Schism

[madimpossibledreamer]

(fyi I'm not entirely sure what exactly is going to happen with this suit, although I have a feeling it might make its reappearance in The Infinity Mirror.  I'm trying to play with Oppenheimer, "I am Become Death", and of course Ultron.  I don't think the armor's going to get a mind of its own or anything like that but Xander forged it with the pure intention of destruction, just in case the Ubervamps come back or whatever.  It's strong enough he could probably engage in fisticuffs with Caleb.  And, as you'll see, it doesn't necessarily need a mind of its own when it can simply follow through with the interface and its designed purpose...)
~Dreamer~
(okay, also, the kid in the video looks like Latimer from Doctor Who [Human Nature/Family of Blood]...)

Main Points:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Iron Man Crossover (Self-Made Hero)
Summary: Xander's been staring into the abyss (aka the long-lasting repercussions of the First)
Word Count: 633
Rating: Gen

         Andrew’s never been afraid of Xander.  Sure, the guy had his Iron Man moments, but he had officially accepted Paladin as his superhero name.  He definitely doesn’t approve of  torture against humans (for which Andrew is definitely thankful as their hostage), and is even less approving of violence against demons than his friends, as long as the demons are willing to not hurt humans either.
         At least, he’s never been afraid of him before.  Once he’d woken up, Xander had gone straight back to grimly setting up targets to destroy.  Andrew would’ve liked to go make him a huge meal, but didn’t particularly feel like leaving Xander on his own, so instead made him a quick snack with the ingredients available in the basement.  He eats the food when it’s put beside him, but he doesn’t speak, doesn’t react, doesn’t even smile at the food, which is a bad warning sign.
         He only talks when he’s doing his last armor checks.  His voice sounds hoarse.  “Star has the shutdown code.  I’m going to give you the code, too.”
         The reformed warlock grimaces.  “Uhh…can’t you turn it off?”
         For the first time during this whole process, Xander looks slightly exhausted and nervous.  “I’m literally plugging myself into the suit.  I didn’t put White Star in because the dual control would slow me down.  I have no idea what it’s going to do to my brain.  I probably am capable; I just don’t know if I could.”
         He reaches out and touches his employee’s face tenderly and for one terrifying, beautiful moment Andrew thinks they’re going to kiss.  What’s worse than anything is how Xander’s taking this, like he thinks he might be going in and not coming out, wants one thing to remind him he’s human or maybe a dying man’s wish.  Still, they don’t act, and he feels the key form in his mind.
         Then, Knight steps away.  When he lowers himself into the armor, Andrew shivers.  When it closes and he’s left staring at the red eyes on the faceplate, he freezes still, the mouse before the snake.
         The armor moves past him like he doesn’t even exist.  And the way it moves…
         It doesn’t look like the DOOM suit, but the way it’s moving, smoothly and with deadly purpose, is almost exactly the same.  It’s constantly moving, and the boxes and other things set up are all being destroyed with extreme prejudice.  It looks like it’s working perfectly for what it’s been designed for, but what it’s designed for scares the bejeesus out of Andrew and he’s not afraid to admit it.
         Then it runs out of targets and turns toward the computers and equipment in the corner, and he swears he hears Star gulp in fear.  “All right, you’ve gotten enough testing in,” he says as firmly as he can while he’s internally shaking inside.
         It turns to look at him and steps forward.  “D-d-don’t un-derstaand,” it manages, and there’s something wrong about it, metallic and alien.
         He backs up more steps than he’d planned, but his cringing in fear seems to be doing something.  There’s a hesitance that wasn’t there before.
         “Mr. Wells, I greatly suggest that you use the code,” Star suggests, and even she sounds scared.
         “Oooverridde code.  Attackkkk,” it manages.
         They panic.  Andrew’s not sure who ends up using the code, but he watches as the armor falls to its knees, keening.  The armor opens, revealing a pale Xander who’s barely breathing and is pale as death.  He’s still making a low moaning noise in his throat.  Andrew runs to him, supporting him as best he can.
         “I think we should tear up the basement and bury this in tons of concrete,” his boss says when he finally gets his breath back, and Andrew nods fervently.