INDUSTRIAL DISTRIC, SUNNYDALE – TWO NIGHTS AGO
Sarah Towers moved cautiously between two of the warehouse buildings. She gripped her sword tight. Although it was midnight in Sunnydale the ornate weapons glow was enough to light her path. From behind her the sound of an old tin can rattling caught her attention. She swung around quickly ready to fight. The absence of any danger made her even more nervous. She stopped for a moment and got her bearings. Lowering her weapon she closed her eyes and listened. From behind her she heard a faint whisper. She quickly raising her sword she swung around and blocked the attack of the advancing Turidul the creatures glowing eyes glaring at her with a blood vengeance. She kicked it back and went on the attack. They exchanged blows, neither one getting the upper hand, until Sarah knocks the creature down with a spin kick. As Sarah prepares for the final blow a second Turidul stabs her through the back. She convulses wildly as the creature drains her of her life force. When the creature was complete it drops her back to the ground.
Both of the Turidul stare at her for a moment until a figure, approaching from behind, makes them part. The figure, a tall man of about fifty years with meticulously combed silver hair and piercing blue eyes, approaches the corps and shakes his head.
“Such a shame” he says confidently
The first Turidul turns to the Figure and bows.
“We have completed the task. The pure light is destroyed.” The tall, hard-shelled creature said
The figure looks at the sky. He studies the stars for a moment and a smile crosses his face.
“No you haven’t,” he said confidently, “there is still one more.”
THE BRONZE, SUNNYDALE – NOW
The crowd was jumping as the rocking sounds of ‘Dingoes ate my baby’ play loud and strong. At one of the closest tables Willow and Buffy sit and enjoy the music. Usually willow loves to stare at the lead guitarist, Oz, her boyfriend but tonight she seemed troubled. Buffy looked at her friend.
“Penny for your thoughts?” she asked cheerfully
Willow looked up at her. Her pout was bigger then usual.
“Do you have a penny?” asked willow
“Well, no, actually. I was kinda hoping there was a payment plan or something.”
Willow smiled briefly. Buffy put her hand on willow shoulder.
“Will what’s up? You’ve been miss mopey all night.”
Willow turned to face Buffy. Her eyes were full of sadness.
“I was just thinking. Maybe we should have let him help, you know, fight the Hellmouth. He really wanted to. I should have listened when he . . .”
“Xander still hasn’t called has he?” preempted the slayer
Willow shook her head sadly.
“I don’t know what’s going on Buffy. I mean, Xander and I have had fights before but they usually don’t last this long.”
Buffy smiled at her. She gave her a big reassuring hug
“He’ll come ‘round will, give him time. You and Xander have been buds forever and besides I’m sure there’s going to be another apocalypse he can help with.”
Willow smiled. Buffy ushers her onto the dance floor and they both start to have a good time. From the mezzanine floor of the Bronze Xander sat alone and drank his coffee. It didn’t have the same kick as alcohol but it was doing just fine for him. The incident with the Zombies and the giant bomb left him a little worst for ware. He keeps flashing back to it how at the last minute he choked and bolted out of the basement and the next morning where he saw them all sitting there. The slayer, the watcher, the witch and the werewolf and for the first time he realized that he never really had a purpose. the bomb was the last straw. He decided then and there that his demon fighting days were over.
“Harris? Xander Harris?” a gruff voice called from behind him.
“Yeah that’s me” he replied, not turning to look who was
“You’ve been called. Come with me.”
“You got the wrong guy.” Xander said soulfully as he drank his coffee, “ I’m not good for anything except for being rescued by Buff . . .”
He looked up. One of the words in that last sentenced didn’t make sense
“Wait. I’ve been what?”
He turned to see who was talking to him. There was no one there. Xander furrowed his eyebrows.
“Hey!” yelled the voice, “down here numb nuts!”
Xander looked down. Standing a few feet away from them was a small creature, about two feet tall, with pointed ears and long fingers. Under his right up was a scroll. He glared at Xander with a disgusted look. Xander stared at him
“You’ve been called!” the annoyed creature said, “The powers summoned me to get you.”
“Okay the who?” Xander said as he slowly backs away from the creature
The Creature rolls his eyes.
“Why do I have to go though this every time you guys are needed?” He yelled.
The creature jumped up onto the counter. Xander Backed away
“Okay. Here’s the deal. You’re a pure light. We need you go get the sword of Marquessa so you can use it to defeat the Turidul and stop them from destroying this world.”
Xander gave him a blank expression. The creature sighed heavily
“I’m going to have to explain the whole thing to you aren’t I”
Xander pointed at the Creature nervously.
“Listen her you weird . . . Goblin . . . Guy. I’m not a fighter,” he said in a nervous panic, “during the battles I’m the one who usually is running in the direction that is away.”
Looking down into the crowd. He points frantically to Buffy.
“See her! She’s the Slayer goes get her to kill things!”
The creature stared at Xander for a moment. He then begins to laugh.
“The slayer?” he says through fits of intense laughter,” you thing the slayer can fight these things.”
A minute later the creature stopped laughing and wiped a tear from one of its eyes
“Thanks a lot kid I haven’t laugh like that in a long while.”
Xander stood motionless. He hoped that maybe this things vision works like the t-rex from Jurassic park. Sensing that he was not getting through to Xander he unrolled his scroll on the counter and motioned Xander to come and look. Xander moved in still very cautious of his strange visitor.
“Alright I’ll run you through it,” the creature said, “four thousand years ago a tribe in Africa known as the Saurogi performed a ritual that they thought would bring them the strength to defeat their enemies. Instead what they did was open a portal to the Turidul Hell Dimension. As the Turidul swept the earth the great warriors called to the powers that be to send them help. That help is you.”
Xander was confused. And on the good kind of confused
“You’re a pure light,” the creature continued, “one of a pure heart and a pure soul willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Whoa! Hey I made no such promise!” yelled Xander
The creature folded its arms and stared at him
“Really? So what was the thing with that Zombie bomb?”
Xander thought about that for a moment. For a moment he was willing to give up his life before the bomb went off. He stared at the creature.
“Okay that I’ll give you,” replied Xander, ”and while were on the subject of you. What are you?”
“The name’s lukus. I’m here to help you . . . or hurt you . . . I don’t know the rules aren’t that clear, anyway, I am your connection to the powers.
“But what are you?” Xander asked
The creature, now know as Lukus, sighed impatiently
“I’m a Milturi okay. A creature of light that assists the pure light in the fight against . . . blah, blah, blah, blah, can we get back to the Turidul now?” he asked impatiently.
Xander sat back down. This was getting a little to weird even for him. Lukus unrolled the scroll further to revel pictures of the Turidul. Xander examined the pictures closely. The creatures looked about seven feet tall with thick armored bodies and arms as thick as tree trunks. On the Turiduls hands were worm like tubes. Xander looked up at Lukus seriously
“So what are these Turing ducks?” he asked
“Turidul! They are vicious creatures that will suck the life force out of everybody and everything if it had the chance. And they are notoriously tricky to kill seeing how only certain people can see them.”
“People like me.” Finished Xander
“I think you are finally getting the picture kid.” Lukus
Xander though for a moment, even with all he has seen in the last two and a half years this is still sounded a little two far fetched.
“Maybe I should talk to Buffy. About this?” he said cautiously
Lukus slapped his forehead. He glared at Xander with his beady eyes
“You think I like this arrangement anymore then you do?” he yelled at Xander, “look down there. There are at least a dozen or so creatures I loved to work with beside you.”
He starts pointing to random people in the crowd
“Slayer, witch, werewolf, vampire, vampire, vampire, Balgari Demon! Anyone of these creatures could do a better job! But who did I get stuck with? The Zeppo!” he yelled
Xander looked at him strangely. Lukus sighed heavily
“The Zeppo?” Lukus attempted to explain, “He was the fourth Marx brother. People say that he really wasn’t funny and he wasn’t needed but I always thought . . . that’s not the point the point is that out of all these people the powers chose you. You have something these people don’t”
Xander smiled to himself. This news filled him with a new kind of confidence.
“Come on numb nuts we need to get your weapon.” Lukus said ushering Xander to the door.
Xander pointed a defiant finger at lukus
“Hey! If you want me to fight for you you’re going to have to be much more with that niceness or else you are going to have to find yourself another chosen one!”
Lukus stared at Xander with a confused expression
“What?” he exclaimed, “I never said that you were the chosen one, you’re just the chosen one in this area, Hell, if you don’t work out there’s another pure light in San Francisco I could have here in a heartbeat.”
“Then why don’t you get them to do it!” yelled Xander
“Because the powers chose you! Jeez I though I explained that already.”
Xander was about ready to kick lukus over the railing when he felt a tap on his left shoulder. Xander swung around to discover that one of the security guards staring at him in an unfriendly manner.
“Is there a problem sir?” the security guard asked.
“No problem . . . Officer” Xander replied quickly ushering lukus to hide.
Lukus shakes his head and mumbles obscenities to himself.
“A number of patrons have complained about the noise coming up here. If you do not tone down your voice I’m going to have to as you to leave . . . and what is wrong with your left hand?”
Xander quickly held his left hand. And smiled awkwardly
“Noting! Just a cramp!” he replied quickly
“He can’t see me jackass. Only pure lights can.” Grumbled Lukus
Xander flashed Lukus a quick look then returned to smiling at the security guard. The guard looked him up and down.
“Look if you’re going to talk to yourself do it at home like a normal crazy person.”
The guard left. Lukus beckoned Xander to go with him. With a Heavy sigh Xander followed. As he made his way down the stairs he observed that lukus was incredibly maneuverable and spry for a little person and he was having a hard time catching up.
In his hurry Xander collided into a girl.
“Jeez I am so sorry.” He said as the girl started to clean the drinks she had just bought.
The girl looked up, it was Willow, she was surprised to she him
“Willow.” Xander exclaimed awkwardly
“Xander. Hi” Willow replied with surprise, “I didn’t know you were here.”
Xander looked over at the door. Lukus was leaning impatiently tapping his wrist where a watch should be.
“We haven’t seen you around that much lately.” She continued softly
“Yeah, I had a few things to deal with.” He replied
“Buffy’s here you wanna come join?”
“Time is money Harris! Ditch the skirt!” lukus yelled from the doorway
“Maybe later I gotta go.”
Willow looked hurt. Xander couldn’t help but feel guilty as he left the club
MAIN STREET, SUNNYDALE – 1:00 AM
Xander had a tough time trying to keep up with Lukus as his top speed exceeded his own. Eventually Xander stopped to catch his breath. Lukus stops and stares at him
“You wanna hurry this up we aint got all night” he yelled gruffly
Xander looks up at Lukus and glares. He gets to his feat and continues to run.
“Where are we going?”
“Proving grounds” replied lukus Blandly
“Proving grounds for what?”
“To see if you’re the real deal?”
Xander stopped and stared at him
“Wait hold on. I though you said I already was one.”
“No I didn’t” replied Lukus
“Yeah you did. You gave me the ‘you’re the pure light fight evil’ speech back at the bronze”
“No I said that you are a possible pure light”
“I think I would remember the word ‘possible’ if it was said.”
“I very much doubt that,” replied lukus negatively
Lukus waddled off again. Xander shrugged in defeat and followed him.
“So do I get any superpowers with this pure light thing?” Xander asks
“Powers?” Replied Lukus
“You know, like, Can I see through walls? Can I fly? Oh! Do I have super strength?”
Lukus waddles over to a door. He folds his arms and smirks at Xander
“See for yourself”
Xander looks from Lukus to the door. He narrows his eyes as he focuses on his objective. In one swift motion he bolted for the door. He felt powerful, able to defeat anything. He slammed himself against the door at full speed. The pain shot through his arm immediately as he ricochet off the door and onto the ground. He looked up to find Lukus laughing at him.
“I guess that’s a no” Xander said painfully as he picked himself up off the ground.
Still laughing Lukus continues to waddle down the street.
“Come on it’s just around the corner”
As Lukus and Xander round the corner they are met by and awe inspiring sight.
“Here it is. The proving grounds.” Lukus said proudly
Xander joined him moments later. Still clutching his hurt arm he stared at the place where his pure light trial was going to commence. He screwed up his face in both anger and confusion. He is now convinced that maybe he had been hit in the head one to many times. He turned to Lukus
“It’s the mall.” He said angrily
“What were you expecting?” asked Lukus “a cave with a prize at the end?”
“Whatever, what do I have to do?” asked Xander
“Just go in”
Xander paused. He was pretty sure that there should be more to it then that
“That’s it? Just go in? Why can’t I do that when the normals do?”
“Trust me Kid. Just go in.”
“Right, trust the two foot hobbit that only I can see that’s telling me to break into the mall at one in the morning. Do I have crazy stamped on my face?”
“You’re gonna have my foot stamped on your face in a minute. Get the hell inside!”
Xander started to walk. This has been the weirdest night of his life. At this point he wishes that a monster would jump out and attack him so he would feel normal again. He turns back to look as Lukus
“So what am I looking for?”
“You’ll know it when you see it” Lukus yelled back.
Xander gives Lukus an annoyed look and heads for the door. As he approached he made a mental reminder to book that Kat scan in the morning. To his surprise the doors slid open. He walked cautiously in.
The place was pitch black. His footsteps echoed as he wandered down the empty corridors. After a few minutes of walking he had had enough of the crazy midgets attitude.
“This is stupid,” he said to himself as he turned to leave the building
From behind him he heard the faint sound of a woman crying accompanied by footsteps. He turned to where the sound was coming from and was hit head on by a woman running for her life. As they both collected themselves off the floor the woman grabbed at Xander desperately.
“Please! You got to help me?” she screamed in sheer terror
“Calm down. What is it?” Xander replied
“There are these men, huge men, with weird faces. They tried to attack me!”
“It okay I’ll get you to safety” Xander reassured her as he searched for the nearest exit. Moment later Xander heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. Grabbing the woman by the arm they ran in the direction of the exit. Only meters from the door a demon clothesline Xander and Grabs the woman.
“You can not escape me,” yelled the tall Demon
The woman screamed as the Demon Carried the woman back into the mall. Without a moments pause Xander climbed back onto his feet and jumped on the back of the Demon. The Demon dropped the Woman then flipped Xander onto the ground next to her. From its belt it produced an axe. The Demon lifted it above its head in readiness for an attack.
“You die now!” roared the demon as the axe fell. Just before it hit Xander moved in front of the blade. The demon stopped two inches from his head.
“Out of the way little man,” said the demon, “my quarrel is not with you. It is with the girl!”
Xander didn’t move. He didn’t care what the reason the fight was about he knew he just had to stop it. For some reason this felt very familiar.
“What are you doing? Get out while you can!” screamed the hysterical woman.
Xander ignored her and focused on the demon
“You want her. You are going to have to go through me!” he yelled as confidently as he could
“You don’t know her. Are you willing to throw your life away for her?”
Xander thought about this for a moment. He had been fighting evil for a couple of years now and he never thought to ask that question. Fighting with the slayer has taught him a lot about himself and others.
He looked up powerfully and replied “yes.”
The demon snarled. He lifted his axe and swung. Xander closed his eyes waiting for the strike.
Nothing.
He open one eye and looked around. He was sitting all alone on the floor of the mall. In the background he heard the faint sound of clapping. Lukus stepped out of the shadows, a smile across his face.
“You passed.” Lukus
Xander picked himself up off the floor. His patience was wearing thin.
“What was that?” he asked angrily
“You had to prove that you were willing to give your life for another. The powers demand it” Lukus
“Yeah well I demand that you and your twisted Yoda logic get the hell away from me.”
“Sorry kids. We’re both stuck with each other. Need to do one more thing.”
SUNNYDALE CEMETARY, SUNNYDALE – 2:30 AM
Xander and Lukus enter the cemetery and walk briskly. Xander looks as Lukus with an annoyed Curiosity
“So you’re telling me the sword of Marquessa is somewhere in here.” He asked Lukus
“Yeah.” Lukus replied
“But you can’t tell me where it is.”
“That’s right”
“Because I already know.”
“Yeah.”
“But I don’t know where it is.”
“You will.” Lukus snapped
“You are a strange Muppet do you know that?” Xander commented as they approached their destination
In the far corner of the Cemetery Xander and Lukus were watched by three individuals. As they approached one of the figures moved forward. The figure in the center motioned him to stay still.
“Patience. Let him guide us to the sword.” The figure said.
A few minutes later Lukus stops in the middle he turns to Xander and folds his arms.
“Right here we are. Now find it.”
Xander glares at him with a fiery anger.
“And how am I supposed to do that? Osmosis?” he asked
“Concentrate Dumbass. Use your head for other then expelling hot gas.”
Xander couldn’t believe he was doing this. He shut his eyes and stood there. At first there was nothing. Then suddenly there was this faint ringing in his head. He opened his eyes and looked around. The ringing seemed to be coming from behind him. He followed the sound until he reached the grave of Sarah Towers. He couldn’t believe his eyes. On the top of the grave lay a sword. It was about two feet long with an ornate handle depicting a soldier calling to the heavens. Slowly he reached down. He felt the power of the weapon, as he got closer. Just as he was about to pick up the blade he felt a figure approach. He swung around defensively which startle Buffy very much. They stared at each other for a moment
“Ah . . . hi Buff” Xander said finally
“Xander? What are you doing?” she asked him
“Well, you know, the usual” he replied awkwardly
“Which is?” Buffy asked expectantly
“Just hanging . . . chilling . . . what ever the word is for standing in one spot for the purposes of looking cool.”
Buffy looked at him strangely. She hadn’t seen him in weeks and she was wondering if his mind had cracked.
“Willow said she saw you at the bronze.” Buffy said
“I was just a pit stop. I had to be places.” Xander replied
Buffy looked around then back at Xander
“Like the Cemetery?” Buffy asked
“Ah . . . yeah.” Xander replied with uncertainty
From behind Buffy Xander saw three figures approaching. The two of the figures matched the description Lukus gave him about the Turidul the figure in the center looked smaller and more human. Buffy sighed and smiled at Xander sweetly
“We miss you Xander” she said softly, “Willow especially.”
Xander was still distracted but the approaching figures. Nearby Lukus looks on calmly a woman approaches and stands next to him.
“Shouldn’t you help?” she asks with an ethereal tone
“No. Let’s see what the kid can do.” He replied calmly
Xander is looking from Buffy to the Approaching figures and back again.
“I’m just going through some things at the moment buff. I need time.” He replied with an unusual sense of urgency
She looks deep into his eyes and sees the hurt. She smiles at him
“Just don’t stay away to long,” Buffy said, “We want our friend back.”
Xander doesn’t seem to listen. Buffy notices that he seems more interested on what’s happening behind her. She turns around and spots nothing. She turns back to see Xander slowly walking backwards
“What?” she asks but before Xander answers she knocked Effortlessly aside by one of the approaching Turidul. Buffy sails across and is knocked unconscious on an adjacent Tombstone.
The figure between the two Turidul approached he looked very distinguished and worldly. He looked Xander up and down with a judgmental eye.
“So you’re the replacement.” He sneered, “Funny I didn’t expect the powers that be to find one so quickly.”
“Okay!” Xander, “I am sick and tired of scary people walking up and knocking me or my friends unconscious.”
The figure laughed slowly and evilly. Xander stared him down
“Who are you?” he asked defiantly
The figure placed one of his bony hands on his heart.
“Oh how rude of me. My name is Legotha. I’ll be taking that sword now.” He says pointing to the glowing weapon behind Xander.
“What if I try to stop you?” he asks slowly backing towards the weapon
“Then your friend here dies? I thought they explained the rules to you?”
Xander stops moving, one of the Turidul picks up the unconscious slayer and puts one of it hands in the prone position to absorb her life force.
He gives Legotha a nervous smile and replies “Right the friend for the dangerous weapon rule.”
He surveys the entire scene. The two Turidul stilled Flanked Legotha. The sword still lay unclaimed behind him. Xander noticed that Legotha seem to have his entire focus on him. Trying to think of a solution. Xander looks down. A smile crossed his face as he found the exact thing he needed. Lukus watches the scene closely
“Do it kid” he says to himself
Xander looks up at Legotha
“Of course you know the rule that follows that?” he asks him smugly
“Oh and what rule would that be?” Legotha
“The one where I kick all of your Asses, save the girl then save the day”
Xander kicks heard into the ground. A stone, which lay inches from his foot, flies up and strikes Legotha Squarely between the eyes. As Legotha recoils from the shock Xander drops down and picks up the sword. A strange rush of energy saturates his body. It almost felt like the sword accepted him not the other way around. He swings the sword around with expert precision sending a wave of energy that knocked Legotha of his feet. The Turidul holding Buffy stabs her in the chest and starts to drain her life force. Xander moves swiftly. Using the nearest tombstone he launches himself into the air plunges the sword into the creature’s chest. The Turidul drops Buffy and staggers backwards. Moments later it explodes into a cloud of vapor. The second Turidul Advances. Xander dodges it’s advancing attack, spins around and decapitates the creature. He looks at his victory and smiles. Legotha stands and dusts himself off
“Well that was quite entertained.” He said brushing back his silvery hair.
Xander marched straight up to Legotha and grabbed him by the shoulder.
“Lets get one thing straight cowboy,” he said in his most threatening tone, “if you or any of you boys try anything in my town I’m.”
His sentence was cut shorts as Legotha teleported away. Xander stumbled forward.
“Hey!” he yelled to the general area “no teleporting while I’m threatening you!”
SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL, SUNNYDALE – NEXT MORNING
Buffy sat awkwardly on one of the benches. Her head was still throbbing from the mysterious pounding she got last night. Next to her sat Willow and Oz.
“It was weird,” said Buffy, “one minute I was talking to Xander the next I wake up on my porch with a lump on my head the size of a potato.”
“Was it an Idaho potato? ‘Cause I heard that can grow to be pretty big.” asked willow
“Right now. I’m more worried about what gave me potato head.” Replied Buffy rubbing her bruised head
“What happened to Xander? Do you think he took of after he saw what hit you?” asked Oz in his no-committal voice
“I’m not really sure he was there. It could have been the concussion.” Buffy replied
“So you hit your head your head and fantasized about Xander,” Oz commented, “if it were me I would have tried to get my money back.”
From the other side of the courtyard Xander watched the group. Part of him still missed being part of the gang but he new that they were better off with out him. Besides he has a shiny new sword to go alone with his shiny new enemies to use it on. What ever lay ahead he new that it was important to keep a clear mind on what’s at stake. That and also not to accidentally stab himself.
While Xander watched the group from a distance Lukus watched him. Standing next to lukus was the mysterious woman that appeared last night in the cemetery.
“Were those tests really necessary” she asked him calmly
“Had to make sure,” He replied not taking his eyes off the boy, “We’ve had too many false starts already.”
“And you are sure he is the one we are looking for.” She asked
“Positive. All he needs is a swift kick up the patoody and he’ll be ready”
“I hope so” she replied with a touch of anxiousness in her voice “our troops grow restless they need someone to lead them.”
“He’ll be ready” Lukus replied calmly.
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