Disclaimer: This story, though maybe not in this chapter but in subsequent chapters, will have celebrities in it. I have no knowledge of their sexuality and this is not intended to imply their sexuality. This is all from my own mind.
Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel and all related characters created by Joss Whedon. Copyright 20th Century Fox.
Batman, and all related characters created by Bob Kane. Copyright DC Comics and Warner Bros.
X-MEN, and all related characters created by Stan Lee. Copyright Marvel Comics and 20th Century Fox.
The Vampire Chronicles and all related characters created by Anne Rice. Copyright Anne O'Brien Rice.
Star Wars and all related concepts created by or based on the universe created by George Lucas. Copyright 20th Century Fox, LucasFilms Ltd. and Lucas Books/Ballantine Books.
I don't know for sure if I will use all the above elements, but just in case, I have myself covered.
This story has taken on a life of its own. From its inception a year ago, I had only thought it would last ten chapters maximum. As you can see, it has grown tremendously. Mostly due to readers emailing me and telling me they've enjoyed it or have received help due to certain issues addressed. I've enjoyed writing this story but it would not have been written without men and women reading it and telling me they've enjoyed it. I do hope that you continue to enjoy each new chapter as our hero lives and grows.
I have received many emails from people who have enjoyed it and some from those who do not. I would enjoy hearing from you. Any emails you send, please tell me what chapter and story you are commenting on. Thanks.
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Chapter 11 Meeting the Scooby Gang
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Giles asked. "Those were very good moves."
"Thank you. It paid to have a Watcher train me, I guess."
The two Englishmen looked at each other and then turned to me.
"Watcher?" Giles repeated.
"Yes. I forgot to tell you. I'm a friend of Garrett's, the Watcher in Los Angeles. A few weeks ago I was in England with the Watcher's Council."
Willow, Xander and Anya finished their patrol and headed back to the rendezvous point to meet Spike and Giles. As they approached, they found a third person walking with them, someone they hadn't seen before.
"Who's that?" Xander wondered out loud.
"He looks gross," Anya interjected. "He has scars and he's bald. I wonder how old he is."
Willow gave Anya a dirty look and they approached their friends.
"Hey, Giles," Willow called out.
"Ah, Willow. Xander, Anya, this is Eric McCoy. He worked with the Watcher's Council."
"Nice to meet you," Willow said taking my hand.
I shook Xander's and Anya's as well. Xander looked kind of cute, as did the blonde man known as Spike.
"What brings you here?" Giles asked.
"I'm looking for a shape-shifting mutant that goes by the name Mystique. I would be surprised if anyone saw her since she would not look like herself. Normally she has blue skin and red hair but is known for impersonating others."
"Why are you looking for her?" Willow asked.
"She framed someone for murder. Me. I've proven it wasn't me and, in fact, her, but she has been missing for some time. I want to find her and take her back to Los Angeles to stand trial."
"We haven't specifically heard of anyone, but we will keep our eyes out. You're welcome to come with us to the Magic Box with us," Giles offered.
"Thanks. I would appreciate it."
"So, what did you do in England?"
I told them of my trip to England and the battle against Macai. Giles seemed intrigued as did Willow and Anya. Anya shared with everyone that she saw Macai at one time many years ago. When I asked her how, Xander informed me of Anya's past as a vengeance demon.
When we arrived at the Magic Box, Giles offered to fix me some tea. I took it and sat down. Willow, Xander, Anya and Spike left leaving me alone with the Watcher.
"I also have a message for you from Quentin," I said.
"What's that?"
"He said if you should want another Slayer to contact him. He would send one to you."
"That's...thoughtful of him, but I think I'd rather not have one."
"I heard you lost your Slayer. Want to talk about it?"
Giles walked over to get the boiling water. "I'd rather not. It's personal."
"I lost a friend in England, a Slayer."
"Who?" he said turning back to me.
"Christine. She was stationed in Orlando, Florida."
"I knew her. What happened?"
"Macai. He stabbed her with Excalibur."
"Oh, no. How is Kara doing?"
"Kara?"
"She was Christine's Watcher."
"I haven't seen her so I don't know. I think she has a new Slayer in Orlando already. The work has to continue, I guess."
Giles nodded and brought the tea over.
"Does it continue here?"
"Yes, in some respects. All of us have been trying to keep things going since Buffy's death."
"Any muscle by way of supernatural forces?"
"Yes, actually. Willow is becoming a powerful witch as is her girlfriend Tara. And Spike is a vampire."
"Vampire? Does he have a soul?"
"No, not in the least."
"Then how..."
"Last year, a secret government unit was stationed in Sunnydale. Their purposes were to study the demons in the area and some how obtain their strength for combat. In order to control certain creatures, they designed technology that would inflict pain should they try to harm another. Spike is a recipient of such technology. His need for violence and only outlet for said violence is other demon. The technology only prevents harm to humanity. Eventually, he joined us in fighting demons."
"Lucky you," I said.
"Sometimes. Other times he can be quite a pain in the ass."
I laughed with Giles.
"Do you have anywhere to stay?"
"I just arrived, so no."
"If you would like, you can stay in the back of the shop. I have a room set up for training Buffy. You're welcome to stay."
"Sure," I said.
"This way."
I stood and followed Giles into the back and was amazed at the setup of the back room. Weapons were mounted on the walls, punching bags and dummies hung from the sealing, and the floor was matted for doing gymnastics.
"Here's a couch you can sleep on. I will get you some blankets, too."
"Is this her?" I asked as I walked over and picked up a picture of a group of people. Willow and Xander and Giles were in the image, a few years younger, though. And with them, a young blonde girl, whom I assumed was Buffy.
"Yes, that's Buffy."
"She's pretty."
Giles just nodded.
"It is such a shame someone so young dying. Almost a year ago, I lost someone. He hanged himself because his parents didn't approve of his sexual orientation. He was forced to see a psychologist and ended up internalizing all the hatred towards gays. He believed he had no way out so he hanged himself."
"Sorry to hear that."
I nodded.
"Buffy died just a few weeks ago battling a god from another dimension."
"The god killed her?"
Giles smiled at the memory. "No. Buffy fought the god well and came out victorious."
"Then what happened?"
"Buffy's sister was not born conventionally. She was energy in the god's dimension, a key that would open a doorway into all dimensions. Monks performed a spell altering her form into a human and sent her to Buffy. They changed everyone's memories and we all believed Dawn was always here.
"The god, Glory was her name, was banished from her world and sent to live in a human body. In human form, she could be harmed and even killed. But in her god form, she was very strong and immortal. Glory came looking for the key so she could return to her dimension and reign.
"When she found out Dawn was the key, she took Dawn and at the appointed moment, cut her. Her blood would open the door and her blood would close the door. Dawn's blood did open the door, but instead of killing Dawn, Buffy jumped in ending her life to save the rest of the world as well as all the other dimensions."
"Noble of her."
"Yes. She was a very noble girl. I only wish..."
"You only wish she could be alive."
Giles nodded. "I'll get you your blankets and leave you to rest."
Giles left the room.
I looked into the eyes of Buffy's picture. "I hope you found peace and rest wherever you are."
He came back in with blankets and a pillow. "Here you go."
"Thank you very much. I appreciate it."
"What has become of the Council? It has been a long time since I've been there."
"Macai ended up raiding the castle and killed many of the Watchers. They don't have many serving on the Council now. Quentin is still alive, as is Jayce. A few others, I think."
Giles nodded and handed me the pillow and blankets. I unfolded the blanket and laid it out, and placed the pillow at one end of the couch.
"I will leave you to your rest now."
"Thank you, for everything."
Giles smiled. "We will get to work on finding this mutant you are looking for in the morning."
I nodded at Giles and he turned and left.
I pulled off my boots and hung my jacket on the fighting dummy. Then I lay down. Sleep, however, eluded me for a while. I kept seeing Buffy in my mind. Images of what Giles told me flashed through my mind. I saw the battle between Buffy and this god. The god was blurry, but Buffy stood out well in my mind. I saw Dawn's face of horror at being subject to such darkness and loss and my heart went out to her. So much pain and sorrow in her life. The poor girl's world was turning upside down and she had nothing to stabilize it but these friends of hers. Much like me and my world.
I awoke in the morning to noises coming from the front of the store. I stood and stretched and pulled my boots on. Flinging my jacket over my shoulder, I exited the training room to the store front and found several patrons browsing the wares of the Magic Box. Giles looked over at me from the table and Anya looked at me from the cash register.
"Good morning," Giles said as he approached me. "I trust you slept well."
"Fairly, I guess."
"Would you like to shower?"
"You have one here?"
"In the back. Buffy used to use it after she trained."
"Thanks."
I turned and went back into the training room. Off in the corner was a door hidden from view. I entered to find a small bathroom complete with sink, toilet and shower stall. I disrobed and climbed in. The water felt good on my skin, warm and relaxing.
The door to the backroom opened and footsteps neared the bathroom. The door slightly opened and Giles poked his head in.
"I called Xander and asked him to bring you some clothes. I will send these to get washed."
"Thanks," I replied. 'I guess I'm staying in the shower until clean clothes arrive.'
Twenty minutes later, I was dried and dressing in the yellow pants and green shirt Xander brought for me. It was a short notice and Xander hadn't done any of his laundry so he didn't have much to spare. I was fine with it.
As I came out, I recognized several of the faces sitting at the table. Two, however, I did not.
"Eric," Willow introduced. "This is Dawn, Buffy's sister."
"Hi, Dawn."
"Hi," she replied.
"And Tara," Willow continued.
"Hello, Tara."
"Hi," she greeted with a smile and hand wave.
Dawn, however, caught my attention. She seemed so lost and vulnerable. Her sister was gone and she felt so alone and empty inside. It was easy to read all that emotion on her face. I walked over to the table and sat down.
"We have donuts," Giles said handing the box over to me.
I reached in and pulled out a crème stick and placed it on a napkin.
"What brings you to Sunnydale?" Tara asked.
"I'm looking for someone who framed me for murder. She is a mutant who can shape shift."
"Do you know what type of places she likes to frequent?"
"No. So long as she blends in, she probably doesn't care."
"We can look around and see if there are any new faces in town," Xander offered. "I don't know how productive it would be, but that is all I can think of."
"Good idea," Giles replied. "Willow and Dawn can go with you."
"I think I'll check Spike's out first," Willow said. "He may know of any new baddies in town."
"I can come with you," I offered the young red head.
"I can look for spells that would bring hidden things forth," Tara replied. "There may be something that would cause this mutant to show her true colors."
"Be careful," Giles replied. "If she framed Mr. McCoy for murder, she is very dangerous and would not hesitate to harm any of you."
Everyone nodded.
After breakfast, we all headed out to the cemetery. The first stop was Spike's place. Dawn excitedly ran inside looking for the vampire.
"What's with her?" I asked.
"Spike and Dawn hung out last year. He protected her many times Buffy needed him to. She sort of bonded with him."
"Understandable. Especially since he is immortal. She's had so much death in her life, it would be easy to find someone strong and everlasting to bond with."
Xander and I followed Willow into the crypt and saw Dawn giving Spike a hug. He turned and looked up at us.
"What can I do for you?" he asked.
"Have you heard any news on the mutant I'm looking for?" I asked.
"Nothing yet. Give it some time. It doesn't take long to get wind when a new player shows up in town."
"Keep looking and asking," I said. "I would appreciate it."
"Out for revenge, are we?" Spike asked with a smile. "I know what that's all about."
"It's not revenge. Not any more. It's justice. She took something away from me. I want it back."
I noticed Dawn nodding ever so slightly. She knew exactly what I meant. She wanted Buffy back.
"I'll look into it," Spike said and he climbed down a hole.
We turned and walked out the crypt. Xander and Dawn walked ahead of Willow and I.
"How are you doing?" I asked Willow.
"What do you mean?"
"Giles told me about what happened with Buffy. I can imagine your sorrow as well as everyone else's."
"I'm doing okay. It's rough, but I've taken it upon myself to help with Dawn. She needs someone in her life that she knows."
"I agree. In the coming months, life will be very hard for her. She may want to give up. She will need reasons to live. Plus, there is also the chance she may get into some bad circumstances. Losing someone so close to you could very well send you over the edge from good to evil."
Willow just nodded.
To Be Continued...