What If? no.2 (From the Buffy and Angel magazine)

[N.D.U.O]

What If Xander hadn't saved Buffy in "Prophecy Girl?"

With Buffy dead, The Master succeeds in opening the Hellmouth, and the world created by Cordelia's wish in "The Wish" becomes a reality. But since no wish is involved, Giles can't restore the good world by breaking Anyanka's amulet. The Master rules Sunnydale, and Willow and Xander (together at last!) become his chief vamps. Cordelia and Giles rescues Angel and join the Slayer Faith (who's called after Drusilla kills Kendra) in battling the Master's vamp hordes. A secret government program called The Initiative arrives to join the fight against the hostiles, and their field commander, Riley Finn, gets involved with Faith.

Do you agree with this? Post your own ideas...

[Wyndam]

This one is a bit more far fetched than the other question. I don't think Cordelia would last long enough to help Giles rescue Angel. I'm not even sure there'd be any hope for Sunnydale. Kendra wasn't the greatest Slayer, and Faith wasn't either until she met Buffy. I think this What If ends with Sunnydale doomed. I like the idea of The Initiative coming in, although it's unclear how well formed they were prior to Season 4. It may not have even been created yet.

[N.D.U.O]

I do believe Cordy would manage to survive (maybe I'm just a big fan).
But Riley and Faith?
Maaaaybe not so much.

[dragonweaver]

I don't think that would of happened. First off the events of The Wish happened because Buffy never came to Sunnydale at all. Her not being there would have lead to Darla handing Willow, Xander & Jesse over to The Master, them being turned into vamps, Luke would have completed the harvest, the Master would of gotten out earlier and it would have all gone down hill from there.

If we went with your scenario, then this is how I see it going down. The Master would have succeeded in raising the evil three headed monster in the library. Willow & Jenny would have been eaten by it, Giles would have been left in a coma and Cordelia probably would have tried to run away only to be attacked by the vampires surrounding the school. Once the dust settled Sunnydale High would become the lair of the Master, the Anointed One and the Order of Aurelius and Sunnydale would effectively go on shutdown. Angel, after some serious mopping, would attempt to go after the Master himself only to be defeated and locked up.

Enter Xander. Devastated that he let down Buffy and his friends in their time of need he decides to step up and take back the city. Xander gathers weapons and with a recovering Giles by his side, he learns how to fight. Cut to inspirational music and montage of training. Together Xander & Giles rescue Angel and the three men, along with a clever plan, manage to kill the Master. Just when all seems well, a new villain appears. Cordelia, as a newly made vampire, kills the annoying one, takes over the remaining order of aurelius and attempts to turn the Bronze into her new lair.

Hitting the highlights...Kendra comes to town to stop the dark power from rising, Spike & Dru soon follow, Spike kills Kendra, everyone hates each other, battles come and go and it's not too long before the Mayor ascends and massacres everyone is Sunnydale effectively ending the show forever.