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"Chosen Ones"Written By: Dùlin
Archive: This arc is archived on this site with permission. Do not reproduce it anywhere without permission. Disclaimer : I don't own them. Life is not fair. Rating : R to NC-17 for violence Warnings : Crossover GW/Buffy the Vampire Slayer
which means, AU and OOC-ness for the GW characters (since they're
not humans, niark niark !) Pairings : 1x2, 3x4, 6x5, explicit references to past 13x5 Author's note : You need to know quite a bit about
the Buffy universe to understand this fic. If you don’t know
what Buffy is or stopped watching after season two, just take a browse
on the official UPN site to see what the heck this is all about. The greatest thanks to the ever faithful Karina, to Amejisuto and the best beta-reader of the world, Laurence-sama ! Please do not take or reproduce without permission.
"Chosen Ones"
Part 14 - The Battle Begins … The safe house had gone completely dark. Dorothy, Une and Treize bowed to the shadowy figure who had appeared in the middle of the living-room. “Welcome, Master”, Dorothy said. “Everything is ready.” Whatever was under the dark cloak took a sharp intake of breath, making all of the heat in the room go away. A gloved hand came out from under the cloak and made a swift gesture. The decoration of the room instantly went from sickly pink to pure black, with drapes and candles to suit the mood. “You have been very careless”, a cold voice said from under the hood. “Very careless. You have shown yourself far too soon, you failed to turn any of them to our side, and you unveiled the ritual we are going to use. I should not let such deeds unpunished.” “Master”, Dorothy began, “we have made sure that nothing was going to interfere with …” “Silence !” The three spirits stiffened at the cold fury ringing in that word. “I expected you three to be more careful in this operation. I had high expectations on you and I was disappointed.” No one dared answer anything to that. “However”, the cold voice kept on, “you have been faithful, and you accomplished your duties with all due reverence. Your loyalty has not wavered through trials. I promised you rewards and powers beyond your expectation. I shall not deny them to you. But you must prove to me that I was right to entrust you with such a mission.” “Thanks you, Master”, Dorothy said sinking to her knees. The creepy figure went to sit in a great leather armchair. He turned the dark space where his head was supposed to be towards Treize. “My dear Treize, I know you tried to gain back what is yours. You shall not be deceived this time. Prove me I am right, and you’ll be sure that your Fire Spirit will come back to you.” Dorothy snickered inside. Morgoth was powerful, but his power was based on hatred and destruction. There was not a chance he could ever make Wufei love Treize again. But that was just fine if the fool believed it. Dorothy gave a start when the hood turned towards her. “My so precious Dorothy, you have done so much already. You know what I must ask of you. I do hope that you are ready to fight your enemy again and to defeat him.” “I am ready, Master.” The hood finally turned to Une. “As for you, Une, I trust that you are more than willing to get rid of your own opponent. But remember that we have to try and make Death come to us before you kill him. Make it nice and long.” Une grinned evilly. “Yes, Master”, she said, bowing her head. “And now, let’s go meet our enemies”, Morgoth said, rising from his seat. “I suppose you have made everything ready, Dorothy.” “The Darkness Spirits you brought are awaiting us along with the Maguanac Legions, Master.” “I recognize your touch Dorothy. You know how to strike where it hurts.” Dorothy smiled. **** The little crowd reached the devastated high school once again. Buffy knew that the Legions of the Dream were supposed to be on watch there, but there was no sign of anyone. The Slayer gave a start when Quatre gently squeezed her arm. “They’re here”, he said. “They’re just invisible. I figured it would be more discreet.” Buffy nodded nervously, and all the humans took a step back while the Spirits summoned their powers and changed. Maybe it was just a matter of impressing your opponent, but their battle oufits were striking, Buffy thought. And, Duo was right, kinda sexy too. Heero was wearing what looked like plain tight black leather pants with high combat boots, almost the same he had been wearing this past week. The white T-shirt was gone, though, replaced by a long Japanese-styled coat with pagoda sleeves and a high collar. It was dark blue, bringing out the Spirit’s eyes. The outfit was completed by black fingerless gloves, and a determined look on the face that made Heero definitely scary. Buffy could have sworn that she, for one, would have run away as fast as she could if she had known Heero was not on their side. Duo was still wearing the same pants and boots too, but he now had a very tight sleeveless black T-shirt. Bracelets made of a strange metal, glittering black adorned his forearms. He was wrapped up in a black cloak with a large hood, held on his right shoulder by a silver brooch. Buffy noticed a sheath containing a strange dagger at his side. His eyes had turned silvery blue again, and he was tense. Trowa had left the jeans for also very tight green leather pants and boots. He wore a sleeveless green shirt that was slightly open, revealing a strange piece of jewelry hanging around his neck. He also had silver bracelets carved with strange motives that went from his wrists to his elbows. But the most striking thing was the mask that was covering the right half of his face : silver also, with the same carvings as on the bracelets, but picturing a face, and an emerald was incrusted in it where Trowa’s eye was supposed to be. Buffy wondered how on Earth the Healer could see through this thing. Quatre was now wearing the same kind of white desert pants that Buffy had seen on the other Dream Spirits. And in the same manner too, she thought, blushing. The large floating pants were hung loosely on Quatre’s hips and held up by a golden belt. He was bare -chested, only wearing a large golden necklace, and matching golden bracelets on his wrists. All of this under a dark blue cloak with a hood. The change in Wufei was very noticeable. The Fire Spirit had let his hair loose. His Chinese outfit still looked the same, except that it was now flaming red instead of white, and embroidered with golden dragons. Zechs’s outfit looked a lot like Trowa’s for the shirt and pants, but the Light Spirit was wearing a pure white cloak on them, and a strange white gem was tied around his brow with silver binds. “No kiddin’ on the look, uh ?”, Buffy said. Zechs just smiled. “It has been that way for thousands of years. I suppose you must find it funny.” “Funny is not the word that came to my mind, actually”, Buffy said. “I have the feeling I am about to play in a very bad sci-fi movie, and that someone just forgot to tell me which part I am supposed to play, so I’m left gaping at the main actors.” “You are a main actor, miss Summers. Never forget that.” “They’re coming”, Duo said, his voice unusually harsh. The Spirits took position, Zechs in front, the five other forming a line behind him. They looked impressive, dark looks coming from under unruly bangs or colored cloaks. Buffy took a tentative step forward to position herself beside Zechs. The Light spirit smiled approvingly. “Come with me, miss Summers. This is your fight as much as it is mine. Your place is here.” Buffy acknowledged the compliment with a smile, and stood firmly on the ground, her hand gripping a sharp knife. **** They watched, as the darkness seemed to take over. The firsts to make it at the scene were a bunch of vampires and demons. They did not attack, but barely took positions as a guard of honor would. Next was Relena, who just happily floated around the scene and cackled insanely, apparently supremely enjoying herself. “Can I punch her again when she gets to the ground ?”, Buffy asked under her breath. “Be my guest”, Zechs said on the same tone, a thin smile on his lips. Then, a great cloud of dark smoke appeared out of nowhere. It swelled and separated into four clouds, who took shape. When this was finally over, Dorothy, Une, Treize, and an unknown spirit were standing in the middle of the lawn. Buffy heard Duo clap in her back. “Hey you guys ! Nice entrance ! A bit too exaggerated, maybe, but impressive !” Buffy almost told him to shut up, but something stopped her. Or more exactly someone. Buffy gave a start when she realized that she could hear Quatre in her head. /Leave it. It’s normal. Part of the ritual of combat./ Buffy nodded slightly for Quatre to know she understood. She turned her attention on their opponents. They were all wearing black, if wearing was the right word for that big lump of black clothes who pretended to be a person under a cloak. Just at that moment, a cold voice sneered from under the hood. “Humans ! Am I mistaken or did you require the help of humans ?” Buffy felt her temper rise. What was it with the bad guys that they always disliked humans ?? It was more than time to show them what she was able to do, but she refrained. There was probably going to be some more talking before the actual fighting would begin. Zechs had not answered the question, he merely smiled and looked straight into the dark hood. Buffy could only guess that he knew what was beneath. “We meet again”, Zechs said finally. “For the last time I hope.” “I don’t doubt that, my dear Zechs. You see, the little operation that we will be performing any time now requires your vital force. All of it.” “I am not sure that I will cooperate, Morgoth.” “I knew that. That’s why I asked some friends to come to the rescue.” “Friends ?”, Zechs asked, his gaze going from the three traitors to the troop of demons and vampires. “You think those friends can stop us ?”, he added with a gesture towards the vamps and demons. “You have chosen to fight with humans, Zechs. I can smell victory already.” “If you allow me, Master”, Dorothy said suddenly, “I heard that miss Summers here is what people call a Slayer. But I seem to miss the point as to what differentiates her from her fellow human beings.” “A Slayer ?”, the cold voice asked. The hood turned to Buffy. “And what does a Slayer do exactly ?” Buffy took out a stake and aimed it at the closest vampire, who poofed out in dust. “A Slayer slays, Mr States-the-obvious”, she said with a smirk. She could tell that the move had surprised their opponents. She was quite proud of it. It’s not every day that slaying a vamp could earn the surprise of a higher being. Dorothy took a step forward, but Buffy’s glare stopped her. “Stop right where you are, miss Eyebrows ! I know I probably can’t damage you as I damaged your little monster, but believe me, you don’t want to be introduced to my fist.” Dorothy hesitated. Quatre smiled approvingly. Apparently, being a darkness spirit left your mind open to doubt, and underestimating enemies was quite common among them. Buffy was doing very well. Dorothy looked at a demon and motioned him forward. “Kill her !”, she commanded. The demon came to Buffy. He took a major kick in the head, another one in the chest, and Buffy offered the final show by breaking his neck with a disgusting popping sound. “Piece of cake. Next?”, she asked with a smile. “What are you ?”, Dorothy growled, unable to hide her surprise. Buffy rolled her eyes and turned to Zechs. “What’s with all the silly questions all of a sudden ? Didn’t they do their homework ?” Zechs shrugged. “You can answer that question, miss Summers.” Buffy turned to Dorothy again. “I am the Slayer. Chosen One. The girl who kills the wicked creature that Mr I’m-so-lousy-I-dress-as-a-big-dirty-bag over here sends out.” Duo couldn’t suppress the fit of giggles that went over him. He bet it was the first time Morgoth had ever been called that. Dorothy smirked. “You’re not as unique as you pretend, miss Summers. I heard there is another slayer.” “Technical incident”, Buffy said, dismissing the objection. “I had the bad idea to drown a few years ago, and it triggered the call of a new Slayer. But I’ll rephrase this for you. I am the only Slayer you need to worry about.” Dorothy was completely stunned by Buffy’s tone, Quatre could tell. To say that Une and Treize were irritated was a weak word. And Morgoth was positively fuming. Enraged by a human. That was enough for him and his ego to be ready to explode, although none of this showed on the outside. “I am only human”, Buffy kept on. “But I know that I fight for the right thing.” “You are not afraid, human ?”, Dorothy snapped. “The name is miss Summers, if you please. And the answer to your question is why should I be afraid ? I’m used to stopping the end of the world, it’s the fifth time I do it. I just wish we’re going to kick your ass quick so I can take a great bubble bath after that.” “Buffy : Three. Dorothy : Zero”, Duo guffawed. The figure under the cloak move forward. “I suppose it is useless for us to keep on chatting about your possible surrendering. You will fight.” “Of course, we will fight”, Zechs said. “What did you expect ? That I would bow to you and accept to spill my blood willingly for you to destroy our world ?” “It would certainly have made things easier. I could have not killed you. You could have shared power with me.” “Shared ? You never share anything Morgoth. Let alone power. I don’t know how you tricked those three to betray us and follow you, but I know their disappointment will be bitter. But now, it is too late for them. You have sentenced them to death.” “They will be honored beyond their imagination.” “Before or after they’re dead ?”, Duo snickered. There was a short silence. “Sorry to break the mood guys”, Duo kept on, “ but anyone messing with Zechs has a real death wish, and it is fine by me ! You cheated once, you won’t cheat twice. This time, you’ll look me in the eyes before you draw your last breath !” The tone was not that funny, more chilling than anything else, Buffy thought. Morgoth’s attention was drawn to Duo. Even the humans felt the amount of power that the Dark Spirit pulled forth to try and take Duo. “Duo. If anyone is not fighting on the right side right now, it is you. How can you fight your own kin ? I don’t understand.” It sounded like a father reprimanding a young boy after he did something bad. Heero tensed when he noticed his lover’s eyes slowly losing focus. “You cannot really want this, Duo”, the voice kept on, now sugary sweet. “You cannot fight us. Not willingly. You know I am right. You know you should be here with me and share my triumph. You know you should fight with me and not against me.” Heero felt a definite panic creep along his spine as Duo took a hesitant step forwards. The blue eyes were looking straight at the dark cloaked figure, the features of the face completely blank. Heero tried to stop Duo, but before he knew it Quatre was behind him and holding him back. “No, Heero”, the blond spirit whispered. “That’s his choice to make. You cannot force him to come back if he doesn’t want to.” “But, Quatre, I can’t let him just walk away like this !”, Heero snapped. “Talk to him with your heart, Heero. He can hear you. Give him a reason to come back. Help him fight it. You can do it, together.” Heero shot a puzzled look at Quatre. Half of what his fellow Spirit had said didn’t make any sense to him. Quatre looked back at him almost pleadingly. “Please, Heero, trust me. Do as I say. For Duo.” Heero nodded and closed his eyes. He summoned the image of a smiling Duo in his mind. ‘Please, Duo. Don’t believe what he tells you. Come back to us. Come back to me.’ Even with his eyes closed, Heero could feel Duo’s hesitation. His lover was torn between the two powers conjuring him to come. And in fact, Duo was trying to fight back Morgoth’s power, but there was something that still prevented him to brush it off completely. Morgoth extended his right hand towards Duo. “Come ! NOW !” Duo took another step forward. Buffy was nervous. She didn’t really understand why none of the other spirits were doing anything to stop this. They looked tense, but they did not move, not even Zechs. They were all waiting for something to happen. Somehow, Buffy knew that she shouldn’t step in. Heero’s mind was almost overwhelmed by fear. How strange, when he had told Duo that he wasn’t afraid. That was a lie. There was one thing he was afraid of. Seeing Duo walk away from him. He concentrated harder on his lover. “Please, Duo. Don’t go. Don’t leave me. Ai shiteiru.” They all saw Duo stumble and almost lose balance. When he straightened up again, though, the eyes behind the chestnut bangs were focused again. They were blazing towards Morgoth and a very, very cold and chilling smiled appeared on Duo’s lips. “You almost got me”, he groaned. Heero let out a sigh of relief. “I am not someone you can maneuver at will, Morgoth”, Duo kept on, anger ringing in his voice. “I am no one’s second. I belong only to myself. You tried to rob me of who I am. There is a price to pay for that crime.” Duo’s eyes flashed briefly dark. “You will beg for me before the end, Morgoth. You will beg for me to ease your pain. Even if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll take your soul to Hell along with mine.” Morgoth swore at his own failing. “You will come to me willing or not, Duo. You will not stand in my way.” “Ya wish, buddy. If you’re so sure of yourself, just come closer.” Silence fell, only broken by the loud sound of thunder above their heads. Buffy noticed that there were more and more lighting in the sky. She gave a start when she noticed Quatre at her elbow again. “Stop creeping on me like that !”, she whispered. “Sorry”, Quatre answered. “You wanted to know what Heero can do when he’s really angry ? Well, you’re about to know.” Quatre was right. The Weather Wielder’s eyes were glowing very blue, little electric arcs coming out of them in sparkles. His fists were clenched, and electricity vibrated all around his body. “Try not to mess the town, please”, Buffy begged. “Heero is a pro”, Quatre answered. “Mission first, blowing up towns comes after.” “Great.” Quatre went back to his place in the line, as did Duo. The Death spirit walked back very slowly deliberately, as if to point very clearly which side he had chosen. He smiled briefly to Heero as he took his place beside him, and whispered “Thank you”. Heero did not answer, but felt his body relax as Duo’s heat washed over him. “So what do we do now ?”, Buffy asked loudly. “Are we going to have tea or something, and discuss who will start to gut who ?” The black figure turned to Buffy. “I am going to destroy your world, Slayer. I am going to take everyone here into my kingdom. Your pathetic attempts at fighting me will be reduced to nothing.” Buffy shot a blank look to the Spirit. “Are you quite done with trying to intimidate me ? How can I say this to you ? I-am-not-scared ! Is that clear enough ? Truth is, how could I possibly be scared by you, just look at your outfit, for God’s sake !” Xander laughed nervously. Quatre chuckled, and so did Duo. “Do you always do that when you fight against Dark Forces to stop the end of the world ?”, Zechs asked, more than a little puzzled. “Well, the good words and pun come with the supernatural powers of the Slayer, see ?? Never slay without a good joke, that’s my motto.” “That’s my girl”, Duo cheered. Buffy smiled to him. Morgoth was trying to take control of the conversation again. He was positively enraged at how things were evolving. Duo had fought his influence. Zechs was willing to fight. This human wasn’t remotely scared and making fun of him. The Dark Spirit turned to Dorothy. “They won’t let us do it smoothly. Call the backups, Dorothy.” Dorothy nodded and snapped her fingers. She smiled evilly when she saw the distressed look on Quatre’s face. The shapes of forty impressive men appeared out of the shadows. Trowa felt Quatre grow tense, as the Dream Spirit suddenly realized who he was facing. “No”, he said under his breath. “No. Tell me she didn’t do this, Trowa. Please tell me she didn’t.” But Trowa could say nothing. Those were unmistakable the Maguanac Legions. And the woman who had just appeared was …. “Lucrezia …”, Trowa said blankly. The woman’s gaze was unfocused. Quatre snapped his own fingers. Suddenly, the Legions of the Dream materialized behind him, as a silent army. A silent army of twenty-nine women, but an army nonetheless. A small pop echoed, and another Spirit appeared in front of Zechs. She was unmistakably a Healer. She was wearing exactly the same outfit than Trowa, except for the mask, and the same jewel hung around her neck. She had kind blue eyes and honey-colored braids. She bowed to Zechs, and went to line with the other spirits behind him. A bolt of lighting tore the sky and went to hit the ground between Zechs and Morgoth. The shadows moved in the flickering light. The two groups were measuring each other in silence, eyes glaring and piercing the darkness. “The board is set”, Zechs said. “Now,
we play.” ~ * ~ |
