Based on Selene's challenge, which is currently being written by Psyche2 quite
differently. Check out under frenchtoast's 'Challenges'.
It was a year since the closure of the LA branch of Wolfram & Hart.
It was two years since the shut down of the Sunnydale branch of the Hellmouth.
Two wars had been fought, lives had been lost, and revelations were made. Paths had changed, personalities adapted and friendships reformed. There had been plenty of stress and heartbreak, woe and bad jokes, heroic sacrifices and heroic battles. The Scoobies and team Angel were scattered all over the world, and some had limited contact with each other, despite a one-time closeness. It was the end
of an era....
But now there was a new war to fight. One that would absorb any amount of power, of will, of cunning.
Cleveland's First Annual Beauty Contest.
********************************************
Buffy gave Dawn a warning look, as her younger sister drove the Renault dangerously, almost hitting a passing cow.
'Sorry', flinched Dawn. 'You know, me and cars are sort of
'-unmixy things, I can sort of see that' finished Buffy. 'But at least you HAVE a license.'
'Oh Buffy, maybe you'll pass soon', said Dawn sweetly, adjusting her sunglasses.
'I mean, how long can a person flunk car? You're not exactly the stupidest person in the world. You're not the cleverest, but you can-'
'Okay, I get the message', Buffy said quickly. 'How embarrassing, letting you of all people drive me to yet another Hellmouth'.
Dawn threw her a disgusted look. 'Hey, isn't that supposed to be MY line? I am SO
not the Mom-figure around here! Anymore wiggy suggestions like that and you're out of my car!'
'I paid for it, it's my car', Buffy answered flippantly. 'Or maybe, Giles gave me that money, so I guess it's HIS car....'
Dawn sighed. 'I wish Giles hadn't sent us to investigate this beauty pageant thingy. Like, what's to investigate, dress mutilation?'
'Dawn, we went over this. Giles thinks that strange demonic forces are behind the contest-don't ask me why- and that the plan is to sacrifice the winner like some sort of Princess Leia. The plan - Operation Miss Congeniality, Slayer style. I enter. I win. I kick macho demonic ass. No biggie.'
'What makes you think you'll win?' Dawn challenged. 'You're not so young and peppy as you used to be.'
'Hey, I'm only 24!', exclaimed Buffy. 'I'm in the prime of my...prime, and Giles said blondes are typically the favourites in these things.'
'Not always', her sister muttered.
*****************************************
Kennedy watched as Willow packed her bag in the hotel room, and lay on the bed.
'What time's your plane?' she asked.
'Uh, it leaves in three hours', Willow answered. 'Which is why I should be packing, and not standing here not, and then missing it, just because I'm a pathetic packer, and ARGGH!', she screamed in frustration. 'Why did I agree to this?'
'Because you're beautiful', Kennedy soothed. 'And you're going to win.'
'Yeah, but me, stand in a swimsuit in front of....people?' Willow gulped. 'Help?'
'This is like any battle, just work your mojo and reap the rewards', Kennedy whispered, stroking her girlfriend's hair softly. 'Then, we can leave that dump'.
'But I can't use magic for trivial reasons, not after', she paused suddenly.
'Wait...we?'
'Yeah, why not?', Kennedy shrugged, getting up to pace. 'I come cheer you on...instant calm, right?'.
Willow smiled gratefully. 'I guess.'
'After all, I would never miss a chance to see you in a swimsuit', Kennedy winked suggestively.
********************************************
In the new Angel headquarters-now an abandoned elementary school in LA - Angel addressed his most powerful soldier on the team for the next mission.
'Illyria', he said seriously, 'this is not like anything you've faced before. But
I understand that you've researched the subject thoroughly?'
'I have collected and evaluated the facts of this ceremony', she replied. 'This is a strange occurence, but I am willing to infiltrate it's bounderies'.
'Good', he nodded. 'It'll be tough. Not that I have any experience personally', he added quickly. 'You may have to change your appearance to fit in'.
He jumped, as Fred stood in front of him. 'Like this?' she asked sweetly.
Angel shook his hand mutely. She returned to her olf form. 'Understood', she stated simply.
*********************************************
'Andrew, I don't need your bull', warned Faith, elbowing herself into her leather jacket.
'But Mr Giles said-'
'I don't care what 'Mr Giles said'. I have never followed the Council's orders, and I'm not gonna start now!'. She pointed to the door of her apartment. 'Out'.
Andrew looked fearful. 'But...it's important, it's on the Hellmouth, and involves the courage and wit of a true warrior...or in your case, a wise Vampyr Slayer.Plus'-he glanced at his shoes nervously - 'you're really hot'.
'Yeah, well tell me something I don't know!' spluttered Faith. 'Okay, I slay my share, I'm still a Slayer. But posing on stage looking pretty like a stupid little bimbo is not cool with me, okay? Now-', she menaced, 'if you don't leave right now, I'm gonna have to kick you out'.
'Alright, I'm going', Andrew said sulkily. He reached the door, and turned round.
'Buffy's going', he said quickly, and disappeared from sight.
Faith sat down and sighed.
*****************************************
The First Annual Beauty Contest was packed with onlookers, and to Dawn and Buffy's surprise, hardly any contestants. There were apparantally only six in total... including her. Buffy smelt Conspiracy.
'They were expecting us, I'm sure of it!', she whispered to Dawn harshly. 'This is so not comforting. I better get back stage, sign myself up properly.'
'Okay', said Dawn placidly. 'See you around'.
Buffy checked her name at the desk. As planned, Giles had already signed her up in advance. She then went backstage to dress for the first event - the swimsuit
competition. But as she entered the dressing room, she groaned in horror. There, in an assortment of bathing suits, were Willow, Kennedy, a girl with a liking fo blue, and Faith. Faith grinned when she saw Buffy enter the room, mouth open.
'Hey B'. Faith was wearing a black bikini and black heels. Buffy just stared. '
'Faith, what the hell are YOU doing her?'
'Well, saving Cleveland seemingly', Faith shrugged.
'With what, your cleavage?', Buffy retorted. 'Willow, Kennedy....can I just say 'HUH'?'
'Giles asked me to', Willow replied defensively, wearing a green one piece with a little cape around the neck.
'And I'm in for the ride', Kennedy challenged, with a haughty shake of her hair. She wore a floral pattern bikini that brought the color out in her eyes.
'And....', Buffy looked at Illyria, thinking hard. 'You work for Angel, right?'
'I am Illyria', she replied. 'I am here to succeed at this ridiculous event'. She wore a white swimsuit, with blue streaks running down the side.
'And that makes all of us', counted Buffy. 'Where's the rest of the contestants?'.
Willow looked sheepish. 'I performed a little barrier spell to deflect public interest in the competition. Only girls who know Angel or Giles could enter. To be honest, that wasn't my idea'.
Buffy sighed. 'Well, at least one of us can win this thing now. With three Slayers, a powerful wicca and a -', she looked at Illyria. 'What are you again?'
Illyria glared.
'Hey', said Kennedy. 'I intend to win.'
'Dream on, Miss Brat', smirked Faith. 'Only a woman could win this thing.'
'Does it matter?', sighed Willow. 'if one of us wins, we can solve this demonic sacrifice thing. Buffy, maybe you should get changed, we have to go on stage soon'.
'This contest does not apply the written rules', Illyria announced coldly. 'This is the incorrect procedure'.
'Does it matter, Ice Queen?', Kennedy retorted. 'Let's just get on stage!'
Buffy dressed into a strappy silver one-piece, feeling like a winner. She was about to ask when they were supposed to go on stage, when she noticed another girl in the room, wearing a red, revealing bikini. The girl smiled smugly them all.
'Dawn?', Buffy gaped.
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