Jerric said.
Xander looked down at the emerging figure. Surprisingly it looked human, with long dark hair, a deadly gait. It's only armour was spiked shin guards, bladed bracers and shoulder pads with large spikes. In each hand she held a short sword. When she looked up, Xander was shocked. Firstly because it was Faith, but mostly because of the look in her eyes. They looked almost dead, a hardened look that was more at home in the eyes of world war one soldiers than women in their twenties, even Slayers.
"You own her?" Xander said, with a slight growl.
"Uh, yah." Jerric said nervously, knowing that this human was not to be messed with.
"How much to buy her?"
"At least a million dollars." Jerric said. "She's an excellent crowd pleaser."
"Done. Payment will arrive with the other, if she survives, but she gets released right after the match. And I want specs for her weapons and armour." Xander said authoritatively.
"Um. Ok." Jerric responded.
Ever since he had established the Hell's Commandos, Xander had been funnelling and investing his assets quite successfully. He now had something in the vicinity of a quarter of a billion dollars in various accounts and portfolios. He was also owed favours by many people and demons, from the highest ranks of the government to the depths of the underground, both criminal and demonic. He loved the policy of 'don't use a cannon to kill a flea.' In the pit, the match began.
********
~Present, 2015~
The increased bustle of the camp brought Xander out of his thoughts. He watched Tara dress and began to do so himself. He slowly got to his plate mail armour, Tara had to help him do up the straps due to their somewhat awkward positions. They dress in a comfortable silence, neither saying a word until they were about to leave the tent.
"I love you, you do know that. Don't you?" Xander said, slightly nervously.
Tara looked at him.
'After all this, he is worried about me breaking his heart?' she thought.
"I know. And I love you too, more than I ever thought possible." She replied aloud.
Xander let out a small sigh of relief and then led Tara through the tent flap. As they walked through the camp, Xander noticed how the troops looked at them, be they demon, vampire or human. They feared Xander, they would do whatever he asked because they were afraid of what he would do if they didn't. They did not fear Tara, the adored her. She really was their queen, and they would do anything for her out of love and devotion, which ultimately was more powerful because, odds were, there was something out there that they feared more than Xander, but there was nothing that they love more than Tara.
The armies lined up for another day of battle, noticeably smaller than on the first day. Over the five days, somewhere in the region of one point five million combatants had been killed, with millions more still fighting. Xander, Tara and Faith lined up in the centre once again, staring across the flats that were now blood-soaked, at their enemy, their former friends.
"From time to time, we must cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war once more." Xander said quietly, remembering the ancient Greek words.
"Amen to that." Faith said, as Tara lightly brushed his hand with hers.
Then the charge began and battle was joined.
TBC