Welcome to the Fallout

Worlds Collide

Author: Aislynn

Disclaimer: It’s not mine all of it belongs to Joss, and Mutant Enemy. I just fell in love with Buffy from the very first episode.

Summary: AU after the final episode of Angel. This chapter is more about the characters who are going to join the others I hope you like them most are familiar faces ones I was sad were lost.

Rating: NC-17

Chapter 1: Another World and its Champions

A gentle breeze swirled through the darkness brushing against a landscape bathed in tarnished silver. Once bathed in beauty this realm had been a gem its inhabitants were the things dreams and nightmares were made of. That was once upon a time, and this was now.

It was fitting that the once rolling and breath taking landscapes lay bare beneath a tarnished light because everything illuminated by the waning light was dying including the planet and all its inhabitants human and non-human.

War an all out war was waged and this was the consequence. Just one of infinite realms or realities depending upon how you looked at it but none had been decimated quite like this. Unlike other realities and planes of existence this world was seeped in magic and what power and beings existed in other realms were mirrored here only their power was tenfold, their magic magnified and more focused. Even the humans with this realm were made to survive within this rugged landscape.

For all its beauty and wonders since its conception this realm was and always had been a battlefield. The age old war of good versus evil had been waged on various levels as it had within other realms. Not just on its surface in battles but within its inhabitants, as well. Only now the final outcome of the long waged war no longer matter because this realm was in its final moments of glory.

Within the heavens the moon was shattered across the night sky pieces breaking away as its luminance slowly waned. The breezed that caressed the skin of those left while at the moment was refreshingly cool it was slowly turning toxic and within hours would no longer be breathable. As with the moon the sunrise would never show its brilliance for the magic’s used by both sides to wage this war tore the very fabric of this realm to shreds.

Rivers that once brought life were already rapidly beginning to cool and would soon freeze over and the earth that provided sustenance for eons was scorched beyond repair. There would be no recovery; once the last form of life was snuffed out nothing would ever thrive here again. And those who managed to survive the final battle were already dead it just hadn’t caught up with them yet.

Gazing up at the failing moon the Slayer moved with a single-minded purpose to find the remaining members of her clan. So many had fallen, but she knew or rather could feel those that had survived. Ignoring the stench of burning flesh assaulting her senses she waded through the battlefield littered with human, vampire, were, shifter, even dragon, and an infinite variety of demon flesh.

The battle had been fierce and each side had fought with the single minded purpose of wiping out the other. To bad it was all for naught many had spoken out trying to warn the council, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. They hadn’t been willing to hear of any plan of action beyond wiping out their enemy never taking into consideration that a balance existed between evil because neither could survive without the other.

The all knowing council members now lay among the dead, for they were some of the first to fall in battle. Everything was coming to an end she could feel everything around her dying slowly but surely. They didn’t have much time, and they were laying all hopes for their survival within 10 year old girl named Mattie. Mattie was a conduit or as some called her a Key with the ability to open doorways to other realms and realties.

An attempt to open the portals before the final battle failed something had gone wrong and it hadn’t opened or rather it had been open but they had closed it back up the witches weren’t exactly sure what went wrong.

The first attempt had wiped Mattie out and hopefully after a little rest she would be ready to try again fairly soon for time was not on their side. It was a long shot and unfortunately it was the only hope they had at the moment. The witches hopefully figured what went wrong and could help Mattie wield her power and actually open the portal. Otherwise they would all die very soon. Some would last longer than others, but in the end they would all suffer the same fate.

As she neared the ridge she was graced with a familiar sight the palace of the House of Aurellis, its magnificence shattered in the battle but it still stood unlike so many other of the vampire nations royal families. The vampire nation was broken up into a sort of fiefdom. Each vampire held a parcel of land that was his or her kingdom in which they ruled their kind as they saw fit. Beneath them they had various ranks depending upon how they set up their caste system that was left up to each bloodline.

After the vampire nation’s and were Nations sided with the council in the war the other side began to hunt down each family line with the intent purpose of wiping them out for what they saw as a betrayal to their original alliances.

Moving within the gates instinct led her toward the pulse of life she felt and sadness gripped her as she registered only seven life forms which meant many hadn’t made it because before this final battle they had been 50 strong. The sense of being watched was keen and she could feel two pairs of eyes upon her, and a smile touched her lips as she knew they had been keeping watch not for her but to protect the others.

“What took you so long, slayer? I was getting tired of babysitting.” A deep masculine voice came from the shadows. The slayer didn’t even bother pausing in her progress just glanced toward the shadows watching as a figure emerged from the hallway he had been lurking within.

“A war, perhaps you noticed it.” She responded raising a brow and continuing toward the pulse of life she felt. The man besides her moved with an inhuman grace because he wasn’t human or at least not exactly.

He was a were, not a shifter she had seen people mistakenly refer to him as one and seen him tear off a limb or two from the offender. The two were different because were’s were born, and a shifter was infected with a virus that made them shift into what ever type of shifter infected them.

Once upon a time before he allied himself with the council Lindsey had been the alpha male of the strongest clan of were’s within their world until the war wiped all but a few of them out. And since he was the only were she sensed for miles the rest of his clan had fallen during the final battle he was alone.

“Oh I noticed couldn’t miss it. The others didn’t want to try the spell again until you arrived in case it worked I tried to convince them otherwise but your bitch, witches, and watcher wouldn’t hear of it.”

“Lindsey, I would say I am shocked but you know I would be lying.” Sian Summers responded dryly turning to the left heading down the hall leading to the most secure portion of the palace. The palace held unpleasant memories for her, and the only reason she graced its halls now, were it had been the closest and most secure building they had been able to find to give the others refuge otherwise she would have avoided it like the plague.

The hallway that led to the most secure part of the building held portraits of the House’s various leaders and her gaze lingered on the portrait of the last Queen and King of the House her mother and father.

To call them that was a joke for they made a mockery of the roles, and had only brought death and destruction into her life in their attempts to find her and ultimately control her destiny. In the end, it had been her hand that brought them to their end first her mother then her father.

Lindsey flinched as the portrait they were passing burst into flames. Glancing over at Sian he could see a fire within the amber depths of her gaze. Literally she was a perfect blending of the two creatures now being eaten up by flames. Long Chestnut brown hair with lighter gold highlights was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail with a few tendrils escaping after battle caressing her face. And, her face was flawless starting with her most unique feature her eyes.

Long think lashes framed amber eyes that reminded him of a predator. They shifted constantly and were such vivid amber they appeared to be glowing with a ring of gold around the pupil, framed perfectly by two elegantly arched brows. High-set cheek bones framed an elegant nose. Lush lips that were almost perfectly sculpted except for a lower lip that was slightly larger. Flawless skin that possessed a natural sun-kissed hue giving her a natural glow, but it didn’t look like she was the type of girl to sunbathe.

Beautiful was just a word and one that didn’t do the creature next to him justice it was inadequate. Cian was well-endowed but not overly for her height of 5’8, her body was a weapon toned and lean but it wasn’t what caught your attention. The way she moved was like liquid she was completely at ease in her own skin moving as if she had bones in places no human possessed she moved like an animal with purpose. While were’s and vampires were impressive to watch in motion she put both to shame.

As they neared the doors Lindsey stepped forward reaching for toward the door, his progress stopped as Cian’s hand caught his hand within her grasp.

“I am sorry for your loss.” Cian spoke softly reaching out she gently brushed her fingers against his cheek. Lindsey’s eyes closed as he turned his lips into her palm and placed a gentle kiss against her skin.

“It seems we are both the last of our kind.” Lindsey replied as always surprised by these moments of intimacy Cian shared with those she claimed as her own. That she counted him among those within that circle amazed him at times, and drove him to try to become a better man.

This ability is what set her apart from the rest. With little effort she claimed the role a leader and could wear the many masks that were required to be successful in that position. One moment she could be a general or an instrument of death, the next a nurse, and at times a shoulder to cry upon and she was still so young.

Everyone who fought under Cian’s banner laid their lives on the line not for good or the council but for her. In the early days several of his own clan had chosen to leave him to serve under her banner and until they met to discuss an alliance he hadn’t understood. Then they met and found himself in the same situation willing to follow instead of leading.

Cian moved toward the doors pushing them open without stopping, it was time to leave this place behind if they could. Time was slipping away. If they were successful she would ensure that no one suffered in their final hours.

Mattie glared at Jenny and Tara as they sat on either side of her chanting. They were starting to give her a headache, she was only 5 she wasn’t going to be able to remember all this. Then glancing up as the doors opened she burst to her feet ignoring the cries of the two women besides her she took off running.

Cian caught up the ball of sandy curls as Mattie launched herself into her arms.

“I thought you weren’t coming back, everyone else came back even the demon girl, and you still weren’t here.” Mattie sighed pulling back and sliding her hands up along Cian’s cheeks gazing into her eyes.

“I am here now aren’t I?” Cian asked giving Mattie a soft kiss on the nose. “Silly girl, don’t I always come back.”

Mattie nodded sliding her arms around Cian’s neck and giving what she called a snuggle hug.

“Wesley is hurt.” Tara stood up not sure how the Slayer was going to take the news. “We were able to stop the bleeding but he is weak.”

Cian glanced over at Jenny who glanced away and knew the injuries must be serious. Setting Mattie down on the floor letting the girl grasp her hand she moved toward the two witches.

“Why don’t you ask me, I am hurt not deaf.” Wesley growled from where he lay just to the side of the thrones. They were actual thrones encrusted with priceless jewels the seats of power for the former rules of the vampire house.

Moving toward the gruff voice of her Watcher Cian let Mattie’s hand go and Tara slipped in picking up the young girl whispering to her softly, as they moved a little ways away.

Lying in the shadows Wesley watched as Death walked toward him. Their enemies feared her, and for good reason. Several names were given to her the most recent the harbinger of death because that is what she did it was what she was called to do. Though he knew she was the last Slayer to grace this earth, she was far more than that.

The council hadn’t anticipated this Slayer who surpassed even her mother Elizabeth Summers who had once been greatest Slayer that was ever called. The fact that one such as her was called was unheard of because she wasn’t entirely human. Upon her birth the council deemed her an abomination and called for her death. In the end, she had been their saving grace.

The council deemed the child the work of their enemies for such a child should never have existed for she was an abomination born of a Slayer turned vampire and a vampire with a soul. Rumors abounded about her parents but Wesley knew one rumor was true that her father Angel lost his soul the day she was born as he held his newborn child within his arms finding his one moment of true happiness.

The council sent riders out to enforce the death sentence which is how they learned they learned the child’s parents were also frantically searching for the child. While her mother recovered the Slayer’s mother the child’s grandmother spirited her grandchild away from her own daughter and the girl’s father fearing for the child’s life.

Rupert Giles the fallen Slayer’s former watcher helped Joyce hide the child while he convinced the council to protect the child for she was an innocent. Of course there was a prophesy there was always a prophesy and Rupert used that to attain his goal and his place as the child’s watcher. Joyce survived for a few years but eventually was captured and killed by her daughter and her mate when they tried to use her in an unsuccessful bid to lure child to their side.

Giles died at the hands of his former Slayer who was searching for her child. Wesley fresh out of the council was assigned to be her watcher. At first he had been a little pissed he wasn’t assigned to a Slayer in waiting. He was greeted by Jenny the girl’s guardian who led him to the girls training room. All his anger faded away as he watched the 13 year old girl training she moved like nothing he had seen before.

This girl of only 12 had been trained and finely honed her entire life since the moment she was able to stand her training began. When they were first introduced he watched her assessing gaze, and was a little insulted when she found him lacking. They did not get along to well that first year or the following for that matter. Luckily Jenny was there to be the buffer between the two of them for they may have killed one and other.

The council was loosing the war and they were desperate. In just a little over a year they had lost 14 slayers. It was pathetic as soon as they were called they were hunted down and extinguished until the last one Lisa had fallen and none of the girls the potentials were called. During this turmoil their enemies began to pick off the potentials one by one.

He was making no progress with Cian she fought him at every turn and he didn’t blame for he was so arrogant at the time 23 and he thought he knew everything. So sure he was destined for better things than taking care of a half-breed, he didn’t realize that Cian had been activated, that she had been a potential all along.

Wesley had nothing better to do since Cian all but ignored him, then he began to read Giles journals, and he learned about Cian’s past. From the moment Joyce whisked her granddaughter away they were hunted, never knowing a moment’s peace. Angelus and Buffy were relentless in the desire to have their child within their grasp.

It was under Wesley’s watch that they finally captured her one evening when after one of their fights she took off despite his ordering her to stay in. What happened within the walls of this palace he didn’t know nor had pried not really wanting the knowledge know never asked but after a few weeks she appeared on her own beaten, bloody, with bite marks on her neck having escaped on her own.

A few months had passed everything seemed alright Cian was recovered or at least appeared to be. Then Jenny came to him to discuss Cian coming of age. For a vampire born they came of age at various times but normally they hit puberty around 16-25. They would no longer age and the hunger would start to become more prevalent. Up until then he had been blind to the fact that Cian had been feeding never from a person but she did feed. They were unsure of what would happen with her because of her mother. Jenny confessed that although Cian wasn’t like other born vampires Giles had been fairly certain that Cian would come of age.

So they waited nothing seemed to change she could still go out into the light of day though it did hurt her eyes a little. But nothing seemed out of the ordinary until the day she faced her mother. Angelus and Elizabeth were slaughtering a family of wiccan’s who caught their attention. They were able to save only one young girl Tara.

Angelus was on the far side of the battlefield cut off from his mate, but Wesley was close enough to them to hear and see everything. Elizabeth was a formidable fighter from legend with the added abilities of a vampire queen she was made to prevail. Only this time she didn’t. The fight between the two was a blur really one moment they were moving the next Elizabeth was screaming for Angelus and Wesley watched horrified as Cian drained her own mother. Angelus tore through the fighters only to arrive as his mate turned to dust.

“That was for my grandmother.” Cian growled her eyes glowing licking her lips ignoring the remains of her mother swirling around her feet. “You will die because of Giles.” Angelus ran for the first time in his life not just before them but before those of his house who stood no longer fighting for their Queen was gone, they fled after their King. In the minds of a few they had a new Queen for in their world one fought for what one wanted and when Cian drained Elizabeth she claimed the throne for her own. The dissention in House Aurellis began, and paved the way for the vampire houses allying themselves with the council.

Cian gave no outward show of emotion as she knelt besides her watcher. “I thought you were better than this.” Cian raised a brow looking at the wound.

“I am she is not.” Wesley couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and grasping Cian’s hand nodding his head toward the direction of the shadows. The latest addition to their group was a demon that specialized in vengeance that lost her powers through her own actions.

“Well once your better you will have to have to teach Anya, how to fight.” Cian glanced up to see the woman move from the shadows.

“I keep forgetting, that I am not myself anymore and threw myself toward a keltog demon, Wesley shoved me out of the way.” Anya shrugged not sure how else to explain.

Cian could taste her fear and looked back at Wesley. “It will be painful for awhile but you’ll live.” Cian tightened her grip on his hand. “You know what I have to do there is luckily no internal damage.”

“Yes.” Wesley gritted his teeth as he watched her eyes begin to glow.

“Think back to all the times you yelled at Jenny for giving me lessons in Magic. A Slayer has no need for Magic she has everything she needs right here.” Cian smiled mimicking Wesley’s voice as she began to focus on the wound. The smell of burning flesh filled the immediate area as the wound sealed itself leaving a jagged scar.

Wesley took several ragged breaths. The wound was closed but would still take time to heal completely. Letting her hand go he trailed his fingers across her cheek. “Then I had no idea you weren’t just a Slayer.”

“Time to go or are we going to stop with the hugs and cuddles and get going. In case, you didn’t notice we don’t have much time.” A irritate and clipped voice filled the room, and Cian smiled Cordy apparently arrived.

“Could you any more of a bitch?” Lindsey growled from where he waited Mattie snuggling in his arms.

“You said bitch.” Mattie cut eyes wide open in surprise at his language.

“I know I owe you a ride.” Lindsey said cursing himself because now he was going to have to literally shift and take Mattie for a ride.

Cordy walked into the room her hair was long but sleek back in a ponytail. A sword was attached to her back, and slender blades attached to her thighs. Though these were secondary weapons she herself was a weapon a shifter of the Leopard variety.

Cian stood helping Wesley to his feet. He stumbled a bit and Anya came out of the shadows and slid her arm around him.

“I’ll take him.” Anya wasn’t sure what to do she had been taken in by Cian without question. There had been no proving she was no longer Evil she had been made part of the group immediately. Never had anyone accepted her just as she was, it made her want to belong and be useful.

“It’s time, Mattie.” Cian said softly her gaze falling on Mattie who gazed up at her from Lindsey’s arms.

“It hurts.” Mattie whispered, sliding out of Lindsey’s arms and moving toward Cian.

“I know, but we talked about this earlier.” Cian took Mattie’s hand leading her to where Tara and Jenny were already waiting.

“It will be for a moment and when it’s done we will be somewhere new.” Mattie squeezed her hand.

“And we will all be there with you.” Lindsey cut in.
“I am ready.” Mattie replied letting Cian’s hand go and walking into the circle.

Cian watched as they began the magic the child weaved began to spill out of the circle and then just like before a vortex opened.

“It’s open.” Jenny said her eyes completely back. “For how long I don’t know so we need to move now.”

Everyone moved toward the vortex and Cian picked up Mattie. “It’s going to be a better place isn’t it.” Mattie asked softly.

“It has to be.” Cian sighed and after the others had gone through she and Mattie stepped through, as well.