Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
--
As the Scoobies walked down the halls of Sunnydale High, Buffy was very much considering doing something bad, wholly deserved to Cordelia. Not only did Queen C almost get her eaten by a reptile demon worshipped by some fraternity, but now she was hitting on Angel. Of course, she wouldn't be interested anymore if she knew that Angel was really a vampire, but it still made Buffy angry.
"Looks like Snyder's in charge of the volunteer Halloween safety program this year," commented Willow.
Buffy turned to see their principal holding a clipboard and harassing some random girl.
"He has a very interesting take on the volunteer concept," noted Xander.
"So what's the deal?" asked Buffy as the reached Willow's locker.
"Oh, a bunch of little kids need people to take them trick-or-treating. Sign up and get your own pack of sugar-hyped little runts for the night," Xander answered.
"I think I'll stick with vampires."
Buffy heard Snyder coming up behind her and briefly considered acting surprised and hitting him, but decided against it. When he placed his hand on her shoulder, she didn't give him the satisfaction of making her jump.
"Ms. Summers," the troll drawled, "just the juvenile delinquent I was looking for."
"Hello, Principal Snyder," Buffy greeted flatly.
"I bet Halloween's a big night for you. Tossing eggs, keying cars, bobbing for apples," he said, "one pathetic cry for help after another."
He led her over to the sign up table with Willow and Xander following.
"Well not this year, missy," he finished.
For about the hundredth time since Snyder became principal, Buffy was hoping that she would soon find out that he was actually a demon in disguise and that she would get to slay him. For now, she just had to deal with it.
"Gosh, I'd love to sign up, but I recently developed carpal tunnel syndrome, and can tragically no longer hold a flashlight," she lied.
Ignoring her, he held up the clipboard and pen, "The program starts at four, the children have to be back at six. Costumes are mandatory."
Reluctantly she gave in and signed it. It beat having to deal with him harassing her about it. Not quite satisfied, he held the clipboard up to Willow and Xander. They too reluctantly signed it.
--
Later, the trio was browsing in the new costume shop, Ethan's, for their costumes. Buffy was intent on dressing like a noblewoman to impress Angel. Willow just wanted a classic too keep from drawing too much attention to herself. Xander, still a little upset that earlier that day Buffy had emasculated him by defending him from Larry, was getting a gun to go with the fatigues he already had at home.
Buffy was the first to find what she was looking for on a mannequin. It was a frilly, red dress very similar to one worn by a noblewoman in a Watcher's journal that she and Willow had "borrowed" from Giles. If that didn't impress Angel, nothing would.
"Let me help you with that," someone offered.
She looked to see the shop's owner, Ethan.
"Thank you," she said, "it's…"
"Magnificent," he finished, holding the dress up to her, "Yes, I know."
He had her turn to look at herself in the mirror.
"My. Meet the hidden princess. I think we found a match. Don't you?" he commented.
She had to admit she looked just like a princess, but…something seemed off. The dress was beautiful, but not quite for her.
"Thanks, but I'm not sure this is quite what I'm looking for. I'll just keep looking," she replied.
He looked quite surprised by this.
"All right, but you look stunning in this. I'll put it behind the counter for you, anyway. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask."
With that he went to help other customers and she continued her search.
--
Willow was having more luck than Buffy. She had been looking at the ghost costumes, but something else had caught her eye. Sitting in a display case was some kind of wand. It was pink with a circle at the end, a yellow star in the circle, and a pair of small white wings on the sides of the circle. At first she had thought it was some cheap plastic thing, but closer inspection revealed that it wasn't, but she wasn't sure exactly what it was made of. All she knew was that she had to have it, she could find the rest of the costume later.
"Ahh, I see you've found something," a voice said behind her.
She jumped and quickly turned to see Ethan standing there.
"Yeah, I-uh, i-it's really-uh," she stammered.
"This is a very nice piece," he commented as he retrieved it from the display case, "I purchased it during a recent trip to Japan at a quaint little shop. The owner let me have it for practically nothing, she said it was 'hitsuzen' that I have it, as long as I passed it on to its rightful owner."
"H-hitsuzen?" she asked.
"There's really no exact translation in the English language, unfortunately. The best translations are probably 'fate' or 'inevitability.' Here, hold it, see how it feels."
Willow took the wand from him. As soon it was in her hands, she felt something surge through her. She didn't care how much it cost, that wand would be hers. It belonged to her.
Ethan smiled as her grip tightened.
"I think I've found the person the store owner was talking about," he commented, "I have a seifuku that would go perfectly with that."
Willow nodded dumbly as she followed him, still clutching her want lest someone else try to buy it.
--
Xander had found his toy gun almost immediately, but he had spotted something else. It was a suit of white plastic armor with a cape that was white on the outside and blue on the inside. It also came with a sword and a helmet that left the face exposed.
"A wonderful piece isn't it?" asked Ethan from behind him, "it's one of my personal favorites."
Xander jumped a little and then turned to face the man.
"Yeah, but I'm just gonna take the gun, I've got some fatigues from an army surplus store. Besides, I don't have much cash on me."
"Now, now. It is my policy that everyone should have the right costume. Halloween is a night for fun after all. Just pay me what you can and promise me you'll have fun and it's yours."
--
Buffy was becoming more and more disheartened as she passed rack after rack of costumes. She just couldn't find something liked. Just as she was about to go to the counter to just buy the dress, she spotted it.
On a mannequin was a multilayer kimono with some kind of furry white boa on it. The outermost kimono was blue and white with white butterflies on it. Sitting on the mannequin's head was a grayish white wig with two long pigtails and two locks that would hang in front of the ears if there had been any ears on the mannequin.
"It's perfect," she breathed.
"Ah, I should've expected that one to catch your eye," Ethan said, walking up to her after finishing his sales with Xander, "Still a noble, but from a different part of the world. I think it does suit you a bit better. European noblewomen were airheads who were supposed to look pretty and have babies. While Japanese noblewomen did mostly the same, they were at least intelligent. You know the first novel was written by a Japanese noblewoman."
"How much is it?" Buffy asked, hoping it wasn't out of her price range.
"I believe I can give you a very good deal. I believe all my customers should have the costume that best suits them."
--
Ethan smiled as he watched the three teenagers leave. He had hoped the Slayer would go for the helpless princess, but the costume she bought might work just as well. The man who had sold him that outfit had said it was styled after a very powerful lady, married to man known as the Lord of the Western Lands. At first he had been confused as to why it came with a white wig, but he surmised it must either relate to mythology surrounding her or perhaps the lady in question had actually been albino.
His sale to the redhead had been even more promising. That wand had power of its own. As far as he could tell, it was a mix of Eastern and Western magic, something one doesn't come across very often. Unfortunately, he was unable to use it, so he decided to sell it and see what chaos it could cause. He had suggested the seifuku as an afterthought, hoping that girl would become one of those inane magical girls.
The last costume could be entertaining as well. A valiant white knight would try to slay all the beasts that would come alive tonight. He could just picture that young man rushing into battle to protect his fair maiden. Such a shame it would be if anyone got hurt.
He sure hoped Ripper would enjoy the show.
--
Back at the Warehouse, Spike was watching a video of Buffy fighting vampires. She effortlessly uses her sword to dust them, one at a time.
"How do I beat that sword?" he asked aloud, "There's got to be some way around it."
He turned his attention from the monitor in disgust as Drusilla walked in from another room.
"Miss Edith needs her tea," Drusilla informed him wistfully.
"C'mere poodle," he said as he beckoned her.
She sat down on his lap as he embraced her.
"Do you love my insides? The parts you can't see?" she asked
"Eyeballs to entrails, my sweet," he replied, "that's why I've got to study this Slayer. Once I know her I can kill her. And once I kill her you can have your run of Sunnyhell. Get strong again."
"You should hurry," she commented, "Someone new has come. He means to make her weak, but she will go stronger. They will all grow stronger."
This caught Spike's attention. This Slayer was giving him enough trouble as it was, he definitely didn't need her getting stronger.
"Who's going to make her stronger? When?"
"Tomorrow," she answered in a sing-song tone, "Tomorrow the girl will become a dog, tomorrow all the cards will be turned, tomorrow the monster of another world will awaken."
"Tomorrow's Halloween. Nothing happens on Halloween," Spike interjected.
For a moment Drusilla's eyes, always so distant, like she was never really there, became clear and focused. She walked over to Spike and put her face up to his. She spoke in a voice that was certainly not her own.
"You'd better get ready, blondie. Everything's changing and everyone, above and below, is in total disarray. Before the end of this, my wish is finally going to be granted and this time no punk is going to kill me before I can. Unfortunately for you, you and your little girlfriend will probably be dust in the wind by them. Oh, and my advice? Rent a scary movie and stay in tomorrow night, you won't like what will happen if you go out."
Spike could only stare in shock as Drusilla passed out and collapsed into his lap.
--
On Halloween night, back at Ethan's shop, the fun is about to begin. The chaos worshipper knelt before the bust of Janus. He pressed his hands together and they began to bleed.
"The world that denies thee, thou inhabit," he began.
He smeared blood from his left hand on his right eyelid.
"The peace that ignores thee…"
He repeated his previous motion, only swapping left and right.
"Thou corrupt."
He again took blood from his left hand and made a cross on his forehead.
"Chaos, I remain, as ever, thy faithful, degenerate son."
--
Buffy was looking at herself in the mirror in her room. She was in full costume and she very much liked the effect. She felt like an empress, a divine ruler of all that she surveyed. Surely Angel would love it, even if it was a bit more exotic than the girls of his time.
"You almost done, Will?" she asked.
"I don't know if this is really me," Willow replied from the bathroom.
"C'mon, lemme see."
Tentatively, Willow stepped out of the bathroom. Buffy had to admit she was impressed. Willow's costume appeared to be some sort of Japanese schoolgirl outfit. It consisted of a white blouse with a hot pink collar and a pink bow on the chest. The skirt was the same color as the color and was definitely shorter than anything Willow would normally wear, but it still wasn't too revealing. There was another bow on the back right above the skirt, the same color as the one on the front. Clutched in her hands was the wand she had bought at the costume shop. The overall effect reminded Buffy of a commercial she had once seen for a show called Sailor Moon.
"You look amazing!" Buffy complemented.
"I don't know, isn't it a little…" Willow left it hanging as she fidgeted.
"You're gonna knock all the guys dead."
The discussion was interrupted by a knock coming from downstairs.
"That's Xander. Come on, I'm not leaving you alone so you can change."
Reluctantly, Willow followed Buffy out of her room and down the stairs. There was a moment when the Slayer almost tripped on her kimono, but she managed to catch herself beforehand. At the foot of the stairs Xander was ogling the pair. Buffy had to admit he looked dashing as a knight with his sword sheathed at his waist, even if the armor was plastic, it was at least high quality.
He bowed deeply.
"Empress Buffy of the Land of the Rising Sun, Sailor Willow, fear not my ladies for I, Sir Alexander the White, am here to escort you on this night of mischief."
"Why thank you, sir knight," Buffy replied, "I was fearful that in this strange land that I might be set upon by some terrible monsters."
"Xander, what do you think?" Willow asked, "I don't really feel like this is the right costume for me."
"It makes you look like the fairest maid in all the land," he responded.
A blush crept up her face and Buffy decided it was probably time to get going before she passed out.
"Let's go get this over with," Buffy suggested.
--
At the high school, the Scoobies were waiting for their kids. Buffy smiled as her group approached with Snyder, hoping to make the kids more at ease.
"This is your group, Summers. No need to speak to them. The last thing they need is your influence. Just bring them back in one piece and I won't expel you," he said and then began to leave.
She bent down and greeted them with a "Hi."
"Ah, ah!" Snyder chastened.
Buffy stood up and rolled her eyes.
Xander, meanwhile, had just had another run-in with Larry. He very much wished that tonight was an off night for the forces of darkness, just so they would do something horrible to him. Then the thought of Larry as a vampire crossed his mind and he shuddered. He instead turned his attention to the kids.
"Okay, on sleazing extra candy: tears are key. Tears will normally get you the double-bagger. You can also try the old 'you missed me' routine, but it's risky. Only go there for chocolate. Understood?" he coached.
They all nodded in response and he drew his sword, pointing it forward.
"Onward to victory and spoils!"
The kids began marching and Xander started to follow, when he noticed something on the floor. It was some kind of electronic key chain. He picked it up, shrugged, pocketed it, and then hurried to take his place at the head of the group.
Willow was still fidgeting with her costume, not paying attention to what she was doing. She gasped as she hit something and looked to see a very handsome senior. She recognized his face, but couldn't think of his name.
"Sorry!" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry!" he replied, "I like your costume."
He began eyeing her and she immediately felt uncomfortable. She could feel the blush creeping up her face again.
"Th-thanks. I-uh need to-uh go," she managed to say, "I h-have to-uh watch the k-kids."
"That's cool, giving back to the community and all. I guess I'll see you around."
"Umm…yeah, see you around," she replied before fleeing off in the other direction.
From behind her, Willow could hear him say, "Who was that girl?"
--
Back at Ethan's, the man in question was finishing up the ritual.
"Janus, evoco vestram animam," he incanted in Latin, "Exaudi meam causam. Carpe noctem pro consilio vestro. Veni, appare et nobis monstra quod est infinita potestas."
"Persona se corpum et sanguium commutandum est. Vestra sancta praesentia concrescet viscera. Janus! Sume noctem!
He raised his head.
"Showtime!"
--
Willow and her kids were walking up on a porch. Two of the kids put on red and green demon masks. They rang the doorbell. A woman emerged from the door.
"Trick or treat!" they shouted in unison.
"Oh, my goodness, aren't you adorable," she said.
She looked down at her bowl.
"I could've sworn I had more candy," she said, then bent down, "I'm sorry mister monster. Maybe I…"
She was cut off by the kids morphing into real demons. The green one grabbed her throat and began choking her. The rest of the kids ran away screaming.
"Hey!" Willow shouted, "Let her go!"
The red monster began attacking the green one and the woman quickly ran in and slammed the door shut.
"Stop it! What are you doing?!"
They continued fighting while Willow began to feel odd. Her wand began to glow, scaring away the demons. She pressed her back against the side of the house and began sliding down. She looked in horror as glow began spreading from the wand to her hand, and then to the rest of her body.
She could feel power building in her body, power from the wand, power from the earth, power from something else, and most of all, power from within herself. She felt sheer ecstasy as the power consumed her. She didn't even notice the cards falling from her chest as she blacked out.
--
Buffy watched helplessly as her kids ran off in all directions. Her breathing became labored as she fell to her knees. She clutched her head as something deep inside of her stirred. Darkness crept into her vision as she fought to maintain consciousness. It was a battle that she thoroughly lost as her body hit the hard ground below her.
Before Buffy could realize what was going on, she found herself in a sunny field. Before her stood a woman wearing her costume. The woman had golden eyes, a blue crescent moon on her forehead, and small red markings near her pointed ears.
"Where am I? Who are you?" Buffy demanded.
"Calm yourself, child," the woman said, "I am here because someone has called me back from the grave. I must temporarily inhabit your body until the spell is broken."
"There's no way I'm letting you take over my body."
"I fear that neither one of us has much say in the matter, unfortunately. Don't worry, I'll have it back to you good as new very soon. Better, in fact, though that is an unintended consequence."
Buffy was about to reply when she felt herself passing out again.
"Hmm…it appears I cannot hold together this place much longer. Don't worry, everything will be fine," the woman said.
--
Xander's transformation was no where near as spectacular as Willow or Buffy's. In fact, it was as simple as one second he was Xander Harris in a costume, then the next he was Sir Alexander the White, Defender of Man, wearing full armor and wielding a real sword. After a moment of disorientation, he drew his sword and rushed off to save some children from a monster.
What was important was what was occurring at the exact same moment in another dimension. In a deserted plain, an egg was hatching. The contents of the egg had little trouble extricating itself. The newborn monster took note of its surroundings, then looked skyward.
"Alexander LaVelle Harris," it said, "I'm coming for you."
--
Author's Notes
Okay, two things happened here that I had not intended. First, Halloween was supposed to be one chapter and not end in a cliffhanger, but I procrastinated for too long. So I ended up with this, but I like it. The second thing is that I didn't originally intend for Halloween to be the source of so many of the crossovers (though technically it isn't, it's just awakening and altering what's already there, but more about that later) because so many other authors use that. However I think it still works.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I appreciate constructive criticism.