Whirlwind

“Do not ask again,” D’Hoffryn said in a resolute tone.

Anya, who was once the great and powerful Anyanka, looked up at her mentor with shock, “But…but I – ”

“You’re powers were a gift of the lower beings. You have proved unworthy of them,” D’Hoffryn interrupted her.

Letting out a dramatic sigh, Anya tried again, “For years I wielded the powers of the Wish. I brought ruin to the heads of unfaithful men. I brought forth destruction and chaos for the pleasure of the lower beings. I was feared and worshiped across the mortal globe.”

D’Hoffryn looked at her dismissively.

Oblivious to her Master’s mood, Anya continued, “And now I’m stuck at Sunnydale High. Mortal. Child. And I’m flunking math.”

“This is no concern of ours,” D’Hoffryn said with a dismissive wave of his hand, “You will live out your mortal life and die.”

“Give me another chance,” Anya begged, “You can fold the fabric of time. Send me back to that place and I’ll change it. I won’t fail again.”

D’Hoffryn was beyond weary of her whining and just wanted her to leave. “Your time is passed.”

Anya looked at D’Hofferyn with something akin to contempt. “Do you have any idea how boring twelfth graders are?”

Standing up and glaring defiantly at the demon, she continued, “I’m going to get my powercenter back. And if you won’t help me, then, by the pestilent gods, I will find someone who will.”

Giving the demon one last glare, Anya stormed out of the sacred place. This was a hellmouth, there had to be someone that could help her retrieve her powers, and then she’d get her revenge on the tiny Slayer and her friends.

Sure enough, after about twenty minutes of searching the city, she found someone who would help her. Someone who, although human, had a black heart. Really, black. If she were still in the vengeance business, which she would be soon, she’d definitely need to eviscerate something.

“This is dark stuff, my dear,” her partner told her, “It’s not to be meddled with.”

“I’ve been around for many, many years,” Anya said irritably, “I think I can handle this.”

“Of course,” was the reply.

Continuing in silence, the pair worked to prepare and perform the spell. Neither were quite sure of what to expect from the spell. Finally, Anya finished the incantation and waited patiently for something to happen.

Nothing.

Her partner smiled to himself. While Anya was fuming, he added his own “private” ingredient. Instantly, both beings felt the power surge through them and out into the world. There was a rather impressive light show followed by a resounding bang.

Anya looked around frantically for her necklace. It was no where to be seen. When she looked at her partner he seemed entirely too pleased with a spell that didn’t work.

“What have you done?” she hissed.

“Sunnydale will never be the same,” was her cryptic answer.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Mr. Giles,” Wesley said as he rushed into the room, “If I may, I need to speak with you…in private.”

Giles ignored the man. He was much to preoccupied at the moment to listen to the other man’s prattle. He needed to get the group to the Hall of Records.

“I can see that you don’t wish to speak with me, which is understandable, however, I must insist,” Wesley said with a note of pleading in his voice.

“Make him stop, Giles,” Xander said in his best whining tone.

“Very well,” Giles said as he removed his glasses, “What is it, Wesley.”

Taking a moment to look smugly at the group, Wesley straightened his tie and tried to look as impressive as possible.

“Right,” Wesley began, “It appears that whatever spell the Council used to transport Buffy and Faith has had some minor side effects.”

“What do you mean, side effects?” Giles said sternly, “Where are Buffy and Faith?”

“Oh, they’re here,” Wesley said confidently, “All of them.”

“Dear Lord,” Giles exclaimed as he fell back into a chair, “You mean to tell me that all of the Buffy and Faith’s from all the different dimensions are here…in Sunnydale?”

“Yes,” Wesley said, “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

“This is bad, way bad. Even bad for the Hellmouth bad,” Xander said.

“Yes, it is,” Giles said, “You need to find a reversal spell. This cannot go unchecked. It will be chaos…assuming it isn’t already.”

“Quite right,” Wesley said, “Mr. Giles, the Council didn’t send me to tell you this. In fact, I’m under the strictest orders to not tell you a thing.”

“You mean the Council knows about this and they’re not going to do anything about it?” Willow asked.

Wesley hung his head. He never knew exactly how devious his employers were. He’d thought it cruel when he’d first learned about the life of a Slayer, but quickly repressed that feeling when he knew what would be sacrificed if she did not perform her duty. Now, his feelings were again being switched around. The things Travers had approved of to use against Buffy and Faith were simply barbaric.

“Uh, guys,” Oz spoke up, “We might want to do something soon. Not all the Buffy’s and Faith’s can be good guys…right?”

“We can’t even be sure they’re human,” Cordy said with wide eyes.

The occupants of the room visibly paled at her announcement. Things were definitely heading to the realm of not so good.

“Our only hope is that our Buffy and Faith remain safe until we can reverse the spell. There is nothing we can do to fight the hordes of Slayers,” Giles said.

“If we can locate where the spell originated from, then we will have a better chance of reversing its effects,” Wesley said.

“I don’t know about you, but my spell tracking skills are a bit lacking,” Xander said.

“That’s ok, honey,” Cordy said reassuringly.

“That’s not something we need to worry about. The spell was performed here,” Willow said in a small voice.

“Are you quite sure?” Giles asked.

“Much sureness,” Willow said with a nod. She didn’t understand why she hadn’t felt it sooner. It was obviously very powerful stuff and she should have felt the effects of it long before now.

“Then, lead on,” Wesley said.

Willow paused and looked up at the two Watchers, “I didn’t feel the spell until long after it was cast. That’s not of the good. Normally a spell can be felt immediately. Whoever cast this spell knew enough to cloak it’s powers until it was complete. They really wanted to make sure it was successful.”

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

“Well then,” Buffy said, “Let’s not keep him waiting.”

The man nodded and led the pair further into the building. Both blondes used their enhanced senses to keep track of where they were being led, but after a while, it became too much. After what seemed like an eternity, the group stopped outside of a large, double door room.

Buffy took the hint, and with the subtly of a freight train, kicked the door open.

“Was that really necessary, luv?” Spike asked with a smirk.

Buffy smiled over her shoulder at him, “No, but it was way more effective.”

“Well, now I’ll just have to replace that door,” The Mayor said from his spot at the desk, “I never really liked the color anyway.”

“Where’s Faith?” Buffy asked.

The Mayor spun around to face the blonde duo. He immediately noticed their defensive stance and how the both seemed to block the other from impending harm. It was quite a sight to behold. He also assumed that they fought like they’d been doing it forever, a well choreographed dance that was learned at birth.

“Kids today,” the Mayor said with a shake of his head, “No manners. It’s sad really. Family values are important. Like milk.”

“Wanna be demons that kidnap my friends don’t get the luxury of respect or manners,” Buffy said with a chipper smile.

“Kidnap?” the Mayor said, “Really, you misunderstood what happened. I kidnapped no one.”

“Looking for me, B?” Faith asked as she seemed to appear from nowhere.

“Thank god you’re ok,” Buffy gushed, completely ignoring the Mayor’s statement.

“Five by five,” Faith said with a shrug.

“Come on, Buffy said, “We need to get out of here.”

Faith gave her a wicked grin, “Speak for yourself, B. Me, I like it here.”

Buffy slowly backed away from the brunette. Something was wrong, way wrong.

‘Spike? What’s going on?’

‘Don’t think that’s Faith, luv.’

‘But, but, Faith’s here. I can feel her.’

‘I’m tellin’ ya, Slayer, that’s not our Faith. Smells all wrong. Evil.’

Buffy’s mouth formed a silent ‘o’. Memories of her little dimensional travel came rushing back to her. This must be that Faith. She knew something had to happen to them. Where was the other one of her?

Without warning, Buffy pounced on the unsuspecting brunette. After effectively pinning her to the ground Buffy turned to the Mayor.

“Where is she?”

The Mayor looked at Buffy like she’d lost her mind, “You have her rather harshly pinned beneath you.”

Buffy rolled her eyes. They really had come up with an ingenious plan. If it weren’t for Spike’s sense of smell, Buffy would have believed this to be her Faith. She shuddered at the thought.

“My Faith,” Buffy said, “The one who isn’t a psychopathic killer.”

From beneath her, Faith grinned widely, “You never did have it in you, B. The darkness. The other part of being a Slayer. That’s why you’ll never beat me. You didn’t then and you won’t now.”

Buffy punched Faith square on the jaw, “Shut up. I totally kicked your ass into a coma and then you ended up in jail when Angel got through with you.”

Faith tried, and failed, to look unaffected by the truth Buffy spoke. She was hoping to do it better this time around; she would do it better this time around.

“What’s the matter, Faith?” Buffy taunted, “Not as much fun this time around?”

It wasn’t. Faith had known the moment she’d shown up that it really wouldn’t be much fun, or nearly as rewarding. It was actually kinda painful. Knowing that here, in this reality, Buffy was coming to save her. No, not her. The her of this reality. This was kinda like one of those things you see in the movies where you’re shown how things could have gone.

“Now, tell me where my Faith is or I’ll put you in more than a coma,” Buffy said. Now that she’d stopped focusing her senses on the Faith in the room, she’d noticed that her Faith was close, but heavily cloaked from her. She was only getting faint signals from her blood sister.

“I don’t think she’ll talk, pet,” Spike said.

“Go find Faith, Spike,” Buffy ordered.

Spike turned to do just that when he was intercepted by an amazingly strong Mayor.

“He’s invincible,” Faith said triumphantly, “Can’t hurt him, or kill him.”

“We’ll see,” Buffy muttered.

Quickly, Buffy hoisted Faith up and held the girl in a dangerous head lock.

“Ok, Demon wanna be, let go of the vampire, or I snap Faith’s neck,” Buffy said with steely determination in her eyes.

A look of concern quickly crossed the Mayor’s face. He really liked the girl. She was good for him, and she needed a good mentor.

“You can’t kill me, B,” Faith choked out, “You kill me, you become me. And you’re not ready for that.”

Instead of responding, Buffy tightened her grip on the girl, “Now or never.”

Noticing the pain his girl was in, the Mayor quickly released the vampire. “Let her go.”

Buffy reluctantly released her hold on Faith. Expecting a blow, she easily ducked the fist that came close to her face. Before she could return the favor, the door burst open. A panicked looking Spike and Faith filled the doorway.

“Buffy, luv, playtimes over,” Spike said, “Say goodnight and let’s get the bloody hell out of here.”

There was something he wasn’t telling her, she could tell. Nodding her understanding she looked at Faith and the Mayor who had come to stand behind her.

“Well, that about sums up my civic duty time,” Buffy said with a smile.

When she reached the door, Faith spoke up, “This thing between us isn’t finished, B.”

A sad smile that only Spike noticed crossed the Slayer’s face, “No, Faith it’s not.”

Once they were outside and walking away from the Mayor’s office, Buffy helped Spike carry Faith. She was badly beaten. Almost her entire body was covered in cuts and bruises. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that the other Faith had been the cause.

“Was she right, Spike?” Buffy asked in a soft voice.

Spike quirked an eyebrow at his Mate, “’Bout what?’

“If I killed her, would I become her? Would I have been able to kill her?” Buffy asked with tears burning the back of her eyes.

Spike took a deep breath that while physically unneeded was greatly needed mentally. “It’s hard to say, Buffy. Depends on how you react to the kill. In part you would have become like her. And seeing as you’re a Slayer, you probably would have liked it just as much as she did.”

Buffy nodded and looked away, ashamed.

‘Buffy? What’s wrong?’

‘I-I wanted to kill her, Spike. I wanted that Faith dead so badly it hurt not to kill her.’

Spike was saved from having to answer. The school was now in view. Buffy handed Faith fully to Spike and hurried ahead of them to prepare a place for Faith to lie down.

Nothing could have prepared her for what she saw when she entered the library. There, standing in the middle of the room was, her. Several hers in fact.

“Buffy?” she tried with apprehension.

As she expected the group of hers turned to face her, the same look of shock on their faces.

“Bloody hell,” Spike bellowed from the door, an unconscious Faith in his arms.

“Spike!” all the Buffy’s exclaimed in unison.

One of the Buffy’s that seemed to be a few years older stepped forward, “She’s evil, you know.”

Spike quirked an eyebrow at the blonde, “What’s that, kitten?”

“Faith,” the older Buffy said, “She’s evil, but so are you so I don’t know why I’m surprised. I’ll bet you’re chipless, too.”

“So, why don’t we just stake his undead ass?” one of the other Buffy’s asked.

“Whoa, Slayers,” Spike said as he took a step back, “Let’s not be quite so stake happy.”

His Buffy spoke up, “There will be no staking of Spike. At least not my Spike. Which he is, mine.”

“But, he’s evil,” the older Buffy said, “It’s wrong. He’s not Angel, or even like Angel. Angel has a soul. You can’t keep Spike.”

At the mention of his Sire’s name, Spike immediately vamped and realized after the fact that it wasn’t exactly the best move he could have made.

“Spike loves me with out a soul,” his Buffy said, “Angel only loved me with the soul, and even then it wasn’t anywhere near as good as Spike.”

“So, he’s a sex god here, too?” another Buffy spoke up.

A purely feminine smile crossed his Buffy’s face, “Oh yeah, much yummy goodness. Sexy Spike goodness.”

“We’re not staking him then?” the older Slayer asked.

“No, there will be no staking. He stays undusty,” his Buffy affirmed.

“Why’s Faith out of jail?” the older Buffy asked.

Realization struck Spike and his Buffy.

“You’re the Buffy from the reality with Glory and evil Faith and Spike,” Spike’s Buffy said.

“Yep,” the older Buffy paused, “Oh, that means you’re the one who zapped me out of where I was supposed to be protecting my little sister.”

“It was the Council.”

“Oh, well that makes sense then.”

Suddenly, the room felt charged. It was familiar to those in the room who had been transported through the dimensions by magic before. For everyone else it felt like all their limbs had gone to sleep. There was a bright flash of light, then the earth beneath them began to shudder.

Buffy fell into Spike, causing him to drop Faith to the ground in a very ungentle fashion. As they slowly regained their footing, one thing was instantly evident: there was only one Buffy.

“Ok,” Buffy said, “No more dimensional travel for me.”

Spike smirked as he picked Faith up and gently laid her on the research table.

Buffy made a face, “Any of me.”

“What happened?” Giles asked as he and the rest of the Scoobies entered the library.

“A literal version of fighting your own demons,” Buffy said, “She had a fight with herself and lost.”

At Giles’ confused face, Buffy elaborated, “She had a fight with the Evil Faith from one of the other dimensions.”

“Ah, yes,” Giles said as he began to polish thin air.

“Uh, G-Man,” Xander said, “It works better with the glasses in your hand.”

Ignoring the young man’s comment, Giles moved over to look at Faith, “We’re sure this is the right one?”

“Yep,” Buffy said, she paused and looked as Spike, “We are aren’t we? Sure, I mean?”

“Yeah, pet,” Spike said, “Smells like our Faith.”

Buffy made an “ick” face and turned away.

“Uh, guys?” Buffy asked, “Why’s Willow unconscious?”

“It appears that the magic drained her energy. After some rest she should be back to top shape,” Wesley said.

No one had time to react, not even Spike. Buffy had Wesley by the throat and was slowly choking the life from him.