From: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com (buffyfic-digest) To: buffyfic-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: buffyfic-digest V2 #334 Reply-To: $SENDER Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk buffyfic-digest Tuesday, September 22 1998 Volume 02 : Number 334 In this issue: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (17/31) BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (18/31) BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (19/31) BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (20/31) BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (21/31) See the end of the digest for information on (un)subscribing to the buffyfic or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:07:39 -0700 From: "J. Jericho Born" Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (17/31) TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 17/31) AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born E-MAIL: traction@sirius.com FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim. DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not distribute without expressed permission. RATING: PG-13 Contains violence and sexual implications. DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character. This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and may not accurately reflect a third season setting. DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998. SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming". ============== Scene 16 The group of undead burglers made their way through a still, empty food court. Their number was augmented by two new additions dressed in spiffy security uniforms. A plunder of shopping bags that was too many to count was burden of these restless zombies. "We had best be going," advised Abel even as he spied a jacket from afar. His pet vampire murmered in agreement. "How many outfits does someone who spends so much time in low light need?" questioned Buffy from atop the Corn Dog on a Stick counter. The mostly zombie crowd gave very little reaction to her attempted surprise. "Oh, how cute, our first real confrontation," sarcastically said Abel. Only he and the vampire stopped their forward progress, the zombies walked on. "Tell me, is this early enough in the morning to put one over on you?" asked Abel as his bodyguard took a few steps in Buffy's direction. "Don't you remember? I'm not one for small talk," challenged Buffy as she threw down a bag of gear onto the counter. With that the fight began. As Slayer and vampire partnered in a familar duel Abel watched safely from afar. Buffy struck first, leaping off the counter and landing with a kick to the vampire's chin. Her opponent quickly recovered and returned her favor in kind. His kick landed upon Buffy's stomach sending her flying back into a neatly tucked away table. "You may notice that these vampires are new and improved," called out Abel. The vampire affirmed his statement with a growl and a lunge. Buffy rolled out of the way letting her aggressor fall onto his face. She added to his punishment with a blow to the back. The vampire scrambled to his feet angrily. A chair became a handy weapon in the hands of a resourceful Slayer. It broke upon impact, but nearly sent it's target to the ground again. Buffy followed its impact with an uppercut. The vampire rolled back his eyes as if knocked out, but came back at Buffy without warning. First with a nasty claw at the face, then with a knee to the gut, and finally with a trip type maneuver that gave Buffy a close up view of vintage mall cuisine. The Slayer didn't take to a meal just then so kicked backwards just as her attacker came within striking distance. While in a prone position the vampire struggled to get to his feet once more, but was met by a stake that Buffy had produced from within her jacket. Her prey didn't turn to ashes quickly as was expected and he grabbed at the stake that she firmly held in his chest. Smoke drifted upward from his wound as the vampire bemoaned his pain. The two struggled for control of the stake, but Buffy managed to hold it in place. After a long few seconds the ashes of a former vampire finally littered the floor. "See, I told you they were improved," commented Abel after his protector finally met his end. "Yeah, well, not improved enough," Buffy said while she gasped for breath and redirected herself to face Abel. "My turn," said Abel as an onrush of hellish flames put Buffy into a long distance fling across the food court. She clattered onto a stack of chairs and lay motionless. "Awww, looks like I win already," Abel declared. He walked toward his victim with ease. An easy victory for someone as great as he. But, it didn't quite work out that way. Without being startled he observed her return to a fighting posture, standing on her own two legs. "An Amulet of Celindra?" Abel inquired. His answer came in the form of a kick to his chest as he toppled and aquired a more intimate relationship with the ground. Buffy sped off toward the Corn Dog on a Stick counter and her equipment. Abel scrambled to his feet and let loose another burst of hellfire that accelerated Buffy in an airborne manner toward her destination. She overshot it just a bit and landed behind the counter next to a wastebasket full of corn dog scraps. "You only delay your death with that blasted piece of jewelry," remarked Abel. Buffy staggered back up and reached into her bag producing a lengthy nail. A quick throw had it darting through the air and pinning Abel against a table that was turned on its side. He looked down and laughed wickedly as Buffy retrieved an ax from her gear. "First of all, in order to use the Nails of Schlounge properly you are supposed to use them to crucify me. Second of all, there's no such thing as the Nails of Schlounge they're just a myth," Abel explained as he pulled the metal hindrance from his chest and tossed it aside. The wound it left closed up like a minor cut. Buffy raised her ax in an attempt to strike, but it was blasted from her hands with hellfire. A second blast knocked her up against the Corn Dog on a Stick counter. This time she was signifigantly disoriented and struggled to keep concious. Abel rose to his feet and stood above Buffy. She kicked at him instinctively. The blow hit without full impact and he only took a few steps back. While still dizzy Buffy came to her feet once more and assumed a halfhazard fighting pose. Abel looked impressed with her resolve. "I'd like to stay and spar all evening, but as my zombies and therefore my clothes are well on their way, I'll be going now," said Abel with an overly phony polite tone of voice. He disappeared in a quick burst of hellflame. Relieved, Buffy fell to her knees and drew in a few deep, labored breaths. Combat with a necromancer was more frustrating and tiring then she had expected. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:08:33 -0700 From: "J. Jericho Born" Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (18/31) TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 18/31) AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born E-MAIL: traction@sirius.com FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim. DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not distribute without expressed permission. RATING: PG-13 Contains violence and sexual implications. DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character. This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and may not accurately reflect a third season setting. DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998. SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming". ============== Scene 17 "Where have you been?" asked Abel's former teacher with an audible amount of disgust. Abel gave little acknowledgement of his defunct tutor who watched him busily tend to his wardrobe. "Well, I don't know, I seem to have aquired a great wealth of new attire that I am putting away in front of your very face. Perhaps I was out taking a walk," Abel answered bitterly. "And how does this shopping expedition aid us in our conquering endeavors?" questioned the older necromancer. "Relax. We have time to use for ourselves while Puritan sires enough vampires to begin a proper campaign. Anyway, what have you done that was so useful?" snapped Abel while he continued folding clothing. "I. . . I. . .," the elder of the two was at a loss for words. "There you have it then," smugly said Abel. "Where was the vampire that was with you?" asked the older individual. "We were ambushed by that Slayer," replied Abel. "You let her slay the vampire?" queried the longer in the tooth necromancer. "I wasn't expecting her to prevail. Her fighting abilities are superior to most. Anyway, I had to test out the potency of Puritan's new bloodline of vampires," Abel explained. He added, "She put up quite I fight when I attempted to dispatch her. Her Watcher managed to procure her an Amulet of Celindra." The cold, grim face of Abel's former mentor began to show a glimpse of regard. "He must be quite a resourceful fellow," he commented. Abel concured, "Indeed. The Watcher is the proverbial head of the foul. If I deal with him I'm sure the Slayer will just thrash about like a chicken without a head for a bit and then die." ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:10:40 -0700 From: "J. Jericho Born" Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (19/31) TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 19/31) AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born E-MAIL: traction@sirius.com FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim. DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not distribute without expressed permission. RATING: PG-13 Contains violence and sexual implications. DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character. This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and may not accurately reflect a third season setting. DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998. SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming". ============== Scene 18 "Buffy, you're late, I was saving you a seat," whispered Willow as Buffy arrived during the latter portion of a mid morning class. Just as Buffy sheepishly took the seat her friend had kindly reserved for her the class was dismissed and got up to leave. The two exchanged looks as they made their way out with the crowd. Their destination was implied and understood. "Buffy, you look. . . you've looked better. Did you get any sleep last night?" asked Willow as the conversation resumed in the halls. "Nope, had some late night slayage to accomplish," said a tired Buffy Summers. "Did you? Accomplish it that is," Willow inquired. "One vampire down, one hellfire wielding necromancer to go," answered Buffy. A jovial Xander Harris spotted his friends and hurried to catch up. "Hey, Willow. Hey, Buf-," he cut his greeting off as he came within eyesight of them. "Someone looks like they got three hours of sleep," observed Xander. "That's not bad considering I only got two," said Buffy. Her tired attempt at a joke fell somewhat short on the laugh meter. "Buffy fought with the necromancer last night," Willow brought Xander up to date. "Not to mention a pretty tough vampire," supplemented Buffy. "The wierd part was when I staked him he didn't turn to ashes right away," contemplatively said Buffy. "Necromancers must be up to something," guessed Willow. "Sounds like a question for Giles," Xander diagnosed just as the three turned and entered the library. "I knew you three would be stopping by," called out Principal Snyder who lingered inside. "Where's Giles?" asked Willow. "That's what I'm going to ask you," said Snyder. "Well if you look at our dumbfounded faces you could tell we don't know either," Xander said sarcastically. Snyder stared him down with a disgruntled look. Xander exaggerated his expression. "See, dumbfounded," he added. "I don't know what's wrong with that guy other than hanging around you people a lot. I told them I don't like hiring foriegners, but he's been flakey even for an Englishman. It's a wonder he still has a job," declared Snyder. "I'm sure he has a good reason for not being here," protested Willow. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:11:40 -0700 From: "J. Jericho Born" Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (20/31) TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 20/31) AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born E-MAIL: traction@sirius.com FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim. DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not distribute without expressed permission. RATING: PG-13 Contains violence and sexual implications. DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character. This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and may not accurately reflect a third season setting. DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998. SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming". ============== Scene 19 "Jenny," said a embittered Rupert Giles in disbelief. His deceased lover stood before his very eyes, intact and looking better than he did. She responded with a smile that almost stopped his heart. "It can't be you," Giles doubted as he scratched his unshaven chin and rubbed his sleepy eyes. "I'm right here, standing right in front of you," Jennifer Calendar replied while her smile widened uncontrolably and Giles' look of amazement turned into a face that outpoured joy. The two embraced and held each other tightly. "Please say that you're not a dream because if you're a dream-" Giles request began. His words flowed into Miss Calender's reply. "I'm not a dream, Rupert. I'm really here. I've come back. I've come back because you wanted me to come back so much," Jenny's words sounded too good to be true, but they were also too good for Giles not to believe them. He finally loosend his grip on his reunited companion to look into her eyes. He became lost in them and finally let a question slip from his mouth. "But, how?" he asked. "I don't know," she answered. "You died," he said as joy gave way to disbelief once more. "I. . . I remember feeling surreal. Everything was really still and quiet like at a funeral. But, then it became so chaotic. It felt like the world was spinning so fast. It lasted forever. Then I suddenly realized I was walking around Sunnydale," her recount of experiences was spoken with a confused, foggy tone of voice. Giles finally broke eye contact and dropped his head, overwhelmed by what was going on. "What's happening?" he questioned. The floor considered his inquiry for some time before Jenny interrupted. "All I know is I don't have much time and you have to come with me," she said. "Come with you? Come with you where?" he looked back up and asked. "I. . . I don't know," she replied still not sure what her own words meant. Giles' rational, analytic persona kicked in. "We must find out what's going on. Perhaps I have something in my personal library that will tell us-" he said. "Rupert," she said and silenced her companion with a kiss. The two hypnotized each other and time held no meaning, all there was was now. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 22:12:45 -0700 From: "J. Jericho Born" Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Necromancer" (21/31) TITLE: "The Necromancer" (Part 21/31) AUTHOR: J. Jericho Born E-MAIL: traction@sirius.com FEEDBACK: I'd greatly appreciate any constructive criticisim. DISTRIBUTION: The author reserves rights on this story. Please do not distribute without expressed permission. RATING: PG-13 Contains violence and sexual implications. DESCRIPTION: My first BTVS fanfic with a new villian as the title character. This story is set after the end of the second season and after Buffy returns for the third season. It was written before the third season was broadcast and may not accurately reflect a third season setting. DISCLAIMER: The writer of this unauthorized fan fiction is not affiliated with any of the parties involved in the making of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The characters are the property of Joss Whedon and whomever else the lawyers may deem fit, they are used without permission. Technically that is not legal, but I'm not anticipating any law suits. This work, the plot line, and the characters introduced that are not already featured on Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the work of Joshua Jericho Born, Copyright 1998. SPOILERS: Spoilers to "Phases" and "Becoming". ============== Scene 20 "Thanks again for the ride," politely said a tired Buffy Summers. "No problem," assured Cordelia. She parked the latest in a long line of automotive baubles as skillfully as she could. Cordy added, "I mean, I care about Giles, too. It's not that I'm just using this as an excuse to get out of school for an hour. I care. I do. Just as much as the next gal." "Don't worry, at least you have a reason to come," comforted Buffy. Xander leaned in from the back seat. "Are you saying that I'm usless on this little trip?" he asked with feigned offense. "No, she's saying that you're just plain useless," answered a grinning Cordy. "Touche," replied Xander as he let his head drop only to raise it back with a smirk of his own. "Let's go," said Buffy. Cordy and Xander's twisted form of flirtation was more than she could stomach on so little sleep. The three made their way to the residence of their friendly school librarian. Buffy tuned out as her companions continued the sniping and giggling they called a relationship. She didn't quite get the whole Xander and Cordy thing, but was learning to live with it. A crazed car alarm jolted Buffy back to the land of the awaken. Cordelia let out a sigh and grumbled, "I wish I could figure out how to work that thing!" She scurried back to her car to attend to the nuisance. Buffy and Xander continued on. "So, do you think we'll find Giles with a hangover in a trashed house after an all night kegger?" Xander sarcastically questioned. "I'd bet on something more like getting carried away in the fascinating world of undead rodents," answered Buffy as she knocked casually on Giles' front door. An unusually unkept version of her Watcher greeted her with a introspective, withdrawn expression. Buffy and Xander were silent for several seconds as their minds struggled to identify this hobo looking individual as the Giles they all knew and loved. The lack of tweed clothing added a few extra moments to their discernment. "Giles," uttered Buffy, half as an address and half as a question. She paused to think of what to say. "You wouldn't happen to have a really bad hangover?" Xander inquired, beating her to the punch. "I'm sure you're here to find out why I'm not at the school. Don't worry, I'm just a bit preoccupied at moment," slowly enumerated Giles. He turned and gave a slight shove to the door which caused it to start to close sleepily. Buffy and Xander exchanged looks of concern. Buffy led the way and pushed the door open while Xander followed right behind. They both stopped dead in their tracks as they caught glimpse of the scene inside. "Hey, I finally figured out how to turn it off-" Cordy cut her sentence short when she entered and felt the stillness of the scene. "Whoa," she said. "That's an understatement," said Xander. Everyone was transfixed on the presence of Miss Calendar. Everyone except Giles that is, he turned toward the corner. "Hey, guys," greeted Miss Calendar familiarily. No gleeful response was given. Jaws hung low as the three visitors looked at her. Buffy finally spoke, "Giles, don't fall for this. This is obviously some kind of trick." "Oh, it's no trick. I'm really alive. Nothing is making much sense to me at the moment, but I do know I'm alive," Miss Calendar said. "This can't be happening," absently said Xander. No end was in sight to this awkward situation. Giles was content to face the corner and pursue an itch on the back of his neck rather tenaciously. "I know this is hard to deal with, but reality is staring you in the face," said Miss Calendar. She looked as honest and sincere as she could and added, "I'm back." Buffy stared blankly into the ground and tried to think things through in her exhausted mind. She could come to only one conclusion. "No, you're not," she pronounced gradually with mounting conclusion. That having been said she reached back into her back pack and stealthily pulled out a fine dagger. The weapon caught Giles' eye and he rushed over to intervene. "Put that away! There's no use for it here!" ordered Giles passionately. "You gave this to me to slay zombies. I'm going to slay a zombie," methodically responded Buffy. "This isn't a zombie this is Jenny for God's sakes!" insisted Giles as he gestured toward his protectorate. Buffy's hardend face cracked with emotion, "This isn't real. Why can't you see that? She died, she can't come back. She can't really come back!" Giles angrily chastied, "Damnit, Buffy, you don't have to always hurt the ones you love for some greater good!" Buffy questioned Giles cutting statement with a forceful look. "I'm sorry, Buffy, but, it's quite common for those who go through a tramatic experience like you have to need to recreate it somehow," Giles explained as he regained his cool. He continued, "This, now, isn't you and Angel. You don't need to turn this into what you had to once do. Over there is Jennifer Calendar, someone who was-," Giles stopped and soured his face as he realized his slip of the tongue. He corrected himself and continued, "...is very dear to me. Through some miracle she is alive when we thought she was dead. Let's come to terms. Please?" Buffy dropped the dagger onto a coffee table and shook her head. "I'm not the one who's blinded by their needs right now. I'm not going to do it, you'll have to realize what exactly is staring you right in the face," Buffy said quietly. She ran out the front door and a concerned Cordelia followed. Xander was left standing alone. He glanced at Miss Calendar then stared right at Giles. "Buffy's right. Once someone dies that's it. No man can bring them back, super death guy or not. This necromancer is clever, he knows how to jerk you around," Xander declared. He remained staring just for a few more moments and then stomped off slamming the front door behind him. Giles slumped down and once again consulted the floor for some kind of answer to the question that was this instance of his life. Lost, he turned and faced Jenny for with a look that begged for assurance. ------------------------------ End of buffyfic-digest V2 #334 ****************************** To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffy to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. To unsubscribe, send email to majordomo@xmission.com with unsubscribe buffyfic-digest or unsubscribe buffyfic in the body. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com)