Date written: Sun 15 Aug 2004

Author: Starway Man

E-mail: theop@kew.hotkey.net.au

Disclaimer: The Angel/Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters are copyright Joss Whedon, UPN, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kuzui, Sandollar and probably a whole lot of other people as well. The lyrics from “American Woman” belong to Lenny Kravitz, Maverick and WEA. No profit will be made from this story, unless you count me getting happy from receiving some feedback here.

Continuity: This fanfic initially takes place at the end of BTVS season 7, and then in an AU season 3 and season 5 / Angel season 2.

Category: Action, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Angel/Buffy crossover

Main characters: Ensemble

Warnings: Some overt violence, character death, language and sexual references are present.

Symbols: “ ” denotes speech, < > specifies thoughts, and [ ] indicates mental telepathy.

Rating: Overall R to be safe, with mostly PG-13 parts.

Acknowledgments: Thanks to www.buffyworld.com for the transcripts, without which some of this story couldn’t have been written. Thanks also to the unusual suspects Nodakskip, Greywizard, MPrattky and Nick Midian for comments and suggestions.

Summary: What if the creation of the Slayer army was exactly what the First Evil had wanted, all along? Two people return from the future to fix things. Their chosen agent? Xander Harris, of course.

Title: Bloody Brilliant Plan

~~~~~~

“Buffy, what you said, it-it flies in the face of everything we’ve ever – every generation has ever done, in the fight against evil. I think it’s bloody brilliant.”

(Rupert Giles, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)

“I don’t know. It’s weird. Part of me always knew life would end after high school.”

(The Harmony Kendall vampire, ANGEL)

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men, gang aft aley (go oft astray).”

(Robert Burns, 1785)

~~~~~~

Outside the remains of Sunnydale, California. May, 2003

It was a sunny day, as a motley group of people stood near a yellow school bus – chatting amongst themselves, and staring at the canyon that was formerly la Boca del Infierno, or the Hellmouth.

And just as their blonde leader, the vampire Slayer known as Buffy Summers smiled as she contemplated what the group was going to do next...she and all the others seemed to instantly freeze in place.

Behind them a portal closed, as two individuals stared at the so-called Scooby gang.

One of them was a blue-skinned mage, who was dressed in Bedouin-like robes. His face was masked, but his eyes appeared yellow and serpentine, and he was obviously not human. The other appeared human and female, mostly – but her hair, eyes, and the edges of her face were of a royal blue colour, so she wasn’t exactly the poster girl for California normality either.

The shaman studied the Scoobies, then turned to face his companion – who had slowed time to almost a standstill for everyone else, with her demonic power. “You have risked a great deal in calling upon me, Old One. Now, why have you brought me here?”

The ancient demon known as Illyria, who was inhabiting the human body of the deceased physicist Winifred Burkle gestured, “Because this is where it all began, you fool. Look at them at all, congratulating themselves upon their so-called victory. Not one among them even begins to suspect, that they have played directly into the hands of the First Evil!”

The mage stepped closer to the frozen humans. “You seem very resentful of these people...”

“For good reason!” Illyria snarled. “What they just did, changed this entire planet...for the worse. Activating every possible vampire Slayer in this world...I should pull their eyes out just enough, to turn them towards their mewling, mutilated faces! Did they never wonder what the long-term consequences of their actions would be?”

The shaman seemed to enjoy playing Devil’s advocate. “They couldn’t have known beforehand that no more girls would be born as potential Slayers, during the next generation...”

“Couldn’t they?” Illyria pointed towards the still form of Buffy. “This one at least should have investigated the possibility, if she was willing to declare herself the leader of her kingdom. But she just went ahead and used that scythe she found to do her misbegotten will, ensuring that there would be no more potential Slayers – because here and now, I tell you, there are no more such creatures to eventually give birth to them!”

There was a big dramatic pause. “And twenty years from this moment, after all the Chosen are dead – the balance shifts enough for the First to become corporeal, and inhabit the bodies of all those left on this plane. Mark me though, Illyria the god-king is no one’s puppet that way!”

The mage went up to the group, and scrutinized them carefully. “Hello again, Rupert Giles. It has been a long time, since we last met...” the masked creature briefly saluted the former Watcher, who had introduced him to his wife. The shaman then moved along, and examined another member of the gang...

The one-eyed 22-year-old human, known as Alexander Lavelle Harris.

He turned back to face Illyria. “You would choose this one as your champion? Your world saviour, even?”

The Old One just glared at the mage. “Do not presume to judge my actions, lest I yank out your tongue and make you swallow it! But if you must ask, I’ve known the human long enough to make my choice wisely. Of them all, he was the least unpleasant company I endured for two decades, after my previous comrades died or fled that night. And just like my lost Wesley, Xander Harris will do what must be done. I have no doubts about it...”

Then she started to shake, and groaned – clutching at her stomach in pain. The mage understood what was happening, “Your essence will soon destroy that human body you infected, I see...”

Illyria grunted, “It is the price to pay for Willow Rosenberg restoring my power, from that dimension into which Wesley drained it. But that is irrelevant now. What is your decision?”

The mage seemed to think about it for a moment, and then nodded. “You are willing to sacrifice everything that you are, for a noble purpose – and so, it shall be done.”

Without a word, the Old One created another portal with a gesture and the mage stepped through it. Then a glowing blue fracture appeared in Illyria’s cheek, shooting out blue-white light like a geyser.

But creating another interdimensional gateway, with her last remnants of strength Illyria jumped for it; and the portal closed just before the continental shelf could be destroyed from the ensuing explosion – as time suddenly resumed for the Scooby gang.

~~~~~~

Sunnydale, California. April, 1999

It was a balmy spring night, as Xander Harris walked along the streets of the Hellmouth.

At this point in his life, he was in his last year of high school – and both of Xander’s eyes were still intact. Right now though, he was muttering angrily to himself, whilst looking for the vampire with a soul called Angel and the brunette Slayer called Faith. “Love when you talk, Wesley. I love when you sing, Wesley. Can you say the words ‘jail bait’, Wesley? Limey bastard...”

The rant was due to his perceived ideas of the British Watcher being romantically interested in his ex-girlfriend, Cordelia Chase, who he still had strong feelings about. Well, Xander was only 18 years old at this point; and the fact was that Wes and Cordy did flirt a lot – and would continue to do so, until they realized there was absolutely zero romantic chemistry between them.

Suddenly, Xander saw Angel and Faith approach. “Hey guys! Man, where you been? You gotta find Buffy. She’s going to her place and stocking up on-”

But Angel just casually punched Xander in the jaw, without breaking stride. It was part of his undercover role tonight of being turned soulless by Faith, who had gone bad after killing a man; and deep down, the former Angelus enjoyed the act just a bit too much, given the history he and Harris shared.

Xander fell limply to the ground, and Faith didn’t even look at him. Angel simply said nonchalantly, “That guy just bugs me...”

So they quickly strode away, without another glance, and Xander lay forgotten on the sidewalk. A free meal for any Sunnydale monster that happened to walk past.

But then...something unexpected happened.

The mage shaman materialized, stepping out of a portal that appeared like a rippling oval in the air. Then the newcomer immediately started dancing and chanting, aiming at the unconscious human at his feet, as the portal vanished.

Xander soon woke up, much earlier than he otherwise would have. “Huh? What – why did-”

Then it hit him. < Oh, shit. Angelus is back, and Faith is with him? I just knew she was still bad news, after the way she tried to choke me to death! I gotta find Buffy- >

[ Greetings, Xander Harris. ]

Xander looked up, and scrambled to his feet – moving a few feet back away from the mage. “Who are-”

[ There is no need to for you to speak verbally, and I would prefer it if you did not. This conversation needs to remain private. ]

In an act that oddly resembled a silent meeting that would have taken place between him, Willow and Buffy in the future, Xander and the shaman started ‘talking’. [ Who the hell are you, mister? ]

[ My name is not your business. Not now – and for that matter, not ever, ] the shaman replied at once. [ First of all, know that I do not belong here, in this time. ]

[ What? ]

The mage clarified, [ I have come from the future, for my own purposes. In addition, my past self is currently here in this town, because the one you know as Mayor Richard Wilkins summoned him – in other words, me. My loyalty is to my old acquaintance Rupert Giles, however, and not the ruler of the Hellmouth. That is why I created the illusion of your vampire friend being stripped of his soul. ]

[ ILLUSION? ] Xander asked flabbergasted, and instantly ignoring the ‘friend’ part – as well as the time travel stuff, for the moment. [ But Angel just knocked me out cold here! ]

[ Has it not yet occurred to your mind that the vampire could just as easily have killed you, had the trick been reality? ]

The young Mr. Harris contemplated that, and although he didn’t like it – he had to admit that his companion had a point. [ So this is like, what, some sorta sting operation against Faith? Well, that’s just dandy. I feel so much better now, knowing that Deadboy broke my face in a good way. That it’s a good bruise... ]

The mage looked unmoved. [ It is in fact the least you deserve. For know also that you are partly responsible, for the upcoming downfall of your species... ]

The so-called Zeppo just stared at the shaman in shock. “Huh?” he choked out, wondering what the hell that meant.

The mystical being said nothing, not even mentally; he just took out a glass orb from beneath his robes, one that looked exactly like the instrument that the human-turned-demon named Stewart Burns would have possessed one day during 2002.

[ What is that? ] Xander demanded, backing up again.

[ Something containing the shadows of my past. And your future, ] the mage said somewhat cryptically.

As Xander looked confused the orb started to glow, with a strong purple light. Suddenly, the light shot out in a beam from the orb onto the boy’s forehead; then he seemed to morph into the light beam, and get sucked into the glass ball.

And what happened after that, was almost beyond Xander’s ability to comprehend.

Like flashes of memory, alien images invaded his mind; places he had never been, things he had never done, with people he knew either well, vaguely or not at all...

*FLASH*

A dark-haired man putting his hands to his head in an abandoned gas station and suddenly morphing into a blonde woman, who turned the movement into a stretch. She slowly brought her arms down and looked around, “Well, what do you know. Little Ben finally did something right!”

Some sort of captive soldier shouting, “The Beast!”

The woman glancing at the man, “Hey, it’s Gregor...” before she killed him. “Now it’s not!”

The vampire called Spike rushing at Glory with a yell, with himself right behind him. The Beast hitting William the Bloody, as he crashed backwards and they both fell against the wall.

*FLASH*

A wedding hall somewhere, with the ex-demon he’d recently met known as Anya Jenkins – who was dressed in a white wedding gown. There was a desperate expression on her face, “Look, you’re just shaken up, okay? You just calm down and we’ll start over, okay?”

His own voice saying, “We can’t start over. If this is a mistake, it’s forever, and...I don’t want to hurt you. Not that way. I’m sorry. I am so sorry.” Then he turned and walked away.

*FLASH*

A satanic temple on a bluff of some sort, not far from the ocean. A black-haired, black-eyed girl – that was just barely recognizable as Willow Rosenberg. “I love crayon-breaky Willow and I love scary-veiny Willow, so if I’m going out, it’s here. If you want to kill the world...well, then start with me. I’ve earned that.”

The über-witch looked scornful. “You think I won’t?”

His voice sounded sad. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll still love you.”

“Shut up!” She raked her hand through the air, and he felt the deep bloody gashes appear on his cheek.

*FLASH*

Hanging from the ceiling in a basement somewhere, strapped to some sort of wheel – and feeling like he was bleeding to death, from a stab wound in his belly. “Buffy! Buffy!”

The Slayer, a black man he didn’t know and Spike entering the room. The stranger saving him, while the only person Buffy had eyes for (after killing some sort of demon) was the bleached-blond vampire...

*FLASH*

A dark wine cellar of some sort. A dark-haired man wearing a priest suit, but with an expression of pure evil on his face. “You’re the one who sees everything, aren’t you? Well, let’s see what we can’t do about that...”

The preacher then plunging his thumb into his left eye, gouging it out while he screamed in agony.

*FLASH*

Looking out a window, in a dingy room somewhere. In the transparent reflection he had a black eyepatch over his left eye, and he looked so OLD; in his 40’s, maybe. Then turning around and saying, “I don’t think we have much time left...”

An ancient-looking Giles sitting in a chair, his hands and head shaking spastically with what might have been Alzheimer’s disease. A red-haired but equally old Willow doing some sort of magic ritual with an axe-like scythe, alongside a young woman with mostly blue hair and a red leather body suit – when the front door was kicked wide open.

“AT LAST I AM MADE FLESH!” something from outside howled in ecstasy.

A portal appearing, with the female smurf stepping through it and disappearing. A huge, hideous...thing then charged into the apartment, snapping Giles’ neck with one blow, blasting Willow through a wall, and then a huge clawed fist headed straight for his head...

*FLASH*

The purple light cleared away from Xander’s face, as he snapped out of his little trance. The light then retreated back into the orb within the mage’s hand, and the glass container stopped glowing.

Xander desperately started scrabbling to feel his face. “GAHHH! WHAT THE FU-”

[ Be silent! ] the shaman’s voice thundered inside his skull. Then it said more gently, [ I will explain, but you must not say anything out loud. The First Evil will hear you, and then all will surely be lost! ]

Xander’s thoughts were a wild, choking hurricane inside his head, as he lowered his hands to his sides. Finally the male teenager got himself under control, [ What...the First Evil? You mean, uh, that thing that Buffy kicked the ass of last Christmas? ]

[ Or so you all thought, ] the mage confirmed it. [ Now listen carefully... ]

The robed creature spoke telepathically, providing a little of the backstory regarding Xander’s glimpses into his future. Explaining how essentially – the First would one day take over the world, because he, Willow, Anya and someone named Tara Maclay would disrupt the mystical forces protecting the Slayer line. Out of trying to save a friend’s soul from Hell...

Xander faced the shaman, as even if he didn’t have all the details – he’d heard enough that he was freaked, and in complete denial. [ No way! This, this has gotta be some sort of trick...the lives of my friends and I can’t get so crappy! ]

His interlocutor just replied mentally, [ You are free to think that, if you wish. But I swear to you by the name of everything that I hold sacred, all you have seen will happen. And you cannot change what will come to pass, either... ]

The mage summarized it, [ You will be injured fighting the Beast. You will leave your bride at the altar. Your best friend will try to kill you, and destroy the world. Your hero will care more for her vampire lover’s welfare, than your mortal life. That minion of the First will tear out your left eye, during that battle. And in the end, the First Evil will win against you. ]

Xander still couldn’t deal with the concept of Buffy and Spike getting groiny together, but putting that aside Harris thought angrily, [ No way – that’s just pure bull, dude! And hey, I can tell Buffy and the others that- ]

The shaman instantly interrupted, [ Tell them what? That a future battle with the Beast, a hellgod named Glorificus, will eventually lead to you and yours bringing about the apocalypse? They will never believe you until it is too late, especially your friend the Slayer. Indeed, you will only give the First Evil the chance to accelerate its plans... ]

Xander looked desperate. The mage’s words had inadvertently reminded him of the...incident with Jack O’Toole and his zombies a while back, and how none of the others would even listen when he’d approached with news of the situation. [ Then what do you suggest, I just sit on my ass and let that nightmare happen? ]

The shaman sounded amused, even if his masked face didn’t reveal it. [ My employer said that you would react this way. But no, there is a plan to prevent all that you have foreseen. You must be our agent for it to happen, though – I cannot act openly in this world for the next 25 years, lest my past self becomes aware of my presence. And the one who recruited me for this task in the future...does not have physical form, at the moment. ]

The so-called White Knight was confused. [ Plan? What plan? And employer? Who the heck are you talking about? ]

The mage replied simply, [ The Old One called Illyria, whom you will eventually meet in the future. And before you ask – I believe she is ultimately doing this to save her beloved named Wesley Wyndham-Pryce, from a brutally painful death five years from now. I understand that you saw the blue-haired woman in question, during your last vision? ]

Xander sucked in a breath, stunned. [ Wes dies? And he actually has himself a girlfriend in the future – and it’s not Cordelia? ]

[ That part of it is not your concern, ] the shaman replied silently. [ And if you wish to prevent what you have witnessed coming in the years ahead, hear me now. The Beast must die, before Buffy Summers sacrifices herself two years from the present. It is the only sure way that the forces surrounding the Chosen line can remain inviolate, and invulnerable to the First’s intended machinations. ]

Xander weighed up what he had believed, against what the shaman had said. He could feel no insincerity coming from the mage, though, so Harris decided to go with his instincts on this one.

Just like when the young man had decided to lie to Buffy, about Willow’s intentions to re-ensoul Angelus that day... [ Okay, so...where is the blonde killer in question? ]

The thing in the desert robes shook its head. [ The cloaking magic of Glorificus is such that even if I told you, you would instantly forget a moment later – as the identity of the male body she is imprisoned within, remains immune to human knowledge. ]

[ Huh? ] As Xander had already forgotten about the guy called ‘Little Ben’ in the vision.

The yellow-eyed figure glared at his companion. [ As I said before, that part of it is not your concern. But the plan is such that when your current battle with the Mayor of this town is over, you are to leave the Hellmouth. Do what you wish, but wait for me to contact you in Los Angeles; and when I do so, in the Karaoke bar named ‘Caritas’, you must immediately return here to Sunnydale. ]

The high school senior was again confused. [ Why? ]

The mage instantly replied, [ The timing will be such that you journeying here, then, will result in saving the world from that hellgod’s continued presence- ]

Xander nodded, but with a funny feeling it wasn’t going to be that easy.

[ -however, it will inevitably cost you your life in the process. Are you strong enough to carry that burden? ]

Xander just stared at the blue-skinned creature, in silent shock.

~~~~~~

Los Angeles, California. August, 2000

“Alexito, my little cherub, please! Hurry up with those yak urine shots and pig’s blood spritzers for Table 9, will you?”

Xander simply replied, “Coming right up, boss...” But deep within the privacy of his mind the guy thought with a sigh, < What a life I’m living... >

The 19-year-old suddenly thought back to that night everyone had learned Faith had gone bad, and that mage had given him a preview of the shape of things to come. The shaman had quickly vanished after telling him to give up his life for the cause, and a freaked Xander honestly hadn’t known what to do.

Later, with everyone focusing on the brunette Chosen One going rogue, he had quietly done some research on his own. The little that Xander had learned about Glory and Illyria had been very worrying, and a sketch of the giant monstrosity in his last vision had been verified as the true face of the First Evil by Buffy – who had immediately asked, “Xander, where did you get this?!”

Harris had instantly spun a yarn that had satisfied the blonde Slayer, something about accidentally coming across it in a book while researching the Mayor. And so, eventually Xander had become convinced the shaman hadn’t been trying to pull a fast one or anything like that – that the visions were bona fide, and he had to do something about the situation.

But what? Tell the others what he’d seen? According to the mage friend of Giles, that would instantly allow the First to know what was going on, and Xander had no desire to test that theory – giving that demented priest a reason to come to town, and gouge his eyes out early...

Besides, the Slayerette had known from the start that his friends wouldn’t believe the story. At least, not without proof other than just his mere word...heck, if he hadn’t seen it for himself, Xander knew he wouldn’t have believed it either.

Because after all, Willow trying to destroy the world? Spike taking Angel’s place in the Scooby gang? At that point in time, it was ridiculous even to contemplate – especially if the gang heard it from someone, whose only job was just to get the donuts...

So Xander had bided his time, and tried to focus on the immediate emergency – the upcoming Ascension. Of course, there had been quite a few distractions along the way...

First of all, Buffy’s mind-reading ability. Xander had gotten terrified about her learning his secrets that day in the library, and so had concentrated on thoughts about sex; which wasn’t all that hard to do, given the number of beautiful women present and the hormonal teenager that he was. And from the comment the Chosen One had sent his way, the young man had later exhaled privately in relief that he hadn’t been found out.

Then had come the ordeal with the Box of Gavrock, and trading it for Willow’s life. Xander had watched and listened as the Mayor had dissected Buffy and Angel’s relationship in that classroom, and at that moment...he had known, the kid had just known that Angel would soon be hitting the road. Leaving the way open for William the Bloody to somehow claim Ms. Summers’ heart.

Senior Prom had been the next thing on the list. Xander had been unable to help staring at Anya Jenkins whenever he saw her, ever since that night – and so, the former demon had taken it as an expression of romantic interest in her. Thus in her own lovably blunt way, Anya had asked him to take her to the dance.

Xander had hesitated though, and then stupidly blurted out: “Anya, what would you say if I told you that in a few years we’d get engaged, and...there’s a possibility that I’d leave you at the altar, on our wedding day?”

The dark-haired woman had just looked at him in disgust and replied, “I’d say, forget I ever even spoke to you today. You know what? On second thoughts, I think I’d prefer a prom date who wasn’t such a complete MAN!” before she’d stomped off.

Xander sighed again, here and now. He had no idea where Anya was or what she was doing these days, but whatever else happened...at least now, she would never have to go through that nightmare he’d have caused in that reality. And for that, Harris gave endless thanks to whatever powers above were listening.

Returning to the past, Xander then remembered finding out how his ex-girlfriend Cordelia had become completely dirt-poor thanks to her father cheating on his taxes, and was working in a clothes store to try to obtain enough money for a Prom dress. He had immediately bought the dress for her; because after all that he’d done by cheating on her with Willow, the black-haired youth had figured it was the least he could do.

And then had come Graduation. Xander would never forget how the Mayor had come to the Scooby HQ in the library a couple of days before, and commented on how he was gonna kill them all and that he could smell the fear coming from everyone...

Then Richard Wilkins III had stared at Xander in surprise, before leaving. Because of all those present, he alone had known not to be afraid. That the Mayor had already lost, and somehow the Scoobies would come out victorious.

And indeed, it had so come to pass; the white hats had blown up the high school with the giant Mayor-snake in it, saving the world yet again.

But while the rest of the gang had then sighed in relief and tried to sleep for a week – apart from Angel, who had walked off into the fog immediately after the explosion – Xander had instantly gone back into research mode. Under the pretext of helping Giles sort out his book collection after its hasty relocation from the library, the high school graduate had looked for anything that might help him avoid his upcoming death, if he decided to go with the mage’s plan.

But there was nothing to be found. And so, a week later Xander had given up, packed his bags and driven his uncle’s car to Los Angeles.

Well, the former Halloween soldier had had a plan of course. Harris had known that if he’d told the group what his intentions really were, Buffy and Willow would have dragged his ass back to the Hellmouth almost at once; assuming that he ever even managed to leave town. And so, Xander had told the girls and Giles that he was going on a road trip around America, and that he’d be back in around three months or so after seeing all 50 states.

A truly idiotic excuse, to be sure, but one that had satisfied his friends – as because he’d played the fool so often in the past, they’d all thought the King of Cretins was finally reverting to type after the stress of the Ascension, and he’d taken advantage of that.

After getting a fake ID – a ridiculously easy feat, alongside getting a gun in 1999 LA – he’d tracked down the bar that the mage had told him about, and Xander had then applied for a job with the owner there called Lorne. The singing demon had been intrigued by the human’s determined persistence to hang around the place, and thus eventually had taken him on as a member of the staff.

So around October, Xander had phoned home from the City of Angels, saying that he’d gotten a great job there and had decided to stay in LA. The guy had cunningly timed it so that Buffy, Willow and her boyfriend Oz had just started college, and there was no chance they’d come to visit...

Harris had sighed after hanging up afterwards, not liking the lies coming out of his mouth – but unable to see any way to avoid them. Xander had then subsequently maintained constant contact at first, before slowly fading out of their lives so as not to raise any suspicions.

The guy was amazed at how easy it had been, too; and six months ago, the ties had been severed completely. No more emails, no more phone calls, no more nothing.

It was easier that way; as when the time came for him to go home and die, at least his adopted family wouldn’t blame themselves for not being there for him, or tell themselves that it should have been them in his place.

< Do the guys back home even remember me anymore? > Xander musingly asked himself, as he got on with fixing the drinks. < Well, either way, I still can’t help wondering what the Scooby gang’s up to right now- >

“Alex! The natives are getting restless!” one of the waiters hissed at him urgently.

“I’m done!” Xander snapped, and shoved the drinks tray into the servitor’s hands. And as he stood behind the bar to serve yet another demon customer, Illyria’s instrument again thought to himself, < What a life I’m living... >

~~~~~~

Wolfram & Hart building, Los Angeles, California. A few days later

The vampiric Harmony Kendall wasn’t in the best of moods, right at the moment.

The blonde former cheerleader had been a member of the undead fraternity, ever since that dark nightmare of a graduation ceremony back in '99. But quite frankly, she had sucked at being the Big Bad from day one; because being turned doesn’t necessarily jack up those old IQ points, and the demon version of Harmony was still basically the same useless airhead she’d been as a human...

But slowly, she was adapting. The soulless vampire was planning to put together a gang of minions in Sunnydale, and take out her so-called arch-nemesis; Buffy, the Slayer. And to that end, she’d had enough cunning to come here to LA and look into the possibility of obtaining something to remove that anti-violence chip implanted into the head of her former lover, Spike.

Not that she actually wanted the British vampire back as her boyfriend, of course; Harmony was just after a bargaining tool, if she ever decided to invite William the Bloody into her gang or something. But alas, the lawyers here weren’t interested in helping her, and the most she’d gotten was a job offer as a secretary...

At this point, the female vampire was walking down a corridor of Hell Incorporated, and soon would have simply gone home. But then fate intervened...in the shape of the mage Xander had met that night, over a year before.

The time traveller appeared out of nowhere as usual, his yellow eyes blazing as he stared at Harmony. Somewhat unnerved, the vampiress watched him approach her, and then at the last moment...the creature turned to one side, and walked through a closed door like a ghost.

A little freaked, Harm knocked on the door, “Hello?” Receiving no answer, she turned the doorknob and went inside...

...to find a fellow blonde woman, who’d once been the female vamp lord named Darla.

Harmony instantly asked her, “Hey – did you just see some guy simply just, y’know, pass right through this door like he was some kind of creepy chain-rattler...or something?”

Darla didn’t answer at first. Leaving aside the papers she’d found, the former prostitute studied the new arrival intensely, “You’re a vampire...” The signs were unmistakable, to the 400-year-old female.

The other woman shrugged. “Well, yeah! Have been for over a year...” Then she turned to leave, but the former Cordette halted when she heard Darla’s voice, “Wait, don’t go. I’d like to talk to you...”

Then the human woman looked around, “...but not here. Why don’t we meet for drinks somewhere? Get to know one another...”

The undead blonde shrugged again, a little surprised that the mortal was not quaking in fear – but not wanting this trip to be a complete waste of time, either. “Sure, why not...” And after agreeing on a time and place, Harmony left the building.

True to their word, the two blondes met at a bar that evening – a place that many Wolfram & Hart employees frequented to relax, after hours. And Darla skillfully pumped Harmony for everything she knew, the buxom ditz never even realizing what the older femme was up to.

“So, let me get this straight. You say you were involved last year with the William the Bloody? The vampire otherwise known as Spike?” Darla openly smirked, unable to believe it. < Like that lovesick idiot would ever have eyes for anyone other than Drusilla... >

Harmony nodded, missing the sarcasm and getting caught up in the memories. “Oh yeah, like totally! Oh, I tell you, my poor little blondie-bear...he’s been fixed like a puppy now, y’know, can’t even bite anyone any longer! That stupid chip in his head...God! You’d think that Spikey’s sire, that 'ho Dorkus...”

Darla interjected wryly, “You mean Drusilla?”

Harmony brushed that aside, “Whatever, you think she’s taken any interest in what’s happened to him? Like, I don’t think so! I mean no one else cared like I did, not even his grandsire...what was his name? Angel?”

Darla went very still. “Angelus.”

Harmony nodded, off into her own little world. “Yeah, that’s him! I even met that gorgeous hunk briefly while I was still human, you know...but just between us girls? I heard that he actually staked his own sire, just to save that social reject Buffy Summers! The loser...”

The human female suddenly made a decision, and started talking. Darla told her companion who she really was, and Harmony’s eyes quickly went wide. “Oh my God! This is just so totally awesome...and hey, anything I can do to help you get back at those two? Just say the word...”

Darla simply stared at the undead female American, very thoughtfully.

~~~~~~

The private office of Lindsey MacDonald, Wolfram & Hart building, Los Angeles. The next night

The young lawyer was alone in his office, when a blonde woman he knew well came inside. “Darla? Where the hell have you been? We’ve all been worried...”

But then something unexpected happened; said woman summoned by the ritual of the Raising to bring about Angel’s downfall, went into vampiric game face.

“...but obviously we shouldn’t have been,” Lindsey finished up, and backing away at once. < Damn! She’s a vampire again? But it’s way too soon for that, according to the plan Holland mentioned...I guess she must have decided to become as strong as possible, before facing Angel again. Well, I betcha someone’s not gonna be happy about this... >

The Darla vampire laughed, easily able to smell the human’s sudden fear. “Thank you for everything, Lindsey. Really, you’ve been most kind, bringing me back from the realms of oblivion and all that. Now, if it’s not too much trouble? There’s one final thing you can do for me...”

“What?” the one-handed man asked slowly.

“Die.”

And before MacDonald could even blink, the hungry blonde demon had sunk her fangs into his throat with blistering vampire speed, noisily gulping down his blood and sucking Lindsey completely dry – leaving nothing behind, but a lifeless husk.

~~~~~~

141 Embury Street, Los Angeles, California. A few hours later

At the Silverlake apartment that Cordelia Chase was currently calling home, it looked like someone was just moving in, or just moving out.

There were boxes and books strewn everywhere, as the place had been the temporary headquarters of the Angel Investigations detective agency for a few months now; ever since their former office had gotten blown up back in May, the same night Darla had been brought back into the world.

Suddenly, within her bedroom, while Cordelia was sorting through her stuff...she came across something interesting.

An old photograph, from the day after her high school graduation.

Cordy had almost forgotten she had it, that Rupert Giles had given a copy of the photo to each of his so-called children – as something to remember him by, in the future years ahead. And the 19-year-old girl smiled, as she looked upon the faces of Buffy, Willow, Oz, herself...and Xander Harris.

Cordelia then frowned, as buried memories of her ex-boyfriend quickly surfaced inside her mind.

Xander had been the first guy she had ever truly fallen in love with, and he had betrayed her in the worst way imaginable. She had caught her boyfriend making out with his friend Willow one night, and after their relationship was over...Cordy had made his life hell for that, and for ending up impaled on a rusty rebar during the evening in question.

The insults and put-downs had lasted for months, and after Wesley had arrived in town...Cordelia had taken delight in rubbing their feelings for one another into Xander’s face. His obvious jealousy and resentment had really made her millennium...

Until the night Faith had been exposed as one of the bad guys, and the group had learned that the Mayor was over 100 years old.

Cordelia hadn’t been sure what to make of Xander, after that. Because he had changed, literally overnight becoming...well, completely different.

His jealousy of Wesley had disappeared, no matter how much she’d tried to flaunt their relationship in front of him. And the fact that she’d discovered Pryce and herself sucked in the kissing department a lot earlier than she otherwise would have, didn’t prevent Queen C from stringing it out to the bitter end – just to get some sort of rise out of Xander...

His lousy quips and jokes had also vanished, though. Plus Xander had become distant in so many ways, barely even seeming to notice that Queen C existed any longer.

And Cordelia hadn’t liked that at all. Harris had no right to be ignoring her like that, never mind almost not talking to anyone anymore...

In fact, the only time they’d ever really talked after that night was when the damned Zeppo had learned that she was penniless, that day in the April Fool’s clothing store. The cheerleader had demanded to know just what was going on with him these days, but he’d said nothing – Xander had just paid for her prom dress, and then disappeared.

He hadn’t even shown up on the big night, to see how incredibly good the dress looked on her...

And when she’d later tracked the dork down and demanded to know if he really thought that doing this for her was going to get them back together, Cordelia had been stunned by the expression on the guy’s face. It was as if that idea had simply never even occurred to Xander before; and the teen had then bailed at once, muttering some feeble excuse or another.

It had burned Cordy badly to realize then that she was obviously a little concerned for him, as apparently a tiny bit of her still...cared about him. So later, after their extremely rough graduation night, the brunette girl had been determined to talk to her ex, and find out just what the hell his deal really was.

But Xander was never around for her to ask; and a few days later, he had skipped town, without even saying goodbye to her.

Dear God, but that had pissed off Ms. Chase so much at the time...

Returning to the present, Cordelia continued to frown – looking at Xander’s expression in the photo. < Where are you these days, you...you lousy Willow-kisser? And what are you up to? >

And then, the front doorbell rang. “Wesley, can you get it?” Cordy shouted out, as Angel wasn’t present in the apartment/office space at this particular instant.

“I’m afraid that I’m a bit...indisposed at the moment,” Wes called back, his British accent stiff and embarrassed.

“Oh, for the love of...” Cordelia grumbled, as she headed for the front door. “Men...”

But when the former May Queen opened the door, she shrieked – as a dead man fell on top of her.

Grimacing and scrabbling to get the male corpse off of her body, Cordy recognized the remains as that of Lindsey MacDonald, from Wolfram & Hart. And although she had no love for the Texan-born lawyer, Cordelia whined in dismay as she saw the vampire bite marks on his neck.

That was when the seer heard the mocking laughter, and looked up from the floor to see the vampiric blonde visage of Darla.

“Well, well, well. You must be Cordelia Chase! I’ve heard so much about you, it’s like we’re old friends...” the vampiress taunted the former schoolgirl. Then she frowned. “But come to think of it – I think I have met you before. The night of the Harvest, four years ago; you were that tasty little morsel I took away from that idiot Jesse, weren’t you?”

Unfortunately, Cordy didn’t know what she was talking about. “Who the hell are you?!”

Darla pouted on the threshold, wanting to tear Cordy’s throat out; but knowing the invitation barrier made that wish futile for the moment. “Oh, come on! Surely Angelus must have mentioned me by now?” Seeing a look of blank incomprehension, the centuries-old female vampire simply rolled her eyes and said, “Fine. Just tell him that Darla said to say, his beloved blonde Slayer is next!” Then quite literally, she vanished.

Cordelia was in shock, as Wesley finally came running into the room. Seeing the body, the former Watcher then quickly picked up the phone to call their vampire boss’s cell, “Angel, we have a situation...”

~~~~~~

Caritas Karaoke bar, Los Angeles, California. The same time

The moment he’d been waiting for, for nearly 16 months...finally arrived.

One moment, Xander had been chatting with and mixing cocktails for a group of Ano-movic demons, who were first-timers to the establishment...when he saw the mage staring at him, from the rear of the club.

Those Bedouin robes were unmistakable. Then their eyes locked, and as those reptilian yellow orbs drilled into his own chocolate-brown ones – Xander understood. The borrowed time he’d been living on, was now over.

It was strange, in some ways; the human mind can learn to cope with almost any stressful situation, and there had been the odd occasion over the last year when Xander had forgotten just why he was present here in LA.

Weird as, but he had gotten himself an honest job and as time had gone by – he’d also started to build a life that was not necessarily related to the Slayage. There had been no romantic relationships, of course – the former Sunnydalian had never been able to delude himself that far – but still, Xander had almost begun to hope something had happened, that would let him live free of the upcoming nightmare the mage had revealed to him.

But now the time had come, and quietly making peace with himself the guy took a long look around his workplace, as the shaman vanished. The human was saddened somewhat, by the thought that he would never see Caritas again...

Xander then put down the unfinished drinks, ignoring the irate voices of the customers. The young man quickly went to grab his coat, but before he could leave...his boss, Lorne, stopped him. “Hey there, ya cute little cuddle-monkey, just where the hell do you think you’re going? It’s the middle of Happy Hour here! Alex, you can’t just take off like this, I need you for the rest of the night. Look, if some demon’s pissed you off...”

Xander just shrugged at the lounge demon. “No, it’s not that. And sorry boss, but I’m afraid I’ve got a prior appointment. A date with destiny, you might say...”

The Host of Caritas didn’t get it. “Destiny? Alexander, what are you talkin’ about?”

Xander suddenly got a cold, wintry smile on his face, finally having to face up to the bleakness of his situation. “Boss, remember how I always said – right from the start – that there was no point in me singing for you, because I already knew my destiny?”

Lorne nodded. That had been odd, but he’d just put it down to a lame excuse of not wanting to know what was going to happen in the future. “Yeah, so?”

The human just kept that cynical and pessimistic smile plastered onto his features. “Well, today’s the day you get to know why...” Then Xander started to sing what had become one of his favorite tunes in Caritas over the last few nights, one that he felt described his life during high school to a T.

As defined by his encounter with Miss Natalie French in sophomore year, and that fiasco with his revenge-intended love spell...

“American woman, stay away from me

American woman, mama let me be...

Don’t come hanging 'round my door,

I don’t wanna see your face no more

I got more important things to do

Than spend my time going on with you...

Now woman, stay away

American woman, listen what I say...”

Lorne had jumped back, his red eyes huge and aghast before the first line had been fully delivered – as the anagogic demon read his employee for the first time. “Holy shades of Tarkna, sweetie! This is just – oh, what the hell have you DONE?!?” he shouted in shock and horror. < This kid has somehow changed EVERYONE’S destinies? I can’t believe this! >

Xander shrugged. “Actually, boss, now that it’s time – my real name’s Xander, Xander Harris. And to answer your question, hopefully prevented the upcoming apocalypse...” Then he started to leave again, but before heading for the rear exit, Xander turned around and shook Lorne’s stunned green hand. “Thanks for being such a good boss, Lorne, but I gotta go. See you on the other side...”

Krevlornswath of the Deathwok clan just watched him depart in silent amazement, his horns twitching as Xander went off to meet his destiny.

~~~~~~

Southern California. Ninety minutes later

Not far from the city limits of Sunnydale that night, Xander Harris was zipping along in his car, heading straight for the Hellmouth.

He had terribly ambivalent feelings about all this. Even though the waiting was over, the Old One’s pawn had no idea what he was supposed to do now, in order to save the world. < Should have demanded more details, damn it... >

Shrugging to himself, Xander just followed the plan and kept driving. He ended up on a bridge, crossing over a river; and there were two other cars on the structure at the same time. One of them containing Wes, Cordy and Angel, not far behind him...

The other vehicle, coming the other way, contained a medical doctor named Ben. A man who was on his way to LAX, to catch a flight to Europe for a medical conference...and who was destined to unleash the imprisoned Glory upon the monks of the Order of Dagon, after he got there.

But then, everything started happening very quickly.

Somehow, Xander’s car engine exploded, the hood getting blasted off the chassis as billowing smoke completely obscured the boy’s vision. Losing control of the car, the teenager inadvertently crashed into Ben’s vehicle, as the other man frantically tried to swerve to avoid him.

But it was too late; and spinning madly, both cars went over the side of the bridge, smashing through the barrier and into the dark water below.

The Plymouth stopped at the crash scene, as the Fang Gang looked on in horror. Angel stripped off his duster and snapped at Cordy, “Call 911, right now!” before he dived off the bridge in order to save the people from the accident.

Once underwater, the Champion was grateful for the fact that he didn’t have to breathe as he swam down to find the two vehicles. Searching desperately, he first found Ben; but Angel suspected it was too late for that guy, as the MD had an expression of horror on his drowned features.

The vampire grabbed him anyway, and then Angel saw the other car not far away. And when he saw just who it was that was struggling to get out of the vehicle... < XANDER HARRIS?!? >

The undead guy just quickly yanked the jammed door open with his supernatural strength, and dragged the former Scooby to the surface along with Ben – before heading for the banks of the river. Then Angel noticed it... < Oh, no – crap, both of them aren’t breathing now! I gotta hurry- >

With every ounce of vamp strength he possessed, Angel headed for Wesley and Cordy’s position. And before he’d even gotten out of the water, Buffy’s former boyfriend yelled at his two employees, “Start doing CPR on both of them! Because I can’t do it-”

Cordelia then got a good look at one of the victims, and her heart instantly leapt into her mouth. “Is that XANDER?!” she screamed, in a horrible panic.

“YES! Now hurry!” Angel shouted angrily.

The former bitch queen instantly went to the one-time class clown, and began to give him the kiss of life. Wesley instantly started to do the same for Ben...

But in the end, Xander revived – and Glory’s human prison didn’t.

His body spurting out the deadly water automatically, Harris felt like his lungs were on fire. He couldn’t breathe properly yet, his heartbeat was still dangerously erratic and for some reason...he thought he’d seen Angel’s astonished face, before he’d succumbed to oblivion in the river. Xander sat up and thought dazedly, < Man, if this is Heaven, it sure ain’t all it’s cracked up to be- >

But then a familiar female body embraced him. “Xander?! Are you all right?”

The guy looked stunned, as Cordelia let go to examine him. “Cordy?”

“Yes, it’s me!” Then for some insane reason, she slapped him. “You stupid dweeb! You almost got yourself killed just now! Why, I oughta-”

“Almost got myself-?” Xander still had no clue what was happening, and why his ex-girlfriend was so upset at the moment. But then he saw Wesley and Angel, and...another body lying on the ground...

Suddenly, it was like a fog was lifting inside his brain, as the power of Glory’s magic spell dissipated. Xander recognized the guy from the vision, “Little Ben...” he murmured vaguely.

“What?” asked Wesley and Angel together, identical confused looks on their faces. The undead guy then asked, “You knew him?”