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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 any of the characters thatare 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 taken some liberties and this is very much an alternate universe story. Summary: Buffy finds herself in Chapter 12: Inner Fires - Rupert GilesFriendship. A head rolls. Honor. A head rolls. Courage. The dust falls. Rupert Giles smiles a thin smile. The guards are spread out all over the city. He now stands alone. This is what he wants right now, to be alone. What makes their problems so much greater than mine? He thinks to himself as he stalks off into the shadows. No don’t think about it. Focus on the here and now. Don’t let the blade take control. ”This is far removed from normal,” he mutters and looks at the throng of vampires that are marching down the street completely filling it from end to end. He turns and sees their destination, a church. ”Bloody hell,” he mutters as he runs towards it. There is a Jaguar parked outside. Someone inside reading. Xander. A knock on the glass. Xander jumps. ”Okay,” the younger man mutters and steps out of the car. ”Do you have a weapon?” The younger man grins and starts putting his staff together. ”That’s not going to be enough.” ”Wait and see, ye of little faith,” Two blades are fastened onto either end of the staff. ”No time…” They step onto the street and Rupert draws a line with his sword onthe ground. ”They can not be allowed to pass.” ”Understood.” ”Move or die,” A thundering voice commands from the front of the throng. ”Sorry can’t do that.” “Then you will die.” ”If I had adollar for every time I’ve heard…” A witty pun. Steel clashing with steel. Sparks. A grunt. A gash. A defiant scream. Heads roll. Dust falls. The air becomes thick. Then there is silence. Heavy breathing. Blood dripping from wounds. ”Yep! Just a few scratches,” Xander says holding up his hand. ”Is there a first-aid kit in the car?” Giles asks. ”Yes,” Xander nods. ”Use it. I’ll go and check on Buffy," Giles says giving him a pat on the back, ”Be carefulshe beat me up pretty nicely earlier when I tried to stop her.” ”Understood,” Giles nods and enters the church. The door opens. A girl is on her knees in front of the crucifix. Giles goes to one knee and crosses himself. Not such a bad idea. He thinks to himself as he silently walks up to her. He places a hand on her shoulder. She stopsher praying and looks up at him. ”Hi!”she whispers. “You alright?” he asks as he goes down to his knees again. ”I’m… better,” she stammers. ”That’s good,” he replies. ”You don’t look so good,” she comments. ”Ran into asmall hindrance,” he answers with a smile. ”Is Xander okay?” she asks with worry. ”He’staking care of some minor wounds but he should be fine,” he says and looks up at the crucifix. ”Did you find…?” she starts but is cut off when the doors bursts open and a thunder is heard. To Be Continued… |