Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Things Just kept on getting weirder. The whole day was weird. Chrissy was acting weird. Very Weird.

Chrissy.

Chrissy died.

Eddie didn’t know what happened. Everything seemed fine. All the Lights started flickering, but he just assumed it was the power box. The peice of shit never worked normally. But then She Just went quiet suddenly and when he came back, her eyes were cloudy and white. He tried to wake her up, he did. He really did. Then she started floating, her whole body slammed into the ceiling, then it happened. Her bones. They snapped. Right in half, all on their own. He screamed, the first times Eddie has screamed like that since he was a kid. It was terrifying. Eddie hadn’t been as terrified as he was in that moment in years. Her eyes then disappeared, like some invisible force was pulling her eyes through her skull. Then she fell to the ground.

Just like that she was gone. Eddie couldn’t move, he couldn’t breath. Every inch of him was shaking. The only sound was the sound of his breathing.

“C-Chrissy-?” He got up slowly, hands out in front of him like some kind of force was going to leap out at him.

He didn’t know what to do. So he did the only option that seemed safe. The only thing he could do to get away.

He ran.

And Went to a place he could hide.

Ricks house seemed safe, remote location, Nobody around, Not many people around.

It SEEMED safe at the time. It’s not anymore.

Eddie was hidden under the tarp, he could hear footsteps and Voices.

“Come on, he clearly isn’t here.”

A jock maybe?

Jason. The jocks. They know Chrissy is dead and there out to get him.

“Shit…” He said under his breath, immediately slamming a hand over his mouth. Shit shit shit.

“Mind Your Language Dusty…” A Girls voice said. He didn’t recognise it. Though it seemed familiar.

“I didn’t say anything! Steve, what are you doing with that oar-“

“What does it look like?”

Eddie felt something heavy hit the tarp near where he was.

“Dude just take the Tarp off.”

“If you’re so brave you take the tarp off!”

The familiar feeling of panic started to creep through His Bones. He gripped the broken bottle in one hand until his knuckle turned white. Then something hit him in the back of the head. And it hurt.

Eddie Jumped Out, the bottle in one hand and grabbed onto the nearest person he could find, shoving them Against the wall and holding them there, the bottle pinned against their throat.

“Shit! Eddie!” Eddie Glanced to the side to see none other than Dustin Henderson, holding his arms out like he was approaching a wild animal. There were others too, Robin From Band, Max From the Trailer Park and Nancy Fucking Wheeler. Out of all the people he was expecting to see, he had expected these guys the least. He thought it was Jason, Or Andy or someone else. Someone here to hurt him. But maybe, just maybe he was right. What if they were still here to hurt him? Everyone probably thinks he killed Chrissy.

Dustin Included.

Only then did Eddie look back at who he had attacked.

King Steve Harrington Himself.

The single Last person he would have expected to Be hanging out with Dustin Henderson.

“Eddie it’s ok, that’s Steve. He’s not gonna hurt you. We aren’t here to hurt you…” Dustin spoke slowly. Pausing a little between every few words. “Steve, Why don’t you drop the oar?”

Steve Sighed, Dropping the oar which made a clang on the floor. Eddie jumped, Unintentionally Pressing the Bottle further into Steve’s throat.

He didn’t mean to. It was an accident. He didn't wanna hurt anyone. But he was scared. Scared that when he lets Steve go, he’s gonna attack back.

He wanted to say something. Anything really. He wanted to say sorry, he wanted to let go of Steve and run away as far as he can. But all that came out was “what are you doing here.”

Eddie hated how cold his voice sounded.

“We’re not here to hurt you, we’re here to help.” Robin Hesitated before speaking then took a small step back.

“We needed to find you, we’re gonna help. You know Robin, From Band!” Robin made a little noise he assumed was supposed to be a trumpet. “This is Max, The one who never wants to play D&D.”

Max waved a little, but she was also hesitant.

“We’re not gonna hurt you, I swear on my mother! Right guys?” Dustin asked

“Yeah!”

“Yes, on Dustin’s mother!”

“Right yeah, on Dustin's mother….”

The whole room seemed to go silent. The only sounds was the wind, and the boat slowly bobbing up and down in the water.

Meanwhile Eddies Mind was as loud as it’s ever been, every possible outcome for this situation passing through his mind at a pace he can’t focus on even one.

Everything was telling him to let him go. And run away. But he can’t. Not right now. Dustin would never let him. He hesitated, slowly letting Steve go and walking away from the group. Every emotion he’s been feeling started flooding through him. He leaned against the wall, slowly sitting down.

He noticed Dustin approaching him slowly. “We’re just here to talk…”

He slowly reached his hand towards the bottle Eddie was grasping in his hand. He was scared. Really scared. The second Dustin touched his hand, he flinched away. He wasn’t ready to let his guard down. Not yet.

“Ok…ok…”Dustin muttered, the others joining him. Eddie didn’t dare look them in the eyes. If he did that now he’d crack. He could already feel the tears slowly gathering in his eyes.

“We wanna know what happened.” Robin was the first to speak up. She seemed cautious, not letting her guard down either. But not scared. She isn’t scared of him. Eddie was grateful for that. He didn’t want people to be scared of him, no matter know scary he may look.

“You….you wouldn’t believe me….”Eddie stuttered. Struggling to get his words out properly. He always struggled to speak when he’s nervous.

“Try us.” Max Said, not much emotion in her voice.

Eddie hesitated. He wanted to tell them everything. He really did.

But he felt everyone staring at him. Waiting for an explanation.

He didn’t want to talk about Chrissy. About what happened.

But he didn’t have much of a choice, if he didn’t they’d probably call the cops and he’d be in prison within minutes.

He was about to say something, but then he noticed something. There was one light in the boat shed, positioned above the boat. And it was flickering slightly. The others seemed to notice it too, exchanging confused looks. But they didn’t seem to be panicked at all by it.

It’s probably just the power box. The one at his trailer used to break all the time.

So he told them everything. He was unable to contain the tears as he explained what happened to Chrissy. How her eyes went white, how she floated in the air, her body slamming into the ceiling, her bones snapping right in half and her eyes being pulled back.

It took a good 15 minutes for him to get his words together and for him to properly explain everything.

Dustin and the others just kept listening. They weren’t judging him like everyone else would have.

After he’d finished talking, there was a few moments of silence.

“You all think I’m crazy…..don’t you….”Eddie buried his face in his hands.

“No, we don’t think you crazy-“ Dustin begun but Eddie Cut him off, all the frustration and fear emerging.

“DONT BULLSHIT ME MAN!” Eddie snapped, before calming down a bit. “I know how this sounds….”

“We’re not bullshiting you.” Max gave Dustin a look, and they seemed to have a whole conversation between them that Eddie didn’t understand. Eddie sighed, of course they didn’t believe him. He sounded like a crazy person.

 Crazy. He’s not crazy.

“What I’m about to tell you might be…..a little difficult to take….” Dustin Glanced at the others before continuing. “You know how people say Hawkins is…..cursed?”

Eddie nodded.

“Well…they’re not way off…..there’s another world. A world beneath Hawkins. Sometimes this world….bleeds into ours.”

Eddie noticed the light still continuing to flick. Getting faster and faster. It was starting to freak him out. But he still continued to ignore it. “Like Ghosts and Shit?”

“There’s some things…worse than ghosts” Max noticed the light too. She looked even more confused.

“Thats why we needed to find you. We’ve dealt with this before, and if it’s back we need to know About it.” Dustin paused. “Did you see any dark particles or….”

“No man….there was nothing you could see…..or touch….”

“You said Chrissy was in some kind of…..trance?”

“Like……she was under some kind of….spell…..or curse.”

“Vecna Curse.”

“Who the hells Vecna?” Steve asked.

Dustin glanced up, about to answer the question but asks one instead. “What’s wrong with the light….?”

“It’s probably just the powers box….” Steve stood up, tapping the light bulb. He paused. “It’s freezing cold….”

“What?” Robin asked, standing next to him.

“The Bulb, it’s supposed to be warm. But it’s not, it’s ice cold….”

“Don’t be ridiculous Dingus…”Robin tapped the bulb. “Oh shit he’s right.”

“Now that you mention it….its freezing in here….” Dustin shivered. And he was right. It was absolutely freezing.

Like a day in the middle of winter. They could start to see their breath come out in clouds of mist. Max rubbed her palms together in an attempt to warm up. Eddie curled in on himself, tapping his foot against the ground anxiously.

“Shit…” Steve gasped. Eddie looked back up, the water. It was freezing up. Ice was covering the entire lake and a dark mist had set in. The ice seemed to climb up the sides of the boat like vines up a building.

The Light was frozen too.

“What the hell is going on…”Robin Backed towards the wall, hands buried in her pockets.

The ground then started to shake. It wasn’t much at first, but it gradually got stronger and stronger. It was nearly impossible to stand up. Things fell off the walls of the boat, hitting the floor with a thud. Loud rumbling noises came from every direction. The light swung from side to side. The ground shook even more violently. Robin and Steve Toppled over hitting the ground with a bang.

Dustin And Max stayed in the corner of the room, covering their heads with their hands.

Eddie was freaking out, trying not to fall over by grabbing onto the wall.

“Earthquake?!” Steve yelled over the rumbling.

There was a flash of bright white light, bright enough everyone had to cover their eyes. Right in the middle of the boat shed. Everyone backed off as far away and they could. Sparks off electricity came from this light, Striking at things on the walls. Eddie dunked to avoid being hit. Then there was yelling. Voices that nobody recognised.

Then a thud. And the cracking off ice.

Everything stopped. The noises, the earthquake, the ice. It was normal again. But something was different. When Eddie opened his eyes, he saw a group of complete strangers in the middle of the room. No explanation on how they got there, or any on who they are.
They were all lying on the ground. The first to stand up was a blond girl holding a peice of wood. She looked around at Everyone.

“Hey uh….where are we?” She asked, glancing towards the other strangers on the ground.

Another one stood up, he was a lot older than the others. And he had glasses and was holding a book. “Hm…?”

“Ok what the fuck-“ Eddie couldn’t stop his mouth. They didn’t seem to notice him before he’d spoken.

The Blond girl helped 2 more people stand up, one wearing a white shirt with leaves on it, the other with a blue jacket and hair in a bun. One more girl stayed sat on the ground, looking around cautiously.

“Where the hell did they come from?!” Steve looked at Dustin, gesturing to the strangers looking at him in confusion.

“Dude I don’t know!” Dustin Turned to them. “Who are you guys?”

“I could ask YOU the same question!” The guy in the flower shirt said, pointing at them.

“Did you just talk from the sky?? What’s going on-?” Max Looked Around her.

“Hm…..it seems we’re not in Sunnydale anymore….” The old guy said, cleaning his glasses.

“Sunnydale? What?” Steve asked, running a hand through his hair, leaving it a bit messy.

“Where’s Williow? And the others?” The Girl with the Bun walked around the room for a second.

“Holy Shit, Holy Shit, Holy Shit….” Robin mumbled to her self, fidgeting with her shelves.

“We all just need to calm down…..Im Tara. Who are you guys?” The girl with the bun said.

“I’m Dustin, this is Max. That’s Steve, Eddie and Robin.” Dustin Was the first to speak up.

Eddie noticed Steve Staring at this Tara girl, and it made his blood boil.

“Where….Uhm…..where are we?” The old man asked.

“Hawkins….” Robin mumbles, only just audio-able.

“I’m Rupert Giles. I’m Buffys Watcher.”

“Watcher?” Eddie stood up and walked over towards where Steve was.

“Every slayer has a watcher.”

“Slayer…?”

Giles was about to speak again when the blonde girl interrupted. “We don’t have time for the whole slayer speech right now. I’m Buffy, the vampire slayer. This is Xander, Anya and Tara.”

Buffy Pointed to each of them as she spoke, Anya waving slightly.

“It appears..uh…the spell went….wrong somehow.” Giles spoke up, looking through a book he was holding.

“Really? I didn’t notice…” Xander Mumbled, helping Anya to her feet.

“Can you explain how you just…appeared…?” Steve gestured to his surroundings.

“Long story short, back where we’re from there was this God called Glory we were fighting. She came to our house looking for my sister, whose this key made human by a gang of monks, My friend Willow did a spell to teleport us away……speaking of Williow, where is she?”
Buffy Looked around.

“Uhm….whats a Slayer?” Robin Asked, seeming every nervous.

“In each generation a slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a chosen one. The only one with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires.” Giles said like he’d said it a million times before.

“Vampires?!”

“Not in this universe I don’t think, but in ours there is many vampires.”

“We shouldn’t be focusing on the vampires right now. We need to find the others. Before someone gets hurt….” Tara looked out the small window.

“How are we gonna do that? We don’t know where we are. OR where they are for that matter!” Xander Snapped at her. Gesturing around himself.

“We can help.” Dustin spoke up. “We know this town, we can help you find your friends.”

“Henderson we just met them, how do we know we can trust them?” Steve pointed at them.

“They could help us too you know.”

“How?”

“We’ve just discovered that a demon from a different world Killed Chrissy. Who knows what he might do next?”

“Sorry Did i hear that correctly, demon?” Giles asked, looking up from his book.

“Yeah, Vecna. This monster we think is in a different world called the upside down.”

“Interesting….i’ve never heard of such a creature, or place…”

“We’ll explain everything later….but right now, we can help eachother. We help you find your friend, you help us track down Vecna Deal?” Dustin Asked, Extending his hand.

There was a pause. A brief moment of silence. Everyone looked towards Buffy and Giles.

“Deal.” Buffy shook his hand.

__________________

It’d been a few minutes.

Willow had done the spell, and it worked. Or did it?

She had fell into a dark place.

It looked like a factory.

She looked around her, it was almost pitch black with the smallest amount of moonlight coming from outside a broken window

“Tara?” She called out but received no response.

“Oh Bloody Hell!” She heard someone yell, she turned around and there was Spike. And Faith. And Dawn. No Tara.

“Tara?!” She called out again.

“Buffy…?” Dawn looked around. Not noticing willow was there yet.

“Where the bloody hell are We?!” Spike yelled, Looking around him.

“What the hell…”Faith Stood Up.

“I don’t think the spell well….worked….”Willow looked around the large space they found themselves in.

“So it’s your fault we’re in the middle of a shit hole?!” Spike walked towards her furiously.

“No! I mean…it might be party my fault…..but if I didn’t we’d be dead!”

“Where are the others…” Dawn asked, glancing around before walking over to Williow.

“I don’t know….” Faith leaned against the wall. “We don’t seem to be in SD anymore though.”

“no shit.” Spike Mumbled, pacing back and forth.

“Ok…ok…ok….we just gotta stay calm, Buffy will find us…….hopefully.” Willow tried to stay calm. But she was worried. They other coukd be anywhere.

Tara could be anywhere.

Tara.

An idea came across her mind.

“Wait, I know what to do!” Willow said, using her magic to create a glowing orange orb.

“What’s that….” Dawn asked, backing away.

“It’s a signal, for Tara. She’ll follow it right towards us.” She sent it away, and it disappeared through the mass amount of trees surrounding the place they were in. Once it was gone, she spoke up again. “Now….we wait.”

“Wait?! Wait for the slayer to come save us?!” Spike yelled.

“Do you have a better plan?” Faith asked, holding a steak in one hand. When spike didn’t say anything she spoke again. “Didn’t think so, now shut up before I turn you to dust.”

Willow was worried Tara wouldn’t get the message.

That something had happened to Her.

She’ll be ok.

And she’s gonna find her.

She just has to be patient.

________________

One Minute, Glory had been confronting the slayer about the Key.

The next, she had fallen from the sky into an alley.

Glory stood up, dusting herself down and taking in her surroundings.

Her Red dress was filthy. She loved that dress, it was truly fabulous.

There was a sign on the side of a building

“𝖧𝖺𝗐𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗌 𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝖵𝗂𝖽𝖾𝗈 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗋𝖼𝗁𝖺𝖽𝖾“

She walked towards the door of the building, there was a guy inside. She read his name tag, “Keith”.

Keith.

Stupid name.

She entered the Video shop, the bell ringed and Keith looked up from the magazine he was staring at. He looked her up and down before Speaking.

“Hey there.”

Gross.

“Why don’t you tell me where I am?”

“Well, you’re in the Best Video store in Hawkins. Why? Do you need a place to stay for a while, my place is open if you do…”

Was this his pathetic attempt at flirting?

“Hawkins….” She said to herself. Not a place in Sunnydale. The Witch. She cast a spell. To teleport them all away from her, but she had bought her too.

“That’s right, so what’s a pretty girl doing in a town like this?”

“I’m here on some….business….have you seen a Girl called Buffy Summers by any chance?”

“Buffy Summers? Never heard of her.”

“Oh. How unfortunate for you.” With that she grabbed his throat, lifting him up into the air.

Keith gasped, Clawing at her hand. Glory barely felt his useless attempt of fighting back

She choked him until he was almost passed out, before dropping him to the ground and climbing over the counter. Knocking over all the piles of tapes.

She put two hands on the side of his head. There was that beautiful glowing light. Keith yelled. She drained his mind of sanity. Every piece of it.

She let go after a few moments. And she left. Leaving Keith on the ground.

“Time to gather some more….” Glory said to herself.

Chapter Text

Reports of People losing their minds completely had been on the rise.

16 people in just one day. Keith From the video shop, Andy From the Basket ball team, Mr Clark From Middle school, Miss Smith who lives next to Bennys burgers. Even 2 Of the Police officers.

Then Fred died.

Nancy turned around for one minute and he was gone. Then an hour later, he was found in the road. Bones snapped in half and eyes gone. A look of terror plastered on his face.

Police tape surrounded the area. Nancy was leaned against her car, watching as they carted Fred’s body into an ambulance.

He’d mind was occupied by the recent events that have been happening.

First Chrissy.

Now Fred.

And the 16 people who randomly lost their minds and are now in the hospital.

None of it was adding up.

She was so occupied with her thoughts she didn’t hear her walkie-talkie spluttering to life.

“𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐲? 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧, 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲? 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

She sighed, Picking up the walkie-talkie and speaking into it.

“Dustin? It’s me, I copy. Over.”

“𝐨𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐠𝐨𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“Dustin what’s going on?”

“𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“Last night, Fred died. I don’t know what happened but it doesn’t look natural….Over.”

“𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐝? 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝? 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“I looked away from a few minutes to talk to Wayne, Eddies uncle. And he was just…..gone. Then his body was found in the road, his bones broken and his eyes just gone. Over.”

“𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐲...𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“How do you know? Over.”

“𝐖𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞, 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“Different universe, what-?”

“𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“I’m coming. Over and Out.”

Nancy didn't hesitate, she put her walkie-talkie in her pocket and got in her car. One of the cops tried to stop her but she didn’t listen.

She started driving in the direction of lovers lake.

_______________

Everyone was waiting in the boat shed.

Robin was Sat down next to Steve, fidgeting with her ring again. Eddie was Lying down in the boat, gazing up at the ceiling. Buffy and Giles were whispering among themselves about slayer stuff.

Tara stayed looking out the window.

Dustin and Max were outside the boat shed, waiting for Nancy to get there.

Xander and This Anya Girl were talking about some place called magic box, and a cash register apparently.

Steve wasn’t really paying much attention to what everyone else was doing.

In Truth, he still didn’t really understand how they got here. Apparently they were fighting some ‘God’ called Glory who is back in their world. And this God is looking for A Ball of green energy, which was made into a person and that person is Called Dawn and Dawn is Buffys sister.

Very Confusing.

Waiting was boring.

But Steve couldn’t help but stare at all The weird People. The ‘Scoobies’ they called themselves.

He didn't trust them. Not one bit.

But Everyone else seemed too, and that was very frustrating.

He heard a car brake at the curve near the boat shed.

Eddie sat up, immediately on edge. Steve felt bad, he seemed so nervous.

Dustin and Max came in, Nancy following them close behind. Nancy looked around at all the Scoobies.

“You guys are the people from a different universe?” Nancy asked, Tilting her head to the side slightly.

“That would be us yes.” Giles said, cleaning his glasses and glancing around at all the others.

“Dustin filled me in, on most of it anyway. Vecna’s killed another person. Fred. He was found this morning.”

“Another person?” Eddie asked, sitting up properly and turning to look at them all.

“Yeah…”

“No monster would just kill people randomly…uhm…there’s normally always..a pattern in the killings.” Giles Looked through that book he’s looked in 700 times.

“I know one pattern. Both Fred and Chrissy were both seeing Miss Kelly. They both had some kind of….Trauma, something bad that happened to them.” Max spoke up, she was staring at the ground and looked a bit uncomfortable. “I’ve seen them both leave her office several hundred times.”

“Miss Kelly has Files of all her students right? If we found Chrissy and Fred’s, then found someone else’s that matched them. Maybe we could find the person he’s going to kill next.” Dustin Paused for a second before continuing. “But how are we gonna get in the school, it’s locked?”

“I can pick the lock. If we went during the night we’d be able to get in and out without being caught.” Eddie Held up a pair of what Steve assumed were lock picks.

“Before we do any of that we need to find the others.” Tara Said, looking away from the window and brushing some hair out her face, “They could be anywhere.”

Suddenly, a ball of orange glowing light burst through the door. Everyone Jumped back in surprise, some people yelling or falling over , Eddie falling off the boat and into the water.

The orange ball spun around in the centre of the room for a second before Tara approached it.

“Eveyrone it’s ok, It’s Willow. She sent a spell out to find us.” Tara said Calmly. Most of the Scoobies relaxed a bit while the party members still remained on edge.

Steve helped Eddie get out the water before both of the walked towards the ball hesitantly.

“We need to follow it, It’ll lead us to Willow.” The Ball started floating off and Tara followed it immediately. The rest of the Scoobies not far behind.

“Are you sure following them is a good idea…” Eddie murmured, only just being heard by the party. Taking the black Bandana out his back pocket and putting it on as a way of staying hidden. He was still wanted for Murder after all.

“I don’t see what choice we have…” Nancy sighed, Following them out the door. The rest of the party glanced at eachother, trying to figure out if the shpukd follow or not. After a few seconds of deciding they hesitantly follows the orange orb, that was leading straight for the Forrest.

________________

Glory now had herself a small little army of mentally insane people.

As well as the Underworld Bottom Feeders she’d bought with her.

They were all gathered together in a big fancy house.

It was the mayors house before, but Glory Got rid of anyone who lived there now.

The bedroom was small compared to the one In Sunnydale. But it’ll have to do. Glory was sat on the bed in the same red dress she came in. The Underworld Bottom Feeders gathered around her. She was furious at all of them. Not only had they failed to locate the slayer, they had also failed to find the key.

“Y-Your Highness-“ One of Them Began, but she held up a hand to silence him.

“I give you one simple job, and you fail me.” Glory Glared at them. “Find me the slayer and don’t you dare come back until you do!”

The Underworld Bottom Feeders Said a various amount of apologies and compliments before stumbling over themselves to get out.

Glory sighed as she watched them Go. Soon she’ll have her key.

One way or another.

________________

It was a very long walk.

It’d been almost 2 hours and they were still following this orange orb.

They’d stop at the post office so Nancy coukd grab a newspaper, but that’s the only time they’ve stopped. She was Walking along side Robin, scanning the pages for anything that might be of interest.

Robin wasn’t sure what to say.

It was very quiet, she didn’t like it when Eveyrone was quiet. Giles and Buffy were talking with Tara about something. Dustin and Max were continuously trying to get a hold of Lucas, but received no answer. Xander and Anya walked slightly in front of everyone else. Steve and Eddie were just behind Robin and Nancy, they weren’t talking to eachother. Or they might have been. Robin wasn’t really paying attention.

Robin kept on staring at the girl walking beside her. She’d had a crush on Nancy for the longest time. Ever since the first year of high school in fact. She knew deep down Nancy would never like her like that. They were just friends. And that’s gonna be the way it stays.

Nancys probably just gonna end up with Steve anyway…

It made her blood boil whenever she thought they were flirting. It was frustrating on a level Robin couldn’t even describe.

“So….uh….” Robin stuttered slightly, in an attempt to make conversation. Nancy looked up from the newspaper, looking her in the eyes. Robin felt herself blushing.

“You alright?” Nancy asked, Noticing the Robin stuttered.

“Yep! Yeah, yes. I’m alright. All good! H-How are you?”

“Confused mostly…”

“Confused…about what?”

“There’s just a lot of weird things happening right now…..it can’t all be linked, it doesn't make sense….”

“Like what? What’s weird?”

“People have just randomly been going crazy. First it’s Keith, then Andy from the basketball team, My neighbour, Miss Smith who owns 30 cats. It’s like all their sanity just…..disappears…”

“Oh…” She wasn’t sure what else to say.

“It just….doesn't make sense….” Nancy sighed, folding the newspaper up and tucking it under her arm.

“What are you suggesting….”

“Near me out in this, but what if-“ Nancy begun but was interrupted pretty quickly.

“Hey, I hate to break up whatever you guys are talking about but we’re here.” Xander Said as he walked past them. Everyone had stopped walking.

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me-“ Steve said in annoyance, running a hand through his hair.

“Steelworks.” Dustin Sighed.

“Steelworks?” Giles asked, cleaning his Glasses AGAIN.

“Last year a monster used it as a base, it isn’t the safest place in Hawkins….”

“Interesting…”

Tara Continued to follow the Orb Inside, searching around. “Willow? Willow! It’s me, it’s Tara!”

There wasn’t a response.

“Willow?!”

Still nothing.

“Sure, let’s all go into the creepy factory……sounds like a great idea….” Xander Mumbled, following Everyone else inside.

It wasn’t as Robin had imagined it when She had been told about all this. She thought it would be more gross. Vines on the walls, Disgusting Blood stains, things like that, but there wasn’t. It just looked like an abandoned building.

Bit disappointing.

“Willow??” Tara called out again as Steve and Eddie went into the basement.

“I don’t think they’re here.” Anya Blatantly said.

The glowing Orb had disappeared, which apparently means they’re in the right place. Then there was yelling coming from the basement. Tara was the first to rush down, despite how dark it was. Buffy, Robin, Nancy and Giles all followed quickly behind.

The was a tall Man with blond Hair and a weird looking face holding Steve against the wall with one hand. Eddie held out what Robin assumed was a small pocket knife at him. The Blond Man scoffed and then yelled. “WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!”

“Spike Let Go!” Buffy Yelled, Walking forward and tearing Who Robin assumed was Spike off Steve.

“Buffy? Who the bloody hell are these people?” Spike Snapped, Getting up and Brushing himself down. His face then sorta changed to a regular human face.

“They’re gonna Help us. We’ll explain everything in a minute.” Buffy snapped right back.

“Tara?” A Girl with short red hair emerged from the shadows.

“Willow!” Tara Ran towards her and hugged her immediately. Willow hugged her back. “I’m so glad your ok…”

“I missed you….” Willow Responded, holding her a little tighter. Robin thought it was adorable.

Everyone gathered down in the basement, Steve and Spike staying well away from eachother. Buffy introduced Eveyrone to everyone. There was Spike, he’s a vampire. Dawn who’s this key everyone’s been talking about, and Buffys sister. Faith who’s the second slayer who was called after Buffy died. And Willow, she’s the witch who did the spell to bring them here.

“Buffy, what’s going on?” Dawn asked, looking around. Faith stood on the corner of the room, twirling a wooden steak in her hand, Willow and Tara sat down next to eachother, Tara’s head resting on willows shoulder.

“The spell Willow did, didn’t quite go to plan.” Buffy paused. “We’re now in a place called Hawkins. Hawkins is just as messed up as Sunnydale is, Minus the vampires…..and the demons. There’s some different dimension with monsters.”

“Different Dimensions?” Faith Scoffed. “What is this, Doctor Who?”

“What kind of….dimension are we talking about?” Willow Asked Hesitantly, glancing at each of the party members.

“Big Scary Monsters that eat people basically….” Dustin Shrugged as if it was nothing. “And it also mirrors Hawkins. So everything here is there too, we call it the upside down.”

“I’ve never..uhm…read about anything like that…in any of the books I have….” Giles Murmured. “Is there a library in this Town?”

“There’s a monster in the Upside down that has been killing people. First Chrissy, Then Fred.” Nancy Explained. “Me and Robin are gonna go to the library and see if we can find any useful information on previous Killings maybe. Steve, take everyone else to your house. It’s the biggest one and it’s in the middle of nowhere.”

“I’ll..uhm…come with you to the library, Perhaps I could Help you look.” Giles announced, Once again cleaning his glasses before picking up the books he bought with him.

“Me and Max are gonna try find Lucas. We need it tell him what’s going on.” Dustin commented. “And we may be able to try contact Joyce and Will, they could help us.”

“Sounds like a plan, everyone else follow Steve.” Nancy Replied, walking towards the ladder out the basement, Robin following her quickly.

“Woah woah woah, slow down a minute! I can’t go out in the bloody sun can I?!” Spike Stood Up in a bit of a rush.

Everyone had forgotten about that.

“Okay, new plan. Eveyrone else go to Steve’s. Spike and Eddie stay here, it’s too dangerous for either of you to just go out in broad daylight.” Nancy Stated, brushing some hair out her face. “When it’s darker, someone will come get you. Sound Good?”

“Sounds Boring But I don’t have much of a bloody choice…” He Muttered, sitting back down in the corner of the room.

Eddie sighed, Sitting down as well. Robin noticed he and Steve staring at eachother. But she didn’t bring it up as they all walked up the stairs and out the basement bit.

Giles, Robin and Nancy all got in Nancys car while Steve lead the others to his house.

Chapter Text

It didn’t take too long to reach Steve’s house.

All the While Willow and Tara walked behind Everyone else, holding each other’s hand. None of the Party members had seemed to notice.

And if they did they didn’t care.

Steve’s house was huge, a lot bigger than anyone had expected it to be. Tara didn’t think some Teenaged boy could own a house like this. 3 bedrooms, Pool, Nice Kitchen. This place has everything.

First thing they did was sort out sleeping arrangements. Steve didn’t want anyone to sleep in his room, other than him obviously. Tara and Willow got to share one of the guest bedrooms while Xander and Anya got the second. Everyone else had a roll matt and sleeping bag on the floor. Giles got the sofa, even though he wasn’t even there.

Tara liked Steve’s house. She liked the decorations mostly. The guest room her and Willow had been give was nice too. Neat Double bed with Snow White sheets, fluffy pillows, a small desk and chair in the corner of the room. And a nice painting. The painting was of a beach, it had clouds and a bright sunset.

Tara could tell Steve wasn’t very happy about having to let them stay at his house. He probably just wasn’t used to them that’s all. She didn’t say anything about it though. He seemed hesitant to trust any of them.

Robin Reminded her a bit of Willow. She was chatty, stuttered sometimes, and overall a nice person to be around. Nancy Seemed to be the leader of the group, smart and very independent. A bit like Buffy, except not a slayer. She has been told Nancy keeps Guns (Plural) in her bedroom.

Dustin was smart, and a bit nerdy. He and Max were clearly the younger but more experienced members of the party. Max seemed a bit distant for some reason. She seemed nervous 24/7 from the way she bounced her leg on the ground whenever she sat down. Eddie was a bit different from the others in the party, Steve had told her he was known as The ‘freak of Hawkins’. She had a sneaking suspicion he was a bit like Her and Willow. Clearly closeted though. He also seemed very Nervous all the time. She didn’t really like the idea if leaving him alone with Spike all day.

Tara was sat on the bed in Steve’s chest room. Willow was at next to her, holding her hand.

Tara was thinking about everything. About the Fact they’re in a different universe without a way to get back.

“Hey” Willow said softly. “Are you alright?”

Willow seemed to notice the way Tara zoned out whenever she was deep in thought.

“I’m ok….” Tara sighed. “I just…can’t get the thought out my head that maybe….”

“Maybe what?” Willow gave her hand a little squeeze.

“What if we bought something here? Something from our universe. Like a vampire or a monster…”

“Sweetheart, you don’t need to worry. It’s only us that got teleported, I made sure of it.”

“I know, and I trust you. I just can’t stop thinking about it….”

“It’s all gonna be ok, I promise. I’ll find a way to bring us home….”

Tara smiled. Willow always seemed to know how to cheer her up when she’s down. That’s one of the many things she loved about her.

Willow gently leaned forward and kissed Tara’s forehead.

“We’re going to be ok, I promise.”

_________________

The library was only a 5 minute drive from Steelworks. The moment the had entered it, Giles had walked off in search of a book on demons and monsters.

Nancy and Robin had gotten they keys to the basement, and where currently looking through the computers.

It was silent, not an awkward silence. But not exactly comfortable either.

Nancy was extremely focused. Scrolling through every possible thing that could link to vecna, or the upside down.

“Hey Nance?” Robin asked, Nancy wasn’t really paying much attention though.

“Nancy?” Robin knocked on the side of it a few times.

“Yep?” Nancy responded. Leaning to the side so she could see Robin.

“What are we looking for exactly?”

“Just anything that links to the upside down.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know…….previous killings, weird things happening, Things like that.”

“Right. Okay…….you know me and Steve are totally not a thing right?”

“What?”

“Me and Steve, we’re not a thing.”

“I didn’t think you were….” Robin stood up from her seat, walking a bit closer to Nancy, leaning on the side of the computer box and Fidgeting with a little hair band in her hands.

“Right, but you seem annoyed. And I just wanted to make sure you didn’t think we’re a think because it’s all just platonic because I don’t like him like that and he doesn’t like me like that, well he kinda did before but that was before! He doesn’t anymore so-“ Robin continued rambling with Nancy attempting to interrupt.

“Robin-“

“Basically he USED to like me when we were working at scoops but he doesn’t anymore because I didn’t like him like that, I liked someone else who I’m not gonna tell you and he also now likes someone else but he won’t tell me who so it must be more than a little crush-“

“Robin!” Nancy instinctively grabbed Robin hands and held them, trying to get her to calm down.

Robin Froze. Both of them just stared at each other. Nancy was blushing, Robin was Blushing. Neither of them made any attempt to move. Nancy started feeling butterflies.

But Robins a girl.

Nancy didn’t like girls.

Did she?

She hadn’t felt butterflies like this in years.

“Uh….” Robin attempted to say something but it only came out as a muffled noise.

At that moment Giles came down to the basement, carrying a stack off heavy books. Nancy only got a glance of some of the titles. ‘Creatures of supernatural power’, ‘monster sightings 1890-1990’, ‘Vampires and where to find them’, ‘Fantastic beasts and where to find them’.

“I’ve found something I..uhm..I think i should show you.” Giles Cleaned his Glasses before looking up at them with a look for confusion. “Sorry, am I interrupting something-?”

“No! Nope, all good!” Robin quickly pulled her hand away, when Giles still looked at her weirdly she continued. “Nothing interrupted!”

“Right, yeah, what did you find?” Nancy stood up, shoving her hands deep in her pockets.

“Well…uhm…follow me.” Giles lead them too one of the computers in a diffrent room. It displayed a Title that caught Nancys interest within seconds. She kept reading.

𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲: 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧.

𝐎𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟒, 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟗, 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟗𝟏𝟏 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟑 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬; 𝟐𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟏 𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭. 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥, 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬. 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲.

𝐇𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟓 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟗.

“Broken Bones, Missing eyes. That’s what Eddie said happened to Chrissy.” Nancy Muttered to herself as she read the article. “Eddies Uncle thinks Viktor Broke out somehow…”

“That would make him a Grandpa murder….joy….” Robin mumbled.

“But what if Viktor isn’t insane, and a demon really did invade his house?”

“It would make sense….”

“Vecnas first victims….”

“We should go..uh,…tell the others of our discovery.” Giles spoke up.

“Good plan.” Nancy walked out the basement and back to her car. The Giles and Robin just behind her.

But the whole time, all she could think of was Robin.

__________________

It wasn’t dark yet. It was almost dark though. The sky was a mix of Crimson red, orange and yellow. Eddie had realised pretty quickly Spike wasn’t the most talkative person. So he spent most of the day thinking of D&D campaigns he could plan.

There’s not really much else to do when you’re locked in a basement with a Vampire.

Spike spent most of the day staying in the shadows or continuously pacing back and forth. Muttering to himself about the ‘bloody slayer’ and how stupid all this is.

Eddie wished he had his guitar or a note book, or anything really. It’s boring, he’s bored.

He found himself watching Spike as he paced across the room. Buffy had warned him that Spike might try to kill him, but he hasn’t done anything of the sort. He was also given a cross. A wooden cross. He wasn’t really sure what to do with it.

He wondered if it’s like in movies.

“Do Vampires actually hate garlic?” Eddie asked before he could stop himself, Spike paused before turning to face him.

“….what?”

“Do vampires hate garlic?”

“What do you bloody think?!”

“I don’t know, what’s why I’m asking.”

“Of course we can’t eat Bloody Garlic!”

Spike sat down, back leaned against the wall.

“So….how’d you end up a vampire?” Eddie asked trying to make conversation, Spike glared at him.

“Why the hell you asking?”

“Because I’m bored.”

“I gotten bitten, like every other bloody vampire in existence!”

Eddie didn’t respond, and it went quiet. He had other questions but didn’t really want to ask them.

So they just sat in silence. Eddie took a quick Glance at his Watch, then immediately forgot the time again. So he had to look at it twice.

𝟔:𝟑𝟒𝐩𝐦

Sun normally sets around 7. About half an hour before King Steve Himself takes them to Harrington Mansion. Eddies never really been in a big fancy house before. He went to Dustin’s House once, that’s Probably the biggest house he’s ever been too. Miss Henderson wasn’t particularly fond of him, so that’s why he was only there once.

“Your jacket is really metal by the way.” Eddie had only just noticed the leather jacket Spike was wearing, it looked cool.

“You listen to metal?” Spike asked, almost like he didn’t believe him.

“Who doesn’t?”

“People with a Shitty Music Taste.”

“Like everyone else in this stupid town…”

“Sunnydale ain’t much better.”

”How so?”

“Bloody Slayers all wondering around, staking vampires all Willy Nilly. Then Demons Opening some hell portal every other day.”

”Hawkins has its demons too, just not in the supernatural sense. And those demons come in the form of the Basketball Team. They never get in trouble, never get told off. But the make it their mission to make everyone else’s lives hell…”

“They sound Shitty.”

“They are.” Eddie sighed before mumbling. “Especially when you have a stupid crush on one of them….”

Eddie felt his heart stop, realising exactly what he’d just said. Most people didn’t accept people like him. Especially In Hawkins. People like him often got attacked randomly in the streets, normally by the basketball team. He doubted Spike was an exception. Eddie glanced to his side, But to his surprise Spike wasn’t looking at him weirdly or anything. He was just staring in front of him like he’d been doing before.

“Which one?” Spike Asked, as if it’s the most simple and casual question.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it bloody matters!”

Eddie was about to reply when he heard footsteps coming from the stairs. Both of them stood up quickly. Eddie was expecting a basketball team member to come into view, but to his relief it wasn’t.

Steve.

“Relax, it’s just me.” Steve Noticed how on edge he looked. “It’s night so, time to go.”

“It’s about time….” Spike Mumbled, Walking to the stairs and pushing past Steve.

Steve stumbled slightly but then followed him, pausing at the stairs and turning back to Eddie. “You coming?”

“Yup.” Eddie followed. It was dark, the only light came from the moon, and the torch Steve had in his hand. They had to walk through the Forrest, it’s a short cut apparently. Also avoided main roads. And all the places with all the people.

Spike had gone a bit ahead, Leaving Steve and Eddie alone.

It was quiet for a few minutes. The only sounds were twigs snapping under their feet, and birds calling to eachother from the trees.

Steve cleaned his throat before speaking. “You alright?”

“Never better…” Eddie wasn’t really telling the truth, since Chrissy died he’d been very stressed. He felt anxious constantly. A constant fear that lurking around every corner theres one of the many people trying to hunt him down for a crime he didn’t do.

“If something was Wrong, then you can tell me, I know this kind of stuff can be pretty scary.”

“Why do you care so much?”

Steve stopped walking and turned to face him. “I’m not gonna force you to talk if you don’t want to. But if you do, then you can talk to me.”

“I’ve just been a bit stressed out, it’s not really important.”

“Yes it is.” Steve put a hand on his shoulder, Eddie started blushing at the contact. Steve was kind enough not to mention it. “You can talk about this kind of stuff to us, we understand.”

“Don’t you think we have more important things to be thinking about?”

“Seriously Eddie, is something wrong?”

“I just had a bit of a freaky dream last night, it’s nothing.”

“What was it about?” Steve got the nightmares too, he wasn’t exactly surprised when he learned Eddie had them too. Most people in the party did. Max, Nancy, Himself, Robin, and now Eddie.

“Chrissy.” Eddies voiced Cracked slightly and he cleared his throat to try cover it.

“Do you wanna talk about it?”

“Not really no.”

“I’m not gonna push you if you don’t talk. But anytime you do, I’m here. Ok?”

“Ok.”

“Promise me you’ll let me of you get another one.”

“I promise.” Eddie didn't really mean his promise. Not really, he didn’t wanna bother Steve with something as childish as a nightmare.

Meanwhile, Steve’s mind was buzzing. He couldn’t get his eyes to look away from Eddie. Butterflies appeared in his stomach. They maintained eye contact for another few minutes.

Until spike came back and interrupted. “Are you bloody Coming or Not?!”

“Yeah yeah. We’re coming…” Steve Sighed, as he continued walking. Eddie following close behind.

It took a few more minutes to get to Steve’s, Eveyrone was gathered in the living room. Giles sat on the end of the sofa looking through a book Eddie assumed was about Monster stuff. Tara and Willow were cuddling on the sofa, Willows head resting on Tara’s chest as she gently ran her hands through Willows hair. It was cute. Everyone else sat on the carpet.

Dustin was the first to speak up. “From what I know of Vecna, he attacks people with trauma. So we need some people to break into Hawkins high, there’s files in Miss Kellys office About students she talks too. Those files could contain the next victim’s symptoms.”

“Isn't it locked?” Steve asked. “And last time I checked we don’t have the key…”

“I can pick the lock.” Eddie volunteered himself, shrugging slightly.

“You’re a wanted murder.” Steve replied. “You’ll get arrested if anyone sees you.”

“It’s pitch black out there, nobody’s gonna see me. Plus I’m bored, I need to be useful somehow.”

“Ok, if you’re sure. Just don’t get arrested.” Steve didn’t really understand why he cared so much what happened to him. Part of him just wanted to keep him safe from anything that could hurt him.

Robin stood up, “I’ll go as well. You know, keep lookout and stuff.”

“I think we need someone…….a bit more responsible to go too…” Max Said, Looking around at any potential responsible people.

Tara sighed, and put her hand up. “I can go too if you need me too.”

“Sounds like a good plan. You three go, the rest of us will stay here.” Nancy Looked at Robin before continuing. “Stay safe ok?”

“Yep, I will.” Robin said excited, Eager to do something to help the group.

Willow sat up, holding onto Tara’s hand. Tara gave it a little squeeze before kissing her forehead. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

Tara stood up and followed Robin and Eddie out the door.

___________________

Glory was lying down on her bed. Someone knocked on the door. She recognised the knock to be one belonging to one of the bottom feeders.

“Come in.” She sat up as the 3 she had sent to find her key came in, without her key. No person in sight. “What is it.”

“Your Excellentness, we have located the slayer at The Harrington house, along with her whole group. We spent a while watching them and they have sent 3 people to Hawkins High school.” Said one of them, bowing a little.

“The High school? What would they want in a place like that….” These people don’t make any sense.

“We don’t know your Highness….”

“Looks like I’ll go deal with this myself. You know, send The slayer a little message.” Glory Stood up and strutted out the room.

_________________

Everyone back at the house were watching some news show. Buffy found it kinda boring. But it did give her an idea about what had happened before She and the others hand arrived.

A girl named Chrissy had died at Eddies trailer so that’s why he was wanted.

But then something caught her eye.

Reports of people losing their minds at random, no history of mental illness.

Buffy suddenly became extremely interested. “Turn it up.”

Steve turned the volume up, now Eveyrone was paying attention.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐜 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬. 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 at 𝟒𝟕 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.

A picture of a woman in a red dress with blond and curly hair was shown. She looked extremely familiar. People had been turning crazy in Sunnydale before they left, but only one person had the power to do that. Buffy felt her heart stop and her blood turn to ice once she realised who it was. Glory.

𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥. 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲.

“Oh my god….” Willow Gasped. She had realised the same thing Buffy had.

“Glory….” Buffy stood up, Immediately on edge.

“Glory? The god you were running from? She’s here?” Nancy asked, staring at the screen.

“And she was last seen near the high school which means……..oh no.” Steve Frozen completely. Willow showed the same look of terror on her face.

“What? What is it?” Xander asked, pressing for an answer.

“Eddie, Tara and Robin.”

Chapter Text

It had taken Eddie No more than a minute to pick the lock to the schools doors. The doors opened up and they entered as quickly and quietly as they could, Tara closing the door behind them.

They spent a few minutes wandering around the school before they found the office. It was extremely dark, Robin almost thought it looked haunted. The school being haunted sounds normal compared to all the things she’d learned over the past 2 days.

The office was dark, everything was organised neatly into little trays. Tara opened one of the draws, looking through it and having to squint to read the tiny writing on the folders, she said each name she read out loud.

“Alan Bucket…….Jessica Wood……Florence Buckingham……Pete Mitchell……Sam Locke…..”

Robin looked through a pile of folders on Miss Kelly’s Desk, Turning on the table lamp which cast a small amount of light in the room.

Robin glanced out the window for a second, she could have swore she saw person standing in the car park. But within seconds it was gone. She just assumed it was part of his imagination. Eddie seemed to have seen it too, looking confused for a second before going back to looking through the draws.

Robin looked Through the files. Then she saw one that caught her eyes.

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦.

“Hey I found Chrissys!” Robin held it up in the air.

“I’ve got Fred’s.” Eddie bought a file with Fred’s name on over to the desk and gave it to Robin. “Now we just look at the symptoms and who else has them….”

Robin opened Chrissys File and started reading her symptoms. Tara and Eddie read over her shoulder.

𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬

𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐀𝐌𝐀.

Fred’s was the same. Same symptoms.

Robin was about to speak when she heard a loud bang coming from the corridor. Everyones heads shot up

“You all heard that too right?” Eddie asked, his voice shaking a bit.

They all slowly went out the room, almost tip toeing.

They all saw a tall figure standing in the corridor, the doors smashed to pieces behind her. Her was wearing red and had blond curly hair.

“Oh no….” Tara whispered, praying she hadn’t seen them yet.

“What? What Oh no?” Robin Whispered, only just audible.

“Oh my goodness! There you are! I’ve been looking for you everywhereeee.” The Figure Walked towards them, Tara immediately started backing away. Eddie and Robin doing the same.

“RUN!” Tara yelled, as she sprinted as fast as she could down the corridor, Robin and Eddie did the same, Robin running into an empty classroom which was left unlocked. Eddie attempted opening the storage closet but to his misfortune it was locked. Tara followed Robin.

The figure approached him as he tried backing away, only to walk right into something. He turned around and was met with some kind of monster. They had wrinkled faces and Long pointed ears. They wore nothing but long dark brown robes. They had pitch black eyes.

Eddie tried getting away from them too. But The figure stopped him in his path. He was trapped.

“Do you have any idea how HARD it is to be chasing you and your stupid group around??” The Figure asked him, as if she was expecting some kind of response. “I’ve been across UNIVERSES and now I’m in this absolute DUMP.”

Eddie wasn’t exactly sure what to say.

“You’re not gonna say anything? Fine, whatever. Don’t.” She sighed. “Do you have any idea who I am?!”

“No…” Eddie mumbled.

“You are in the presence of a god! Her name is Glory! Her royal highness.” One of the Weird Monster things said from behind him.

Glory just ignored him however and kept talking. “Do you have any idea how SELFISH you’re being?! You have my key hidden somewhere in this building but you haven’t told me where yet?!”

“I-I dont know what you mean…..” Eddie whispered in pure fear, stuttering slightly. Dawn. Dawns the key. Dawn is what she’s looking for. But he can’t say, he won’t say. He won’t tell her. She just a kid.

“Don’t lie to me!!” Glory screamed, taking a step closer. “I know the key is that Tara Girl! She’s the new one in the group, I know it’s her! TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!”

“I don’t know!!!!”

“TELL ME WHERE MY KEY IS!”

“I don’t know!”

“You are completely useless aren’t you???”

Eddie didn’t have a response for that.

Glory sighed. “If you won’t tell me where my key is, I have no use for you.”

The demons held Eddie in place as Glory put her outstretched fingers to the sides of his head. He couldn’t tell what was happening. But he felt this burning sensation, a pain unlike anything he’d ever felt before. He couldn’t help but cry out in pain as he felt everything start to slip away.

He felt his eyes drift shut, and he collapsed onto the ground.

“Time to get the rest of them….” Glory walked past him and down the corridor, looking through every little hiding place. In the darkness it was easy to hide. But it wasn’t easy to hide from her.

All the classroom doors were locked. Except one. The door wasn’t quiet closed.

Glory isn’t stupid.

She walked in, ripping the door from his hinges and throwing it across the room, it smashed against the wall with a bang.

Robin and Tara hid under the teachers desk. They were hardly breathing from now quite they were being. Both of them had heard the screaming, they could only guess she’d done the same to Eddie that she did to the people in the psych ward.

“Do you think I’m stupid?!” Glory yelled, wandering through the rows of tables and chairs.

Finally she spotted them. Glory picked the desk up and through it out the window, glass shattering Everywhere.

The door was blocked by strange looking demons, Tara knew they were Underworld Bottom feeders. Glory’s servants.

“Do you have any idea how HARD it is to be looking for you while mortal?!” Glory Yelled in Frustration, Tara and Willow getting as far away from her as they can.

“What did you do to him.” Robin said in a voice more scared than Tara had ever heard it.

“Who cares? All the matters now is that I can take my key…but I won’t have anyone in my way!.”

Robin didn’t understand. Dawns at home?

Some of Bottom Feeders grabbed Robin and held her back as Glory put her fingers to her heads there was a glowing white light. Tara gasped, backing away into the corner as Robin cried out in pain. This lasted what felt like forever, but it was only a few minutes. Robin went limp.

“NO!” Tara Yelled, Realising what was gonna happen to her, what had happened to her freinds.

“Now…..just me and you.” Glory turned to face her. Walking towards her until they were near face to face.

Glory grabbed her hand without a warning, then she tightened her grip. Tara winced, She heard the bones in her hand start cracking. She gasped in pain as Glory practically crushed her hand in her grasp.

Blood Dripped down from her hand.

Glory saw it, she smiled. And licked the blood from her hand, before spitting it out immediately.

“Wait a minute, you’re not my key!!!” Glory cried out. “Who’s my key?! WHO IS IT?!”

Tara said nothing.

“TELL ME WHO MY KEY IS!!!!”

Still not a word.

“You are being so selfish right now! Its My key and I want it yet everyone refuses to tell me who it is!”

Nothing.

“Not gonna talk? Not gonna tell me where my key is?!”

Glory sighed in frustration, before doing what she did to Eddie and Robin to Tara. Placing her hands either side of her head, and taking everything.

____________________

Willow had never run so fast. She was sprinting through the Forrest at top speed, no mater now much her legs screamed at her to stop and take a break. Steve and Nancy were very close behind, everyone else followed just behind them.

Dawn and Giles were the only ones who stayed at Steve’s. Just in case Glory was near by.

It has taken minutes for them to reach the school. Willow was already terrified, but pain seeing the doors to the school smashed to bits she started to panic more. But that wasn’t important right now. Tara.

She had to find Tara.

Willow Ran into the deserted School corridor. Some of the lockers were smashed, windows broken, filers for school clubs lay on the floor. She didn’t see Tara, Steve and Nancy followed her quickly, searching for Eddie and Robin.

“Tara?!” Willow Cried Out, panic beginning to take over. “TARA?”

“Robin?!” Nancy Called out, trying to stay calm but she was tense with worry. “Robin where are you?!”

“Eddie?! IF YOU CAN HEAR ME SAY SOMETHING!” Steve also seemed worried.

They were met with silence.

The silence had never been so loud.

No sign of Tara. No sign of Eddie. No sign of Robin.

No Glory either.

“TARA?!”

“ROBIN???”

“EDDIE!!”

Tara was terrified she was gonna lose the one person she’d ever loved.

Then they heard a noise, something falling over distantly. Willow rushed towards the sound. But then paused, she didn’t wanna scare whoever might be trying to hide. She approached a bit more slowly. It wasn’t Tara, it was Robin. Curled up in a little ball just outside a classroom, rocking back and forth slightly. Nancy came over quickly and kneeled down next to her.

“Rob? Hey, it’s ok. It’s me. It’s Nancy.” Nancy said gently, not wanting to startle her.

Robin didn’t respond, she had a blank look on her face, like she was staring into nothingness. She wasn’t looking at anyone, she remained staring at the ground.

“Robin?” Nancy reached out slowly and out a hand on her shoulder.

This time Robin did respond, but she didn’t seem like she was Speaking to her, or anyone really, “It has to be sure, carefully verified…yes yes of course it was it be….very sure, verified.”

“Robin? What are you talking about?”

“Verifies it, yes. Yes verify. Of course, it sure. Must be sure.”

Robin looked up this time. But stared at the wall. Muttering something over and over to herself.

Nancy looked at Willow and Buffy. “What happened to her?”

“Glory…” They both said at the same time. Willow went to check the classroom while Nancy and Buffy stayed with Robin. The room was trashed.

Then she saw her. Tara. Looking around the room with a blank stare on her face. Her hand was cracked and bleeding, she didn’t even seem to feel it though.

“Tara?” Willow Whispered. Slowly approaching her and crouching. Tara was looking at her. But she seemed to see right through her. “Baby?”

“It was poison, poisonous, poisoned. Yes yes it had to be. Must be checked, but certain.” Tara Mumbled.

Glory had done this. The same thing happend to Tara that happened to Robin.

Willow slowly sat beside her, back against the wall. “Baby…..what did she do to you….”

“It’s cold. It’s the poisonous, it’s certain, it’s very sure.”

She didn’t know what she was saying. Or what she was doing. Or what was happening.

Willow very gently hugged her, Tara leaned her head in her chest. Her damaged hand lay in Willows Lap, blood getting everywhere.

Willow couldn’t help but cry. Tara didn’t seem to notice. Xander came in, not saying a word but sitting next to Willow and putting a comforting hand on his best friends shoulder.

Steve found Eddie Behind the vending machine. He’d already guessed what had happened. Both Robin and Tara were acting strange. And Eddie was the same.

“I didn’t tell, I won’t tell, she didn’t tell……yes. Yesterday I didn’t.” He mumbled.

Steve wasn’t sure how to react. Or what to do, what to say.

“no problem telling people that they have a problem…..” Eddie just kept on repeating things like that. Steve didn’t understand what he was saying. It was Glory who did this.

Steve has never felt worse in his life. Every single part of him felt absolutely destroyed this had happened.

“Eddie? It’s me, it’s Steve, do you remember me?” Steve asked, reaching out and holding his hand.

“No no no, yes. Yes it was the first one that came to my house ….” Eddie Sighed, seemingly in his own world right now.

The first person to approach them was Anya. She just stared for a few seconds, not sure really what to say.

“It’s all only temporary, he’ll be back to normal eventually.” Anya said after a few minutes.

Only then had it hit Steve what exactly has happened. Glory had taken everything. All his Sanity. Just like she had done with the people on the news.

“Buffy says we must be leaving now….” Anya said, gesturing to the door with her hand.

Steve decided the best way to go about this was gently, he didn’t want to startle Eddie.

“Hey Ed’s? We need to leave now, ok?”

“15 different ways, yes. But right one is now….”

Steve sighed, helping Eddie to his feet and taking his hand. “Time to go, ok?”

Eddie stared at him blankly for a second. Before nodding his head slightly. Willow came out the classroom, Leading Tara by the Hand. Nancy did the same with Robin.

Buffy and the others all helped.

Giles and Driven to the school with Steve’s car after Buffy told him what had happened over phone. Getting Them in the car was a bit if a struggle but they managed eventually. All 3 of them remained quiet for the car ride, staying very close to Willow, Nancy and Steve.

When they got back to Steve’s, the first thing they did was tried to find them something a bit more comfortable to wear. After they did that, Eddie (who was now wearing Steve’s yellow Sweater and a pair of his loose joggers) became interested on something outside, so he stayed staring out the window. Steve sat next to him, making sure he was alright.

Tara (now in her white pyjamas with starts on, Willow had them with her when they teleported) was curled up on the only armchair in the living room (much to spikes annoyance). Her damaged had was bandaged up by Willow.

Robin (wearing one of Nancys purple shirts and a pair of loose, light blue trousers. Nancy had rushed to her house and found the comfiest clothes she could find) Sat on the carpet with Nancy.

Everyone else had gathered in the kitchen. Trying to figure out a way to help them. And to stop Glory.

“Do you think we could ask them?” Dawn asked, Giles raised an eyebrow at her before looking back at his books.

“Ask them what?” Buffy glanced back into the living room, to her relief they all seemed to be fine.

“You know, where glory is? What she needs me for?”

“I really don’t think they know the answer to that Dawn….”

“It would….uhm…be wise not to put them in any…uh,…situation that they could be…uhm…stressed or upset…..according to my books….they have a tendency to…get violent or extremely aggressive at times….” Giles Cleaned his glasses.

“We have to find some way to help….” Dustin Finally said something, he’d been silent almost the whole time. Max to. She’d been acting very weird, in the car she sort of froze up.

“I still think They might know all Glory’s secrets.” Dawn Said, folding her arms.

“Dawn, we know you’re trying to help but you heard what Giles said….” Xander gestured to Giles. “What else does the book say?”

“Well….it says glory takes all her victims sanity…..they get upset, angry, violent easier….uhm…..they have little to no control over what they’re doing….”

“That’s it?” Anya Asked, seeming frustrated.

“Unfortunately yes…..uhm….the book selection on demons….uhm…and gods…..in this towns library is very….limited.”

“For now I say we leave them be. We’ll find a way to help but for now we can’t….” Xander said as Willow went back to the living room to stay with Tara.

“I think it’s wise to get some…uhm…sleep. It’s been a very long day….” Giles Put his book down on the counter. Anya and Xander went to the guest room upstairs. Everyone else stayed downstairs. Max was filling Lucas (who has joined them a little before they had left) in on everything that had happened while he was with The Jocks. Steve decided someone else could have his room if they needed it, he wanted to stay with Eddie. And Eddie, Tara and Robin didn’t want to leave the living room.

Everyone else pulled out sleeping bags and matts to sleep on. Eddie leaned his head on Steve’s shoulder and fell asleep within a few minutes. Tara was curled up in Willows lap, asleep. Robin was asleep, resting her head on Nancys Chest.

Chapter Text

Buffy and Faith were the first to get up. It was a pretty cold morning, or maybe it was just cold in the house. It was very hard to tell. The curtains were closed, shutting away any sunlight that would have lighted the room up. Spike needed them to be kept closed, or he’d burst into flames.

Last Night Giles had Recommended a Patrol around Hawkins. If they had bought glory with them when they teleported, god knows what else the bought. Demons, vampire's, anything. Well, technically they had already bought a vampire with them. But spike doesn’t count. Luckily there haven’t been any reports on people dying with weird bite marks.

So far.

Buffy couldn’t shake the feeling there was something else here.

And if there was, it would be her fault. It’s already her fault what happened to Eddie, Robin and Tara. If they hadn’t come here, then Glory wouldn’t have either. Robin and Eddie had no involvement in All this Glory stuff until they came along. And now, they might never be the same again.

All because of Her.

Buffy knew she wasn’t alone, Willow felt the same. But it’s Different for Buffy. She’s the slayer, it’s her job to protect the innocent. So many innocent people had been hurt.

Buffy and Faith were getting ready for patrol, Buffy eating some toast at the Dining table and watching all her friends while they were asleep.

Giles was asleep on the sofa with an open book on the floor next to him, his glasses half falling off his face. He was snoring slightly, it wasn’t too loud though.

Tara and Willow had barely moved all night, still curled up in the position they feel asleep in. Spike was on the floor, Lying on his back with one had under his head and the other rested on his chest. Max was also awake, she had gotten up a little after Buffy, she was now writing something on some paper. Buffy didn’t ask what she was writing, it’s not really any of her business.

Eddie was asleep, curled up next to Steve. He’d woken up during the night and it took a while to calm him down and get him to go back to sleep. Robin did that same, though she woke up about 2 hours after he did. Buffy was starting to wonder if Robin and Nancy were dating. They seemed very close even before what happened to Robin. She could already tell Willow and Tara noticed the same.

Steve and Eddie however, they seemed a little distant from eachother. Like Eddie didn’t really trust Steve. But, when he got his mind taken by Glory, Steve was the first to try help. Other than Dustin obviously.

Buffy finished her toast, putting her plate on the counter. Faith was waiting by the stairs, holding a small bag of crosses, stakes and holy water. A lot of stakes. Including Buffy’s Personal Favourite, Mr Pointy.

“You ready to go?” Faith asked, watching Buffy as she put on her Jacket and Shoes.

“Ready as all ever be…” Buffy muttered, opening the door and walking out. Faith followed, slinging the bag over her shoulder.

Nancy had told them some places Vampires might hide, Steel works is one. Another is A Cabin in the Forrest the former Police Chief used to live in. Steel works was the first place they Checked.

It was dark, just like it was when they found Willow and everyone there. Nothing seems to have changed. No vampires Yet.

Buffy went down to the basement, but she paused at the stairs. There was someone down there. She could see the shape of something. Vampire. Buffy could tell it was a vampire. Her slayer senses just told her it was. Faith came down as well, pausing behind Buffy. She was holding a crossbow, loaded with an arrow. The vampire hadn’t seemed to notice them yet. It was sat in the corner. Asleep.

Fast asleep.

Faith Raised her crossbow up, aiming at the vampires chest. Buffy didn’t try stop her, she fired. And missed. The Arrow bounced off the wall near its head. It woke up, glaring at them before sprinted towards them, it’s face turning into the wrinkly vampire face.

Faith aimed and fired another arrow as it was coming towards them. This time it did hit it, just not in the heart. It hit its leg, the vampire screeched in pain and pausing to grab the arrow.

Buffy didn’t waste this opportunity, she ran off the stairs, holding Mr Pointy in her hand. She swung at the vampire. It dodged, pulling the arrow from its leg and throwing it to the side.

Faith grabbed a steak from her belt and attacked it too. The vampire wasn’t particularly skilled in fighting.

Its attacks were very sloppy and uncoordinated. Buffy staked its heart within a few minutes of the fight, the vampire gasped and Turned it dust immediately.

Faith cracked her knuckles, putting her stake back in her belt.

Buffy kneeled down, catching her breath. So they did bring other things here. Not just Glory.

God knows how many there are in Hawkins right now.

“You alright B?” Faith asked, Stretching her arms.

“Do you think it was our fault?”

“What’s our fault?”

“All this…..the vampires, Glory, what happened to Eddie, Robin and Tara….”

“No, I don’t.”

“Why?”

“We had no way of knowing this would have happened..”

“We’re slayers!” Buffy gestured to the Two of them. “We’re supposed to help people, you know. Protect the innocent?”

“That’s not all being a Slayers about, sometimes you just gotta let loose. What happened here wasn’t our fault.” Faith turned to face her. Hands on her hips.

Buffy sighed. Maybe Faith isn’t the best person to talk to about this. “How do you seem so sure?”

“That Sassy Ass of a God doesn't stand a chance.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I am, Just don’t worry about it B. Kay?”

Buffy Nodded, her and Faith did one last look around before leaving.

_______________

Everyone was already up by the time Buffy and Faith came back. Steve and Nancy were Cooking something, it looked a bit like porridge. Everyone expect Tara, Robin and Eddie were all having their own little conversations with eachother. Giles Looked up from the book on gods her was reading when they came through the door.

“How did the patrol go? Did you find anything?” Giles asked, cleaning his glasses.

“Several vampires. One at Steelworks, the rest all hidden in the forest.” Buffy Sat Down next to Willow and Tara. Faith Went outside to get some target practice with her crossbow.

“There may be more then….”

“Yup…”

Nancy and Steve finished cooking and put the porridge into some bowls.

Eddie, Tara and Robin had already eaten. Turns out they weren’t able to eat on their own anymore, so they needed some help. Steve, Nancy and Willow had volunteered without any hesitation to help. Tara was now curled up on the arm chair, mumbling a bit to herself. Eddie was once again staring out the window. Robin was watching something on Tv, nobody could really tell if she was actually watching it though. Or if she was just staring at the screen, it was kinda hard to tell.

Everyone had noticed pretty quickly that Tara, Eddie and Robin were all slightly different to eachother.

For example, Eddie got angry and he tended to be a bit more ‘violent’ than them. But He’d never hurt anyone. Not really. It was mainly just trying to. Steve knows Eddie wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Robin talked the most, she was normally the one to say the most random things at random times. Nobody could understand what she meant really, Dawn had a theory that they all knew Glory’s plan, but they just couldn’t say.

Tara Was a mix of both of them, she talked a lot too. Mostly to herself. And she sometimes got ‘violent’. Everyone didn’t want to call it being violent. Since that’s not really what it is. They couldn’t help it.

There was also a plan set for today. Nancy, Giles and Willow are gonna go to talk with Viktor Creel, maybe then they could get some inside info on Vecnas First Attack. Dustin, Steve, Max, Buffy and Lucas gonna go try and track Glory’s hideout, chances are it was some big fancy place judging by how she was dressing. Or a clothing shop. Faith, Xander, Anya, Spike and Dawn are staying behind to keep Eddie, Tara and Robin Company.

Steve had complained how he’s ’babysitting again’ but stopped after a bit when he realised it wasn’t doing anything.

Nancy put the bowls on the table. Everyone ate in almost complete silence. Then only sounds were the Distant Bird sounds coming from the forest towards the back of Steve’s house and Robins quiet Mumbling.

As soon as they were done, Giles, Nancy and Willow headed straight out to Penhurst asylum. Obviously the workers there wouldn’t just let them walk in, so they came up with some fake IDs. Nancy and Willow were students at Springfield University in Washington. The names on their Fake IDs were Jessica Mitchel (Willow) and Cassie Wood (Nancy) . Giles was their professor, Mr Buckingham. On their application, they had put that they're a students who are doing research into psychopaths and How the human mind works and wanted to speak to Viktor about how he killed his own family, and why he did it.

They had been booked in for a meeting with the Director of the Asylum at 10:30am.

It took a while to get there since it’s on the other side of town. Nobody said much through out the drive. They’d stopped at Nancy house to get some more professional’ looking outfits.

Willow seemed very nervous once they’d arrived at the gates if they asylum. She didn’t want to Leave Tara alone. She hated the idea.

But there wasn’t really much of a choice.

They’d been escorted to an Office by a few members of Staff. Now they were waiting for the Director, Anthony Hatch. They were told it could take awhile.

It was kinda awkward.

They were all sat on chairs in front of a desk. The room wasn’t particularly interesting, there were a few newspapers hung in frames on the walls. Most of them were about Famous Serial Killers. One was about Viktor Creel, it looked like the same one they’d seen at the library.

Anthony came In a little while late, holding a pile of papers and sitting as his desk.

“I apologise for being late, you must be Jessica, Cassie and Mr Buckingham?” Anthony Asked, Putting the files in his desk draw.

“That would be us yes.” He and Giles shook hands.

“So, you wish to speak to Viktor Creel. Is that correct?”

“Yes, we..uh…..we want to get some….first hand experience speaking to someone such as Viktor….for our university work.” Nancy said, making everything up on the spot.

“Well….obviously there are some complications with speaking to someone like him.” Anthony Said as Nancy handed over their fake IDs and Fake letters of Recommendation.

“Very good letters of recommendations…” Anthony Mumbled, Glancing Up at Giles. “Did you write these?”

“Some of the yes, others written by other….professors.” Giles Responded, Nodding.

“These….are very good. Excellent in fact…but to meet a person like Viktor it’s….more complicated.”

“We Understand the circumstances are….difficult right now. But we do need to speak to him. It’s very important.” Nancy Explained.

“Yes! Yes very important. Extremely important!” Willow Smiled, trying to help.

“Unfortunately it’s not possible right now, but if you like I can give you a personal tour of our facility and you could talk to some patients in our lower security wing?”

“We don’t want to do that, we want to Speak to Viktor.” Giles begun. “It’s very important. Life or Death Important.”

“School work is life or Death?”

“Well….Yes.”

“Mr Hatch…i mean Anthony! Can I call you Anthony?” Willow kept going before he had a chance to respond. “We have flown for hours from England to be here, and yes I know I’m not English! But I assure you I did- I mean do. Do live in England. I uh…..well I think we should be given a chance because…..uh…..Summer camp! Yes Summer Camp! So….our Professor Told is a story about Viktor and what he did. And our friend….Pete Burst into tears immediately and nobody could sleep that night and I’ve couldn't sleep either but not because we were scared but we wanted to now how……how someone could do something so horrific. I’ve read every single book on it, watched every single news show. Everything! But I still want to know more! So please….let us speak to the man who ignited my…passion! Passion for The Subject!”

There was an awkward Pause.

“10 minutes with Viktor. That's all we ask.” Nancy Said, leaning forward in her chair.

Anthony paused, looking back over the fake letters. Scanning every single word. He hesitated before speaking.

“Alright. 10 minutes with Viktor.

_____________________

Steve and the others had checked almost everywhere. Clothing shops, restaurants, abandoned buildings, sewers. Glory was no where to be found. It was extremely annoying.

Steve wasn’t at all keen on leaving Eddie at home for too long. And this was taking hours. They’d left the same time Nancy, Robin and Giles had at 10:30. It was now 5pm. Getting dark now. Nancy, Robin and Giles called them to tell them they did get to meet Viktor and were probably still speaking to him.

Max had been acting weird all day. She kept turning out like she was seeing something. But every time he asked if she was okay she just said ‘fine’ and walked away.

They were walking towards an abandoned mansion. It felt like they’d been walking through this field for ages.

Steve didn’t think she’d be there.

“Hey…..do you guys hear that?” Max Paused and turned around.

“Hear what?” Steve asked, very confused.

“That clo- never mind. It’s probably just my imagination….”

Lucas walked along side her and they started taking about something. Steve wasn’t sure what about.

Buffy was leading them, a stake she called ‘Mr Pointy’ in her hand. Apparently they’d bought loads of vampires here with them. Just one more thing to deal with.

“I think it’s smart if we split up.” Dustin Spoke Up, stoping.

“Split up? That’s how people die in horror films….” Buffy Muttered, rolling her eyes. “But it might be alright now. Cover more ground.”

Buffy handed each of them a Stake or cross she got from her bag.

Max took her stake and walked off. Steve was going to ask her if she was okay again. But he changed his mind. Steve started walking away, a stake in one hand. He wasn’t sure what to do with it.

Steve had walked far into a nearby forest, he’d gotten a bit lost. It was pretty dark and he didn’t bring a flashlight.

Great thinking.

He was told to look for ‘yucky wrinkly Monster things that go on and on about Glory’. Those are her slaves apparently whose task it is to serve her.

He’d spent a little time walking around until he noticed Max standing next to a tree.

“Hey Max, Thank god….i thought I’d never find anyone-“ Steve began, Jogging Up to her and tapping her on the back. She didn’t respond, she didn’t even move. “Max?”

Something was wrong. Her eyes were completely clouded over. She was breathing in fast, rapid breaths.

“Max? Max?!” Steve waved his hand in front of her face, still no reaction. “MAX?!”

This is What Eddie said happened to Chrissy. A trance.

Panic washed over Him as he realised what was happening.

Vecna.

“SHIT.” Steve grabbed his Walkie Talkie from his back pocket, and called The others immediately. Nancy, Willow and Giles too.
__________________

Max wasn’t in the Forrest anymore.

She’d heard a clock.

Turned around to see what it was and then she was in a graveyard. In front of Billy’s Grave. There was Red Fog everywhere, she coukd barely see her hand in front of her face.

She was confused. Scared. Really scared. She didn’t understand what was happening.

She just stood, staring at the grave.

Not sure what else to do.

She looked around her. Something isn’t right here.

“Lucas?? Dustin??? Steve?” Max Called out but the only response was her voice echoing back, as if to taunt her.

“Hello Max.” A voice came from behind her. A voice she both longed to hear and dreaded.

She turned around slowly. “Billy?”

“Max.” He was stood right there. Wearing the same thing he was wearing the day he died. He was covered in Blood.

“Billy….Is that you?”

“It was your fault you know…”

“What?”

“What happened to me.” He took a step foward.

“Billy no…”

“You COULD have done something……but you stood there. You Watched.”

“No…no I-“

“I know you Max. I know what you think. Part of you wanted me to die that Day. You had BEGGED for it. Prayed. That one day, I would die. Isn’t that right?”

“Billy No! No…no I didn’t-“

Billy Just laughed. Stepping Closer. “Don’t lie…..you know it’s true. That’s why you just stood there. And ever since…..you’ve been feeling the guilt. And now, all you want to do is Join me. Join me in death…”

“No……no…..you’re not really him. Are you.” Max Stepped away until her back was against the gravestone. starting to figure out what was happening. This isn’t real. Vecna.

“Come and Join me Max. End the pain…..the suffering…..” Billy’s voice deepened. This wasn’t him. Max took this chance and ran. Ran into the red Fog. He didn’t follow her.

“STEVE?! DUSTIN?! LUCAS?!” Max Screamed into the fog. “SOMEONE PLEASE!!!!”

“They can’t hear you Max….” She heard a voice. “Nobody can.”

Stood before her was vecna. He was covered in black vines that he seemed to move all around his body. One hands with long fingers was stretched out in front of him.

“Your time……is….over….” He said, stepping closer. Max didn’t hesitate before sprinting away from him.

Further into the seemingly endless red mist. Max had never run so far.

And she kept on running. As fast and as far as she could. Until she ended up somewhere different. Large Spikes Came from the Ground, the sky was Red and cloudy, there was lightning and vines covering the ground. Right in the middle, there was the remains of some kind of building. A stained Glass window caught her eye, it had a rose on. Not really the sort of thing you’d expect to find in a place like this.

“Max……what are you doing in here……” Vecnas Voice Echoed around her.

She ran to hide behind one of the Gigantic Spikes, but froze immediately when she saw it.

Chrissy.

Her bones were snapped, her eyes pulled from her skull. She was wrapped up in vines, being held to the spike. Like she was on display. Fred was there too. Bones snapped the same. It made her blood go cold.

“You like them, Max? Why don’t…..you join them?” Max Felt a Vine Wrap around her ankle, before she had a change to react, it pulled her to the ground as she screamed. It dragged her across the ground as she clawed against it, trying to find something to grabbed on to. It threw her against one of the spikes, other vines wrapping Around her wrists and chest. Holding her in place.

Every part of her was fighting to escape, but the vines were strong. She couldn’t move.

She was stuck.

Trapped.

Vecna started waking towards her. “Don’t be scared……it will be over soon.”

________________________

It had taken everyone else a matter of seconds to rush to them. Steve was panicking, still trying everything he could to wake Max up. But still she didn’t move. Didn't speak. Didn’t respond.

Lucas Had grabbed her shoulders and shook her, trying to get her to wake up. “MAX!!!”

“Dustin! Call Nancy, Willow and Giles! NOW!” Steve throwing his Wt at Dustin (which he only just caught). Dustin Sprinted out the Forrest as fast as he could. Steve had already tried calling them, there wasn’t enough reception.

It had taken him a few minutes to reach the car.

“NANCY? WILLOW? It’s Dustin!!! Do you copy?!?! Over!”

“𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧? 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰! 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫.“

“Oh thank God, please please tell me you have this thing figured out!!!”

“𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭? 𝐈𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐤???“

“Vecna! He has Max! Please tell me you found something useful!!!!”

“𝐎𝐡 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐭. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐭. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐭! 𝐎𝐤...𝐎𝐤....𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐜𝐧𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲! 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐛𝐮𝐭...“

“But what??!”

“𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜! 𝐈𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭! 𝐖𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭!“

“Ok…ok….meet us at back at Steve’s. We’ll fill you in. Over and out.” Dustin didn’t even wait for a response before shutting the walking off and grabbing Maxes Bag from the car. She’d bought it with her and left it there. And sure enough, inside was her Walkman and a bunch of tapes.

Dustin zipped it up and sprinted back to the others.

Steve was the first to see him, Dustin threw the bag down and emptied the contents.

“What’s all this?!” Steve pointed at the tapes. “How’s this supposed to help??”

“I’ll explain later!! What’s her favourite song?!”

“What-“

“What’s her favourite song?!”

Lucas Rushed to look through the tapes as Buffy stayed trying to wake up Max.

Dustin Put the headphones on Max.

“This one! I’ve got it!” Lucas Shoved the tape into the Walkman and pressed play.

Just as Max begun to lift into the air.

____________________

“Your suffering……is over……” Vecna was too close to Her. His outstretched hand reached over her head. She closed her eyes.

Then she heard it.

ℐ𝓉 𝒹ℴℯ𝓈𝓃𝓉 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝓂ℯ，𝓎ℯ𝒶𝒽 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝒽 𝓎ℴ．

𝒹ℴ 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶 𝒻ℯℯ𝓁 𝒽ℴ𝓌 𝒾𝓉 𝒻ℯℯ𝓁𝓈？

Vecna paused, and turned around. Behind him was an opening, she could see the Forrest. She saw Steve, Lucas, Dustin, Buffy. Then she saw herself. Floating in the air.

She heard them calling out her name.

“They can’t…..help you…..anymore…..” Vecna Turned back to her.

𝒟ℴ 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶 𝓀𝓃ℴ𝓌， 𝓀𝓃ℴ𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓉 𝒹ℴℯ𝓈𝓃𝓉 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝓂ℯ？ 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝒽，𝓎ℯ𝒶𝒽， 𝓎ℴ．

Max closed her eyes as vecna raised his hand again.

She started to think.

Think about her friends. About the good moments. The good times. The times worth living for.

Dates with Lucas.

Shopping with El.

Hanging Out at Family Video with Steve and Robin.

Watching never ending story with Dustin.

Teaching El To Skateboard.

Listening to Kate Bush with Nancy.

Calling Will and Mike in California.

Listening to Eddie strum on his guitar from her Trailer.

The SnowBall. Dancing with Lucas.

𝒟ℴ 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶 𝒽ℯ𝒶𝓇 𝒶𝒷ℴ𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽ℯ 𝒹ℯ𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓂 𝓂𝒶𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔？ 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝒽， 𝓎ℯ𝒶𝒽， 𝓎ℴ．．．．

There’s too much to lose.

She can’t give up.

She won’t.

𝒴ℴ𝓊．

ℐ𝓉𝓈 𝒴ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℳℯ．

Max opened her eyes and with all her remaining strength, ripped her arm free from the vines grip and grabbed a vine on Vecnas neck, pulling it as hard as she could.

Vecna stumbled back, the vines all releasing her at once. She dropped to the ground, and didn’t hesitate before standing Up and Running.

𝒜𝓃𝒹 ℐ𝒻 ℐ ℴ𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹．

ℐ’𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓀ℯ 𝒶 𝒹ℯ𝒶𝓁 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒢ℴ𝒹

𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒾’𝒹 𝑔ℯ𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝓉ℴ 𝓈𝓌𝒶𝓅 ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸ℯ𝓈．

She sprinted towards the gate out. The exist. Thoughts racing in her mind and her blood boiling. Her heart beating so fast, it felt like it would break her chest. Her legs begging her to slow down, to stop but she didn’t, she couldn’t. If she stopped now she was dead.

ℬℯ ℛ𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃’ 𝓊𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓇ℴ𝒶𝒹

ℬℯ 𝓇𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃’ 𝓊𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓁𝓁．

ℬℯ ℛ𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃’ 𝓊𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒷𝓊𝒾𝓁𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔．

𝒮𝒶𝓎 ℐ𝒻 ℴ𝓃𝓁𝓎 ℐ 𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹， ℴ𝒽．．．

𝒴ℴ𝓊， 𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂ℯ． 𝒾𝓉𝓈 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓂ℯ． 𝓌ℴ𝓃𝓉 𝒷ℯ 𝓊𝓃𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎．

Vecna had regained his balance, watching her run away. Spikes and rocks begun to fall from the sky, an attempt to stop her. She tripped over but immediately got back up and kept on going. Getting covered in a strange red liquid. But she didn’t care about that. Vines on the ground were attempting to grab her, but she was too fast.

𝒪𝒽 𝒸ℴ𝓂ℯ ℴ𝓃 𝒷𝒶𝒷𝓎，

𝒸ℴ𝓂ℯ ℴ𝓃 𝒹𝒶𝓇𝓁𝒾𝓃，

ℒℯ𝓉 𝓂ℯ 𝓈𝓉ℯ𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓂ℴ𝓂ℯ𝓃𝓉 𝒻𝓇ℴ𝓂 𝓎ℴ𝓊 𝓃ℴ𝓌．

𝒞ℴ𝓂ℯ ℴ𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝑔ℯ𝓁， 𝒸ℴ𝓂ℯ ℴ𝓃， 𝒸ℴ𝓂ℯ ℴ𝓃 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓁𝒾𝓃．

ℒℯ𝓉𝓈 ℯ𝓍𝒸𝒶𝒽𝓃𝑔ℯ 𝓉𝒽ℯ ℯ𝓍𝓅ℯ𝓇𝒾ℯ𝓃𝒸ℯ．

She was so close. She could feel it. She could see the way home.

𝒜𝓃𝒹 ℐ𝒻 ℴ𝓃𝓀𝓎 𝒾 𝒸ℴ𝓊𝓁𝒹， 𝒾’𝒹 𝓂𝒶𝓀ℯ 𝒶 𝒹ℯ𝒶𝓁 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑔ℴ𝒹． 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝒾’𝒹 𝑔ℯ𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝓉ℴ 𝓈𝓌𝒶𝓅 ℴ𝓊𝓇 𝓅𝓁𝒶𝒸ℯ𝓈．

ℐ’𝒹 𝒷ℯ 𝓇𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃’ 𝓊𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓇ℴ𝒶𝒹

ℬℯ ℛ𝓊𝓃𝓃𝒾𝓃’ 𝓊𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒽𝒾𝓁𝓁．

𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓃ℴ 𝓅𝓇ℴ𝒷𝓁ℯ𝓂𝓈．．．

Seconds later, Max Opened her eyes as she fell from the sky. The memories of what had just happened flooding through her mind. Vecna. Chrissy. Billy. Fred. Everything.

She started panicking almost immediately, but Lucas held her tightly. Reminding her he was there. That she’s safe.

“It’s ok….your ok…..we’re here.. you’re safe now.” Lucas said, holding her tighter as Max started to calm down.

Steve put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s ok now….”

Dustin Smiled at her before placing a hand on her Knee.

Buffy kneeled next to her, not saying anything. Her presence alone made max feel safe.

“You’re safe now….” Lucas Whispered.

Max Closed her eyes and allowed all the tension to leave her body.

It’s all ok now.

It’s safe.

Chapter Text

It had taken time to find the universe the slayer had entered.

A lot of time.

But they found it. Hawkins.

The rest of the army had arrived very soon, they’d opened a gate to this world and bought the army through. They checked the tattoo on each other the members foreheads, a way to identify them. To make sure no uninvited people had arrived.

They gathered in the Forrest, swords and spears in hand. Starting a fire was the first thing they did. The Knights of Byzantium was their name.

Hunting the key was their mission. It’s too powerful to exist. No matter what form it’s in. They had sworn to destroy the key before Glory could use it for her own gain. To open the gates between reality’s. However, the slayer will Protect the key with her Life. And the slayer is a dangerously powerful foe. Strength, speed, Bravery. Everything.

The best and most efficient way to eliminate the key is eliminate the slayer first. And anyone who stands in the way.

The Captain had ordered them to spread out across Hawkins. To Locate the slayer, and destroy the key. As soon as possible.

And they all obeyed.

Each of the knights armed to the teeth.

The slayer won’t stand a chance.

__________________________

Glory was walking towards The ‘Harrington house’. Her key was there. And she is gonna find it. She’ll kill every single person there if she has too. She had The Bottom feeders hidden in the Trees, spying on them. As far as she was aware, they had no idea she was coming.

Element of Suprise.

She reached the front of the house before she started to feel the familiar headache coming along.

“Not here you Idiot…” Glory Mumbled to Herself, Pulling on her hair and trying hard to prevent the inevitable. “Couldn’t you pick a better time?!”

“Your Royal Excellency, are you alright?” One of the bottom feeders appeared out the Forrest and approached her.

“It’s Ben!!”

“Oh I’m so sorry your royalist Scrumptiousness! I’ll make sure he doesn’t mess anything up for you!” The bottom feeder bowed to her.

Just as Glory Transformed into Ben.

Ben Looked around Himself in confusion. He looked at the Bottom feeder. “Where the hell am I?”

“Why Ben, you’re in Hawkins.”

“Hawkins??”

“Yes, her Royalest Most Powerful Glorficus chased the key here. May you know where it is?”

“Glory. Her name is Glory. And I would rather die than tell you where the key is.”

“Very well Ben, I’m sure Her Royalest highness will find it. One way or another.” And with that, it walked off. Into the forest. Leaving Ben confused and alone.

_______________________

It’d been a very quiet day.

Nobody was really in a talking mood, not after what happened to Max.

She spent most the day sat by the window with her headphones on. Lucas stayed with her the whole time. Neither of them said a word to each-other.

Willow had spent all day scanning every single book she could find. For anything at all that could Help Tara, Eddie and Robin. Anything. But there wasn’t anything. All the books were empty. Glory was around before the human language was, so there was next to nothing on her or the key.

It was frustrating to say the least.

Willow was desperate to find a cure. More desperate than she had ever been in her life. Tara was curled up in a little ball next to her, her head on her shoulder. She wasn’t saying anything. Willow was holding one of her hands, gently brushing her thumb over her fingers.

There was a knock at the door.

Buffy got up to get it, pausing at the door before looking through a window. She opened it immediately afterwards. “Ben??”

“Buffy?” Willow Got Up from where she was sat down. It was Ben. He was wearing a dress, for some reason? He was just stood at the door, looking extremely confused. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing!” Buffy said, Inviting him in.

“Who’s that?” Nancy asked, staying sat down next to Robin.

“Oh, This is Ben! He’s a doctor from our world…..” Willow Told them, gesturing to him.

“What…..where am I?” Ben asked, looking around at all the new people.

“You’re in a different universe. Willow attempted a teleportation spell which went wrong, trapping us here.” Anya spoke up, smiling at them.

“Anya, maybe there was a more subtle away you could have said that….” Xander Replied, looking at Ben’s Confused expression.

“I know that probably seems really confusing but….uh….its all true.” Buffy Smiled at him, trying to cover up what Anya said.

“Oh, uh….yeah, it is. But….believable.” Ben Said, and continued once he saw how surprised Everyone looked. “I see some crazy things in A&E, this is nothing compared to that….”

“Oh, right. Uh…..so this is Steve, Nancy, Dustin, Max and Lucas, they’re all from this Universe. They’re trying to help us. Those Two Robin and Eddie. They’re from here too…” Buffy Began, pointing at each of them. “But…what happened to the other people back in Sunnydale happened to them. Tara too….”

Ben knew Something wasn’t Right with Eddie And Robin, Tara too. They all looked like the insane people in the Hospital back in Sunnydale. Guilt Pooled in his stomach, he knew Glory probably did this to them. And it was his fault.

“Oh….im sorry. Is there something I can do to help?”

“I don’t think so….”

Ben then spotted Dawn standing in the corner of the room. The Key. He did his best to avoid eye contact with her.

“How is he here? That doesn't make sense. He wasn’t within range.” Anya Asked, looking at Willow.

“I don’t know! Maybe something went wrong…..or…..” Willow responded.

“It doesn’t bloody matter how!” Spike Interrupted.

“Yes it does! we could have bought loads of other people here!” Xander shouted.

“Guys, it doesn’t matter. We just need to figure out what’s going on. Because this isn’t adding up.” Buffy spoke up.

Steve sat down next to Eddie, who was curled up with his head on his knees. But Robin was watching Ben with Extreme concentration. She wouldn’t take her eyes off him, glaring at him for some reason.

Nancy was the first to notice this.

She slowly sat down next to her.

“Robin? What’s wrong?” She asked, putting at hand on her shoulder.

Robin didn't response, she just kept staring.

“Ok…Ben, come with me. We’re gonna try and see if there’s anyone else from our world here.” Buffy replied, grabbing a stake and walking out the door. Ben nodded and followed her, despite still being in a dress.

“That was……weird.” Steve Muttered, Eddie leaning against him and Steve wrapping his arm around his shoulders.

Tara was sort of wondering around the room, not having much idea what’s going on.

“Indeed……that’s quite unusual for Ben to be teleported here when the spell would on teleport people within a certain radius……” Giles begun, looking around the room (while cleaning his glasses).

“Do you think that maybe…..maybe he was at the house or something?” Xander asked. “The front door?”

“I doubt it…..why would Ben go to Buffys? He has no reason to be there.” Nancy Said. “Does he?”

“Not that we know of….” Giles Sighed. “If I had more books then we may know more….”

“I blame that bloody Spell….” Spike Muttered, Rolling his eyes and sitting on the now empty armchair.

“If I hadn’t done the spell we’d be dead….” Willow pointed out, standing up.

Tara wondered over to one of the curtains. Slowly reaching out and grabbing it, opening it and letting the sunlight in. Spike yelled, jumping back as the sun started to burn him, he ran to the kitchen and hid there, Running his hand under cold water.

“Tara! No!” Willow came over quickly, pulling the curtain away from her and closing it quickly. Getting rid of any sunlight.

“The lights…….lights gone…….” Tara started Crying and Willow Hugged her gently, trying to calm her down.

“No Baby, the lights still here. It’s outside….” Willow whispered in her ear, leading her over to the sofa and sitting her down. Willow sat next to her and Tara curled up in her arms.

“Gone!!!” Tara Cried out, shoving Willow away and curling up at the other end of the sofa.

“Tara, It’s ok. The lights still outside. It’s not gone.” Willow moved a bit closer to her, putting her hand on her shoulder.

Tara looked up with teary eyes.

“Do you want to see the light?” She asked, wiping a tear of her cheek with her thumb. Willow Took Tara’s hand, leading her to the back door and opening it, making sure Spike was Far enough away before leading Tara outside.

It was a pretty warm day, there wasn’t many clouds in the sky.

“See baby? The suns still here.” Willow whispered.

Tara looked up, pointing up at the sun. “Bright…..so….so bright….”

“It is, isn’t it?”

Tara didn’t respond, just stayed looking at the sky.

Then Willow spotted something in the Forrest. Something In the trees.

“Stay here, okay baby?” Willow said to Tara before she walked towards the Forrest slowly.

No matter how bright outside was, the Forrest was dark and gloomy with very little light making its way through the layer of leaves.

“Hello?” Willow called out, looming around. She was expecting to find a demon, a monster, some kind of animal. But what a she found was none of the above.

“Willow! I am Broken, I am programmed to find you.”

“Buffy bot????” Willow said in shock, her mouth hanging open as the Buffy bot walked towards her, a small hole in her forehead.

“Yes, Willow. I am Buffy. I need you to repair me.”

“What- how- how did you-“

“I was Shot with a Shotgun By a tall man in a coat.”

“No, no, no I mean….how are you here????”

“I do not know. I woke up here.”

“Follow me….” Willow walked out the forest, Making sure Tara was still stood on the grass before leading the Buffy Bot inside.

“Willow- Buffy? What are you-“ Xander Saw the Buffy bot, and his jaw dropped. “Is that-“

“It’s the Buffy bot…”

“The What?” Nancy asked, standing up.

“Is that a Robot…?” Steve Looked at the Buffy Bot.

“I do not think I am a robot.” The Buffy Bot Replied.

“Yeah, she’s a robot…

“How’d that thing get here???” Spike asked as Willow bought Tara Back inside.

“I don’t know…..it was in the house when I did the spell though….” Willow Replied, Sitting down. “She’s gonna need repairing….”

The Buffy Bot Smiled, looking at Anya. “Hello Anya, How is your money?”

“Back at the magic box.” Anya paused. “We left the money there!”

“Anya, I’m sure the moneys fine.” Xander Said, looking a the Buffy bot.

The Buffy bot Turned to Steve. “You are not in my Database, who are you?”

“Uh…..Steve?”

”You have been added to my Database. Hello Steve, I am Buffy.”

The Buffy bot did that to pretty much Everyone in the room. Adding all of them to the ‘database’.

Willow stood watching from the corner, watching. To be truthful, she was angry. Really angry.

At Glory.

For what she did to Tara.

She felt like she had just gotten away with it. Nobody had done anything to avenge her.

Until now.

.

__________________

Buffy and Ben had been walking around Hawkins for a while now. No one else the knew in sight.

Neither of them had said much.

There wasn’t really much to say.

Buffy had started to develop a bit of a crush on Ben, but only a small one.

He cleared his throat. “So….”

“So…..Nice Weather we’re having?”

Ben Chuckled at this. “we are…”

Buffy Smiled and Nodded before continuing . “I just……I wanted to say sorry. For dragging you into all this….”

“It wasn’t your fault, besides, different dimensions, diffrent opportunities I guess.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…..who knows what this place has to offer. You know?”

“Not much by the looks of it.”

“That’s not- well you’re not wrong…..but I don’t know. This places feels so different to Sunnydale…..”

“Yeah it does…..”

Ben sighed. Then paused. The familiar feeling of Glory started to emerge.

“Not now you idiot…” Ben Whispered under his breath, rubbing his forehead with his hand.

“Not now what?” Buffy asked, turning to him. “Ben?”

“Buffy- I have to go. Now.” Ben attempted to walk away but Buffy stood in his way.

“Go? Go where?” She asked, looking confused.

“I just have to! She’s-“ At that moment, Ben shifted into Glory. Buffy Jumped back, looking at Her in shock.

“Oh, look what the cat dragged in….” Glory said, looking around then looking at her. “Hello Slayer…”

Buffy didn’t hesitate before turning and running. Glory sprinted right after her. Where’d Ben Go? He was just there? Maybe he left before Glory got here….

Buffy turned into an Alley way, jumping over a Chain Fence and Racing around the corner. Glory followed her with absolute ease. People started watching them in the streets as Buffy charged her way through. She was starting to get really out of breath. She ran into a flat, racking up the stairs and onto the roof. Glory followed.

“No where to run now, Is there slayer?” Glory stopped at the top of the stairs, Buffy backing away until she was leaned against the edge of the roof. “Now tell me, where’s my key?”

“I would rather spend eternity in hell than tell you!” Buffy Spat Back, Looking around for a possible exit.

“You know it would save us BOTH a lot of hassle of you just told me, right?” Glory begun. “I go home, you go home and this pitiful place doesn't exist anymore. Sounds fair to me…”

“I’m not telling you anything.”

“I just want my key! Is that to hard to ask????” Glory started walking closer to her.

Buffy knew she couldn’t take Glory. No way. She’s a god. But she can still try

Buffy grabbed the stake she had tucked into her belt and swung at Her. Glory dodged it easily and grabbed her arm, tossing her down to the ground. The stake left Buffys grasp and rolled away from her.

Buffy stood up, regaining her balance and swinging a punch at Glory’s face. Glory wasn’t fast enough this time and her fist contacted with her nose. She stumbled Backwards while Buffy sent a powerful kick to the Chest, sending her flying to the ground.

Glory looked up at her, snarling before standing up and punching Buffy. She was practically thrown to the side, her chest smashing Into the ledge, knocking all the wind from out of her.

Glory grabbed her from behind, lifting her over her head before slamming her to the ground. Buffy started to become dizzy and disoriented as she stumbled to her feet.

Glory immediately sent a powerful kick to her face, knocking her over once again.

ears were ringing, her Vision blurred. She could feel blood starting to flow out a Cut in the back of her head. Her nose was bleeding to. Everything ached.

Glory was saying something but Buffy could only hear Muffled whispers. She turned around for just a moment, looking around her. Buffy took this time to scramble to her feet, shoving Glory away with all the strength left in her.

Buffy looked around for a way to escape as Glory stumbled forward.

There’s really only one thing she can do to get away. Buffy climbed up onto the ledge of the Roof and Jumped off of it, Luckily Landing In the back of a truck with a thud. Glory looked over the ledge as she watched the slayer be driven away.

Another lost chance.