Post by The Muse on Jun 26, 2009 1:18:51 GMT -5
We are here to celebrate the winners of each writing challenge. Every winner is awarded 350 karma points and this badge to wear with pride:
CHALLENGE #1 - FAVORITE CHARACTER/RELATIONSHIP (Three-Way Tie):
CHALLENGE #2 - VILLAIN'S POV:
CHALLENGE #3 - BATTLES
CHALLENGE #4 - CROSSOVERS
CHALLENGE #5 - DREAMS
CHALLENGE #6 - OUTSIDER PERSPECTIVE
Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to all future participants!
CHALLENGE #1 - FAVORITE CHARACTER/RELATIONSHIP (Three-Way Tie):
- Slayer Love Logic by siredbyspikeTitle: SLAYER LOVE LOGIC
Fandom: BUFFY
Pairing/Characters: BUFFY/SPIKE (FROM BUFFY'S P.O.V)
Summary: SEASON 6 DURING BUFFY AND SPIKE'S LITTLE FLING, IT IS BUFFY'S FEELINGS ABOUT SPIKE AND A LITTLE OF WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON IN HER HEAD
Rating: I WOULD ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION AND SAY PG-13
Warnings: SEXUAL SITUATIONS (OR METAPHORS FOR THEM ANYHOW) AND I ALSO MENTION BATTLE/BLOOD/DEATH
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THIS POEM, I AM MERELY OBSESSED WITH THEM. JOSS WHEDON IS LORD AND MASTER OF ALL THE BUFFYVERSE, I HUMBLY PAY MEEK HOMAGE TO HIS BRAINCHILD BELOW.
Word Count: 385
Type:FREE VERSE POEM
Author's note: This is the first time i have ever written about the Buffyverse.
Deep inside me
where the fly in the logic ointment
lives with the insane troll,
i struggle with so many heavy emotions
and walk a threadbare tightrope of control.
Sometimes i feel defeated
even as i am thrusting the stake home,
seeing my chances at a normal life
flutter away with the ash motes
that sting my eyes in the quiet night.
I am swift, silent death on sure feet
yet you remain the only shadow
that can slowly creep up behind me,
and somehow take me off guard
electrifying me with need.
The only thing with enough strength
to pull me out of my selfish fugue
in which i try to hide,
is the ebb and flow of your former chivalrous soul
and being swept away by your peroxide tide.
There is no room for thinking
in your violent velvet crush
a different dance of hunter meeting hunted
that is much more frightening to me
than weapons or bloodshed.
Swimming in your feral flesh
unleashes unknown monsters inside me
and as they claw and roar
i realize in the darkness we make
i am discovering something more.
While i was at peace
and not there for my loved ones
you were their unrewarded protector,
counting down the days you missed me
behind all the swagger clad in black leather.
I've never been too great at good relationships,
Chosen ones are meant to be alone,
and every guy i'm with eventually leaves
so maybe that's why i can't deal
and i'm basking in letting us be.
Maybe you are more than convienient,
you don't judge or depend
you understand me like no one else
i cry on your dead shoulder about my life
and you have been through your own hells.
I could be afraid of living again
because of losing the things i do manage to feel
these are the words i won't tell my friends
because i'd rather figure out for myself first
if any part of it is pretend.
I feel like i'm fumbling into love's gut
i don't know when it snuck up and swallowed me whole
being damaged goods i don't know the price we'd have to pay for this,
so please understand if i change my mind
and prefer to dig my way out in strong slayer silence.******* - Pagan Flames by Secret ScoobieTitle: Pagan Flames
Fandom: Buffy
Pairing/Characters: Willow/Tara
Summary: Tara healing Willow’s pain after Oz left her, and Willow discovered her heart within her soulmate. Written from Willow’s eyes.
Rating: G
Medium: Poetry – OPEN/Clerihew Style (Despite content) AABB Rhyme.
Warnings: Supernatural themes.
Disclaimer: Whedon owns these characters and all their awesomeness. I’m merely playing with them – no copyright intended!
Word Count: 126
Pagan Flames
Witching hour is creeping,
Through hearts of blossom beating.
The earth, wind and sea throw sighs.
I lose my Were; overcome in her eyes.
The shreds of grief show skin, abraised
But healing arms protect me, saved.
Shelter cast through Lethe & Bramble.
With a whisper of heat; extra-flamey candle.
Where once an empty wicked hole,
Replenished in love by a wiccan soul.
Truth incensed through eyes exquisite.
By spellful voice; darkness inhibit.
Burning aside the shadows, compel.
Enchanted, completely, under her spell.
By way of lips, peaceful wars,
She breathes eternally; “I am Yours.”
Encircled in hints of a gaian tryst.
My life in your palms, willed to exist.
Our hearts engraved, our beings one,
The eve of that night; love just begun.******* - Questions by hitnrun017Title: Questions
Fandom: Angel
Pairing/Characters: Wesley/Lilah
Summary: During Calvary, Wesley and Lilah have a conversation in Angel's office.
Rating: PG-13 - not suitable for under 13.
Warnings: Suggestive Dialogue
Disclaimer: I do not own Wesley or have a relationship with Lilah. (As much as I want to).
Word Count: 501
Author's Note: Thank you to two great actors.
Lilah Morgan paced around Angel's office, hand covering the wound where The Beast tried eviscerating her. She knew Wesley was watching her and kind of hoped he would come in. "I should have had these people killed years ago, it would have simpled my life up so much. All this petty little drama in the middle of an apocalypse? These people really are all idiots... and now I'm in the middle of it."
Wesley Wyndam-Pryce stood in the middle of the lobby, watching Lilah in Angel's office. "It's weird that the hotel is so empty, I don't think there have ever been so many people here. Angelus has brought out the worst in us, it's sickening what has happened. I think this was a mistake... Lilah." He walked towards the office.
"You felt that didn't you...?"
Lilah turned around and saw Wesley closing the door as he walked in. "The tension?" he continued.
"With a knife you could cut it," she replied sarcastically.
"She knowsm" Wesley said.
"She...?" Lilah smiled. "Ah, so Little Miss Dairy Queen finally found out your little secret. How? No wait, that's a dumb question. The "great" Angelus finally gutted the elephant in the room, didn't he? So, how does that make you feel?"
"Disgusting," Wesley answered. "Like something sick has crawled beneath my skin."
"Oh come on, Wes. By the sound of it you didn't deny the whole thing."
"No, I didn't, as much as I wanted to."
"Maybe try being a bit less dramatic then. To me that means you think it isn't that bad."
"Don't flatter yourself. You couldn't possibly know how this feels to me," Wesley said coldy. "Having this... thing with you, the enemy. I've betrayed my friends and the woman I -"
Lilah began to laugh. "Friends? You are joking right? Wesley, you're as much an outsider here as I am. These people aren't your friends, not anymore. And if the next word out of your mouth was 'love', you are one confused man. I was the one who was there for you. And where were your friends? I am the enemy, but that doesn't mean I didn't care. Besides, we both know it kinda turned you on."
"You were using me."
"And you're certain about that?"
"I..." Wesley stopped.
They both stood there for a moment, staring at each other. Lilah walked closer to Wesley. "I have questions," she told him.
"I can already guarantee you that I don't have the answers, as much as I'd like to." He looked away.
"It's about Angel and his soul." Wesley's eyes met Lilah's again. "Perfect happiness causes him to lose it, correct?"
"...Yes, with Buffy," he answered.
"Well, it got me thinking about what we have -"
"Had," Wesley interrupted.
"- had." Lilah smirked then paused for a second. "Did I ever make you happy? Is that what caused you to lose yours?" A look of sadness could be read across her face.
Wesley stared her. "...Not once." He turned around and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
"Yes, you did."
Staring at the door, Lilah Morgan wiped away a single tear.*******
CHALLENGE #2 - VILLAIN'S POV:
- Illyria's Confrontation by siredbyspikeTitle: Illyria's Confrontation
Challenge: Villain's POV Drabble
Fandom: Angel
Pairing/Characters: Illyria/Wesley
Summary: It's from Illyria's POV, that's really all i can say until you read it.
Rating: PG-13 there is talk of violence
Warnings: violence, slight gore speak
Disclaimer: These characters were created by Joss Whedon, i am just having fun here!
Word Count: 100
Author's Note: Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read this to all who do!
I do not like the looks of you. You are puny and unpleasant to my newly human eyes. Even though you reek of fetid death, I have the strangest urge to swallow you whole. I wish to dissect you and prod you with sharp, hot objects just to see if you deserve to be killed by one such as me. I desire to see your innards decorating my footpath. It unnerves me that you do not move to stop my wrath.
I bite into you and hear no screams.
“How's the taco, Illyria?”
“It pleases me Wesley. You have more?”
CHALLENGE #3 - BATTLES
- Logical Mania by zorthripTitle: Logical Mania
Challenge: #3 Battle Scene
Fandom: Buffy/Firefly
Pairing/Characters: Drusilla and River
Summary: Instead of a conventional battle, mine portrays a battle of wits, or powers, or crazy, or whatever you wanna call it. It is about a chess match between the future seeing Drusilla and the mind reading River
Rating: Not sure, let you be the judge
Warnings: There be a bit of violence, kinda.
Disclaimer: I do not own Drusilla and River.
Word Count: 851
Author's Note: Thanks to my betas for pointing out silly errors such as the word “the” twice in a row and what not. While I am not much of a Twilight fan, I must give Stephanie Meyer a nod. This idea was somewhat inspired by the chess match between Edward and Alice in one the books.
Inside a large, dark room, two women stand beside chairs placed at a small wooden table. On the table rests a chess board set up and ready to be played. The paler of the two women runs her hands along the sides of her black frock, the red trim standing out against her skin. She purrs as if warming up to the event. The other woman, standing in a loose black dress, stares inquisitively at her opponent, as if trying to piece together some puzzle.
River bends down, producing a coin from inside her combat boots. She stands straight and flips it very high into the air saying, “The statistical probability of such an equally weighted object landing on one side of the other is approximately 49.99983%, leaving a 0.00034% chance of landing on the edge at any point, and that’s only when ignoring factors such as …”
“Heads, because they taste better than bottoms,” Drusilla interrupts as the loud clap of River capturing the coin between her hands fills the room. River checks the coin and nods toward Drusilla. “I always have more fun in the black. No Mr. Sun ruining my party,” she says as the competitors move to sit at the appropriate side of the table. Immediately upon sitting, River reaches forward, moving the pawn in front of her king forward two spaces. “Eight little soldiers all in a row, here to protect the aristocracy from those of less privileged means,” Drusilla states while staring fixedly at her own pieces. After a few moments, she looks up slightly, noticing the moved piece. “That little tin man has been naughty. Stepping out of line while the monarchy is left without clothes. He shall be punished.” She moves the knight on her left side up two spaces and right one, threatening the moved pawn.
“The Alekhine’s Defense fails seven out of ten times in this scenario,” River coldly states, bringing a pout to her opponent’s lips. “That is unless the quantum and intangible nature of identity causes the pieces to transfer particles of their controller into themselves, giving you a total of sixteen small, plastic, constantly regenerating, undead soldiers.”
At this, the pout slowly retreats and her gaze seems to move upward toward the ceiling. “The stars, they show me small children with pitch forks coming from the bog to tell the captain it’s their turn to ride the pony.” Her gaze returns to River as a second white pawn is moved forward to protect the one in danger. “But he won’t let them. ‘Single file,’ he said, but they won’t listen. They only understand the rules,” she says to River, a slight smile coming across her face.
“The stars can tell you, through mathematical calculations, things such as the gravitational forces surrounding it as well as it orbits of object within its sphere of influence. I’m not so sure that they can measure the move my pieces will make before they actually move in a localized sense. That is unless the stars are near a wormhole that connects to the appropriate time and space. Is there a wormhole?”
Drusilla, ignoring the ramble, examines the board intently to decide her next move, while River stares at her as if still trying to work out an enigma.
Then, as if she has been meaning to say it for some time, River blurts out, “You don’t breathe.” Drusilla looks up and nods. After a short pause, “You must have a pulmonary CO2/O2 conversion system implanted. That could also explain the change in your epidermal color scheme.” Drusilla shrugs nonchalantly as if not knowing the answer and not caring, and returns her gaze to the board.
After a couple minutes of River staring at Drusilla as she stares at the board, Drusilla’s head cocks to the side as if trying to hear something in the distance. After a moment of listening and staring off into the distance, her pout returns. “The king of night and the king of light are not friends. Nor are the friends of their subjects. One by one they trickle way. Drip. Drip. Drip. Then Mr. Night and Miss Knight are all alone in the garden with walls and priests forming around. They just want to be alone to enjoy the daffodils, but the light beams down burning them to cinders.” As Drusilla speaks, River begins smiling, not at the words but as if seeing or listening to something else. Drusilla reaches out toward her king and lays him on his side, forfeiting the game.
“You should have gone with the Nimzowitch Defense. This is the outcome when you allow astronomical formations to play chess for you,” River states while shaking her head in disapproval. Her head jerks up quickly bringing all her attention to Drusilla. “What do my eyes have to do with it?” The loud noise of chairs sliding along the floor fills the room as both women jump to their feet, fangs and fists ready for a fight.
As Drusilla leaps across the table at River, scattering chess pieces all over the place, she screams, “EVERYTHING!”
CHALLENGE #4 - CROSSOVERS
- Where Nobody Knows by WyndamTitle: Where Nobody Knows
Challenge: #4 Crossovers
Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Jurassic Park.
Characters: Vi, Adelita, Jill, Libby and Claire, Rona.
Summary: Vi and four Slayers from the New York squad investigate possible demonic activity on an uncharted island off the coast of Costa Rica. Set after Time of Your Life.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Language and violence.
Disclaimer: Vi, Rona, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Jurassic Park are not my creations.
Word Count: 2,999
Author's Note: Thank you, thank you, thank you to my editor!
Wind and rain swirled into the hangar as the hatch of the C-130 Hercules Military carrier plane started to open.
Vi shielded her eyes with her arm and pulled her goggles down. She turned to Adelita and motioned for her to ready the rest of the team.
“One more minute!” Vi heard in her helmet radio. She responded with a wave as she stepped closer to the lowering ramp.
Thunder rumbled in the distance as four other Slayers surrounded Vi. She turned and received confirmatory nods from each of them. Vi launched herself out of the plane into the howling storm.* * *
“Why isn’t the South American squad handling this? Or Florida?” Vi asked.
“Sorry, girl. Both are tied up in Northern Africa. An issue with some Abraccian demon lords,” Rona replied, handing Vi the new mission profile.
“I guess that leaves my squad then,” Vi said, taking the file folder and flipping through, “Costa Rica? What’s there?”
“Actually, an island off the coast, to be exact. We’ve received some intel that a group of Ninturian demons are gathering numbers there. Forming an army or something. They’re a hive species, so you and the girls are going in to kill the queen.”
“Let me guess, kill the queen and the hive is finished?” Vi asked.
“You got it. Time is short, so gather your four best girls. You head out in twelve hours…”* * *
The rain whipped at Vi’s face as she and the other four Slayers fell through the air. Occasionally, lightning would crackle in the distance, illuminating the lush green trees of the tropical island below.
Vi waited until the appropriate time and pulled a cord on her vest. A large parachute sprung from her backpack and spread out behind her. She was jerked backwards as the rushing wind caught her parachute and took control.
The storm whipped Vi around violently as she fought to maintain control of her descent onto the island. Vi looked around, locating each of her Slayers as they each struggled in the air. They needed to stay close so they weren’t separated when they landed. Heart racing, Vi veered closer to Libby, fighting against the rain.
A surge of wind whipped her parachute straight down, causing her to drop into a nearby tree. Vi stopped hard as her parachute caught on a branch in the thick canopy of trees.
Catching her breath, Vi activated a glow stick, gauged her distance to the ground, and unhooked her parachute. She fell softly, landing in a low crouch. After making sure she was clear of any threats, she stood, removed her helmet, and made her way into the jungle.
It didn’t take long for the team to find each other. “Okay. Welcome to Isla Nublar. What’s our status?” Vi asked as each Slayer began checking their equipment.
“Weapons and gear are good here,” Adelita said.
“Same,” Claire reported, wiping wet strands of long blonde hair out of her face.
“Ditto,” Jill replied, her green eyes matching the illumination from the glow sticks.
“Oh crap,” Libby stammered, looking up with eyes wide. “Radio equipment is gone.”
Vi turned to her, her short-cropped red hair whipping in front of her face. “What do you mean gone?!”
“The storm…it must have…shit,” Libby said, checking her gear again, hoping the equipment would magically appear.
“Justo lo que necesitábamos!” Adelita yelled.
“English, Ady. English,” Vi replied. She rested a hand on Libby’s shoulder, “It’s okay. The drop ship will be back to pick us up in two days regardless of radio contact, so as long as we stay safe, we’ll be okay.”
Suddenly Claire jumped and turned, looking out into the darkness. “What was that?” She asked, holding her light up.
“What?” Jill asked her, “I didn’t hear anything.”
“Quiet,” Vi said, turning to the jungle and listening for a moment. Soon, she heard a soft rustle in the woods. Pulling a crossbow off her back, she ordered, “Girls, get ready.”
There was another rustle, followed by a low snort. Vi turned to her Slayers and pointed in the direction of the noise. They stood there, with weapons ready, for what felt like hours.
There was a loud shriek behind the Slayers and something moved towards them with blinding speed. Surprised by the movement, the Slayers barely had time to turn before Jill was yanked to the ground and dragged into the jungle.
“Jill!” Vi yelled, her eyes wide. Light was so low, she couldn’t see what was dragging Jill into the jungle, but it was strong and quick. Jill screamed in pain as Adelita jumped towards her, sword raised.
Vi brought her crossbow up and aimed into the darkness. Taking a chance, she fired. There was a loud hiss and Jill suddenly stopped screaming. Whatever had grabbed her was running away, crashing through the foliage. Vi reloaded quickly and ran towards the others. By the time she arrived, Claire was helping Jill sit against a tree. Adelita and Libby crouched low to the ground, scanning the perimeter in case the creature returned looking for more action.
“Are you okay?” Claire asked, pressing a compress to Jill’s shoulder. It was already soaked through with blood.
“Something just nearly ripped off my arm and dragged me through the jungle. I’m dandelions over here,” Jill said through gritted teeth. Vi crouched beside her and looked at the wound. There were four deep claw marks in Jill’s shoulder, made even worse by the force of the dragging.
“This looks bad,” Libby said, joining them, “and that was not a Ninturian demon.”
“I know…” Vi said softly.
“Ninturians are small, yellow and look like worms. Not reptiles,” Adelita stated, her back still turned as she scanned the darkness.
“You saw it?!” Vi asked, standing and moving towards the brunette.
“Sí. Well not completely, but it looked like a giant reptile. Almost like a…dinosaur.” Adelita replied, turning towards them, but keeping her weapon raised.
“A what!? No way!” Claire exclaimed, trying to wrap a thick bandage around Jill’s shoulder.
“Whatever it was, it nearly took one of us down. We aren’t prepared for this,” Vi said, standing and helping Claire lift Jill to her feet.
“Then what do we do?” Adelita demanded angrily. “Radio is out and we’re stuck here for two days.”
Before Vi could respond, the rustling returned, along with a menacing hiss.
“We run. Inland. NOW!” Vi yelled, grabbing Jill by the elbow and taking off into the jungle.
The five Slayers ran through the jungle, Vi and Claire helping Jill move as quickly as possible. Whatever was chasing them was coming fast.
“Look for shelter!” Vi screamed into the darkness.
Her glow stick barely illuminating a path in front of her, Vi continued moving forward with Jill when something slammed into her. She fell to the ground, mud splashing her face as the air was knocked out of her. She lay there for a moment, dazed. Beside her she heard someone struggling in the darkness.
“Jill…” she gasped, reaching for her friend, but she couldn’t find her. Then, she felt two strong hands grab her under her shoulders and lift. She saw Adelita’s brown eyes staring into hers as Vi wiped mud from her own.
“Claire and Libby found some shelter,” Adelita said, pushing Vi forward towards their direction.
“Jill?” Vi asked, already knowing the answer.
“Gone,” Adelita muttered. She and Vi emerged into a clearing. Jungle turned into gravel as Vi took in the large building up ahead. It was white, but old and covered in vegetation. The roof was covered in brown straw and there was an overturned 4x4 in front of the entrance.
Claire and Libby were at the entrance, waving Vi and Adelita forward. Vi noticed the sign: “Jurassic Park Visitor’s Center”
“What the…” Vi said as they reached Libby and Claire. Libby was crying, crouched with her head in her hands.
“You were right, Ady,” Claire said, looking at the sign. ”Dinosaurs.”
Exasperated, Vi wiped sweat and rain from her forehead. “Not demons. Let’s get inside.” Crossbow raised, she pushed open the doors to the Visitor’s Center, the remaining Slayers entering the dark building behind her.
“We’ve got power here,” Claire said, running to a small terminal in the corner.
“See if you can find a map of the facility on there. We need to find a comm room. Libby, secure the lobby. Ady, let’s see if we can find out what the hell this place is,” Vi ordered before moving over to a reception desk with Adelita.
“Check that out,” Adelita said, pointing to a stack of brochures on the desk as she squeezed water out of her long dark hair.
“Jurassic Park…” Vi read on the front before flipping open the brochure, “Welcome to the Lost World. A world 65 million years in the making, Jurassic Park welcomes you to the first ever theme and entertainment park with dinosaurs….”
“You gotta be kidding me,” Libby said from across the lobby as Vi read. ”How did we never hear about this place?”
“Whatever this place was supposed to be, it obviously didn’t work out as planned,” Claire replied, walking over to Vi with a stack of papers in her hand. “Found a map!” Spreading the large map on the desk, she said, “Look here. This place had cages for these dinosaurs, it really was like a zoo. And here is a list of all the species here.”
“This is what was after us,” Adelita stated, pointing at the picture of the dinosaur that had chased them. “Velociraptor. Raptor.”
“What about a comm room?” Vi asked Claire.
Claire shook her head. “Only power on the island was routed to that computer, and something is blocking our access to the system.”
“What?” Vi asked, walking towards the monitor with Claire, Adelita and Libby not far behind.
“Some sort of firewall. I can’t find access to a comm room.”
“Oh, dios mío!” Adelita exclaimed, slamming her fist down on the keyboard. Plastic keys shot out in every direction.
As if in response, there was a vicious snarl down a nearby hallway.
“They’re in here!” Libby yelled, raising her crossbow. Claire gathered up her papers as Adelita held up her sword and a larger combat knife she had tucked in her belt.
“We’re too exposed! Up the stairs!” Vi commanded, turning towards the large stairs in the middle of the lobby. Before Libby could move, something big landed on her back and began slashing into her side with a large raised claw on its foot.
Reacting quickly, Vi whipped around and landed a sharp roundhouse kick to the raptor’s head, causing it to stumble backwards off of Libby.
Adelita jumped on top of the creature, bringing both of her weapons down into its chest. The dinosaur screamed, its snake-like eyes wide as it started to spasm on the floor.
Claire pulled Libby away, slipping in all of the blood. Whether it was Libby’s or the raptors, Vi didn’t know.
Vi started forward to help, but two more of the velociraptors jumped down from the upper balcony, snarling at the Slayers.
Vi launched into the air and somersaulted over one raptor. She landed a hard kick to its back, brought up her crossbow and fired an arrow into its side. It hissed and lurched sideways, confused by the sudden pain.
The other raptor launched itself at Claire and Libby, forcing Claire to roll away from her downed friend as the raptor landed beside Libby.
“No…” Vi began, as she and Adelita lurched towards the raptor, but it was too late. The raptor had already bitten into Libby’s neck, even as Claire whipped her leg around and swept the raptor’s legs out from under it. Libby’s lifeless form fell from the raptor’s mouth.
“Stairs!” Vi yelled and ran up the long flight of stairs, Adelita and Claire close behind. As they emerged at the top, three more raptors joined the one at the bottom of the stairs and charged up the steps after them.
“They’re too fast!” Claire exclaimed, as they rounded a corner.
Vi knew they couldn’t out run the raptors. She started trying doors. Most were locked, but she lucked out when a heavy metal door opened.
“In here!” She yelled, holding the door open. Adelita and Claire ran into what seemed like a reinforced maintenance closet. Vi slammed the door shut and locked it. Claire fell to the ground immediately, pulling a few strands of blood soaked hair from her face.
“Is any of this yours? Are you hurt?” Adelita asked, crouching down by Claire and checking for wounds.
“No,” Claire whispered.
Adelita snapped a few glow sticks to life. The only light in the small closet came from a small window near the ceiling. It had stopped raining, Vi noticed, and there was a full moon peeking it’s way around the storm clouds.
“They can’t get through this door, so we can stay here tonight. Try and find a way off this island.” Vi said, gesturing towards Claire’s map, “We can’t wait two days for HQ to pick us up.”* * *
Morning…
“You know we have to run through the big guy’s territory to get there, right?” Adelita asked Vi, who was staring out the small window outside.
“Yes,” Vi said simply. She stared at a large herd of brachiosaurus that were grazing in a large lake about a half-mile away. She jumped off the shelf she was perched on and looked at Adelita and Claire, saying, “HQ knows something is wrong because we haven’t radioed in a status report. They’ll be looking for us, but it’s too dangerous for us to sit around and wait on this island. If there’s a boat at the docks, we have to take our chances and get to it.”
“Can we do this?” Claire asked shakily, still covered in Libby’s blood.
“I hope so…” Vi said without thinking, her eyes dropping to the floor. She shook her head. That was the old Vi talking. Back when she was just a scared girl. Back before she chose to be strong.
“Yes, we can do this. We’re Slayers.” She nodded at Adelita. The dark haired Slayer jumped up and kicked the window, breaking it. Vi helped Claire up, resting a hand on her bloodied cheek. Claire gave her a reassuring smile before jumping out of the window after Adelita.
Vi followed, launching herself off the floor and through the window. She landed gracefully two stories below. Claire and Adelita already had their crossbows aimed in opposite directions, ready for any attack.
“Run,” Vi ordered.
They took off into the forest, running towards the boat dock on the nearby coast. After a while, the sunlight seemed to explode as they burst out of the jungle into a clearing.
“Stop!” Vi said, but the others didn’t even need a warning. Some creatures were running through the clearing.
“What are they?” Adelita asked, her weapon moving to each one as they passed.
“They won’t hurt us!” Claire said, flipping through the pamphlet. “They’re called gallimimus. They eat plants.”
“We have to keep moving, we’re too exposed out—“ Vi started to say, but a giant roar interrupted her.
At the far end of the clearing, a gigantic creature all three Slayers recognized immediately crashed out of the jungle.
“It’s the Rex! Estamos muertos…” Adelita trailed off as the Tyrannosaurus Rex began running towards them.
“Run! Don’t stop!” Vi yelled. The gallimimus had already run back into the jungle, leaving the Slayers as clear targets.
The Rex roared again, its thunderous footsteps shaking the ground as it ran after the Slayers. Vi knew they were nearing the docks, but they wouldn’t make it unless the Rex was slowed. She heard a stifled cry and a loud WHUMP behind her. She turned, heart racing, and saw Claire lying on the ground. She had tripped and fallen.
“Claire!” Adelita screamed, turning as well.
The Rex was right behind them. It slowed down and bellowed again.
“Ady! Hands!” Vi yelled. Adelita understood what she meant and knelt down to the grown, her two hands cupped together as she faced Vi.
The T-Rex crouched, ready to attack Claire as Vi ran at Adelita. She jumped into Adelita’s hands, leaping into the air with the Slayer’s help. She brought her legs around, ready to plant both of them into the T-Rex’s face, but it was too quick. With barely a jerk of its head, Vi was sent flying backwards into a tree.
Vi fought back the darkness as she crashed to the ground. She gritted her teeth and tried to stand as she saw Adelita jump onto the T-Rex’s back. Vi fell to her knees has her head began swimming, watching as Adelita was thrown aside.
“No…” Vi gasped, watching as Claire reached up towards the Rex. The behemoth paused, studying her, and then lunged forward. Claire began screaming as the Rex picked the Slayer up in its jaws.
“No!” Vi heard Adelita scream. Still dizzy, Vi forced herself to her feet and ran towards Adelita.
“We can’t help her,” Vi sobbed, tears streaming down her face. They ran at full speed into the jungle, hoping the Rex didn't follow in pursuit.
Soon, the boat dock was visible as Vi and Adelita ran down a service road.
“There!” Adelita yelled, running down the old dock. There was a small metal boat at the end, waves gently pushing it underneath the dock. Adelita began untying the ropes anchoring it to the dock. Vi jumped in and picked up two oars that were lying in the bottom. Adelita followed, just as a low rumble emanated from the jungle.
“It’s coming…” Vi breathed. She and Adelita began maneuvering the boat out into the sea.
“What do we do if it comes in the water?” Adelita asked, watching the T-Rex stare at them from the jungle. It let out another roar as they continued rowing out to sea.
“We survive.”
CHALLENGE #5 - DREAMS
- No Happy Ending by Emmie• Title: No Happy Ending
• Challenge: #5 Dreams
• Fandom: Buffy, Angel
• Pairing/Characters: Buffy, ensemble
• Summary: When Buffy’s reality becomes a nightmare, how can she hope to wake up?
• Rating: PG
• Warnings: Spoilers for Buffy Season 8 Retreat.
• Disclaimer: Joss is boss.
• Word Count: 1146
• Author's Note: This story explores the canon question of Season 8 and The Girl in Question and how fans choose which one they want to be “real” for Buffy and which one is the “dream”.
“Oh, god,” Buffy breathed aloud, then cursed herself for breaking the silence when Xander and Dawn jerked apart.
They jumped away from each other, desperate to present the illusion of distance, but their wide eyes and flushed cheeks only reminded her of two halves of the same coin. The separation didn’t help. The image of their lips fused together was burned on the back of her retinas.
Xander and Dawn. Xander kissing Dawn. Xander kissing her baby sister.
Oh, god.
Xander and Dawnie sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes heartbreak and mayhem and death because everyone dies when they’re happy in her world, right?
Oh, god.
“Buffy, this isn’t what it looks like,” Xander scrambled to explain. “We’re not…okay, we were, but we’re not…”
“What do you mean this isn’t what it looks like?” Dawn narrowed her eyes, fists pressing into her hips as she cocked her head to the side. “What else is it if it’s not what it looks like?”
“No, I mean – yes, it is what it looks like. Of course it is,” Xander said to Dawn, then grimaced when he looked at Buffy. “Except it’s not. Buffy, I…”
Maybe if she wished hard enough, the floor would swallow her up and she wouldn’t have to be here because here was bad and…
Oh, god.
Was she really coming up here to tell Xander that she had feelings for him? Tingly feelings. Happy, loving feelings that had nothing to do with Xander being her best friend.
Happy, loving, normal feelings.
Her eyes drifted closed, sliding down like falling curtains after the final act. When she opened them, the stage wasn’t empty of all the players in this Midsummer Night’s dream. This was real. Her heart wrenched inside her chest, leaving her gasping for air.
“Buffy? Buff, I know this is, well, shocking doesn’t seem like the word here. But it just sort of happened. And we’re…we’re…”
“We’re into each other,” Dawn finished for him, arms crossed over her chest, chin tilted up. “So you can just get over yourself and accept it. We’re dating. Whether you like it or not.”
The twistiness in her heart must have shown on her face because Xander reached for her.
“No,” Buffy gasped, hand raised to stave him off. No touching. No, no, no. “Don’t. Just… don’t.”
She spun around, feet tearing up the carpet in her hurry down the hallway. Stumbling down the stairs, banging against the banister with each unsure step, she ran. Then she fell, tripping on the final stair, smashing her knees against the floorboards with a force that reverberated through her bones.
A warm hand touched her shoulder and she turned to see Andrew’s eyes filled with concern. Right, Andrew had been right behind her when she’d opened the door to Xander’s room and now he was here, looking at her.
Just looking at her and not saying a word.
Andrew had nothing to say and how wrong was that? Andrew didn’t know the meaning of silence, so how could he be here trying to comfort her without rambling on and on?
Instead his eyes were compassionate.
Yes.
Yes, of course he’d understand rejection.
Oh, god.
She couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t bear sharing her pain with Andrew. No, it was hers to bottle up and push deep down. She didn’t want to be close to Andrew. Not like this. Never like this.
Crawling forward, she shrugged off Andrew’s touch and struggled to her feet. She ran to the front door.
If she got outside, she could breathe again. She’d find a way to breathe again.
She ripped the door open, nearly tearing it off its hinges in her haste and wow, she shouldn’t have been able to do that without her Slayer strength. She was halfway across the field of tall grass in front of the house before she saw the figure in the sky, hovering, long black coat billowing in the wind.
Twilight.
She heard the mechanical grind of vehicles in the distance. The earth vibrated. On the horizon, an army crested the hill. Tanks and armored cars tore up the long blades of grass, emitting noxious smoke in their wake.
A loud whirring sounded overhead and she looked up to see a plane sweeping in low under the clouds tinged pink from the setting sun. A small cylinder detached from the right wing, dropping towards the ground in a high pitched whistle.
A bomb.
Oh, god.
The seconds ticked by in slow motion, the bomb plummeting through the air, headed straight towards her.
She couldn’t run. She couldn’t fight. She couldn’t lead anyone to victory with a rousing speech because this –
This was the end. Until this moment, she’d clung to that tiny shrivel of hope that they’d somehow defeat Twilight, that they’d triumph.
That at the very least, they’d survive.
But this was the end. There was no one left to be strong for, no one who she needed to protect simply because she couldn’t protect them.
They would all die. Together.
This was the end and because it was the end, Buffy let herself do what she’d always wanted to when she was afraid, but couldn’t because she had to be strong.
She screamed.
“No!”
Darkness surrounded her, her limbs caged in a prison of cotton that hampered her jackknifing legs. She kicked out, desperate to free herself. Fighting back was futile, but instinct ruled and she struck out blindly at the arms encircling her.
“Buffy. Shh. Hush,” a deep, accented voice breathed into her ear. “It’s alright. You’re safe. It was only a bad dream. Shh.”
His hands brushed her tear-ridden cheeks, then stroked her hair, his soft assurances humming through her, smoothing away the terror gripping her. One arm still hugging her close, he reached across her to click on the bedside lamp. She blinked against the shock of the bright light then squinted up into his handsome face.
He cupped her cheek. “It’s alright, bellissima.”
The Immortal. Her boyfriend. She was in Rome. Rome, not Tibet.
Not Tibet.
Oh, thank god.
“Cara mia, what’s wrong? What happened?”
Buffy shook her head, whispering, “It was just a dream.”
The Immortal lay back against the pillows, pulling Buffy into his arms, coaxing her to rest her head on his bare chest. “Go back to sleep,” he crooned. “You’re safe here with me.”
“No, I don’t wanna go back to sleep,” she said, curling her hand against the taut muscles of his chest. Touching him anchored her to the real, pushing away the terror of the dream until it became hazed over with fog.
He pressed his lips against her hair, kissing her softly. “Then stay awake and I will tell you a story.”
“Something with a happy ending.”
“Of course, amara. What good is a story if it has no happy ending?”******
CHALLENGE #6 - OUTSIDER PERSPECTIVE
- Something Weird Is Going On... by Skytteflickan88• Title: Something weird is going on…
• Challenge: #6 Outsider perspective.
• Fandom: Buffy
• Pairing/Characters: Original character.
• Summary: A student at Sunnydale High is noticing that her school seems to be a bit different than other schools…
• Rating: G
• Warnings: Language.
• Disclaimer: I own nothing. But I would like to own Angel, Spike, yadayada, sexslaves, yadayada, Joss is God, yadayada. You’ve read it before.
• Author's Note: Thanks to my beta.
• Word count: 622
The Harvest
Dear Diary,
It’s only been a few days since the attack at the Bronze, but things have already gone back to normal.
I don’t care what anyone else says, that was messed up! People biting and killing, looking all ridge-y. I can’t believe that people who weren’t there are complaining about that they missed it! I’m still so freaked out.
And I kinda feel bad for Fluffy, or whatever her name is. Seems like she’s been dragged into gang wars or something. And she just started here too.
Out Of Mind, Out Of Sight
Dear Diary,
I’m in detention as I write this. I was standing by the stairs, and Harmony fell down. God, it was beautiful. But she started talking about being pushed or whatever, and a teacher saw me grinning, so I had to go to the principal.
Even tough they couldn’t prove anything, I apparently “need to learn some sympathy”, so they gave me detention. Like that whore hasn’t made mine and other people’s life miserable for years without feeling anything close to compassion at all. I doubt she could even spell ‘compassion’.
Weird thing is, I swear I could hear someone else laugh beside me. But there was no one there when I looked.
Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
Dear Diary,
Amy’s a freak. She took back the necklace she gave me, saying that Buffy would find out or something to that effect. I have no idea what Buffy has to do with Amy’s and my agreement. I check out for teachers while she and Mark makes out in the closet and she makes sure no one bullies me anymore (using a “magic amulet”, which I don’t really believe in, but it’s worked so far, could just be positive thinking tough).
So naturally, five minutes after she ran away with my necklace/amulet, some jerk calls me fat. Larry, the jock, told that guy off tough. I’m glad to see that some people can change.
Dead Man’s Party
DEAR DIARY, ZOMBIES ARE REAL!
I’m not freaking kidding, but I know that when I read this tomorrow, I’ll think I was imagining it. Not even Buffy or any of her friends, who I saw battle the freaks, agrees with me.
I have always tried to be nice to Buffy and the other self-proclaimed weirdos (I know, “who am I to talk”, but they really are). I smile at them when they walk through the corridors, clothes ripped, filth and blood on them, when everyone else shy away.
Well no more of that. The guy that always makes jokes even told me I should talk to a professional about my apparent “crazy-doodle” talk (I’m pretty sure one of the zombies hit him in the head).
What bitches.
Graduation Day
Dear Diary,
This might be the last time I write in you. It turns out I wasn’t imagining it, when all those awful things happened.
I’m going into war.
I yelled at my family, told them I was ashamed of them, to make sure they wouldn’t come to Graduation.
It’s okay tough, I’ll put a note in my locker, explaining things. I’ll put you in there as well.
I should probably have stayed home too, but I don’t know what it is that compels me to stay.
A martyr complex maybe?
Or it’s because I’ve had my eyes closed for so many years. Now they’re open, and a part of me would rather die with my eyes open, doing what’s right, than continue to live with them closed.
Bye Diary. - Meanwhile by MoonyWolfTitle: Meanwhile
Challenge: #6 Outsider Perspective
Fandom: Buffy
Pairings/Characters: Oz, OC
Summary: Through a stranger's eyes. End of Season 7
Rating: PG
Warning: Depending on the interpretation
Disclaimer: Not mine. Sadly.
Word Count: 1000--Meanwhile
“Sorry! This stupid thing-” Katy sagged in relief as the coffee machine gurgled into life. “It seems to have developed a contentious dislike for me.”
“Harsh. I get the same attitude from waffle makers. We’re still not speaking.”
The waitress grinned as she turned around to face her customer. He was different somehow. Even in the packed café, he seemed strangely disconnected. There was something in his manner that felt aimless; almost world-weary. His clothes were faded and his hair was cropped into messy black spikes. In contrast to the queue behind him, he was waiting calmly, stance relaxed and unhurried; like he had no-one to meet or place he needed to be.
“Yeah, appliances are tricky.”
He smiled in sympathy. Well, it wasn’t really a smile in the traditional sense. It was more there in the softening of his features and tug in the corner of his mouth. Katy felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She wanted to ask what brought him here, but something stopped her. His cutting eyes were oddly intense. Bright orbs of jade green that glowed warmly yet kept a wary distance, silently warning of a dangerous darkness just behind them. She couldn’t explain it; it was just instinct.
“There you go; one American coffee for one American.”
There was that almost smile again.
“Gotta do my bit for the cultural clichés”
As he moved to a table, she noticed that his movements were unusually graceful for a guy; fluid and lithely balanced, in a way that made Katy think of her cat for some reason.
Her gaze travelled his downcast profile. Those same haunting eyes were narrowed in concentration, pencil twitching in his hand, the only sign of emotion to escape his stoic features. His entire demeanour was one of cool detachment, like an oasis of reasoned calm in the crowded café. This guy seemed to have Zen down to a fine art.
His fingers tapped distractedly against the tabletop; gently rapping out a rhythmic, musing beat in time to his lazy scribe. She smiled as realisation struck her. Oh, a musician. That fitted. She could see him being the mellow but deep music type.
His hand shifted just then, pushing up the sleeve of his shirt. Katy’s eyes widened slightly. It was faint, but the light still managed to illuminate the criss-crossing of gleaming white scars that ran along his arm; brutally marking the pale skin. Just as quickly, he jerked the loose sleeve back down, covering the wounds from prying eyes. The young waitress returned to her work, feeling guilty but unable to shake the fleeting image from her mind.
A giggling little girl dashed through the open doors and swished a snapped twig in the direction of the nearest customers.
“Alakbam! Ala-ka-zooo!” She sang, waving her ‘wand’ with a little flourish. The pointy, black hat flopped about on her head, revealing bright red curls underneath.
Katy sighed. She had forgotten the bookshop next door was holding a Worst Witch signing.
He had finally looked up, his attention momentarily distracted. Katy followed his gaze to the bubbling child who was now dancing around her mother’s legs. For a second she thought maybe he knew them. But then she saw the pained pinch at the edge of his eyes; the fond but bitter shadow to the lift of his mouth; and she slowly realised. There was a hidden memory storming behind those guarded eyes. His slight smile flickered between secret happiness and devastating loss, too quickly to observe.
When the woman reached down to stroke the girl’s fiery curls, his eyes hardened and he flinched away. Fragile emotion cracked through his façade and for a few seconds, she could see the past he was running from. The hurt, anger, jealousy and destructive despair; all so volatile that they nearly knocked the breath out of her where she stood. The freezing darkness, the guilt, shattered hope and a broken but fiercely enduring love – she glimpsed it all as it ghosted over his features in that weakened heartbeat.
She didn’t know what he was reliving, what he’d done or what he’d left behind; but it rocked her to her core. Her gaze turned to the little girl. What was it in her that had reminded him so strongly of another time and place; one that he seemed to hate almost as much as he desperately needed.
As fast as it had come, it was gone again. Turning back, she found his expression only mildly thoughtful. The notebook was replaced with a novel; aura of calm perfectly intact again.--
“…latest footage from the scene…. possibility of a massive structural collapse caused by an unrecorded earth tremor….”
The rolling news bulletin droned on, mostly unnoticed in the bustling café. When Katy did glance over, all she could see was a desert canyon; hardly ground breaking.
Looking away, her eyes fell upon an empty table.
A twinge of regret clutched inside her chest. When had he left? Cursing her lack of initiative, she shuffled over to clear up, but paused as she caught sight of the dropped book. He must have left very abruptly.
‘The Call of the Wild ’. She hesitated, before carefully flipping over the cover to the single note scrawled inside.I love you
All of you
She couldn’t help the nudge of envy and disappointment. Katy thought about the one who had written the private and loving declaration. Was she the one he was running from? Was it her behind all that wounded rage and betrayal; guilt and grief? Was it she who that wretched love still burned for? Katy felt angry. Upset on the behalf of a boy she didn’t know, at an anonymous girl who had destroyed him after claiming to love him so. What kind of person did that? She couldn’t imagine this girl being worthy of the love they had shared; the love that was still consuming him.
Glaring at the innocent and intimate words, she snapped the book shut.
Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to all future participants!
hahaha Oh well.
