This one is very different from Pilgrimage. The Buffyverse is intact up until Seeing Red, but I hated what happened so much I stopped following the series. I watched some episodes of the seventh season here and there and, like all W/T fans I know, I thought it was absolute crap. So while reading Anarkia forget everything after Seeing Red, alright?
Here goes nothing:
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Title: Anarkia
Author: eletricblu
Rating: PG-13 now for language, but it' likely to go up.
Spoilers: Everything until Seeing Red, maybe just a little bit of what happened later like the coven and all, but nothing major
Summary: It is said 'What a higher power has decreed must come to pass. But what a man has made for himself he can modify or unmake. The first is fate, the second destiny.' But when someone tampers with Fate, it's up to one stubborn young woman to right things.
Disclaimer: Buffy characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, yadda, yadda, yadda... The Original Characters are of my own making, thus belong to me.
Note: I'll me making references and mentions of several myths and religious beliefs, I don't mean to insult anyone's faith, so don't take it personaly, ok?
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[center]ANARKIA[/center]
Prologue - Divine Intervention
Pale green eyes flashed angrily as the young woman glared at the people before her.
“I’ve had enough of this bullshit! This has gone on for far too long and I’m tired of doing nothing!” she growled, clenching her fists.
“You’re letting yourself get emotionally involved, little sister.” the blonde man said, shaking his head.
“Emotionally involved? Brother, how can I do anything else? Am I not supposed to care, to protect them? How can I do so by being impartial?” she ran a nervous hand through her hair.
He sighed, knowing she was right, but fearing her fate should she interfere. “We can’t directly interfere, little one.”
The young woman scowled. “What about him? Is what he’d been doing not called interference?” She turned to the beautiful golden haired woman. “Mother, this can’t go on. I can’t stand their suffering.”
The older woman smiled sadly, feeling her child’s pain. “I know, my darling. It pains me so to see you like this. I’m so proud of you, of how much you love your charges, but…”
“We can’t break the rules, sister.” the blonde man completed regretfully.
“Fuck the rules, brother! He broke them first, I’m not about to let this go on!” she snarled.
“You can’t prove it!” he growled back, getting angry himself.
“I don’t care! I know what he did, fuck, you know what he did! I will make this right, I don’t care what Mister High-and-Mighty does, I’ll fight him if I have to!”
“I don’t want you to get hurt, little one.” her mother whispered.
Green eyes softened as she gazed at the woman who birthed her. “Mother, this is hurting me. It hurts worse than any physical wound that anyone could ever inflict on me.”
“It looks like we can’t convince you to do otherwise.” said her father, who until then had been silent.
She looked at her father with determination, gazing seriously into eyes of the same green as her own. “No, you can’t. I want your blessing, father, but I’m going to do this with or without it.”
The man smiled, his ruggedly handsome face shining with pride for his offspring. “Then go ahead, spitfire. You’re strong and you have more honor and spirit than anyone I’ve ever seen. I know you’ll succeed in your mission.”
Her face broke into a wide smile and she threw herself into his arms, basking in the warmth that filled her chest when his muscled arms circled her back.
“I’m proud of you.” he murmured, pressing a kiss on her forehead before releasing her.
She grinned at him before turning to the other members of her family. “Mother, brother?”
Her mother drew her into an embrace, lips curving into a beautiful smile. “My little one, I can’t tell you how worried I am for you, but I know you have to do this. It’s in your very nature to protect your loved ones and I’m proud of you. Your father is right, little one, you can do anything you set your mind to.”
“Thank you, mommy.” she whispered, using the moniker she hadn’t used since she was knee high.
The young woman finally turned to her older brother, who was watching the scene with crossed arms and a scowl on his handsome face. She raised a dark eyebrow, silently asking his opinion.
His lips twitched as he tried to hold back a smile. “You, sis, are a damn bulldog when you get something in your thick skull.”
She stared at him defiantly. “And you just figured that out?”
He chuckled, rolling his bright blue eyes. “You really get on my nerves, you know? You’re going to go on with this madness no matter what anyone says, so I might as well be on your side. Just don’t come crying to me when you get your ass kicked, ok?”
“As if!” she snorted, then quickly sobered. “I’ll better get going.”
“Good luck, if you need a hand, just call and I’ll see what I can do.”
She stared at her brother, surprised at his offer. “Really?”
He shrugged. “I can spare you a few recruits.”
“Thanks!” she threw her arms around his neck and smacked a kiss on his cheek.
“Godspeed, little one.” her mother gave her a last hug and her father patted her shoulder.
She waved at her family and vanished.
* * * * * * *
Diana sat upright, gasping for breath. Something had awakened her, a foreign presence in her room. She looked around, not seeing anyone. Squaring her shoulders, the middle-aged woman rose. The presence was strong and commanding, but at the same time gentle and caring. She didn’t feel any threat, but had to be careful.
“I know someone’s here, show yourself.” she said strongly.
She heard a chuckle and a young, feminine voice whispered in her ear. “Very good, Priestess. You’re smarter than I thought.”
Diana whirled around, still not seeing anyone. “Who are you?” she demanded, gathering energy inside herself, ready to start a spell if need be.
“Don’t worry, I’m not a threat.”
“Well, excuse me for doubting a bodiless voice in the middle of the night before Samhain, call me paranoid if you will.” Diana said sarcastically.
Youthful laughter echoed through the room and Diana found herself face to face with a tall dark woman in a hooded cloak. “Better now?”
“Who are you?” Diana repeated her early question.
“You can call me Mel.”
“I’m Diana.”
Mel smiled, bowing her upper body in a show of respect. “Well met, Priestess Diana.”
Diana smiled back, relaxing slightly. “And what do you want from me, Mel?”
“You see, I was told you have a special connection with someone I need to see.” Mel explained vaguely.
Diana furrowed her brows. “And who would that be?”
“A certain pagan Goddess.”
The Priestess’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?”
Mel smiled, her white teeth glinting from under the dark hood. “Let’s just say I have friends in high places. Thing is, I need to speak with your Goddess, but I can’t reach her dwelling. I need your help calling her here.”
“And why would I do that? How can I know you’re not trying to trick me?” Diana shot her a suspicious look.
Mel sighed. “Look, I’m doing this to save two souls. I know you can sense no evil in me, I can give you an oath that I don’t intend to hurt anyone.”
Diana nodded reluctantly. “Alright, but it’s not that easy, I can’t simply call the Goddess here. I’ve never actually seen her, she comes to me in dreams, I have no control over this.”
“Just try, please.” Mel pleaded. “It’s very important.”
Diana sighed and closed her eyes, sending a prayer to the Goddess. Mel watched the woman intently, noticing the energy surrounding her. It was pure white, the color of a Chosen. She had no doubt the woman could call onto her Goddess.
Finally, another presence entered the room. Mel looked at the Priestess, who seemed to be in a trance, then at the newcomer. She was a petite woman, with long flowing auburn hair and kind gray eyes. Mel bowed low to the Goddess.
“Rise, Melia, you need not bow to me.”
Mel looked up and nodded in acknowledgment. “So you know who I am. Do you know why I am here too?”
“Yes, young one, I do.” smiled the Goddess.
“And do you approve of my decision?”
The Goddess’s piercing eyes stared right into Mel’s soul. “And if I didn’t, would that detain you?”
“No.” Mel answered firmly, not breaking eye contact.
The Goddess smiled gently, reaching out a hand to caress Mel’s cheek. “You have a pure soul, one that’s filled with love for humankind. You’re intentions are pure, you want to help one of my beloved followers defy Fate. You feel their pain as your own, don’t you?”
“Yes and it’s tearing me apart. I have to help them.”
“Then you may come with me, young one.”
Mel smiled widely, drawing the Goddess into a spontaneous hug. The Goddess’s lilting laughter filled the room as the two disappeared, leaving Diana safely on her bed, sound asleep.
* * * * * * *
Mel stepped onto a lush meadow. "Wow." she said.
She looked up into a perfect blue sky dotted with fluffy, cotton candy clouds. "So this is your Land of the Dead?" she asked the Goddess.
"Something like that." the Goddess smiled. "Now I leave you to your task. Good luck, young Melia."
Mel suddenly found herself alone and shook her head at the Goddess's dramatics. She wandered toward a stand of trees, knowing her charge had to be there somewhere. She breathed in the sweet smelling air, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the place. The dark haired woman shed her heavy cloak, not seeing any use concealing her appearance. She stretched and started looking for her charge.
She few steps toward the trees when she heard voices behind her. She turned and found a single tree at the top of a green hill. Under the tree she could see two people talking and she knew instantly that one of them was her elusive charge.
“Hello.” she greeted, walking up to the two women.
They looked up and Mel marveled at how similar they looked. Same blonde hair, same slate blue eyes, even their expressions as they gazed at her were alike.
“Who are you?” asked the older woman.
“You people are a suspicious lot, aren’t you?” Mel grinned. “I’m Mel.”
“Are you an angel?” the younger blonde asked quietly.
Mel looked at her blankly, then followed the young woman’s eyes to the white wings on her back. “Oh, these? Nah, they’re kind of family traits. Besides, you don‘t believe in angels, I wouldn‘t be here if I was one.”
“Then what are you?”
“I’m… a friend. I’m here to help you, Tara.” she looked at the young woman with a gentle smile.
“How do know my name?” she asked nervously.
“I’ve been watching you for a long time, I know a great deal about you.”
“How do you mean to help my daughter?”
“Now don’t be so suspicious, Julia, you know I couldn’t be here without the permission of your Goddess.” Mel shook her finger playfully at the older woman.
Julia nodded, finally smiling.
Mel turned to Tara. “You’re not happy here, are you?”
“I… I…” Tara didn’t know how to answer.
“Let me rephrase it. You’re not unhappy, but you’re… unfulfilled. Something’s missing, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Tara’s eyes filled with tears. “Willow…”
Mel nodded. “Your soulmate. Let me tell you a story.” she motioned for them to sit down and joined them. “A bard once told the story of soulmates: ’Once, a long, long time ago, all people had four legs and two heads. And then the gods threw down thunderbolts, and split everyone into two. Each half then had two legs and one head. But the separation left both sides with a desperate yearning to be reunited. Because they each shared the same soul. And ever since then, all people spend their lives searching for the other half of their soul.’ It’s an interesting story, but not exactly true. Soulmates don’t share the same soul, nor everyone has a soulmate. Some souls, special souls, need another to feel complete. They’re fine on their own, but when they find their mate, they’re better, complete. That’s how you feel about Willow, isn’t it?”
Tara had tears streaming down her face and she leaned against her mother’s shoulder. “Yes, that’s exactly it. I miss her so much…”
“You don’t need to anymore. I’m here to bring you to her.”
“What?” Tara sat upright. “How is that p-possible?” she stammered. “I’m d-dead.”
Mel looked at her seriously. “You weren’t meant to be dead, Tara.”
“What?”
“Tara, a lot of things happened that weren’t meant to. I can’t explain right now, I’m already breaking too many rules here. I’ll bring you back to Willow, but you’ll have to trust me.”
Slate blue locked with pale green for a long moment. “Can you really do it?”
Mel knelt in front of Tara, putting her hands on the blonde’s shoulder. “I can and I will. Tara, your love is one of the strongest and most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I hated to see you two torn apart, I have to make it right. You and Willow are meant to be, you deserve to be together and you will be if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Is… Is she really suffering?”
Pale green eyes filled with sadness. “You have no idea how much, Tara. Here you have some measure of peace, but down there… Tara, she’s filled with so much darkness I fear she may lose herself. Willow needs you, now more than ever.”
Tara swallowed hard and took a deep breath. “Take me to her.”
Mel breathed a sigh of relief. “Let’s go then.” she helped Tara up and they turned to Julia.
“Momma…”
“Go, sweetheart, and be happy. We’ll see each other again, hopefully many, many years from now.”
The blondes embraced and Tara turned to Mel. “Will I remember this?”
“You’ll remember you were here with your mother, but not what happened during your stay. It won’t be like what happened with your Slayer friend.”
“Was Buffy meant to d-die?”
“I can’t tell you that.” Mel said regretfully.
The brunette put her cloak back on, hiding her folded wings. “I’ll have to do something about that.” she commented absently.
“Take care of my daughter, please.” Julia asked softly.
“She’ll have Willow to do that for her, but I’ll watch over them.” Mel winked and put an arm around Tara. “Shall we?”
Tara nodded and, after a last wave to Julia, they were gone.
To Be Continued…
How is it? Anyone have any idea what's going on yet? There are a few hints, some subtle, some not so subtle. Let's see who will be the first to figure it out.
Feedback please?
See ya!
eletricblu
, right?
