I also really liked this chapter's ending.
Two thumbs up, waaaaaaaaaaaay up!
by Ed Wood » Thu Jun 14, 2001 7:21 am
I also really liked this chapter's ending.
Two thumbs up, waaaaaaaaaaaay up!
by karenk » Thu Jun 14, 2001 8:48 am
I'm done with my assignment (YAY!!!) but it's like 1.50AM where I am now, so I need to sleep. 
I'll get cracking once I wake up tomorrow. I have a pretty clear idea what's about to happen for the next part so I shouldn't take too long. Get ready for some action and hopefully some surprises as well.
karenk
by karenk » Fri Jun 15, 2001 9:56 pm
Same disclaimers as before.
Sorry for taking so long, hope it worth the wait.
Chapter 5
“Buffy, is this really necessary?” Alex didn’t even flinch, “I can assure you, I cannot be killed with a mere stake.”
“Then what are you?” the slayer asked, stake never wavering.
“Who I was, what I became and who I am now is a long story. Don’t you want to sit?” the dark woman gestured to a chair and tried to be patient… young people these days, she thought to herself.
Buffy reluctantly put aside Mr Pointy and with the rest of the Scoobies, took a chair around the main table. Leaving just Giles hovering around, cleaning his glasses and Alex who had crossed her arms round her chest.
“Talk.” Buffy demanded.
“No, ask.” Alex countered.
“Who are you?”
“I am immortal.”
“What did you m..m..mean by who you were, what you b..b..became?” Tara asked.
Alex smiled, someone was paying attention, “I was born a mortal, I became a vampire but now I’m not.” She walked towards the gang and bared her teeth, “See? No fangs.”
Buffy’s eyes narrowed, “We’ll see about that.” And faster than even Alex could react, she pulled Mr Pointy out and staked Alex in the heart.
Everyone flinched but nothing. Alex stiffened but did not turn to dust. Her clear blue eyes though turned stormy. Very stormy.
Tara grabbed hold of her Willow’s hand worriedly.
“You shouldn’t have done that…” the dark woman said mildly.
“I needed proof.”
“Giles, I hope your insurance coverage is substantial…”
“Wha..?”
Before the Watcher could finish his sentence, every entrance/exit of the Magic Box burst open and demons of all sorts, most unidentifiable and a few Malons, poured in.
“Protect our Lord!” the seemingly head demon ordered the rest.
“NO!” Alex shouted, absently pulling out Mr Pointy from her chest and flinging it back towards Buffy.
Unfortunately, she was unheeded as the Scoobies quickly and efficiently armed themselves (except Willow and Tara who moved to one side, whispering about spells) and the demons started attacking for all sides.
Alex watched the unfolding battle in horror for a second before plunging in and throwing the demons off the Scoobies.
“I said stop!” Alex’s words were in vain and she hurriedly looked round to see how the humans were doing.
Willow and Tara were busy casting simple spells to keep the demons off them and aid their friends. Xander had armed himself with a battle axe and was rather effectively keeping a couple of demons at bay. Anya had taken up the first thing she saw, which was a statue and was using that to hit a demon on its head repeatedly. Giles had somehow managed to get a sword, which he was using to fight off a Malon. Buffy was the busiest, spinning around, kicking about, fighting against four assorted demon types, doing deadly damage to them.
Alex’s eyes narrowed as more demons came streaming into the shop. The Scoobies would not be able to keep up. She looked back again towards the witches and saw Willow and Tara separated and a towering demon crouching over Tara who was on the ground. She could not see where Willow was but she didn’t care. All she could see was that Tara was bloody. Tara was hurt.
Her eyes turned white and she finally used her powers.
“PAX!” Everyone froze. Literally.
“Ancient Greek for enough.” Giles translated as he could imagine the Scoobies would be looking towards him for if they could move. If any of them could move.
“Tara!” Alex waved her hand slightly and the demon over Tara was flung away and everyone could see that Tara’s eyes were closed and her head had a rather nasty looking cut. “I will deal with you later.” Alex spared a glance at the demon before hurrying to Tara’s side.
“Tara? Sweet bird?” Alex pulled the young blonde onto her arms, she gently passed her hand over Tara’s wound and just like that, it was healed. Willow’s eyes could not be any more wide open than they were.
“Is she okay?” Willow’s mouth finally worked.
“She’ll be… she better be…” Alex tossed another glance at the demon responsible. If possible that demon seemed to cower in fear even though like everyone, it was frozen.
“There’s to be NO more fighting when I unfreeze everyone, is that clear?” her tone was cold.
A spattering of “Yes, my Lord”’s were offered by the demons present.
“Buffy?”
“Yeah…” the slayer was reluctant but after seeing a demonstration of Alex’s powers, she did not feel that she could disagree.
Alex sighed and in an instant, everyone could move again. Willow and the rest of the Scoobies ran towards their fallen friend who was still in Alex’s arms while the demons assembled in one corner and kneeled.
Reluctantly transferring her burden to the more than willing Willow, Alex stood up slowly. Outside, her movements were precise and deliberate. Inside, her anger seething to a boiling point.
TBC
[This message has been edited by karenk (edited June 16, 2001).]
by Rane » Fri Jun 15, 2001 10:10 pm
by Warduke » Fri Jun 15, 2001 10:14 pm
by karenk » Fri Jun 15, 2001 10:28 pm
Next part should be ready soon. I've hit a writing stride today (unlike yesterday), so I should be able to finish at least another chapter later if not more.
by karenk » Sat Jun 16, 2001 12:43 am
Same disclaimers as before.
As promised, another chapter.
Chapter 6
“How dare you?” she spoke softly but menacingly to the demon that had hurt Tara.
“I…, my Lord… forgive me…” the demon remained in his position.
“How dare you harm her? Of all of them… HER!”
“My Lord, we did not know…” the head demon started.
“No. I shall deal with you later.”
“You were being attacked, my Lord.” The head demon protested.
“By a stake! That can’t kill me, you know that.”
“It is always better to be safe, my Lord. We almost lost you once, we vowed never again.”
“That’s different… leave now before I decide to kill all of you.” Alex’s fists were tightly clenched. The assorted demons bowed deeply before rising and leaving the shop. Disappearing (some literally) into the night.
“What is it, darling?” Willow asked her slowly regaining consciousness lover who was mumbling. Kissing Tara’s forehead, Willow marvelled at the fact that there was not even a scratch where that demon was lucky enough to strike Tara at. They had been busy concentrating on casting those easy, simple spells that they neglected their backs. Two demons attacked, separating Willow from her lover. Willow had been sorely tempted to use the dark magicks that she had learnt when Alex froze them all.
“Jor… JorJor…”
“JorJor? Tara?” Willow could not understand what Tara was mumbling about.
Alex stiffened, her ears catching Tara’s soft words. She closed her eyes before heading back towards Tara.
“She’s here… she’s back…” Tara opened her eyes, still very much in a daze.
“Who?”
The dark woman knelt down beside Tara, gently stroking her cheek, “Sweet bird.”
With some effort, Tara turned her head, “JorJor…” her voice broke and tears started rolling down her cheeks.
“I’ve missed you, my sweet bird.”
“You left… without warning… mum cried for... for days…” Tara sat up with some effort and threw herself at the tall woman.
“I had to leave… I wanted to stay but they wouldn’t let me. By the time I could go back, years had gone and your mum had died. You were all grown up, I didn’t… I’m so sorry. I never wanted to leave you and your mum, my sweet bird.” Alex explained while rubbing Tara’s back gently.
“Then why?” Tara sniffled.
“People were starting to talk about how I’ve not aged in 15 years, they got nervous and ordered me out. I was working for them at that time, so I had to do as they commanded.”
“Who’s they?” Willow interjected softly. Not wanting to intrude but too curious not to ask.
“The powers that be, Willow. I don’t want to talk about them, I want to thank you for loving my sweet bird this past year. I had to handle a problem in Russia or I would have been here for Glory. I was too late again. The only thing I could interfere in was to get Buffy back, so I did.”
“You what?” Buffy was stunned, her return had been unexpected and no one knew what had happened. Everyone’s jaws dropped open. Even Tara loosened her death grip on Alex to stare.
“Hey, work for the powers for more than a century and they’ll owe you a favour or two.” Alex snorted.
“You’re Alexina…” Anya said, her tone one of amazement.
“What you talking about, An? We know her name…” her fiancé asked.
“No… you don’t get it… she’s the Alexina. The Defender of Mankind, us demons… well, ex-demons… um, demons talk about all the time.”
“Of course, how stupid of me… Alexina means ‘defender of mankind’ in ancient Greek…” Giles could have slapped his forehead.
“What does this all mean?” Xander was still puzzled as were Willow and Buffy. Tara just had a look of contentment as she lay protectively in the arms of Alex.
“It means I’m very old, Xander.”
“How old?” Tara asked.
Alex smiled down, “I was born 2,788 years ago.”
“That’s old.”
“Yes, Xander, that’s old. I was born an ordinary mortal… it wasn’t until I was in my twelfth summer when I realised that I was a little different. Oh, I was always a tomboy, but when I was 12, I started noticing how drawing water from the village well stopped becoming a hard chore, I could now climb trees faster than any boy or even man in the village, I ran faster than anyone else, etc. The villagers noticed, they made snide remarks but my parents told me to pay them no heed, so I didn’t.
Then I night, after I turned 13, a band of creatures that I would later learn were vampires hit my village. I tried my best but I could not stop them all before they killed three quarters of my village, including my entire family. The surviving villagers and I razed the remains of our village and the old healer told me that he knew now what my destiny was. I was the Slayer.”
TBC
by xita » Sat Jun 16, 2001 1:28 am
Nice to have Tara with a family you know. by karenk » Sat Jun 16, 2001 5:20 pm
Yes, xita, I always wanted Tara to have a family too. That's why I decided to give her one. In more ways than one, you'll see
And Rane, next chapter will be here soon. I promise. I'll send it off before my driving lesson.
by karenk » Sat Jun 16, 2001 5:41 pm
Same disclaimers as before.
Chapter 7
Buffy gasped.
“Yes, Buffy, I was a Slayer. With help from the old healer, who became sort of like my Watcher, I travelled round the known world, staking and killing vampires and demons alike. I had lost my family and I was just lost. As it occurred, I started hating my destiny. I hated it and thought it was my fault that my village was attacked when all around us were free of harm.
“The rot in my heart was gradual but it came. I was drunk on my powers and became more self-serving. The old healer tried to guide me but… I think I was too far gone. I hated my life and most of all, I hated my destiny. One day when I was about 21 years old, as I was fighting with a vampire master, I finally got so tired of the constant and never-ending fight. I dropped my stake, and told the creature to kill me.” Alex closed her eyes and remembered those dark days like it was just yesterday.
“Obviously the vamp didn’t…”
“No, Willow, the vamp didn’t kill me. He offered to turn me instead. So I could stop fighting against the non-stop flow of vampires and demons and be one with them instead. I went back, when I told the old healer, he berated me for letting the vampire master go. I snapped and stabbed him before leaving. Later I would find out that he survived, blamed himself for not noticing how I was feeling and even later founded the Council of Watchers before he died. I didn’t care about that that much, I was turned and was lovin’ every moment of it.” The dark woman smirked.
“What happened then? How did you become… you know, unvamp?” Tara asked.
“Can anyone actually unvamp?” this was from Buffy.
Alex’s eyebrows crinkled as she remembered more, “I don’t know, Buffy. For me, I think it was love. Well, after being a vampire for four hundred odd years, I was tired. I had killed over a dozen Slayers and countless others, I was feared by all, humans and demons alike. I even staked my sire. Nothing meant anything in my life anymore, until I fell in love. I fell in love for the first time and that was such a shock. I thought that a soulless creature like I had become would never be able to experience the joys of love. But I did.
“The first time I saw her, I was captivated. We were together for only a short time… she died in one of the many plagues that swept Europe. I was devastated, then I heard about the powers that be and managed to get myself into their sanctuary. I ripped apart their dwelling until they appeared before me. We made a deal, I was to fight for good again and in return, I would be rewarded with the soul of my beloved, Anastasia, reincarnated in a new body, every hundred years.”
“That’s so romantic…” Willow sighed dreamily.
Alex grinned, “For more than a thousand years, that arrangement was kept. I helped the powers rid of creatures the Slayers could not manage. I became a demon hunter. How long my reincarnated beloved and I were together was dependant on the powers and what they thought I had achieved. So sometimes, we had just a month together, sometimes a year or a decade, rare was when we shared fifty years together. But I was content. And as time went on, I started being able to tolerate sun and not afraid of wood anymore. I don’t know how but I’ve not morphed into my vamp face in more than five hundred years.”
“You’re the demon hunter, Ritza!” Anya exclaimed, fitting the pieces together.
“Yes, Anya, one of my many names through the years was Ritza. It was typical what happened with the Malon. Those same demons I had hunted down so diligently, started aligning themselves with me, treating me as their leader. Their ‘Lord’, that explains those demon types who were here. They know now when to keep out of sight and stay out of trouble. That Malon that night was an unfortunate incident. He had been sent out to do some recon when you spotted him and gave chase. That’s why he ran off once he saw that I was with you. He says sorry for injuring you.”
“It’s no big…”Buffy shrugged, unused to demons apologising, “so those demons are not the ones responsible for the death of that couple earlier tonight?”
“No, actually Buffy, I came across the ones responsible on my way here. I dusted one while its accomplice fled… I could have thrown a lightning bolt or fire bolt or something but I didn’t want to attract too much attention especially since I had heard footsteps.” Alex explained.
“You have other powers. Powerful… err, powers…”
“Other rewards from the powers that be… after all, I am, or should I say, was, their right arm in this world and I even journeyed to others to help out there. I’m sure that you’re aware that many other worlds exist, Giles.” The Watcher nodded his head.
“JorJor?” Tara tugged at Alex’s sleeve.
“Yeah, Tara?” the tone very gentle.
“Was Mum the reincarnation…”
“Yes, she was the latest reincarnation of my beloved. Unfortunately, Caitlin was already married to your father when I finally found her. Then she had your brother Donnie but knew that he was not… well, let’s just say, he took to his father a little too much. She wanted another child. But she did not want the child to be tainted by that man’s blood.”
“Wha…” Tara was more than a little terrified at what she was hearing.
“I spoke to the powers. I had them give me the ability to grant what your mother had wished for the most, I had to pay a price for it later. But a little something from me and a lot from her, which equalled you, my sweet bird.”
Tara snapped out of Alex’s loose embrace as she shook her head violently, disbelieving. Willow immediately moved to comfort her lover, eyes equally disbelieving.
“He was not my father?” Tara was devastated.
“A man like him could never have a daughter like you… he doesn’t deserve you. Neither do I…” Alex was sad to see Tara reacting the way she had feared she would, but she did not want any more lies between her and the Scoobies.
“Has my whole life’s been nothing but a lie?”
TBC
by Rane » Sat Jun 16, 2001 5:49 pm
edited to add: omg! so tara's like my little kerith huh? perfect! cannot wait to see what else comes along!
------------------
FYI- i posted an epilogue for my post finale fic. just left it on the same thread. =)
[This message has been edited by Rane (edited June 16, 2001).]
by Warduke » Sat Jun 16, 2001 6:49 pm
Now that's what I call a plot twist!
I love it, can't wait for the next part.
by RomanceJunky » Sat Jun 16, 2001 7:58 pm
The Junky...addicted.
------------------
"I am, You know."
"What?"
"Yours."
by Kalita » Sat Jun 16, 2001 8:11 pm
by rhiannongayle » Sat Jun 16, 2001 8:38 pm
by Arwen » Sat Jun 16, 2001 8:53 pm
------------------
"Back off, polygrip. You think you're bad?
All mean and haunty and picking on poor
pathetic Cordy? Well get ready to haul your
wrinkly translucent ass out of this place,
'cause lady, the bitch is back."
Cordelia - "Room w/a Vu"
by karenk » Sat Jun 16, 2001 9:14 pm
I love it when people read my dribble... and tell me that they're enjoying it.
RomanceJunky - Alexina does sound uber-Xena-ish doesn't she? Hmmm... know now why I originally wanted her to be Chinese?
Rane - I guess yeah, Tara's kinda like little Willara... only with more innate powers... and I wish you can teach me to drive in 5 minutes... would save me 20 bucks a week!
The story will now go on to deal with how Tara learns to cope with her legacy. And how the rest of the Scoobies deal with that and her 'mom'. There'll be a 'Big Bad' appearing soon... probably not until my tomorrow though, Sundays are usually my chores day, boring stuff like laundry, vacuuming, etc.
by Ed Wood » Sun Jun 17, 2001 4:55 am
So this is only a beggining huh? How many chapters will it have 20, 30, 50??? 
Two thumbs up, keep it up!
by xita » Sun Jun 17, 2001 9:25 am
Tara will soon be glad she isn't that man's daughter.Sundays are my chore days too but I seem to sit on the computer for most of it.
by Kajun » Sun Jun 17, 2001 9:38 am
by Zahir » Sun Jun 17, 2001 5:12 pm
------------------
"O let my name be in the Book of Love.
If it be there, I care not of
That other book Above...
Strike it out! Or write it in anew.
But let it be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kyam
by karenk » Sun Jun 17, 2001 7:55 pm
Now, a couple of things - I've decided to make Alexina an ongoing series. After all that effort in developing her, I can't just write 10 chapters and be done with her... so, this introductory part will be around 10 chapters (which means 2 more to go after this next one I'm about to post). And it will be complete before the end of the week. I hope.
Part 2 is where the 'Big Bad' will appear and I won't start that till the beginning of next month. My brother's coming to visit next week so I probably won't have time to write much (we're going up to Gold Coast for a holiday!). And I know he'll want to take advantage of my unlimited internet access to chat with his friends in the US.
Just thought I would warn everyone if I don't post for a week. I personally hate it when stories don't get updated regularly and there's no warning about when the next one's coming. But that's just me
Enjoy the next chapter!
by karenk » Sun Jun 17, 2001 8:03 pm
Same disclaimers as before.
Chapter 8
“No!” Alex was vehement. “Tara, when I see what you have made out of your life… it makes me so proud that I can feel my heart’s about to burst. You have powers that are innate within you that you have never thought to use, wittingly or otherwise. That makes me proud.
Alex reached towards Tara who flinched back. The immortal dropped her head sadly, “I’ve waited so long to have a relationship with you, Tara. I’m not about to give up on that… I know I’ve let you down in the past, I know I let your mother down. After all, I left you two in the hands of that bastard. I should leave you to be with your friends… I’ll… I’ll be around. Dawn’s breaking…” she stood up, she was too old to be crouching for so long.
“But I thought you won’t go poof in the sun anymore?”
“I won’t Xander, but… I just... I tolerate the sun. After spending close to 2,000 years in relative darkness, I’ve grown used to…”
“But you brought me out to the beach. Many times.”
“That was for you, my sweet bird. You gave me a reason to be out in the sun…”
“Then… stay?” Tara’s voice was trembling and tentative.
Alex swallowed visibly, “If you want…”
“I want.” Tara’s voice was stronger now, as she looked up into the blue eyes of the person whose sheer presence made her feel the safest for much of her younger years. That safety was lost the day she was gone and the hurt that had followed for both her and her mum just compounded her belief that her “JorJor” was the only one who could protect her. Well, except now she had Willow and the rest of the Scoobies as well. Never in her mind, in her dreams, would she have imagined that such would happen to her.
The Magic Box had opened for business, Alex observed the ongoings with some trace of amusement and a hint of a smirk. Buffy, who had noticed that for a while now finally spoke up.
“What’s so funny?”
“Humans.” The immortal’s smirk turned bigger at the sight of Willow and Tara engaging in a tickle fight. Willow had very determinedly (in her Resolve Face no less), worked to make Tara laugh and smile after all the drama that had enfolded.
“Human interactions, more specifically.” Alex added before Buffy could ask.
“I’ve been around for a long time, Buffy. Too long perhaps… and for a long time, only one thing kept me going, the thought of being with my beloved again. The powers took advantage of that… they won’t again.”
“Does that mean…”
“I don’t know, Buffy. I don’t know if they’ll ever let Anastasia return to this world… I can hope but I won’t. We had a daughter together and she is now more important than anything else. When I heard about what Glory did to her, I was so angry… especially since the powers had sent me and my underlings on a complete wild goose chase just so I wouldn’t be able to interfere.”
“Then how were you able to get me back?”
Alex snorted, “I had one of their throats in each of my hand… and that was when I realised that with all the powers that they had bestowed upon me through the years, coupled with my own, I am now able to best the powers that be… and they know that as well. Which is why I’m here… and why I don’t work for them again.”
“You staying long?”
“For as long as Tara wants me…”
“Long then.” Buffy said matter-of-factly as the Slayer settled into her chair at the table.
Alex just smiled as Tara stopped tickling/torturing Willow for a moment and flashed a giant smile towards them.
TBC
Author's note - this is a little on the short side, I know. But I'm in shock and denial after reading the Xena finale spoilers and I can't concentrate. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow and have a longer chapter ready. But now, I feel like going off and killing something. Not in real life, of course. Hmm... Diablo 2? Or Baldur's Gate 2? Or maybe Soldier of Fortune...
by Rane » Sun Jun 17, 2001 8:13 pm
and i also hate people that don't finish posting fics, including myself... teehee!by xita » Mon Jun 18, 2001 12:36 am
by karenk » Mon Jun 18, 2001 1:08 am
Worse part for me is that Australia has only shown Forever and won't show the next ep (intervention?) till next week and I've got crap reception even when the show's on. I hate that.
But yup, part of the reason for my extension of Alexina into a series is because of the potential of just what I can put Tara through. I mean that in the nicest possible way of course .
Thanks!
by Warduke » Mon Jun 18, 2001 7:19 am
by Ed Wood » Mon Jun 18, 2001 9:10 am
BTW Do you play Soldier of Fortune online? Maybe we could fight together sometime
by karenk » Mon Jun 18, 2001 5:58 pm
Nope. I don't play games online. I'm always terrified that as a newbie I would be an easy target and be killed as soon as I start . Kinda irrational I know but...
There maybe a chapter up in a few hours but most likely it'd be tomorrow before it's ready.
In case I've not said it before , thanks everyone for reading!
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