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Title: Royalty Redux Author: Cilia Archives: List archivers go right ahead. Notes: The rewrite of the classic B/W story Royalty, the story thatset the stage for the epic Two Worlds story and made many of the characters that are still around and kicking in Prophecy’s Twilight. Relative to the show, this takes place after the events of Graduation, so those are still in continuity while, but I have take some liberties and this is very much an alternate universe story. Summary: Buffy finds herself in San Francisco looking for Willow, but the young witch has gone missing, both of them struggle with their emerging affection for each other and new enemies. Along for the ride are Spike, Giles, Anya and Xander, every single one of them with a mission of their own. Chapter 6: The Trenchcoat Brigade“I’m not going to wear that!” Rang through the mansion at noon the next day. Buffy had returned home after her earlier encounter with Willow to find that Spike had taken up watching over Daniel at night and that Giles was apparently holed up in the library. Now she stood looking at for the lack of a better word, a suit and overcoat, laid out on her bed. ”Come now dear,” June said and padded Buffy’s shoulder. “Give it try,” she said in a soft voice. ”Are there anymore surprises in the dress code?” Buffy asked with a frown, as she pickedup the pants. ”Well except for this. None,” June said and handed Buffy a small box. “A ring! Why?” Buffy asked as she looked at the box and opened it. ”Well you see dear. This ring indicates that you serve the prince. It will give you access to places a human couldn’t normally enter in this city. Now you are supposed to report to the armory at three, so there’s no rush to get ready,” June said and turned to leave. ”It went well by the way,” Buffy said, pulling on the white blouse. ”Knew it would,” June said with a smile. “And don’t forget the armory at three PM,” she stated pointing her finger at Buffy. *~*~*~* Swords, guns, armor, high-tech stakes. Buffy felt like a kid in a candy store as she looked over the weapon rack in the armory. Interesting, she thought as she picked up a black metal cylinder. “Wonder howthis works,” she muttered as she rolled it over in her hand. ”Press the little red button,” Spike said, as he stepped into the room. ”Spike?” Buffy asked looking at the suit and tie. ”Elisabeth,” Spike nodded back smirking at her appearance in a suit and coat. ”Don’t you laugh,” she threatened pushing the button and a thin stake, made out of reddish wood, popped out of the cylinder. ”I’m not laughing, the Dana Scully look really suits you,” he said with a grin. ”Oho now you're asking for,” she growled and pulled a sword from the wall. ”And what are you going to do with that?” Spike asked drawing a blade from seemingly nowhere. ”This,” Buffy said with a glint in her eye. That said a battle ensued with coats billowing and swords clashing. ”I see you’re practicing. Excellent,” Giles said as he stepped into the room. When they didn’t stop fighting and when a chair was neatly cleaved in half he sighed walked up to the wall, picked up a gun, checked it and then fired it into the air. Both fighters stopped. ”That’s better,” he said calmly and sat down. ”Sorry,” both muttered like children that had just been caught doing something that was not allowed, as they took their seats around the round table. ”Where’s Daniel?” Buffy asked. ”Should be here shortly,” Giles said as Spike put his feet on the table. ”I don’t like this,” he said. ”Don’t like what Spike?” Buffy asked. ”Last night, there wasn’t a single vampire around, at least not in any places we went to," Spike explained. ”I found a few,” Buffy muttered. ”Did you dispose of them?” Giles asked. ”I did my share, but actually Willow did most of the work,” Buffy said. ”So you found her?” Giles asked, his eyes softening. ”No she found me, made it very clear she doesn’t want to see us,” Buffy said carefully manipulating the facts. ”Why shouldshe not want to see us?” Giles wondered out loud. ”She’s powerful Giles and I mean powerful,” Buffy stated. ”How so?” ”Weather control for one thing, healing spells, telekinesis… need I go on?” Buffy counted off the things she’d seen Willow perform. ”It seems like Red has been keeping secrets,” Spike commented, focusing the words towards Buffy and then there was silence. ”Good day?” Daniel said as he entered. “I see you’ve been practicing,” he commented noticing the cleaved-in-half chair and the burn mark on the ceiling. When no one commented he just smiled and sat down. ”Let's get down to business then shall we. Last night went very well and William seems to be most capable for night duty,” he said and looked at Buffy. “Now Buffy. I would like you to accompany me this afternoon. Giles has been with me since this morning, but it’s only fair you should get to know what the job’s all about,” ”You want to go out during the day?” Buffy asked quite stunned. ”I’m not a vampire. I’m undying, but not reanimated flesh like William here, no offense,” Daniel explained. ”None taken mate,” Spike saluted. “So sunlight is no problem given that I’ve fed,” Daniel explained. ”So where are we going?” Buffy asked and stood up. ”Just some meetings, nothing important and no one will question you,” Daniel said and turned to Giles. ”Now I believe you want to make some more use ofthe library?” he asked and Giles perhaps a bit too eagerly nodded. ”Spike why don’t you arm Buffy and I’ll be waiting upstairs,” he then said and stood to leave. ”You did more than just talk,” Spike commented when both Giles and Daniel had left. ”How do youknow that?” Buffy asked strapping the shoulder holster on. ”I smell her on you, so what did you do?” Spike asked handing her the gun. ”That’s none of your business and why do I need a gun?” she asked. ”Well for starters it’s loaded with balls filled with holy water and second it’s a required prop for the part,” he explained. “Just point and shoot!” ”Good point,” Buffy said. “The swordsare useful too,” he added and Buffy grinned. ”Couldn’t agree more,” she nodded. Bonding with Spike, well stranger things have happened and after all he was nice in a twisted, border line crazy kind of way, still he would probably back her up in a fight. So with that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, became Elisabeth the Bodyguard. *~*~*~* Once in the limo riding into the City, Daniel handed her a pair of sunglasses. “So I just wear these,” Buffy said and put on a pair of sunglasses. “And look grim?” she asked ”That’s pretty much it,” Daniel said as they rode into town. ”Were you born?” Buffy asked after a moments silence. ”Yes, some undying ones are born, it’s rare but it happens,” Daniel said. ”But you also turn people right?” ”Yes, but every turning must be approved by me or at least I must be told when someone is embraced,” Daniel explained. ”And they don’t become a different person?” Buffy asked. ”No the personality remains the same,” Daniel explained. “I can livewith that,” Buffy said as they entered the city. The day passed quickly ina flurry of meetings, parties and gatherings. *~*~*~* Willow sat in a lotus position, eyes closed. Focusing or at least trying to. Still the images of the night three weeks ago came back to her. ”I knew this would happen,” she muttered and opened her eyes. ”It was theright thing to do,” came a voice from above. ”Astral projection that’s a new one,” Willow stated as she looked up at Lily’s image floating above her. ”Well this way you wont try anything,” Lily commented as her image floated down. ”And what makes you think I would?” Willow asked innocently, but her eyes flared. ”You chose to embrace your passion when you first came to me. Well knowing the consequences,” Lily said in matter of fact tone. ”But she’s my best friend and I’m so afraid that I’ll hurt her,” Willow said looking down. ”You didn’t the last time,” Lily said, reminding Willow of her little adventure afew nights ago. ”That was different, with Buffy… I summoned the thunder without thinking,” Willow said. ”It won't go away you know, the wanting must be fulfilled,” Lily stated. ”No, I can’t with Buffy,” Willow said shutting her eyes. ”Meditate all you want Willow, but it won't change what’s done, the fire has been lit and sooner or later it will burn out of your control,” Lily said and faded away. ”Must be calm, must be calm,” Willow recited repeatedly, before just giving up and screaming out in frustration. She stood and walked over to the orb on the table. ”Buffy,” She whispered and an image of Buffy appeared inside the orb. Willow smiled and slumped down into a chair. Buffy looked nice in that outfit, in a grown up sort of way. Then the image shifted. A vision of the future appeared before her eyes. A battle, Buffy dying, Giles screaming and charging at something. Spike just sitting on the ground holding Buffy and cursing someone. Cursing her! Willow’s eyes fluttered open it was dark outside. She pulled the green cloak around her, suddenly it all became so clear and she knew just what to do. Find Giles, must find Giles. She thought. To Be Continued… |