The Devil Went Down to Sunnydale XXII (Patreon)

Beginning of the End V– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –Xander sat on his bed, the worn springs creaking under his weight as he stared blankly at the wall in front of him. The setting sun cast an eerie orange glow through his window, painting his room in shades of fire and blood. He was shirtless and sockless, clad only in a pair of black boxers with red hearts.The silence in the room was oppressive, broken only by the occasional distant car horn or barking dog. But inside Xander's head, it was anything but quiet. His mind raced, thoughts tumbling over each other in a chaotic jumble that left him feeling dizzy and nauseous.Buffy. Her name was a constant in his mind, a drumbeat of worry and fear that just wouldn't let up. He never thought he'd take something as ridiculous as a prophecy seriously, but here he was, grappling with the fact that his friend's life hung in the balance because of some dusty old book.And not even beat the Master in some crazy sacrifice, he thought bitterly. Just straight-up die. That doesn't even make sense.The unfairness of it all made his blood boil. Giles, the man who was supposed to guide and protect Buffy, was all too willing to let her walk to her death. And Angel, the brooding vampire boyfriend Xander had finally met, couldn't offer anything more than a weak "I'm sorry."Can’t believe I thought this guy was ever cool. How am I the only one who wants to do anything about it? Xander shook his head, a slight groan spilling from his lips. Can I even do anything about it?He stood up, fists clenched at his sides, feeling the surge of demonic energy in his veins respond to his resolve. Only one way to find out.Turning around, his gaze immediately dropped to his bed. A small fortune worth of equipment sat there, an arsenal that might make Batman jealous. Xander's expression remained carefully blank as he looked at it all, but he couldn’t help the slight nervousness in his chest.His eyes roamed over the gear, particularly lingering on the sleek red-and-black jacket directly in front of him, the padding thick enough it looked like it could stop a bullet.Xander reached out, his fingers brushing against the jacket, the material cool to the touch.– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –The lobby of the Rosen Queen Company was as empty as ever, the usual semi-discordant muzak playing softly in the background. At the reception desk sat Tana, the horny (but not horned) demoness whose alluring smile never failed to make Xander's palms sweat.Xander strode through the doors with purpose, making a beeline for the receptionist. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but he forced his face into a mask of determination."Hey, Tana," he said, leaning on the counter. "I need the catalog again."Tana's eyes lit up with interest, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. "Looking for new duds, Mr. X?" she purred, her voice dripping with… well, a lot of things that Xander would rather not think about while not safe in his room.Xander swallowed hard, the teenage devil fighting to keep his cool. "Nah, need something a bit more heavy duty," he replied, proud that his voice didn't crack.Tana raised an eyebrow, her interest clearly piqued. Xander noticed that she seemed more relaxed than usual, her posture less rigid and formal. Over the past few months, he'd watched as she became more comfortable in her role, adopting mannerisms that seemed lifted straight from late-night TV, specifically The Nanny. Fran Fine, eat your heart out."We've got a buncha different catalogs if it's weapons or armor you're looking for," Tana drawled, affecting a New York accent that somehow worked for her. She blew a bubble with her gum, letting it pop loudly before continuing. "But I gotta warn ya, it's a bit pricey."Xander hesitated, his resolve wavering slightly. "Pricier than the clothes?" he asked, thinking of the small fortune he'd already spent on his new wardrobe.Tana nodded solemnly, her expression serious for once. "Pricier than the clothes," she confirmed.Shit, Xander thought, his mind racing. This could wipe me out completely. But if I don't do this, Buffy dies. And if Buffy dies... what's the point of having money anyway?He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as he made his decision. "Can't spend money if I'm dead," he said, his voice firm. "Drain the account."Tana's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded, reaching under the counter for a thick, leather-bound catalog. "You got it, Mr. X!"– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –After all, a slight smile crept across his face, what are friends for if not suicidal rescue missions?Xander's gaze swept over the array of gear spread across his bed. Okay, he thought, taking a deep breath. Let's get ready for the dance. And by dance, I mean suicidal fight against an evil ancient vamp. Same diff, right?He leaned forward, grabbing the closest item. The black, tight long-sleeve shirt felt smooth against his skin as he pulled it on, some material that probably wasn’t cotton or silk. "Shadow Embrace Undershirt," he muttered, remembering the catalog description. $300.Next came the jeans, sleek and black. As he zipped up his fly, Xander couldn't help but shake his head at the name. Netherworld Flex Denim. $750.The fingerless gloves slid on next, the black leather supple and already conforming to his hands. Imp's Grippers. $475, he flexed his fingers, the catalog description coming to mind. “For when you need to look cool while punching above your weight class." Accurate.The utility belt was a thing of beauty, its pouches promising hidden wonders. As he fastened it, Xander tapped the red X buckle a few times. Wannabe Hero's Belt. $955. “Batman, eat your heart out."He dropped down onto the bed, grabbing the combat boots by his feet to put them on and quickly began lacing them up. Crimson Stompers. $1200.The jacket was last, its weight reassuring as he shrugged it on and zipped it up. Hellfire Biker Cut. $2600. Because nothing says 'ready for the apocalypse' like overpriced leather.As Xander added the final touches – knee pads, bandolier, weird vials of holy water that Rosen Queen sold for some reason along with the other stuff – he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and panic, especially as he pulled on the red knuckle dusters. Red Rockers. $2100. This is insane, he thought, dropping in a special surprise into his utility belt. I'm gearing up like some kind of superhero. But if it saves Buffy…Walking towards the door, he glanced over at the object that was leaning by his dresser. After a moment of admiring it, he grabbed the scarlet-colored staff, its weight familiar in his hand after hours of practice. "$6660," he mused out loud. "Subtle pricing there, Rosen Queen. Real subtle."Standing at the door, Xander took one last look at his reflection in the mirror. The guy staring back at him looked nothing like the Xander Harris who'd started the school year. But maybe, he thought, that's not such a bad thing.All together, $18070. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door. "Getting to save the Slayer? Priceless."– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –Xander walked briskly towards the Sunnydale High School library, his new gear weighing heavily on him. Not physically - demon strength, c’mon - but mentally. With great power comes great responsibility, he thought, Guess Uncle Ben was right about that one.As he approached the doors, something stumbled into him from the side. Xander glanced down, eyes wide as the something in question stumbled back, rubbing her face in confusion. Willow's eyes widened as she took in his appearance, her gaze sweeping over the black leather jacket, the dark jeans, the combat boots. "Xander!""That's my name," he replied, trying to keep his tone light.Willow's gaze darted over his outfit again, lingering on the staff in his hand. "Wh-wh-what are you we-"Xander cut her off, his voice urgent. "No time. Where's Buffy?"Willow blinked rapidly, clearly thrown off by his intensity. "I-I... don't really know. There's something weird going on with h-"Xander growled, frustration bubbling up inside him. It wasn't directed at Willow, but at the situation. Every second wasted was a second Buffy might not have. He pushed past her into the library, the scent of old books and wooden shelves hitting him like a wave. He heard Willow scurry in after him, her sneakers squeaking on the polished floor.Inside, he found Giles and Ms. Calendar standing in the heart of the library. Xander frowned, unsure exactly how much the computer teacher knew about their nocturnal activities. Willow and Buffy had told him that the woman apparently was some sort of computer wizard or witch, or whatever, and apparently that was literal. He wasn't sure how that was supposed to work but he also didn't really care and he couldn't be bothered to ask even if he did. Don’t know how you’d do magic with digital eyes of newts, he thought with a frown. Or toes of frog written in binary.Right now, it didn't matter. Only one thing did. "Where's Buffy?" Xander demanded, his eyes fixed on Giles. The Watcher looked tired, his glasses slightly askew and his hair mussed. Someone's had a rough night. Join the club, G-Man.Giles hesitated before answering, his voice heavy. "She went to confront the Master."The words hit Xander like a physical blow, knocking the air from his lungs. "She what?" No, no, no. This can't be happening. Willow piped up from behind him, her voice small. "I told you there was something going on with her."Xander's mind raced, already imagining the small blonde dead. How could Buffy do this? How could she go off alone when she knew she would die? "You’re sure she went there already?" He watched Giles nod, feeling a mix of anger and fear churning in his gut. "Aw, man, what do we do?"Giles, ever the voice of reason, replied, "We stay calm, first thing.""Calm?" Who could be calm right now? Xander felt like he was going to vibrate out of his skin, the heat in his chest rising. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one prophesied to die!"Giles tried to interject, his voice strained. "Xande-"The teen didn't stop, the situation riling him up, his words spilling out in a frantic rush. "You're not the one fighting an ancient vampire, G-Man!""I TRIED!" Giles' outburst silenced the room, his shout echoing off the library walls.Xander stared, unsure of what else to say to that. "...oh."Giles continued, his voice tight with frustration, his fingers gripping the edge of the table. "I tried, you foolish boy. But your friend is just as foolish and she quickly... well, let's say she incapacitated me and leave it at that."Ms. Calendar rubbed Giles's arm reassuringly, her dark eyes filled with sympathy. Great, even the techno-pagan feels sorry for him, Xander thought, a twist of guilt in his stomach."I think he's right. We should stay calm," Willow spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "Panicking isn't going to help Buffy."But Xander couldn't just sit back and do nothing. Not when Buffy's life was on the line. He couldn't just wait here, twiddling his thumbs while she faced the Master alone. I didn't sell my soul to a devil just to sit on the sidelines, he thought, his jaw clenching."I'm sorry, that may work for Locutus of the Borg here," he said, gesturing at Giles, the reference falling flat, "but I intend to do more than just stay calm and carry on."He gripped the bright red bo staff in his hand tightly, the weapon not even groaning like a normal piece of wood would have under his grip.It was then that Giles seemed to really notice Xander's new gear for the first time. The Watcher's eyes widened, his brow furrowing as he gave Xander a once-over. He leaned forward, his gaze sweeping over the red leather motorcycle jacket, the dark jeans, the combat boots. "My boy, what are you wearing?" he asked, clearly confused by the sound of his voice.Willow chimed in, her voice high-pitched with worry. "That's what I said!" She wrung her hands, her eyes darting between Xander and Giles.Xander felt a moment of panic, his heart skipping a beat. He wasn't ready to explain about the Rosen Queen company or his... situation. How do I even begin to start with that now? he thought, his mind racing. 'Hey guys, funny story, I kinda sold my soul to a demon and now I'm like, super strong and stuff. Oh, and I work for a company that caters to the supernatural. No biggie.'"Internet," Xander said quickly, hoping the vague answer would satisfy them. Please buy it, please buy it, he chanted silently, his fingers tightening around the staff."What?" Giles looked even more confused, his head tilting to the side. "The internet? Xander, what on earth are you talking about?""No time!" Xander repeated, desperate to change the subject. He turned back to the matter at hand, his voice rising with urgency. "How could you let her go?"Giles touched his jaw gingerly, wincing slightly at the contact. "As the soon-to-be-purple area of my jaw will attest, I did not let her go!" he snapped, his patience clearly wearing thin.Willow, always trying to be helpful, asked, "Well, how can we help her?" She looked between the three of them, her eyes wide and pleading.Ms. Calendar stepped forward, raising a finger. "Uh, I'm sorry to bring this up, but we also have an apocalypse to worry about?" Her voice was hesitant, as if she knew her words wouldn't be well-received.Yeah, yeah, we get it, Xander thought, rolling his eyes. If Buffy doesn't die, no apocalypse. If Buffy dies, apocalypse. He felt his patience wearing thin. "Do you mind?" he snapped, his voice harsh.Willow looked at Ms. Calendar curiously, her head tilting to the side. "How come she's in the club?" she asked, her tone innocent.Ms. Calendar's voice took on an urgent tone, her hands gesturing emphatically. "Hey! Once the Master gets free, the Hellmouth opens, the demons come to party, and everybody dies."Xander shot her a dark look, a grimace twisting his features. "Uh, huh, look, I don't care. I'm sorry, I don't," he said bluntly, his voice flat. "Only two people I care about in the world are Willow and Buffy. Right now Buffy's about to be vampire chow.""Xander..." Willow said dreamily, her eyes going soft and unfocused.Xander shot her a look, shaking his head. "No time for sentimental!" Giles sighed, the sound heavy with defeat. The Brit slumped against the table, his shoulders sagging. "We don't even know where she's gone," he said, his voice tired.Wait... The teenage Devil blinked as something came to him, a sudden realization spidering through his brain. "Maybe you don't, English," Xander said, a smirk curling his lips. "But I can find out."Without another word, he was out the door, the sound of Willow shouting his name echoing in the halls.It was hard to run while holding a staff that was about as tall as you. Give or take a few inches. Xander's arms burned as he gripped the red bo tightly, his gloved palms uncomfortable against the polished wood. Who knew being a hero involved so much cardio? he thought wryly, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts as he burst through the front doors of the school and sprinted at the speed of a horse’s gallop through the darkened streets of Sunnydale.Holding the thing at waist level with both hands seemed to be the best bet but it just wasn't conducive to real speed or mobility. The staff kept bumping against his legs, threatening to trip him up with every stride. Next time, I'm asking for a collapsible version, he grumbled silently, adjusting his grip for the umpteenth time.Still, beggars couldn't be choosers. And considering the situation, a little discomfort was a small price to pay. Better a bruised shin than a broken neck, he reasoned, his jaw clenching at the thought of what Buffy might be facing at that very moment.More importantly, that was only a small annoyance. The bigger issue on Xander's mind was Angel. Or, more specifically, Angel's house. Or apartment. Or lair. Or cave even, who cared!?What mattered was that he needed to find where the pretty boy was. If anyone knew where the Master was, it was the guy that used to bone the old monster's favorite daughter. In a manner of minutes, Xander had rushed across town to a dinky little bar owned by the one human in town who had managed to survive to adulthood without anything like a spine. Clearly, the lack of morals helped.He burst in and looked around with a scowl on his face, almost daring any of the patrons to try something. A few of them already had the pleasure of meeting him before, at this same place, and did their best to hide their faces as soon as they realized who had rushed in so loudly. That's right, keep your heads down, he thought to himself, a flicker of satisfaction sparking in his chest. The place was a grungy, underground dive of a bar, not really the place anyone would go to for fun. More seedy and shady than anything else, the lighting was dim with neon signs and string lights giving it a very back-alley feel. The air was thick with the scent of stale beer, cigarette smoke, and something else, something darker that Xander couldn't quite place. Probably better not to know, he thought, his nose wrinkling.It was no wonder this place was a hub for demons, vamps and other supernatural types. Hell, he doubted the few normals who came in here even noticed anything all that odd. Probably think it's all part of the ambiance.Still, he didn't care. His gaze locked on to the man behind the bar and, staff in hand, he pointed the thing at the greasy-haired bartender. "Willy!" he barked, his voice cutting through the low murmur of conversation like a knife.Willy's eyes went wide as Xander stomped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "I paid you! I paid you!" he insisted, his voice high and reedy with panic.Xander rolled his eyes. Always with the dramatics, he thought, suppressing a sigh. All he had been hired to do was act as a bouncer at the bar on a night the bartender "suspected" would be rowdy. Apparently, he just needed someone to protect him from getting his legs broken for a night till he could scrounge up the money for his gambling debts or whatever. Probably owes money to half the demons in town, Xander mused, his lip curling in disdain.Xander didn't have it in him to care. He continued to stomp in as the other demon and vampire patrons looked on at him with curious eyes. Some seemed amused, others wary, but none made a move to interfere. He reached the bar and fixed the greasy bastard with a look. "Where's Angel's place?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.Willy cringed back, his hands still raised. "I d-"Before the sneaky bastard could even pretend like he didn't know, Xander slapped the last of his money on the table — a whole two-hundred dollars. I was a rich man once, he thought mournfully, watching as the crumpled bills fluttered onto the sticky bar top.The man's beady eyes snapped down to the cash on his bar and looked up again. Almost faster than Xander could track, the man's hand snaked out and snatched the cash, pocketing it in a second flat.With a smile that a mother wouldn't trust, the bartender sung like a bird, his words spilling out in a rush as he gave Xander the information he needed. Xander turned to leave, his mission accomplished, but Willy's voice stopped him. "You working tomorrow?" the bartender called out, his tone a mix of hope and trepidation.A frown on his face, Xander flipped him the middle finger without turning around.Willy, undeterred, shouted after him, "I'll take that as a yes!"– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –Now he was here.Running across town from the school to get to Willy's Bar, just to be told he had run past the place a while ago. Typical Xander luck, he thought bitterly, shaking his head in frustration. And not only that, but the place was only a few blocks away from the school. Right under my nose the whole time. It was enough to drive a man crazy. Simmer down, X. Save it for the Master.He stood in the well-lit hallway with a frown, with staff still in hand as he held it straight at his side. Xander knocked hard on the door again, his knuckledusters adding an extra oomph to it and making the noise almost echo throughout the apartment hallway. Come on, come on, he thought impatiently, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he waited. A few seconds later, the door swung open and Xander found himself staring up at the pale face and slicked back hair of Buffy's bloodsucking boyfriend.Angel leaned against the doorframe, his dark eyes appraising Xander with a mix of surprise and disdain. "Oh. Look who's here," he drawled, his voice low and flat.Xander pushed past Angel into the apartment, not waiting for an invitation. Like he needs one anyway, he thought, rolling his eyes. His gaze roamed over the place, noting the dim lighting and shadowy interior. Vampire. Night Vision. Duh. There were Asian-looking screens in the living room with dark wood furniture and all sorts of fancy art and books that would probably bore him to death. All in all, it looked more like the lair of a modern vampire than a real human being. Again, duh."No time to make nice," Xander said brusquely, turning to face Angel. "We've got a Slayer to save."Angel closed the door, his eyes lingering on Xander's new attire, especially the red staff in his hand. "What's with the look?" he asked, his tone more curious than mocking."Fashion statement," Xander replied with a shrug, his grip tightening on the staff."What's it stating?" Angel pressed, a hint of amusement in his voice.Xander shot him a look, his hazel eyes hardening. "That I kill smart-mouth vampires," he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Angel's lips twitched into a mocking smile. "I get the feeling," he said dryly, crossing his arms over his chest.Xander smiled back, the expression more a baring of teeth than anything else. Two can play at this game, Deadboy, he thought, a flicker of satisfaction sparking in his chest at the vampire's discomfort. "Good. Now the important stuff," he said, his tone turning serious. "Buffy's gone."Angel's brow furrowed, concern replacing the amusement in his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and urgent."She's gone to fight the Master. Alone," Xander explained, the words tasting like ash on his tongue. Stupid, brave Buffy.Angel's face darkened, his jaw clenching. "He'll kill her," he said grimly, the words heavy with certainty."And water's wet," Xander quipped, rolling his eyes. Thank you, Captain Obvious. "Now we need to do something about it."Angel eyed him skeptically, his gaze sweeping over Xander's thin frame. "And what exactly do you propose we do?" he asked, his tone dripping with doubt.Xander smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You can find the Master, right? He's underground somewhere. Take me to him."Angel scoffed, shaking his head. The Blood Prince didn’t even have it in him to pretend to approve of Xander’s bravery, clearly thinking him closer to stupid and delusional than anything else. Unfortunately for him, his opinion was not really a factor right now."You're way out of your league, kid. The Master will kill you before you can even blink."Maybe. And maybe with the three of us and some luck, we catch him by surprise and I use some of my surprises and put him back in the dirt where he belongs. Xander's smirk widened, almost becoming a full-bore smile. "I'm scrappy. You'd be surprised.”Angel's expression hardened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "I'm not doing this," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.Xander made a confused face, cupping his ear with one hand in a mock gesture. "Whoa? Do you hear that?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Angel's brow furrowed, confusion replacing the sternness on his face. "No, I don't hear a-""Yeah, me neither," Xander interrupted, dropping his hand. "Cus it's the sound of all the fucks I give. Now let's go."Angel frowned, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Not happening," he growled, his eyes flashing with annoyance.Xander's expression darkened, his hazel eyes hardening into a glare. "You know, I kinda like you for you know, killing your evil ex, and all, but no offense, I don't take no from bloodsuckers. You're gonna do what I say, Deadboy," he said, his voice low and threatening.Angel loomed forward, his height and bulk making Xander feel small in comparison. "Or wh-"He paused mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing as he studied Xander more closely. The teen tensed, his smirk fading as he felt the vampire's gaze boring into him. "Wait… there's something… about you," Angel said slowly, his voice tight with suspicion. "You're... " He leaned in, sniffing the air around Xander. The teen's stomach dropped, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Fuck, I forgot about the whole super sniffer thing.As weak as they were compared to most demons, vampires — Nosferat, especially — had especially powerful senses, with both super-acute as well as extended smell and hearing both, along with night vision. It almost wasn’t fair.But then again, they were hunters."What are you talking about?" Xander asked, trying to keep his voice steady even as his heart raced."I noticed it when I met you yesterday," Angel continued, the vampire’s eyes narrowing. "You felt weird and your scent... it's not human. What are you?"Oh, fuck off. We’ve got way more important things to worry about. Xander growled, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "That's none of your business," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous.Angel's eyes widened slightly, realization dawning on his face. "What? Some kind of demon cozying up to the Slay-"Before Angel could finish, Xander moved with inhuman speed, pinning the vampire against the wall by the neck with one hand. Angel's eyes bulged in shock, his hands scrabbling at Xander's wrist as he struggled to break free. "Listen up, Deadboy," Xander snarled, his face mere inches from Angel's. "We're going to save Buffy, and you're going to help. But if you breathe a word about what I can do to anyone, especially Buffy, I'll rip out your undead heart and take that fancy jacket of yours as a souvenir. We clear?"Angel smirked, the expression strained by the hand still wrapped around his throat. "You could have just said you had muscle of your own," he rasped, his voice hoarse. God, this guy’s annoying. Xander growled, his eyes flickering between hazel and blood red as he tightened his grip. "I said, are we clear?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.Angel's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with something like respect. "Crystal," he said, his voice strained but steady.Xander released his hold, stepping back as Angel rubbed his throat, coughing slightly. "Good. Now, are you going to help me save Buffy, or do I need to find the Master myself?" he asked, his voice hard.Angel shot him a look, his expression unreadable. "I'll help," he said after a moment, his voice low. "But this conversation isn't over."Xander's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "It is if you want to keep breathing," he snapped, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.Angel raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. Xander winced, realizing his mistake. Vampires. Right. "It is if you want to keep not breathing?" he tried again, the words sounding lame even to his own ears.Angel's silence was mocking enough, his eyebrow still raised in a clear expression of 'really?'. Xander pouted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Smooth, Harris. Real smooth."Shut up," he muttered, shaking his head. "We've got a Slayer to save."