“Sit my friend,” Andrew began. “Make yourself comfortable, for the tale I’m to tell you is a long one. The story of Alexander LaVelle Harris is one of danger, horror, adventure, courage, and tragic love.”
Jack sat back in the, long cushioned bench they called a sofa. This boy was obviously relishing the opportunity to tell the tale. And it would be a shame to disappoint the great pouf.
Andrew for his part, knew almost nothing about Xander’s part in the saga of Sunnydale California. Before his own recruitment into the scoobies, he was aware of only the barest details. Hardly enough to make for an entertaining story.
But in the words of one of his idols, Geoffrey Chaucer from A Knight’s Tale, a writer gave the truth scope. Jack Sparrow, by all accounts, had been a legend among pirates. And by god, Andrew intended to make sure Xander looked like a worthy descendant.
“The small hamlet of Sunnydale, in the state of California, was to all outward appearances, a peaceful little town. But all was not as it appeared. The populace went about their daily lives, blissfully ignorant of the eldritch horrors lurking just beneath their feet. Monsters prowled the streets at night, preying on the unwary. Even the town’s Mayor, Richard Wilkins served the Dark Forces, surviving for centuries through his dealings with the denizens of hell.
“Into the midst of this chaos was born Xander Harris. A boy who like the town in which he resided, was more than what he seemed. A diamond in the rough. For though he allowed the world to believe him weak, he had a destiny greater than any could have dreamed. His peers thought him a fool, and laughed at his zany antics. But he let them laugh, and little heeded them. But for that laughter, the dark knowledge he possessed would have driven him mad.”
*****
*SNAP-HISS*
Xander’s enchanted blade of light ignited in the dark of the club, humming with holy energy.
“Get the civilians out.” Xander commanded, never taking his eyes off the monstrosity before him. The monstrosity that until the previous evening, he had called friend.
Giles nodded curtly and with the aid of Willow, began to ferry the frightened Bronze patrons to safety.
Jesse threw back the hood of his dark cloak, his vampiric visage enough to terrify a lesser man. But Xander merely felt remorse.
“Xander,” Jesse grinned. “Come on, it’s me, Jesse. You don’t want to fight me do you?”
“You’re not Jesse.” Xander countered. “You’re the thing that killed him.”
“So be it.” With a hiss, Jesse ignited his own enchanted blade, the dark twin to the saber wielded by Xander. “Your blood will feed the Master.”
“Your harvest ends here.” Xander declared, and with a crackling of power, the two blades crossed.
*****
Buffy buried her face in her hands. Willow’s shoulders shook with giggles that threatened to spill over her hand clamped over her own mouth. Faith shook her head in amusement. “Never knew Drew had it so bad for Xand.”
“A light saber duel?!” Dawn whispered, nearly falling out of her seat with mirth. “Xander accidentally staked Jesse, and Andrew’s turning into a light saber duel?!”
*****
“Land ho Cap’n!” the lookout shouted from the crow’s nest.
Black James Kidd took up the telescope from the holster at his side and looked off into the dark before them. Sure enough, the lights of the city loomed ahead.
“Excellent.” He hissed. “Time for some shore leave gents!” he shouted.
“AARRRRR!!” his crew cheered in response. It had been a long hard voyage from the coast of Africa. Many a time they had thought they’d waste away to nothing in the doldrums. It had been a week since they’d exhausted their supply of prisoners. But the sight of land before them, and the promise of looting, pillaging, and feeding brought their spirits right up.
“How shall we take it Cap’n?” his first mate asked.
“Ah how indeed Ms. Callas.” He murmured. “How indeed. Tell me, how would you take ‘em?”
Bonnie Marie Callas thought for a moment. “Tis a major city Cap’n. Goin’ in guns blazing would just attract too much attention. Best we sneak in quiet and take ‘em by surprise.”
James grinned, and kissed her heartily. “An’ that’s why I changed ye lass. Well, one of the reasons. Take us in silent Mr. Chapman.” He said to the helmsman. We’ll be upon ‘em before they can raise proper alarm.”
“Aye Cap’n.”
Quick instructions to the men had them ready to go. Cutlasses readied, pistols loaded. Tonight the cannons would be silent. For the moment anyway.
“Welcome back to San Francisco me hearties.” James growled with relish.