Archive of Our Own

Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

Spike: Oh goody, another unwelcome guest. Wish I could get you people
de-invited from my house.

Xander: Admit it, you haven’t changed. You’re just doing this
because you have an insane obsession with Buffy, and as soon as you get
over it it’s back to tearing us apart and screwing us over.

Spike: Yeah, maybe. I don’t expect it to end anytime soon, and with
any luck you won’t be around by then. I stayed with my last girlfriend
for over a hundred years.

Xander: Buffy is not your girlfriend!

Spike: Yet.

********************************************************

Spike: ... On that note, do you think you could put a leash on that yapping
Chihuahua friend of yours?

Buffy: Huh?

Spike: You know, Xander? He stormed into my place demanding that I don’t
talk to you, his girlfriend, and possibly every bloody woman on the planet!

Buffy: What is it with you and Xander? You’re like five year-olds
fighting over a toy truck.

Spike: That useless ruddy git just doesn’t like having a man around
who can do more than provide comic relief.

Buffy: He does a lot more than that!

Spike: Like what?

********************************************************

Spike: I just have more important things to worry about. Like Magneto
here, he’s got Professor X all riled up again.

Xander: Too true my friend, too true.

********************************************************

Buffy: and speaking of scoobies, I seem to remember a certain vampire,
well Slayer at the time, saying, “Xander was right.”

Spike: I never did.

Buffy: You did too!

Spike: Did not.

Buffy: Did too! Right before...

Spike (cutting her off): Ok-ok! Just don’t tell anyone. I don’t
fancy getting all palsy-walsy with him anytime soon.

********************************************************

They stare at each other for a few minutes, Buffy fidgeting and obviously
unsure of herself. Suddenly, Spike grabs her by the upper arms and pulls
her to him. She looks up into his eyes and he leans down and kisses her.
After a moment, Buffy’s own hands come up to grip Spike’s elbows,
as she leans in to kiss him back.

Nighttime in the Sunnydale Park. Buffy has just finished dispatching
a small group of vampires that had been planning on having a couple of
teenagers for a midnight snack. After staking the last vamp, she turns
to the two cowering kids.

Buffy: Everything’s ok now, you’re safe.

Kids: Don’t hurt us! (They run away, terrified)

Buffy: (under her breath) you’re welcome.

Buffy returns home a bit later to find a very peeved Joyce waiting for
her in the foyer.

Joyce: Buffy, where were you? You were supposed to be home an hour ago!

Buffy: Well, I couldn’t very well tell the vampires I had a curfew
and could they put this off until tomorrow evening?

Joyce: You know I had to go to the gallery. I needed you to watch Dawn.

Dawn: Not to go all Nietzsche on you but the god is dead. I don’t
need a babysitter.

Joyce and Buffy stare at her uncomprehendingly. She snorts and walks
out of the room.

Buffy: Look Mom, I’m sorry but...

Joyce: No buts young lady. Perhaps if you managed your time better you’d
be able to handle all of your responsibilities.

********************************************************

The next morning, Buffy arrives late for her English Literature class,
and attempts to sneak in unnoticed.

Professor: Ah, Miss Summers. Nice of you to join us.

Buffy: I’m sorry. I...

Professor: Perhaps you could tell us what prior engagement you had that
was so important?

Buffy: I-I...overslept.

Professor: I see. Well, I’m terribly sorry my class cuts into your
beauty sleep. Perhaps I should arrange it for a different time to suit
your needs.

Buffy, trying to make herself as small as possible, slinks to her seat.

********************************************************

That evening at the Magic Box, Buffy arrives to find the gang already
gathered. She stomps up to the research table, throws her bag down and
huffs into a seat.

Buffy: Argggh! I have been having the most terrible horrible no-good
very bad day!

Xander: (barely looking up from the comic he’s reading) Is the world
ending again?

Buffy: I wish.

Giles: What’s wrong Buffy?

Buffy: Oh, nothing. (Pause) It’s just – I saved these two kids
necking in the good way from being necked in the bad way by like six vamps
and did I get a thank-you? No! They looked at me like I was the monster
and ran away! Then my mom gets on my back about babysitting Dawn, when
she doesn’t even need a babysitter anymore. And as if that wasn’t
bad enough, I was late to English Lit because I had to finish a paper
for Modern Poetry and got totally reamed by the professor. It’s not
like I could tell him vamp attacks put a serious dent in my homework time.
This just sucks. (Points to Xander’s comic) At least in that world
people with super-human powers are thanked for their good deeds. (She
pouts)

Xander: (peering warily at the cover of his X-Men comic) Well, actually...

Spike: (walking into the shop) Evenin’ all. (Looks at Xander’s
comic) Is that the new Grant Morrison X-men? (Swipes it from Xander, sits
down and starts to read)

Xander: Hey! I wasn’t done with that! (Goes to grab it back)

Spike: (without looking up, puts his hand against Xander’s chest
and stops his advance) Shut it. I’m readin’ here.

Buffy: (ignoring the exchange) And they get outfits. And nobody ever
questions your secret identity. Or where you were when you went all incognito,
or recognizes you when you put on those really nerdy glasses. And there’s
never a line for the phone booth.

Anya: Well, why don’t you do it?

Buffy: The council would kill me. Or try, anyway.

Anya: Don’t you people listen to me when I talk? How many times
have we gone over alternate dimensions?

Giles: Anya, I really don’t think...

Buffy: No, wait. Go on.

Anya: (sighing) Don’t you think if there’s a world of no shrimp
and a world of unbearably cute and evil things that there would be a world
of superheroes? Where do you think these ideas came from in the first
place?

Spike: (still reading) From repressed ninety-eight pound weaklings who
couldn’t get shagged to save their lives.

Anya: True, but not the point. If you really wanted to, Buffy, you could
go and transport yourself back here, as long as you set a magical anchor.

Giles: Brilliant. And who’s going to keep Sunnydale safe while she’s
off gallivanting about in a cape?

Anya: No one will have to. These dimensions work on a completely different
timetable. She could go now and come back now.

Willow: Ooh-ooh! Like that book with Mr. Tumnus!

Anya: (smiling encouragingly) I don’t know what you’re referring
to, but perhaps you’re right.

Spike: (still reading) So where’s the bloody wardrobe?

Anya: No closets needed. Just some magical components that we happen
to have in stock. And how will you be paying for this, Buffy?

Buffy: Put it on my tab.

Giles: Buffy, I really don’t think this is prudent.

Buffy: Prunes or no, I wanna do it! Who’s with me?

Spike and Xander simultaneously: I am! (They glare at each other)

Willow: Well, I would kinda like to see what another dimension’s
like -- of my own volition, that is. I mean, hey, different.

Tara: Can we stop in the no shrimp world and get me an eggroll?

Anya: (Beaming) Sure!

Buffy: (To a very disapproving Giles) Please Giles? Pleeeease? I’ll
be careful. Pretty please with sugar on top?

Giles: I know I’m going to regret this.

Buffy: Yay on Giles! (Hugs him) Okay, Anya, hop to it!

********************************************************

Evening in Sunnyopolis. The streets are unusually quiet. A flock of pigeons
swoops low between the darkened skyscrapers and settles in the eaves of
the clock tower of City Hall. A shadowed figure stalks silently across
the rooftops, leaping from building to building with cat-like grace. At
last, crouching behind a parapet, the figure rests, gazing down at the
penthouse below. The tip of a cigarette glows red like a coal in the darkness.

Across the way in the penthouse itself, a middle-aged gentleman sits
reading from a large leather tome at a broad mahogany desk. A cup of tea
cools, forgotten, at his elbow. The door bursts open and Buffy appears,
clad in a floor-length champagne-colored evening gown. Her golden hair
is swept up, small ringlets framing her face. She holds a diamond choker
in her hands.

Buffy: Giles, can you fasten my necklace?

Giles: Of course, Buffy. (He fastens her necklace and spins her around
to face him) You look beautiful. It’s hard to believe you’re
all grown up now.

Buffy: (smiles) It has been fifteen years since my parents died in that
car crash and you became my legal guardian.

Giles: It still seems almost like yesterday that I taught you to hold
your first stake.

Buffy: No business tonight. For once I want to forget I’m The Slayer
and just be Buffy Summers, patron of the arts.

Giles: Should I be expecting a new sculpture this evening?

Buffy: We’ll see if anything catches my eye.

Giles: Have a good time, but be careful.

Buffy: (kisses his cheek) Always.

********************************************************

Meanwhile, back at the lab, Willow, garbed in lab coat and tortoiseshell
glasses, is tinkering with a mysterious mechanical object. Tara is seated
on a stool, studying a large leather-bound book.

Willow: I think I’ve almost got it. If only I hadn’t used up
my last sample of Chemical X!!

Tara: Don’t worry, we have time. I still haven’t figured out
how to compress the ball of sunshine enough to fit in your launcher.

Willow: (sighs) Without the containment field, it’s useless anyway.
I guess I’ll go and finish the repairs to the Hovercat.

********************************************************

Also meanwhile, across town, Xander is perched on the ledge of a building,
garbed in white spandex Speedos and top, with matching white cape, boots
and mask and a large gold utility belt sporting a stylized garlic bulb
on its center medallion. He is trying to peer in at the apartment next
to him when a window opens.

Anya: (Sticking her head out) Well well well, if it isn’t Kid Garlic.
What are you doing here?

Xander: (Blushing and almost falling over the edge) An-Anya Jenkins,
crack reporter! Uh...(draws himself up) I’m defending Sunnyopolis
from the evil that lurks in the night!

Anya: (Snorts) On my ledge? Where’s The Slayer?

Xander: (proudly) The Slayer has entrusted me to watch over the city
this evening.

Anya: (Shutting window) We’re doomed.

********************************************************

A little while later, in still another part of town, under an abandoned
warehouse, a tall dark man lurks in the shadows overseeing a horde of
scurrying minions, who have at last begun assembling his masterpiece.
His brow is furrowed, perhaps with anger, and the dim light glints off
sharp teeth beneath a narrow waxed mustache. Without turning, he barks
a command to the cringing acolyte who follows in his wake.

Shadow Master: I need more Chemical X!! Tell the suppliers no more excuses!!
Get it tonight or somebody bleeds!

Acolyte: Yes Master.

Shadow Master: (Spinning on his heel sharply so his high collared cloak
swirls behind him, revealing its red satin lining) At last, my great labor
is nearly complete!! In two nights’ time I will control the wealth
of Sunnyopolis and plunge the world into darkness so my Shadow Warriors
can roam unhindered! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

********************************************************

Sometime around midnight, Buffy has returned home and is getting ready
for bed. She has put on her long white silk nightgown and is brushing
her hair when she hears a knocking at her window. She grabs a stake and
goes over to investigate, only to find Xander hanging outside the window
suspended by his cape.

Xander: A little help here?

Buffy: What happened to you?

Xander: Well, I was on my way home from my patrol of the city when all
of a sudden this thing comes out of nowhere and nails my cape to the side
of the roof. I’d really like to get down now.

Buffy pulls him in, ripping his cape in the process. She then jumps agilely
out the window, scales up the side of the building and pulls a long red
sliver of metal out of the bricks. She goes back inside carrying the newfound
object. On the roof opposite, a shadowed figure gives a satisfied chuckle.

Buffy: The Crimson Spike!

Xander: The Crimson Spike here? I thought he only did business in Luna
City!

Buffy: Well, wherever he’s from he’s in my city now. Go home,
get some sleep, I’m on this.

********************************************************

A little while later, Buffy is on the rooftops attempting to pick up
the trail of the Crimson Spike. She is now dressed in the garb of The
Slayer; a red spandex body suit with a v-neck piped in black that dips
down almost to her navel. Her arms are bare except for a black armband
on each, matching her slim black utility belt and thigh-high black heeled
boots. Her black mask is also v-shaped, echoing her neckline. Her hair
swings loose, partially revealing the insignia on her back, a black heart
pierced with a wooden stake through the center. She follows a trail of
cigarette butts across the rooftops, finally halting to inspect a footprint
left in the tar of a roof. A shadowed figure materializes out of the darkness.

Spike: Hello cutie. (He is wearing all black spandex with a large red
railroad spike printed on his chest. A long black cloak obscures most
of his body.)

Buffy: (spins and gets into fighting stance) The Crimson Spike! How dare
you set foot in my city?

Spike: My reputation precedes me, I see.

Buffy: (Tosses his spike at him, which he deftly catches) It was no jump
in logic really, you left your calling card.

Spike: Found that on Useless Lad, did you?

Buffy: What are you doing here? Run out of jewelry stores in Luna City?

Spike: I came to see you. See, the superheroes there weren’t doin’
it for me. No real challenge. But you, you’re a regular legend. Had
to come see The Slayer for m’self.

Buffy: Oh stop, you’re making me blush. (Punches him in the nose)

Spike: (Smiles at her) Now that’s more like it. (Sweep kicks her
feet out from under her.)

Buffy: (Hopping up) Oh, I haven’t even started yet.

Spike: I certainly hope not.

Spike throws a left hook towards Buffy’s face, but she deftly avoids
it by doing a series of back-flips out of the way, landing on a slightly
raised air-conditioning unit. Spike rushes towards her yet again, and
she flips over his head, landing on her feet behind him, and dealing a
sharp blow to his kidneys. He grunts, lurches forward, and barely ducks
a kick to his head.

He spins and sends a haymaker Buffy’s way, connecting heavily with
her cheek, causing her to grunt. He then performs an uppercut, sending
her flying across the roof and into the door of the roof exit, where she
bangs against it and falls to the ground. Spike’s reprieve is short
though, as Buffy jumps to her feet and rushes toward him. Spike grabs
hold of the water tower support, spins himself around it for momentum
and kicks her in the jaw.

Her head snaps back, but she quickly recovers and grabs his foot as he
comes around for another pass, yanking him out of his grip and throwing
him across the rooftop. Spike skids a few feet on his back, and groggily
gets up, using the roof door as support. He is readying another assault
when Buffy is suddenly upon him with super-human speed. She grabs him
by the neck and pins him against the doorframe.

Buffy: Are you happy now? You’ve met the legend. She has beaten
you. Now get out of my city!

Spike: Now why would I do that, luv?

Buffy: Because you’re not wanted here. And...and you’re wearing
my colors!

Spike: Am not!

Buffy: Are too! See (points to her outfit, then his).

Spike: I am clearly wearing black with red, while you luv, are wearing
red with black.

Buffy: And that is such a big difference! And, I know I’m getting
even further off track here, but why no mask? Every Super-Villain wears
a mask! It’s in the rulebook!!

Spike: I don’t play by the rules. I like a bit of danger in m’life.
Unlike you, I don’t feel the need to hide my identity. What you see
is what you get. And you like what you see, don’t you...Buffy Summers?

Buffy: (taken aback) How did you...

A bright light illuminating the night sky cuts her off. A giant heart-shaped
searchlight is displayed against the convenient backdrop of low clouds,
a shadowy stake piercing its center.

Spike: What the bloody hell is that? An apple with a big stem? (He squints)
A wobbly pie chart? A...

Buffy: (Loosens her grip a bit, distracted) It’s The Slayer Signal!

Spike: Oh well, excuse the hell out of me, I’m new in town!

Buffy: (glancing back toward her penthouse) I have to go, but first...

She turns to The Crimson Spike only to find him mysteriously gone.

Buffy: This is bad.

********************************************************

Buffy arrives back at the secret tunnel hideout under her apartment building
to find Giles, Xander, Willow and Tara already gathered.

Giles: Buffy, thank god you’re here. I’ve just had a call from
the Mayor.

Buffy: What’s the up?

Giles: Mayor Dolittle has received a very disturbing call. A villain
calling himself The Shadow Master has demanded 50 million dollars from
the city by tomorrow night or he has threatened to plunge the world into
eternal darkness.

Buffy: And he’s planning on doing this how?

Giles: He claims to have a-a sort of Doomsday device. He calls it The
Magnetron, but I have no idea what it’s meant to do.

Xander: Yeah, ’cause magnets always cause darkness.

Willow: Scientifically speaking, I suppose it would be possible to cause
a permanent eclipse by pulling the moon over the sun…But that would
take an enormous amount of power. And it would only be dark in some parts
of the world. Not to mention the tidal problems…(she pulls out a
calculator and starts punching buttons rapidly.)

Giles: Yes, well the Mayor has requested your presence. I suggest you
go to city hall right away.

Buffy: We have another problem. The Crimson Spike is in town!

Everyone gasps.

Buffy: It gets worse. He knows who I really am.

Giles: H-how?

Buffy: I don’t know, but I intend to find out. Xander, get suited
up, you’re coming with me. Willow, get the Hovercat ready for action.
Giles, see if you can research anything on eclipses. Let’s move.

********************************************************

That night, back at the Shadow Master’s lair, various minions are
assembling the final pieces to The Magnetron. The device has taken shape
now; it is a large red and white U-shaped magnet, connected by a myriad
of wires to a giant hydraulic-jack, so it can be raised through the warehouse
roof when ready. The final calculations are being made on the various
computer setups, and barrels of Chemical X are being wheeled around and
carefully emptied into receptacles in the machine. The Shadow Master stands
amongst the bustle waving his arms and shouting orders. A familiar shadowed
figure crouches on the ledge of one of the upper windows, surveying the
proceedings and giving a running commentary for his own amusement.

Spike: (As the Shadow Master is yelling at his lackeys) That’s right!
Work faster, my cowed and stupid associates! We must have no mistakes!!
So I will distract you with shouting as you make the delicate connections!
Look! (As the Shadow Master spins to shout at minions behind his back)
Take heed of my poncy cape! Look how it billows evilly! (Spike takes a
drag off of his cigarette before continuing) I don’t think this gadget
is obvious enough! When the giant red bit sticks out of the roof, no superhero
will notice it until it is far too late. Maybe I should help them out
by sending a ransom note. (As the Shadow Master throws a conniption and
tears off one of his minion’s heads, turning him to dust) You idiot!!!
I distinctly told you I wanted this blood tepid! It is clearly lukewarm!!
You will pay with your life. (He stubs out his cigarette and lights another)
Pathetic. These blokes never learn.

********************************************************

Meanwhile, Buffy and Xander, AKA The Slayer and Kid Garlic, are on the
hunt for the Shadow Master’s lair. They walk the streets, heading
toward the docks. As they pass a newsstand, the headline of the Sunnyopolis
Times catches their eye.

WE’RE DOOMED!

SLAYER LEAVES KID GARLIC IN CHARGE OF CITY’S SAFETY!

Xander blushes and groans as they continue on their way.

Xander: Now how do we know where to look again? Was there a return address
on the ransom note?

Buffy: Willow detected a large amount of electromagnetic activity in
this area. It’s a good place to start.

Unbeknownst to our heroes, they are closer than they think, only a few
blocks away from the Shadow Master’s actual hideout. Both The Slayer
and Kid Garlic are making their way down an alley, occasionally tapping
on walls and peeking in dumpsters for signs of a secret entrance, when
they are suddenly set upon by half a dozen of the Shadow Master’s
minions. All are in vamp face, ready for action, and are garbed all in
black with a silver “SM” on the left breast of their body suits.
Buffy loses no time. She takes a running start, leaps and vaults over
a dumpster, executing a flawless double flip, and landing feet first on
the chest of the first minion. He falls to the ground, and at the touch
of a well-concealed button on her utility belt, a stake pops into Buffy’s
hand. She hoists the stake and plunges it directly into the conveniently
placed ‘SM” insignia, turning the minion to dust.

Meanwhile, Kid Garlic has a minion of his own to deal with. He manages
to land a couple punches, and even ducks the first couple of assaults
thrown his way, but his lucky streak ends when he attempts to retrieve
a stake from his similarly outfitted belt. As Kid Garlic is frantically
pushing the stake release button, he is sucker-punched into unconsciousness.

The Slayer is heedless of the minion dragging Kid Garlic off behind her
back, as she is surrounded by the remaining four minions. They all rush
her at once, but thanks to her Slayer reflexes, she is able to leapfrog
over one of the approaching villains, causing them all to draw up short
to avoid smacking into one another. She pops up in a forward roll and
spins toward her aggressors, launching two stakes at her targets, and
hitting the bullseye with both. She then begins a series of cartwheels,
ending with her feet smashing into one of the two remaining minions, sending
him careening into the brick wall. As The Slayer turns him into a small
pile of dust, the final minion takes the opportunity to be as far away
as possible.

Buffy: (looking around) Well that was easy, right KG? KG? Kid Garlic?!?

********************************************************

Back at the Shadow Master’s lair, Kid Garlic is flailing against
the restraining arms of his minion captors, halting only after he accidentally
hits the switch to open the roof. He gazes in awe at the large machine,
and tries to figure out what it will be used for.

Shadow Master: Stop your useless struggling, boy! There is no way out
of here unless you can fly! AHAHAHAHA!! (He chains him to the side of
what looks to be giant clock gears.) Once this wheel completes its circuit,
you will be nothing but axle grease!!! (The wheel begins slowly rotating,
drawing Kid Garlic slowly near the crushing gears of the other wheel.)

Xander: Do you just keep this thing around for when heroes drop in?

Shadow Master: Silence! You are hardly a hero, boy, and your precious
Slayer can’t save you now. For by tomorrow night, I will rule the
world!!

Xander: With 50 million dollars? That can’t even buy you a building
in Downtown Sunnyopolis!

Shadow Master: That is only the beginning. Once The Magnetron is in full
effect, darkness will cover the earth and my Shadow Warriors will terrorize
the land and bring it under my dominion!

Unnoticed by the Shadow Master or Kid Garlic, the Crimson Spike has hung
himself upside-down from the open skylight, watching the proceedings.

Xander: Could you clarify that? Because I didn’t think magnets caused
darkness…uh…you evil fiend!

Shadow Master: Foolish whelp! But since you are about to die…I might
as well gloat! Let your last thoughts be of my sinister genius!

Spike: (rolls his eyes) Here it comes…

Shadow Master: Perhaps you have heard of the dinosaurs?

Xander: Yeah, everyone’s heard of the dinosaurs. Big lizards. Extinct.
Unless someone does too much nuclear testing and one comes up out of the
ocean and destroys your city.

Shadow Master; Cease your prattling! The dinosaurs became extinct when
a meteor crashed to earth, raising a giant dust cloud that plunged the
world into darkness for years. I plan to recreate that. AHAHAHAHAHA!!
(As Xander looks vaguely sick, the Shadow Master pats his head.) Don’t
think of it as dying. Think of it as leaving early to avoid the rush.
(Sees a minion drop a barrel of Chemical X) You! You’re spilling
Chemical X all over the floor! I’ll mop that up with your head!!

Spike hits himself in the head, amazed at the proceedings, and quietly
slides down his zip line behind Xander.

Spike: (putting a hand over Xander’s mouth) Quiet Halitosis Lad,
I’ll have you out of here in a jiff.

Spike manages to unchain Xander without the Shadow Master’s knowledge,
and the two of them send up zip lines to tow themselves out of the lair.
They escape across the rooftops, halting a few blocks away.

Xander: Who are you? Did the Slayer send you? (His eyes widen in surprise
and fear as Spike lights up a cigarette, and his cloak blows back to reveal
his insignia.) Y-you’re The Crimson Spike!

Spike: (bows gallantly) At your service, mate.

Xander: Okay, not that I’m not grateful, but um…why did you
save me? You put one of those in my cape not 24 hours ago!

Spike: (snorts in derision) Can you imagine living in a world ruled by
that tosser? He doesn’t even realize if the dinosaurs went extinct,
the people will go extinct too. And if the people go extinct, what the
bloody hell are we going to eat? He’s not much for long-term planning.
And I can’t stand that laugh.

Xander: You’re a vampire?

Spike: I’m not even gonna answer that question. Now, toddle on home
to Slayer, save the world, blah blah blah. (Suddenly reaches out, grabs
a fistful of Spandex, and hoists Xander up) But don’t breathe a word
about me or you’ll find one of these (brandishes his trademark spike)
through your head. (He vanishes into the night.)

Xander: (In a very small voice.) okay.

********************************************************

Back at the Slayer’s penthouse, Xander, AKA Kid Garlic has returned
and is regaling the gang with tales of his escape.

Xander: So then I took down three more minions, BAM! POW! WHACK!

Giles: Yes, yes Xander, I’m sure you were very valiant. Now about
that plan…?

Xander: (deflated and a bit embarrassed) Oh, right. He’s gonna make
a big rock hit the earth and cause everyone to go extinct like the dinosaurs,

Buffy: Ummm…?

Willow: Of course! The dust cloud! With the sun obscured it’s a
vampire’s paradise!! Except for the no people part…

Giles: But no magnet could possibly be that strong! And if it were, it
would attract every metal object for thousands of miles! His own device
would crush him!

Willow: Not if he had a large supply of Chemical X. He could focus and
intensify the magnetic field into a concentrated beam. And if he switched
it off at the right moment, the asteroid’s momentum combined with
the earth’s rotation would cause it to land far from here. Far enough
to keep it from turning his lair into a giant crater, anyway.

Buffy: We have to stop him! Willow – can you have the Hovercat ready
by this evening?

Willow: I think so.

Buffy: Great. That’s when we move.

********************************************************

That evening at the Shadow Master’s lair, the Magnetron is slowly
being raised through the giant sky light in the roof. As it begins its
ascent, a giant hole erupts in the side of the building, revealing the
hovering form of a giant mechanical cat, minus the legs. As the dust settles,
The Slayer and Kid Garlic come vaulting into the room, stakes at the ready.

Buffy: Nice place you got here.

Shadow Master: Ah, The Slayer. Your puny efforts are fruitless. In only
a few short minutes, I will rule the world!

Buffy: Not if I can help it!

She leaps for him, fists raised, but he is ready for her, and uses her
momentum to fling her past him into a row of blinking consoles. Sparks
erupt and the lights go out, leaving only the dull glow of LED screens
and the full moon to illuminate the room. Buffy flips up, ready for action
and begins advancing on the Shadow Master, only to be grabbed from behind.
As she struggles against her captor and the Shadow Master moves in, the
grip on her throat is suddenly released as the minion holding her erupts
into dust. Buffy checks behind her and sees Kid Garlic fighting two minions
by The Magnetron. She assumes he has saved her, makes a mental note to
thank him later, and gets into fighting stance.

Meanwhile, Xander is fighting off two advancing minions. He grabs a bolo
out of his utility belt, spins it around his head and releases it. The
bolo entangles the legs of one of the minions, dropping him to the ground.
Unfortunately, the other minion rushes him, sending him flying into The
Magnetron’s main control panel. Sparks fly as Kid Garlic fumbles
with his utility belt while attempting to fend off the minion that is
trying to bite his neck. He finally manages to push the panic button,
and releases a mist of holy water from various tiny jets around his suit,
dousing the vampire whom he then stakes. The mist also settles on the
machine, causing the sparks to multiply.

Kid Garlic: (looks to the sky and says reverently) Thank you, Dr. Willow!

Back on the other side of the warehouse, Buffy is still sparring with
the Shadowmaster.

Buffy: (Uppercuts him in the jaw, sending him flying into a pile of empty
vats) You know, I’m getting really tired of this.

Shadow Master: (Gets up and does a series of spin kicks, finally connecting
with her jaw) Of course you are. My strength far surpasses your pathetic…

Buffy: (Does a double pirouette, kicks him in the stomach, launching
him through the wall) No…this whole everyone is wearing red and black
thing! Is there only one tailor who works in Spandex? Geez!

She stalks over to where the Shadow Master had landed and finds no trace
of him. The Magnetron is in its final stages of life, having been banged
around during the fight, and it is emitting small explosions here and
there as puffs of smoke arise from its circuit boards. The Shadow Master’s
warriors, noticing the absence of their master, are wisely deciding to
flee.

Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy sees a glint of metal and kneels
next to a fallen body. Its chest has been pierced with a red metal spike.
She pulls it out and looks up at the skylight, her face half framed by
the moonlight.

Buffy: KG, you go on, I’ve got something I have to take care of.
(She shoots her zip line upward and flies up to the roof.)

********************************************************

Buffy: (looking around) I know you’re here.

Spike: (materializing out of the shadows) Good guess luv.

Buffy: Not really, again with the calling card. (She waves the spike
in his face.)

Spike chuckles.

Buffy: Why did you help us?

Spike: Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Buffy: You’re making it very hard for me to kill you.

Spike: Now why would you want to go and do a thing like that pet?

Buffy: (As if to say duh) Because you know my secret identity?

Spike: Why would I want to share you with the world? (Starts walking
closer.) You can hide from everyone else, but you don’t have to hide
from me, Slayer. I know you, Buffy Summers.

Buffy: (softly, mystified) But you just got here.

Spike: I knew you from the first moment I saw you. (Keeps walking closer
with every word) Both sides, society darling and deadly hunter. They’re
both beautiful. (He gives her an appreciative once-over, grabs her and
kisses her soundly)

Buffy, surprised, freezes for a moment before she wraps her arms around
his neck and kisses him back. Suddenly the two embracing figures are the
blinded by the slitted bright headlights of the rising Hovercat. They
release their hold on each other, and both turn towards the light, startled
and disappointed. When Buffy turns back a moment later, The Crimson Spike
has once again vanished.

********************************************************

The next morning, on the steps of City Hall, Anya Jenkins is finally
interviewing Kid Garlic.

Anya: So you escaped the Shadow Master’s lair on your own and brought
the details of his cunning plan back to the Slayer?

Xander: It was nothing.

Anya: What are you doing Friday night?

Spectators gather at the foot of the City Hall steps to see Mayor Dolittle
and the Slayer up at the top, behind a podium.

Mayor: And to the Slayer, we award the Key to the City for once again
rescuing its citizens from deepest peril.

Everyone claps, pictures are snapped, and the Slayer and her faithful
sidekick, Kid Garlic, smile on.

********************************************************

Back at her penthouse, Buffy is back in “civvies” and is standing
in the library, turning the Crimson Spike’s spike over in her hands.
She finally sighs and puts it on the mantle.

Giles: (walking in with the tea tray) What is that?

Buffy: Just a souvenir. (She then hangs up her Key to the City next to
the seven others she has received.) Eight keys to the city is nice and
all, but besides the fact that I haven’t figured out where the door
is yet, I get tired of all the hoopla. I’m just a girl doing my job.
It’d be nice to live somewhere where no one had ever heard of the
Slayer.

********************************************************

Poof! Back at the Magic Shop…

Buffy: Anya was right! It’s still now!

Xander: That was so cool!

Spike: (leers at Buffy, who blushes) For once, I agree with you, mate.

Tara: (looking at Willow, amused) Why a Hovercat?

Willow: I have no idea, but how cool was I? I invented it! (Starts waving
her arms around) Ooh-ooh, I need more Chemical X!

Tara: And you looked mighty cute in a labcoat.

Giles: (mumbling) Didn’t seem much different to me, really.

Anya: (beaming) I was a reporter! A fact-finding genius.

Xander snorts and turns away.

********************************************************

A little while later, Buffy and Xander are walking home together.

Buffy: Comic book land is a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t
want to live there. Loved your boots though, KG.

Xander: Ha ha, TS. A heart with a stake through it?

Buffy: (pouting) It was my subconscious, I can’t be held responsible.
Spike thought it was a pie chart. I bet Batman never gets that.

Xander: Yeah, but he wears a hat with ears. (Gets serious) Look Buffy,
there’s something I have to tell you, but you can’t say anything
or I’ll have both my ears pierced and everything in between. Not
that he can really do that here but…

Buffy: Xander, what are you talking about?

Xander: I um…didn’t bust out of that warehouse on my own.

Buffy: You didn’t?

Xander: Not exactly. Remember that part where I dusted three minions,
tore off the chains, and leapt the machine with a single bound? That really
happened to Wolverine in X-Men #346.

Buffy: So what happened to you?

Xander: (looking down and muttering) Spike rescued me and made me promise
not to tell you.

Buffy: Then why are you?

Xander: Hey, Kid Garlic promised The Crimson Spike – no one said
anything about Xander.

Buffy: But you hate Spike!

Xander: Yeah, but the Sidekick Guild’s watchword is integrity. I
don’t like taking credit when it’s not due.

Buffy: (Hugs him) Thank you, Xander. I needed to know that.

Xander: But he doesn’t.

Buffy: Mum’s the word. (Zips her lip)

********************************************************

Later that day, a bit before sundown, Buffy makes her way to Spike’s
crypt, and bangs the door open as per usual.

Spike: (Sitting up in bed) Bit early for patrol luv. Don’t you usually
ring before barging in these days?

Buffy: I wanted to catch you unawares, see what the Crimson Spike’s
like when he’s at home.

Spike: Well he was sleeping. (He gets out of bed and starts looking for
his cigarettes, garbed only in his jeans.) Welcome to my lair.

Buffy: (peeking around corners) You got any doomsday machines hiding
around here?

Spike: Not really my style. (A bit sleepy and grumpy) What are you doing
here? Not that I mind but…

Buffy: We have unfinished business.

Spike: And what would that be?

Buffy walks over, grabs and kisses him. Spike pulls back from her, startled.

Buffy: (looking up at him and smiling) See, no mask.

He leans down and covers her lips with his.