Date written: Mon 26 Oct 2009
Author: Starway Man
E-mail: theop at hotkey dot net dot au
Disclaimer: The Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar, Kuzui, Fox, WB and UPN; I don't own 'em, and I never will. I also do not own any other characters from any television shows, movies, comics, videogames or literature that I might use. This work is meant merely for enjoyment, and no profit is being made off of it. Some of the text is from various TV episodes or movies or comics or videogames or literature, and so does not belong to me of course.
Rating: Overall R, with mostly PG-13 parts.
Symbols: " " denotes speech, ( italics ) specifies thoughts, and # # indicates phone voice.
Main characters: Xander, ensemble
Warnings: There is some violence, bad language, character death and mention of sexual situations in these stories.
Author Notes: A couple of years ago Night Hunter MGS (a.k.a. Matt) wrote an awesome series of stories called "31 Days of Xanderween" (http://www. fanfiction. net/s/3813208/1/31_Days_of_Xanderween), where he published one Halloween fic for each day of October. I was inspired enough to want to do my own version of the concept, and he has graciously allowed me to use his idea for this series of fanfic stories.
Author Notes 2: Howdy everyone, welcome to the latest fic. This story originally arose from a conversation with Nodakskip on writing a BtVS/Superman crossover story. He suggested a storyline involving elements of 'Smallville', but there were insurmountable problems with that scenario, since I've never actually seen an episode of that TV show. Anyway, eventually I came up with this, which I hope you'll enjoy; eternalfox92680, I know it's not Superboy and Wonder Girl like you requested, but it was the best I could do. And The Doctor, thank you for your kind words regarding the previous story! Thanks to everyone else too who read or reviewed or sent me feedback, you have no idea how much it helps at this stage of the series.
Acknowledgments: My thanks of course to Matt for allowing me to dabble with his original idea this way. Also, my deepest gratitude to all my beta readers – Francis Eugene, Greywizard, American Soldier and Nodakskip – for all their help in getting these stories finished on time!
Classification: Alternate Universe, Angst, Crossover, Romance, YAHF
Summary: Thirty-one versions of Halloween, Xander-style. Fic-a-day series.
Title:31 Days of Xanderween Part Deux
***
Story 26: Great Rao!
A higher dimension inhabited by the Roman deity named Janus
October 30th, 1997
Janus was, to put it quite bluntly, absolutely bored.
Unique amongst his peers, the Roman god possessed the ability to see into the future as well as into the past, and so boredom was an unavoidable consequence of the higher being's foresight. After all, if from your point of view everything has 'already happened', where is there room for excitement? A bit of spontaneity? A chance to cut loose and simply enjoy being alive?
"I see that you have still yet to learn the most important lesson of all – to live in the present, instead of the future or the past."
Surprised for the first time in millennia, Janus turned to face his visitor. "You? How is it I didn't foresee this coming? And I thought you would have been dead by now. All your worshippers have been extinct for centuries, after all."
"Not all of them," the higher being calling itself Rao shook its head. "And as for how I managed to hide myself from your senses, that is my secret – for now. You should note, however, that since I was able to accomplish such a thing, then no doubt others will eventually do so as well; which should hopefully shake you out of your ennui, thinking that nothing can take you by surprise anymore."
"You haven't changed much in the past ten thousand years, have you?" Janus sniffed. "Still, I concede the point. And rules are rules, you managed to do what I thought was impossible – so now I owe you a debt. Name your price."
"One of your high priests is planning to do a spell tomorrow night, during All Hallows' Eve. Do not interfere with my manipulations surrounding that event and assist me in upsetting the plans of those so-called Powers That Be, and you can consider the debt between us settled."
***
Somewhere on the streets of Sunnydale, California
October 31st, 1997
Xander Harris knew he was going to do something drastic if he heard one more little kid say to him, 'your Superman costume's all wrong!' Because he had wanted to do something different for Halloween this year, and so hadn't dressed up as a soldier or the Man of Steel for tonight's escort duty. Rather...he'd chosen someone else.
Even though not even his closest friends knew it, Xander was a big fan of the actor Marlon Brando for his award-winning roles such as Colonel Kurtz in 'Apocalypse Now', and Vito Corleone in 'The Godfather'. So he had dressed up as one of Marlon Brando's most famous movie roles ever; the Kryptonian scientist, Jor-El. Father of Kal-El, or as he was more popularly known, Superman.
Xander scratched at the symbol adorning the front of his white costume, the familiar 'S' shield which represented the official seal of the House of El. It had been pure luck he'd seen it in Ethan's Costume Shop yesterday, or so he thought. Xander had no idea that there were plans within plans within the higher realms tonight, and both Rao and Janus were about to make life...interesting.
At the costume store, not all that far away from where Xander and his friends were walking along the streets, Ethan Rayne was nearing the end of his ritual for tonight.
Outside, a cold wind started to blow. Ethan looked up and started to say, "Showti-" when he felt something go terribly wrong. "NO!!"
Too late.
The surge of mystical energy from Janus and Rao was too much for his relatively frail mortal body to handle, and as the backwash exploded through him, like a burned-out capacitor Ethan simply exploded in a rain of blood and gore.
But his sacrifice was not in vain: four people whose current destinies sucked almost beyond imagination were abducted by Rao and sent elsewhere and elsewhen, according to the bargain he had struck with Janus.
Xander Harris.
Buffy Summers.
Willow Rosenberg.
And last but not least, Cordelia Chase.
***
The residence of Jor-El, Kryptonopolis, the planet Krypton
Many centuries before Halloween '97
Far away from the confines of Earth's solar system, there existed a blue-white planet called Krypton. This Krypton was not one that Xander Harris would have readily recognized, comic geek that he was. It had an alien white terrain of jagged frozen plateaus, stretching broadly under heavy, dark skies – with a red supergiant sun rapidly heading towards becoming a supernova.
The citizens wore electric-white body suits emblazoned with the crest of each family's House seal, just like in the 1978 movie. The people also went about their daily lives, having no idea that as things stood, within three years – their planet would be utterly destroyed, and only four survivors would eventually make their way to Earth: a baby, and three convicted criminals.
The scientist known as Jor-El – the REAL Jor-El, at least in this dimensional neck of the woods – examined the transparent crystal he held in his hand, as his fiancée, Lara-Van, welcomed his brother, Zor-El, and sister-in-law, Allura, into his house. He then reluctantly put the crystal down, and joined the rest of the family – as outside, the red sun began to pulse in the sky.
"Greetings, Jor-El. How does your work progress, brother?" Zor-El said, assessing the situation quickly the way he always did. His older sibling may have been the one elected to the Science Council for his sheer brainpower, but the younger son of Seyg-El had the people skills which Jor-El lacked, and which had helped Zor-El become the leader of his own city.
"Not well," Jor-El frowned in reply to the question. "The other members of the Council continue to reject my request for launching the satellite network I need to monitor the recent quakes and other planetary disturbances. I can't understand their attitude, quite frankly."
"Of course, it cannot possibly be due to the fact that Vond-Ah has questioned the need for such a thing, given the other urgent demands for public money – such as schools, hospitals and the like?" Allura asked innocently.
"I find it doubtful. Especially since she has also challenged Jor-El's interpretation of the data for all three of his latest academic publications," Lara smirked at her future sister-in-law.
"I warned you about her back when you were students studying together, brother," Zor-El reminded his sibling. "And your rejection of Vond-Ah's proposal for a joint study of subatomic particles – a thoroughly wise decision on your part, let me add – most likely only fuelled her current animosity towards you even further."
"There...may be elements of truth in what you all say," Jor-El admitted uncomfortably, grabbing the lapels of his robe. "However, Vond-Ah is a respected scientist of the highest order. I find it difficult to believe that personal feelings would sway her judgment to the extent all of you appear to be implying."
"Truly, you have an immense task ahead of you after you marry Jor-El in three days' time," Allura said to Lara with a brief head-shake. "Sometimes, I wonder how my brother-in-law ever managed to actually notice you as a woman in the first place."
"Didn't I ever tell you that story? He had gotten himself trapped in the Phantom Zone, the very first day he discovered it. Jor-El was most fortunate that I entered his laboratory and disconnected the main control crystal – otherwise, most likely he would still be trapped in there," Lara fought not to laugh.
Jor-El would have gone red with embarrassment, but at that moment the sun finished pulsing in the sky outside – and four flashes of white light appeared in the house. When they disappeared, the bodies of Xander, Buffy, Willow and Cordelia fell to the floor – the teenagers unable to cope with the crushing gravity, as they started screaming in pain.
"All of you, quickly! Sedate them!" Jor-El called out, as he passed along some vials of knock-out gas. Since Buffy was the vampire Slayer, it required two doses to knock her out, but before long, she was mercifully unconscious like all the others. "Now help me take them to my laboratory. Something is very wrong here!"
None of the other three were willing to argue with that, as the bodies of the Scooby Gang members were already beginning to show terrible signs of wear and tear. The Kryptonians did their best, but it still took some time before the earthlings could be loaded into the laboratory's anti-gravity chamber; and by that point it was too late, all four had been too badly injured by Krypton's greater gravity.
"Who are they?" Allura asked in confusion, as Jor-El put the Scooby Gang into stasis in order to save their lives. She pointed at Buffy, Willow and Cordelia before saying, "I have never before seen clothing such as that which the females are wearing." This was hardly unexpected; since a Goth girl outfit, a leopard-like cat costume and an 18th century noblewoman gown were hardly the norms of Kryptonian fashion.
"One moment, the scanner is analysing their DNA patterns – ah. They are all from Sector 2814, natives of the planet known as Earth," Zor-El reported with an upraised eyebrow.
"Earth?! Impossible. Its people are primitives, and hundreds of years behind us, technologically," Lara said at once. "How could someone from THERE possibly get here?"
"That remains to be determined, but I assure you, according to these readings there is no possible mistake. Jor-El?" Zor-El called out.
"Yes. It would certainly explain why they are all dying," his brother replied, examining the data as he considered ways to try to save the newcomers' lives. Then Jor-El frowned, "The blonde female is dying less slowly than the others for some reason, but eventually, even she will succumb. There are simply too many damaged organs, capillaries and blood vessels; their bodies were exposed to our gravity for too long."
"What can we do?" Allura asked, staring at the four teenagers from another world. "And how is it the male is dressed as a member of the House of El?"
"I don't know," Zor-El frowned. "I would suggest, however, that none of us mention that to anyone else. The Science Council would start asking us questions we cannot answer, and perhaps draw the wrong conclusions as well."
That gave Jor-El an idea. "Zor-El. You have permission from the Council for genetic experiments, do you not?"
"Yes, but what does that..." Suddenly, the younger brother realized what was being suggested as he saw which crystals Jor-El was retrieving. "Surely you can't be serious!"
"About what?" Allura and Lara both asked together.
"I intend to take DNA samples and create Kryptonian bodies in order for our guests to be able to survive on our world," Jor-El announced. "It is the only way."
"But you know that the Council would never give you permission to do that!" Allura protested. "You face criminal punishment if you pursue this course of action!"
"And yet if I do nothing, they will all die," Jor-El said grimly. "Personally, I would prefer asking for forgiveness from the Council rather than from Rao, when asked to explain my actions to a higher power."
Lara quickly stood with her betrothed. "I am in agreement, husband-to-be."
"As am I, brother," Zor-El nodded. "Besides, technically – these people are ambassadors from Earth. If the natives of that world have progressed far enough to arrive here without our knowledge and consent, diplomatically speaking, this may actually be the wisest course of action."
"I doubt that General Zod would see it that way. However, I have faith in your ability to make the Council see things from your point of view, husband mine," Allura nodded as Jor-El took stem cells from all his visitors and began to infuse them with Kryptonian genes, to be re-injected as soon as possible.
***
The inner chambers of the Science Council, Kryptonopolis, Krypton
The next day
Xander, Buffy, Willow and Cordelia stood before the gathered Elders of the Science Council, their bodies having been adjusted by the introduced Kryptonian DNA and then recovering completely thanks to the miraculous medical science of the planet. Initially, they couldn't believe what had happened to them, which was only to be expected. But soon enough, all four teens were convinced of the truth. The moment the three girls and the guy looked outside of Jor-El's lab window and saw that massive red sun, it was obvious they weren't on Earth anymore.
Xander looked around at the chamber; it was a pristine and immaculate area that contained two rotating hoops which glowed electric-white, and a revolving intelligence source within them.
( Just like in the movie, huh? ) The young man could also see the Elders standing as a group not far away, conferring about something. Jor-El himself was standing apart from the others, and he appeared deeply concerned to Xander. ( Well, that's not really my fault – it's not like I could tell him the truth regarding my Halloween costume! )
"I feel weird," Cordelia complained, which immediately drew everyone's attention. "Hey, Mr. El, are you sure this is still my body?"
"Yes, of course it is," Jor-El replied, as the other eleven Elders joined him. "I can assure you, the only alterations carried out were those required for you to be able to survive in our environment."
"Indeed. Now, then, on behalf of the planet Krypton, I must ask you what your intentions are," the First Elder suddenly declared. "Why have you people come to our planet?"
"Y'know what, pal? I don't think I like your attitude," Cordelia sniped, instinctively going on the attack. "And in my opinion, your ideas of hospitality? They leave a lot to be desired! I mean, these clothes you've given us for one thing. Can I just say, UGH!" she said in clear contempt, startling many of the Elders – who looked at her in dismay.
"Leaving aside the idea of fashion JUST for the moment," the Second Elder said in annoyance. "Could you please answer the question?"
"We don't know how we got here," Buffy spoke up, still finding it hard to believe where she was or that she was actually having this conversation. "Not a clue."
"Yeah, that's right, it's not like we beamed down after arriving by spaceship or anything I mean 'cause we simply don't have any and back home we've barely made it to our own moon so far," Willow babbled, still marvelling at all the advanced technology around here. The redhead was almost in geeker heaven, and truly wanted to believe that all this wasn't just a shared hallucination.
"Our remote probes have been monitoring your planet for a long time," Vond-Ah spoke up, briefly glancing at Jor-El. "According to the latest updates, the people of Earth do not have the technology to have accomplished even that much."
"Well, maybe your information's a little out of date. I mean, uh, taking into account the lightspeed barrier and all, there's got to be a limit on how fast the information gets back here, right?" Willow supplied helpfully, calming down and speaking more slowly.
"Assuming for the sake of argument that what you say is true, that is – plausible, at least in theory," Jor-El conceded, looking at his fellow Council members. "It does raise an important issue, however. Whatever the manner of your arrival, Krypton possesses no spaceships to transport you all back to Earth; even if our isolationist policy were to be suspended to allow this to happen. And since by your own admission your people are unable to come and retrieve you themselves, logic would indicate that you are all effectively stranded here."
"Well, that's just great! I mean, what about Prom?!" Queen C demanded in her special Cordelia-esque way.
"Prom?" most of the Science Council members echoed in confusion.
"Never mind," Buffy interjected hurriedly, glaring at her classmate. "Look, if we are stuck here, then I guess we're pretty much asking you guys for a 'live and let live' type arrangement, alright? As in you help us, and we help you. Until somebody can figure out a way for all of us to go home, and put an end to this freaking nightmare."
"Your mode of speech is rather strange, but if I understand you correctly, that sounds like...an agreeable arrangement," the First Elder looked around to see the various nods from his colleagues. "If there are no objections-?"
"I object," a bearded male Kryptonian wearing a black leather jumpsuit came storming into the Council chambers. "I object in the most strenuous terms imaginable! These people need to be restrained in a holding facility, and questioned at length to make sure they're not some sort of scouting party for an invasion!"
"Dru-Zod," Jor-El said smoothly. "I believe that, as you are not a member of this Council, technically you are out of order coming in here and addressing us this way?"
"Spare me your quibbling, Jor-El! I am charged by the Council with maintaining the defences of our planet, and as such, I demand the right to interrogate the prisoners! They could represent a clear and present danger to the security of our world!" General Zod shouted.
"Then interrogate me, as much as you like."
Everyone stared as Xander finally spoke up, moving to stand in front of the three female teenagers. "The fact is I know a lot more about you, your people and your planet in general than my friends do. You guys can verify that for yourselves using that thing over there, right?" Harris nodded to the intelligence source, which stopped revolving within the two hoops of white light. "It's currently acting as a truth assessor of some kind, isn't it?"
"Indeed it is," the Second Elder frowned, as he and the rest of the Council started concentrating almost exclusively on Xander. "May I ask how you knew that?"
"Sure, but I can't give you an answer," Xander said, annoying Dru-Zod at once with his response.
The Kryptonian general glared at him fiercely. Harris saw the look and added, "Hey, that security thing has to work both ways. I'm not going to divulge any information that could give you any tactical advantage over Earth, just in case you people decide to invade our planet."
"Very well, alien. Now then, you will come with me at once," General Zod snarled, grabbing Xander by the shoulder – before Buffy instantly hauled back and knocked him out cold with a Slayer-strength punch.
"Cordelia was right before, you people have a lousy attitude – and even lousier manners!" Miss Summers spat out, as black-suited guards came in and raised their weapons, aiming at all the earthlings.
"Wait, wait!" Jor-El said urgently, he did not want this to degenerate into a bloodbath. "All of you, do not open fire!"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea to me. Let's everybody just relax," Xander said, raising his arms with his palms facing outward in a universal gesture to calm down. "General Zod?" Xander leaned down and started slapping his cheek, but the man remained unconscious. "Okay, never mind. We'd best get this show on the road without him for now, huh?"
"I will escort you to the interrogation room," Vond-Ah volunteered, moving away from her colleagues. "I have many questions to ask."
"Lead the way," Xander nodded and followed the Kryptonian woman out of the chamber, surrounded by the accompanying security detail.
***
The Temple of Rao, Kryptonopolis, Krypton
A few days later
As almost everyone swept out of the temple after the marriage ceremony of Jor-El and Lara, Xander and his girls stayed behind.
"You guys think it's safe to talk in here?" Buffy asked, looking around. They had been invited to the wedding as Jor-El's guests, and there were no Kryptonians currently in sight.
"Oh come on, Buffy! They're sure to be listening to us," Cordelia said scornfully, looking around the temple. "Xander may have convinced these people that we're not any sort of danger to them, but they're not stupid! I'll bet you a manicure that general guy you publicly humiliated is eavesdropping on us right now, hoping we're gonna say something that'll let him lock us up and throw away the key!"
"She's got a point," Xander shrugged. He knew that both Dru-Zod and Vond-Ah were still suspicious of all of them, despite the whole lie-detector test he'd undergone. Fortunately, Xander had kept his mouth shut about almost everything during the interrogation, only giving yes or no answers and replying, "I refuse to answer that question for security reasons" whenever something tricky had come up.
Well, apart from the one time he'd asked the enraged general, "Should I kneel before Zod?" before bursting into helpless laughter.
"I still don't get it. How did we get here?" Willow asked her friends hopelessly. "I mean, this place is actually Krypton?! This is the planet which is-"
"Willow," Xander interrupted her at once with a warning look. He knew the moment that any of the gang started talking about that sort of stuff – Krypton being utterly destroyed, the son of Jor-El being sent to Earth, yadda yadda yadda – all four of them were headed for either the loony bin and/or a government detention centre. "We need to focus on how we're gonna get home, okay?"
"Maybe we can convince these people to build something or other to take us back to Earth?" Buffy suggested.
"No chance," Cordelia sniffed. "Just my opinion, but most of those Council people are, like, complete idiots. Don't you remember how they reacted when we mentioned that Earth has a satellite network, after learning that they didn't? They wouldn't build a spaceship if their lives depended on it!"
"Cordelia," Xander said helplessly, this was getting perilously close to forbidden territory for his liking.
"She's got a point, you have to admit."
Xander, Willow, Buffy and Cordelia whirled around in surprise, not having heard anyone approach them. All four sets of eyes went wide at the sight of the man before them.
"You're Christopher Reeve!" more than one of the girls said in astonishment.
"No, I'm not. You can call me Rao – and don't worry, no one's listening to us right now. I want this conversation to remain private, and we have roughly two minutes before Security gets here in person. No doubt you have questions as to why you've been brought here, so please, ask away."
"That was you? And, and can you take us home?" Willow asked at once, even as the others asked similar questions.
"One at a time, please. And yes, I brought you here – but no, I won't send you home yet. You're all here for a reason, after all."
"And that is?" Cordelia asked impatiently.
"Someone once said to me, and I quote, "Wouldn't bringing life onto a planet that is inherently unstable add to the beauty of the life? If at any moment, it could explode...truly it would only be perfectly beautiful, a perfect piece of art, if one single life-form escaped. To remember, to mourn, to despair." I should never have listened to her," Rao declared as shook his head. "That's why you're here. You four have three years to undo my mistake and save the inhabitants of this world, before Krypton dies."
"How the hell are we supposed to do that?!" Buffy exploded. "Look, mister, I want you to take us home right now! I'm the Slayer, I have a job to do-"
"No. Besides, another Slayer was called in your place, and is currently patrolling the Hellmouth. I didn't want innocent people to die as a consequence of bringing you here, after all," Rao said simply, ignoring Buffy's stunned expression. "Now as I said, all of you are here for a reason; you all have a part to play. Over the next few years, you must integrate into this world's society and live amongst its citizens. How exactly you four will prevent the collective end of the Kryptonian race from occurring, though...I have to leave that up to you."
"And what if we say no?" Willow said obstinately. "And, and how do we know this isn't some sort of trick? I mean, come on – Superman? It's all just science fiction, ever since the 1940's!"
"In your reality, yes. But here in this universe, no. This Krypton is very real, as is the danger both to you and everyone else," Rao said gravely.
"Good luck..." he said, before he simply vanished as General Zod and his forces came storming into the temple.
***
A Kryptonian Ark ship, in low Krypton orbit
Three years later
Xander and Cordelia watched as the last of the transport vessels left the planet's surface. They then glanced at the gigantic red sun, which had grown noticeably larger over the past twelve months as it headed towards its inevitable self-destruction.
After that day in the temple, all four teenagers had embarked upon their task of saving themselves and whoever else they could. It was a difficult and often dirty job, but then personal survival is the greatest motivation to succeed known to man.
Willow had dived into a study of supernovae, to see if it was possible to stop the star from destroying the planet somehow.
Cordelia had developed a social network, making friends with holo-movie stars and also making a name for herself in preparation for spreading the bad news.
Buffy had made life miserable for Zod and his associates Ursa and Non, and eventually testified against them before they were sentenced to banishment in the Phantom Zone.
And as for Xander...
Given his knowledge of Krypton, he was the most valuable member of the entire team, directing the others on what to do and when to do it. Initially, Xander had established himself with solving Jor-El's research problem regarding the 'green plague' that had been killing Kryptonians by the hundreds. He'd also subtly guided Superman's father to discover for himself that the entire planet was going to explode in three years' time, thanks to what was happening deep within Krypton's sun.
Once informed of that finding, of course, the Science Council had ordered the news to be suppressed, just as Xander had been sure would happen.
But after the threats of harsh punishment for 'insurrection' were out of the way Willow had announced it was impossible to prevent the upcoming supernova from occurring and shown them her own data, saying that there was no other choice but to eventually go public and evacuate the planet.
The news that an alien had confirmed what one of their own had come up with was enough to plant the seeds of doubt in many of the Elders. It had helped that Vond-Ah had been discredited by that point and was unable to spin her nonsense theory that Krypton was simply shifting its orbit: so, after a great deal of argument and debate the construction of the Ark fleet had begun in secret, roughly about the time when Lara had announced that she was pregnant.
There had initially been world-wide panic when Cordelia's rumours were finally confirmed and the Science Council had admitted the truth to the populace of Krypton, not long before Kal-El had been born.
But the Kryptonians were a pragmatic people for the most part, and upon hearing there was a chance to escape the upcoming destruction of their world, almost everyone did whatever they could to prepare for departure and secure a seat on one of the Arks.
"Hey, guys," Buffy said, as she and Willow joined Xander and Cordelia at the window. "Have you heard the latest?"
"What latest?" Cordy asked, turning around.
"That idiot group calling itself the Sword of Rao, it's refusing to leave the planet," Willow said angrily. "It's accusing US of being responsible for a massive misinformation campaign, tricking everybody into leaving so that "Earth's armies" can swoop in and take over! Can you believe it?"
"After the last three years, I'm willing to believe just about anything concerning these people," Xander said, staring outside as the ship began to break orbit. "That's it, we're on the move..."
As the Ark accelerated away from the planet, all four of them rushed to a nearby view-screen to join the crowd of Kryptonians watching what happened to the world they'd just abandoned. They saw the red sun dominating the sky, obscenely huge and periodically pulsating. A subterranean explosion suddenly took place, and then another and then another, ejecting plumes of matter onto Krypton's surface not far away from the crumbling city of Kryptonopolis.
As the Ark drew further away, as did all its sister-ships, the image on the view-screen shrank until there was only the battered blue-white planet tearing itself apart alongside the enormous red sun.
When suddenly – an incredible explosion took place, which violently sent out fragments of what had once been a living world in all directions, some of which were red or white or green or gold, and leaving behind a vast black void.
Many of the Kryptonians just stood there numbly in the wake of riding out the blast wave, unable to believe what had happened, despite knowing all about it beforehand. Some started to weep, some started to scream, and some started to go to the religious area to pray for those who had not been able to escape in time.
"It's over. We made it," Cordelia said, motioning her friends to follow her for some privacy. She knew it was highly doubtful they were being monitored right now, not after what had just happened, but old habits died hard. "All we have to do now is get to New Krypton, and we'll be home free."
"I guess, but what are we gonna do once that happens? Hope for Rao to show up to take us back to Earth?" Willow wanted to know. "Or, or do we just stay on New Krypton once we arrive there?"
"Why, Willow. Is there something you're not telling us? 'Cause I've noticed that you've been spending quite a bit of time with Kirana lately, the same way Buffy has with Var-El," Cordelia cooed gently.
Both Willow and Buffy blushed and looked away. The redhead had only recently come to terms with her romantic feelings for the female doctor, whilst the Slayer was reluctant to admit her own attraction to Superman's look-alike cousin.
Shrugging, Buffy said, "Well, we've still got two and a half years before we have to worry about all that, right? It'll take us at least that long before we get to the planet, and it'll probably take a while before the colony is up and running properly and one of the Arks will become available for us to use."
"It'd be a lot simpler for us if the ship would just head straight for Earth, that's for sure," Xander mused. "But y'know, what I'm worried about is what's going to happen now that everything's so different. I mean, Jor-El and Lara aren't going to be sending their son to Jonathan and Martha Kent under these circumstances, plus Zor-El and Allura aren't going to send their daughter Kara to Earth, either," he pointed out. "What kind of world will it be without Superman and Supergirl around to battle Lex Luthor, Brainiac and everyone else?"
"You need not fear regarding that, all the appropriate arrangements shall be made – and the Earth of this universe shall have its protectors from the stars," a vaguely familiar voice said. The Scooby Gang turned around and sure enough, Rao was standing there.
"Congratulations, all of you," the god went on. "You have done well, and saved an entire people from untimely death. I am most grateful."
"So you're here," Cordelia said in annoyance, recalling her last meeting with this guy. "Okay, then, is that it? We're done jumping through your hoops, and now you'll take us all home?"
"For anyone who wishes to do so, yes," Rao nodded. "I should point out, though, that in the years since your departure, many things have changed in the place you used to call home. It is only fair to warn you that life on Earth will not be as it once was for you, if you choose to return to the Hellmouth."
"What exactly do you mean?" Buffy demanded.
"My regrets, but your mother passed away in a car accident a few years after she left Sunnydale to look for you," Rao said to Buffy's horror, before he turned to Cordelia.
"Your family's wealth no longer exists, and both your parents are in jail for tax fraud," Rao informed her.
Ignoring her reaction, he then said to Xander, "As for you, both your mother and your father died not long ago from alcohol poisoning, of all things."
"And me? What about me?" Willow squeaked, as Xander looked stone-faced at hearing that news.
"Oh, your parents have accomplished great things in their field over the past few years, after giving up on finding you alive and adopting another girl to take your place," Rao said helpfully, noting the stricken look on Willow's face.
"What about Sunnydale, is it still there?" Xander suddenly asked, since he knew how all three of his girls were very upset now.
"Yes, but again, it's no longer quite the town you remember. Not after that incident with the Judge, an attempted ascension by Richard Wilkins, and the rampage of a creature calling itself ADAM," Rao shook his head. "The damage was quite extensive, actually, and the rebuilding process relatively slow. So..." Rao shrugged. "Who wants to return?"
"You can count me out," Willow said at once, making her decision without a second thought. "Why would I want to go back to Sunnydale now? My parents thought I died, and then found someone else to take my place, just like that? Besides, how would I explain to them where I've been for the last three years, without either lying or them trying to have me committed? So thanks, but no thanks!" She left unmentioned her desire of not wanting to leave Kirana-Tu behind.
"Same here, I guess," Buffy nodded slowly. "I'd like to go home, but what would I do there now, apart from visit my mom's grave? Angel must have moved on from me a long time ago, and you said there's another Slayer who took over for me way back when. So maybe it's selfish of me, but I have a normal vampire-free life here with Var-El, and I don't want to lose it."
"I'm not sure what I'd like to do, to be honest with you," Cordelia said thoughtfully, glancing at Xander. "I mean, I don't like the sound of being dirt-poor if I go back – but on the other hand, it's getting kind of annoying being famous here on account of the whole 'alien' thing. Plus, I don't have a boyfriend – I don't know, I guess I could go either way..."
"And you?" Rao turned to Xander expectantly.
"Send me home," Harris said simply.
"What? Xander!" both Buffy and Willow said at the same time. "You're leaving us?!" Miss Summers then demanded.
"Yes," Xander said, staring Rao right in the eyes. "Because there's something you're not telling us, isn't there? Call me paranoid, but I get the feeling that you don't want us back on Earth for some reason, and that's enough for me to go home right now. Besides..."
He turned to Buffy and Willow and added, "I'm not exactly needed around here anymore. It's all virgin territory from now on, and I'm not attached to anyone the way you two are. So, I guess this is goodbye."
Miss Summers and Miss Rosenberg instantly grabbed Harris into a huge hug, as they tearfully said their farewells. Then they hugged Cordelia goodbye as well, as the brunette actress also decided to go back to Earth after learning about Xander's plans to do so.
There were two flashes of light, and then Buffy and Willow found themselves alone in the corridor as Rao vanished as well.
"Do you think we'll ever see them again?" Willow asked forlornly, as the two women stared at the empty space where their friends had been standing a few moments ago.
"I hope so, Willow," Buffy sighed, as the pair turned and walked away. "I really do hope so."
***
Somewhere on the streets of Sunnydale, California
October 31st, 2000
There was one thing Rao had not mentioned aboard the Ark, which he should have – and that was the fact that it would be impossible for Xander and Cordelia to live completely normal lives on Earth now, because they were no longer who they had once been before the Halloween of 1997.
Both man and woman had Kryptonian bodies now, thanks to Jor-El's handiwork – which meant that, living under a yellow sun, they could utilize the solar energy at a cellular level to achieve abilities unattainable by demons, vampires or even ordinary human beings.
Everything Superman could do, they could do. On the flip side, though, both of them were also vulnerable to everything Superman was vulnerable to, such as kryptonite (or jadarite, call it what you will) and magic, both of which existed in abundance here.
From the safety of one of the higher dimensions, Rao watched as Xander and Cordelia quickly taught themselves how to use their new powers, which included flying faster than a speeding bullet. He could feel their exhilaration and watched as the duo soared up high into the sky, the sunlight supercharging their bodies as the new Superman and Supergirl flew around the Earth.
"Well, you really have done it this time," the voice of Janus interrupted Rao's train of thought. As the Kryptonian deity turned around the two-headed Roman god added, "Bringing those two back home, it's no wonder why the Powers are out to nail your hide to the barn door!"
"What do you foresee?" Rao asked, not looking too upset about the threat potential regarding the Powers That Be.
"Poor old Glorificus won't stand a chance now. Neither will those three adolescent fools. Wolfram & Hart will do their best, but even the Senior Partners won't succeed in killing your protégés before all their Circles of the Black Thorn get annihilated," Janus mused thoughtfully.
"Interesting. Anything else?"
"Oh yes – the chaos those two will create, just by being who and what they are? Thank you for doing my job for me!" Janus beamed in delight with both his faces.
"Don't thank me," Rao replied. "Because I didn't do all this for you."
"Then who?"
"Humanity," Rao said simply, as he watched Xander and Cordelia start heading back to Earth. "And to prove that my old 'friend' was wrong – that perfect beauty, a perfect work of art is not built on solitude, mourning and despair. It is built on family, joy and love instead."
Janus quickly lost interest in the conversation, wandering away to pursue his own agenda. So Rao just kept looking at the Adam and Eve he had expertly manipulated into coming here, wondering how long it would be before the patter of little Kryptonian feet would echo on the planet's surface.
How long would it be before a New Krypton was established in this universe, the same as in the one still containing Buffy Summers and Willow Rosenberg?
***
Next: Story 27 - Avenging Angel