Past Featured Story
Summary: What if the Gem of Amara has another purpose than just providing a vampire protection? One vampire is about to discover a destiny that had been lost to the ages…and will face a choice that will alter his future and upend everything a certain Slayer thinks she knows about her calling.
 
Written for the Elysian Fields ‘Called Challenge'. Banner made by Dirtyaim. Beta’d by Vogon Poet.
 
Beta and Sensitivity Readers: Vogon Poet
Artists: Dirtyaim
Categories: Between Seasons (any), Alternate Reality, Challenge Response
Characters: Buffy, Spike, Giles, Original Characters, Other, Quentin Travers
Genres: Action/Adventure, HEA/HFN, Slow-Burn
Warnings: Adult Language, Character Death, Gun Violence, Spike/Other (Temp)
Event: Called Challenge 2021
Completed: Yes Chapters: 12
Word count: 75,281 Hit Count: 15,058 ePub Downloads: 212
Published: October 05, 2021 Updated: June 11, 2022


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Story Notes: Beta’d by Vogon Poet.
 
Banner by the fantastically creative Dirtyaim. Thank you for bringing my story to life!
 
This story follows the end of Season 3. Spike left Sunnydale after Lover’s Walk and, as we all know, he was unsuccessful in reuniting with Dru. However, in this story, Spike has a bit more closure on his relationship with Dru than in canon and is looking to move on. The action starts in the summer between Seasons 3 and 4, somewhere in Mexico…
 
Also please note that very little of my mythology surrounding the Gems of Amara (including the idea that there are two companion gems) follows canon. Consider this story AU after Season 3.
 
Written for the October 2021 Called Challenge.
 
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

1. Mexico by the_big_bad - Likes: 29 Comments: 23 Word Count: 1,506 Hit Count: 3,156 Published: October 05, 2021

Here is my 2nd fic ever, written for the October 2021 Called Challenge. I’m not sure how long it will end up being, but likely somewhere between 5 and 10 chapters. My plan is to post a chapter each week.

 

Lyrics from “I Fought the Law” by the Clash.

Some dialogue from “A Fool for Love.”

2. The Book by the_big_bad - Likes: 28 Comments: 14 Word Count: 3,333 Hit Count: 1,314 Published: October 12, 2021

Ok, I realize that a certain movie that is quoted in this chapter did not exist at the time of this story. So sue me! :)

Also, some folks have commented about the physical distance between where Buffy and Spike are currently located in Mexico. Rest assured that I am aware of that, and it will all ultimately make sense.

3. The Prophecy by the_big_bad - Likes: 33 Comments: 15 Word Count: 3,492 Hit Count: 1,203 Published: October 19, 2021

For those wondering whether Acapulco is a safe vacation destination for Buffy, keep in mind that back in the 1990s, it was still a very popular tourist destination, as well as a destination for spring break. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that the Mexican Drug War as well as the 2009 swine flu pandemic resulted in decreased tourism and an increase in gang violence. So, it’s conceivable that Buffy could be vacationing there in the summer of 1999, though Hank is a thoughtless and irresponsible parent to just leave her there, especially because he doesn’t know she is the Slayer.

4. What We're Made Of by the_big_bad - Likes: 24 Comments: 12 Word Count: 3,328 Hit Count: 1,195 Published: October 26, 2021

Sorry for the lateness of this posting (I’ve got 20 minutes before it becomes Wednesday, so technically I’m still on time!). All I can say is there were a lot of celebrations this weekend and that threw me off track. But I can now say I’ve ziplined! 

Thank you for all the wonderful and supportive comments on this story! I appreciate all the theories and questions and suppositions that you all come up with!

And thank you again to my husband and beta, Vogon Poet, for always improving my chapters, even as I grumble at his comments, lol.

5. The Slayer of Slayers by the_big_bad - Likes: 25 Comments: 13 Word Count: 3,730 Hit Count: 1,106 Published: November 10, 2021

Apologies for the delay in posting this chapter!  Work has been CRAZY lately, but I’m about to start a 7-week leave of absence so I’m hopeful I can catch up! I think I’m still on track to wrap this up in 10 chapters.

Also, I know the name of the Chinese slayer isn’t canon, but I think it’s been widely accepted as the name given in Spike and Dru: All’s Fair comics.

6. Chilpancingo by the_big_bad - Likes: 33 Comments: 13 Word Count: 6,991 Hit Count: 1,116 Published: November 23, 2021

Once again, apologies for the delay in posting this chapter!  I can’t blame work this time; instead we were at Disney last week! To ask your forgiveness, I’ve given you an extra-long chapter this time. Hope you enjoy!

And Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans (and anyone else that celebrates)! My hubby and I watched Pangs last night....our own Thanksgiving tradition.

 innocentdevil

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

7. Partners by the_big_bad - Likes: 29 Comments: 18 Word Count: 7,133 Hit Count: 1,117 Published: December 11, 2021

Once again, apologies for the delay in posting this chapter! Unfortunately we have had a series of real life difficulties in our family, and it’s been an emotional couple of weeks. In addition, this story has taken me on a bit more of a journey than I anticipated, but I hope you are enjoying the ride.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

8. Council Headquarters by the_big_bad - Likes: 22 Comments: 10 Word Count: 7,135 Hit Count: 1,057 Published: January 22, 2022

Sorry for the delay in posting. I hope it’s been worth the wait.

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

9. The Coven by the_big_bad - Likes: 23 Comments: 11 Word Count: 8,511 Hit Count: 1,014 Published: February 05, 2022

Beta by Vogon Poet, who greatly improves everything I write!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

10. William by the_big_bad - Likes: 23 Comments: 10 Word Count: 10,375 Hit Count: 955 Published: March 05, 2022

An extra long chapter for you all!

Some dialogue from “Fool for Love”

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

11. Drusilla by the_big_bad - Likes: 19 Comments: 9 Word Count: 10,076 Hit Count: 909 Published: April 02, 2022

Author's Notes:

So, the ride is almost at it’s end. I present to you the penultimate chapter! I expect one final chapter to tie up some loose ends. I won’t say I’ll never revisit this universe in the future, but I think I’m coming to a good stopping point.

 

Some dialogue in this chapter taken from the episodes “Crush” and “School Hard.”

 

Drusilla sings the nursery rhyme “Goosey, Goosey Gander” – one of many creepy children’s rhymes that should not be used to sing your kids to sleep! The words have been slightly altered for the purpose of this story.

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

12. The Rings by the_big_bad - Likes: 37 Comments: 21 Word Count: 9,671 Hit Count: 916 Published: June 11, 2022

Well, this is it kids. I’ve so enjoyed bringing this story to you, and I definitely plan to revisit this universe in the future, as part of a series I think I will call “The Amara Chronicles.” But I think this is a good stopping point encapsulating the calling of Spike to be a champion. I hope you have found this to be a fun ride!

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.