Day 16 - Lesson the First [Teen Wolf]
Title: Lesson the First
Author: Twisted_Slinky
Crossover: Teen Wolf
Rating: PG-13 (for violence toward a minor)
Summary: Sequel to A Beginner's Guide. In which Danny is supposed to be studying magic, not saving a werewolf's ass.
Wordcount: ~1600
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy or Teen Wolf, and I'm making no money off this fanwork.
A/N: Post series for BtVS and post season 3B for Teen Wolf. Set after "A Beginner's Guide."
"Umm, that glittery dome thing that just collapsed?" Danny swallowed hard and dared to make eye-contact with Buffy. "That's the magical barrier that's supposed to be keeping the rabid super-wolves from ripping us to shreds."
A roar sounded, followed by the crunch of paws on dead leaves. Another followed from their left. The rabid super-wolves had apparently noticed the ward fall too.
"Danny," Buffy announced, "you're no longer allowed to go shopping with me."
"Is that a punishment?"
"Damn you and inability to fit into a gay stereotype." She raised her crossbow, glaring into the dark depths of the forest as if it royally pissed her off. "Remember lesson one?"
Danny did. Which was why he turned without a moment's hesitation, shooting off in the direction of the small group of slayers who were supposed to be at the center of the magically protected area, freeing the victims of the Fenrir-kin (or rabid super-wolves, as Buffy insisted on calling the werewolf sub-species). Danny slid over a patch of wet leaves, caught himself on a tree, and kept moving, his legs burning at the sudden shift in speed.
If he'd thought for a moment his tutorship with Willow was going to lead to him spending the summer in a library, he'd been wrong. In fact, he was certain he was doing far more physical training than any of his lacrosse teammates back in Beacon Hills. Not that any of them could know what he was up to. Even his parents, who'd finally agreed to let him travel across an ocean with Willow, weren't quite aware of how hands-on his lessons were.
He hopped over a fallen tree, landing on one knee, and looked up in time to see two of the slayers pulling a body out of the underground bunker. The shape looked small, like maybe a young woman, and Danny hoped the victim was alive.
He'd only been informed of the rescue mission that morning, and the details had been minimal. Apparently, Buffy'd gotten word that some teenagers had been kidnapped by a group of ravenous beasts. The plan was simple. Buffy would take front and center, leading the super-wolves away from their hide-out, while the other slayers moved in to rescue the victims and take down any guards. A job made much easier with a ward to keep the baddies from returning mid-rescue, as Buffy had insisted with a pouty-face turned in Danny's general direction. An average Monday for the slayers, but not so much for Danny-the-witch-apprentice. Especially considering his mentor was currently on a spirit quest from which she couldn't be roused.
Which, considering he was the only magic student currently at the castle base thanks to pure (bad) luck, left him in charge of the ward. He had a feeling Willow was going to have a word with him when she woke up. And it wouldn't be a nice word either.
"The ward is down!" he called out.
The closest slayer snarled in his general direction. "We've still got one more!" she snapped, dragging the female victim toward their escape van.
Danny looked back over his shoulder. He couldn't see her yet, but he could hear Buffy's voice, a low murmur, which meant she wasn't shouting for help but probably giving the wolves a taste of her best one-liners. Danny almost smiled, thinking of the head slayer in all her kick-ass glory, then he remembered the pack she was fighting and frowned.
Lesson one was simple. Lesson one was keep alive. The best way to do that was to hop in the van with the other slayers. Instead he took off toward the entrance to the underground bunker, almost sliding down the short ladder to the first level, where a wide hallway made a V in two different directions, a string of lights above casting an eerie glow down both. Sandy and Ginger were still up top with the three teens they'd gotten into the van, which meant Beth Anne was down here on her own.
A high-pitched whine echoed off the bunker's walls. It sounded like a dog's. Danny chose that direction, taking it at a run. He didn't have to go far before the hallway turned into a corridor. Only, instead of doors, there were barred cage walls along one side.
He came to a stop when he saw Beth Anne in front of one open cage door, looking conflicted. Then Danny saw who was inside the cage. Or, more precisely, what. It was a werewolf, but not fully transformed like the Fenrir-kin. In almost scientific terms, he could recall one of the slayers pointing out the information on werewolves in the castle library and calling this stage of transformation "common European werewolf, beta form."
Beth Anne shot him a look, grimacing at the shock on his face. She must have misread it, because she sighed. "Sorry...this one's a bit scared, I think. Can't get him to change back. We had to knock the last beta out before we could rescue her ass."
"They took werewolves?" Because Danny wasn't sure what else to say at that moment. He hadn't known.
How had he not known?
"Apparently, the Fenrir-kin were gathering omegas. Easy pickin's," Beth Anne replied, her Southern twang singing. "Something to do with a ritual sacrifice to their Father-God. Personally, I'm not keen on the details...Hey, what are you doing down here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to be topside with Buff?"
Danny snapped back to reality. "The ward is down already."
"Aw, shit."
Danny held up a hand to stop the slayer from entering the cage. "Uh, just, uh, let me handle this guy, okay?"
"By yourself?"
"Yeah. I know him..."
The werewolf must have finally registered the sound of his voice because he stepped forward, his chains rattling as he stretched them to their limit. Bright, glowing blue eyes shined in the shadows.
"Danny?"
Danny let out a short, unamused laugh. "Jackson. So, you've got some explaining to do."
But he stepped into the cage nevertheless, finally close enough to appreciate the fact that Jackson wasn't exactly in a good place, covered in dirt, barefooted, thin...Danny wondered how long Jackson had been here and suddenly regretted the welcome, even if he was sure his friend would appreciate the coolness far more than a display of emotions. Jackson Whittemore didn't do emotions other than 'pissed' and 'self-satisfied', and Danny wasn't sure that last one was an emotion.
But this Jackson was shivering in the cold, his gaze dancing all over Danny, as if he thought he was an illusion. Danny made a mental note to make sure Buffy kicked every one of the Fenrir-kin in their furry balls.
"What are you doing here?" Jackson snapped, tone back to medium-level angry.
Danny let out a breath. "Good. You're okay," he assured himself, smiling grimly. He took a quick step forward, tapping the manacles around Jackson's wrists. He might have put a bit more magic than necessary into the movement, but it was worth the effort when they fell off and Jackson's jaw dropped in surprise.
"What did...What are...?"
"Yeah, it's magic, Jackson. I know, I didn't tell you. But you're a werewolf, and you-piece-of-shit, you didn't even tell me, even though I guessed right. Which means you owe me twenty dollars."
Danny grabbed Jackson's arm, pulling the werewolf along, Beth Anne at their tail. Jackson managed to stay quiet, even as Danny pushed him toward the van. The two of them slid in beside the other werewolves, the slayers squeezing into the front.
"Hit it!" he heard Ginger call, and the van began to move.
Danny didn't have to look out the back tinted window. He could hear the howl of the wolves returning to their hide-out, calling the rest of their pack as reinforcements. A chill ran through him, and he was too nervous to ask where Buffy was.
His answer was in the form of a thud on top of the van, right as the vehicle picked up speed. Jackson's wide eyes watched the ceiling in fear, but Danny only snorted.
"Don't worry, that's just the boss. She'd dramatic when it comes to hitching rides."
Two taps sounded from above. For a moment, Danny thought Buffy had heard him. Then he remembered that was the sign. He took a deep breath, turning to face the back of the van, then pulled the small satchel of supplies from his jacket pocket. It wasn't much, but he didn't need much. The rest was already set up, after all.
He poured the grainy dust into one hand and closed his eyes, muttering an incantation into his palm. When he opened his eyes, the dust was glowing, the same color as the fallen ward.
Two more taps sounded from above. Two meant all was well. Which meant the ward was back in place and the Fenrir-kin were trapped inside the warded area, just as planned. And though, they didn't know it, since they were inside instead of outside, their own magic was feeding the ward instead of his. Danny grinned to himself, proud of the spell. It would hold until Willow woke to help them figure out how to stunt the powers of the super-wolves.
"God, I smell like Stilinski's locker, and you're playing with pixie dust. This is just how I wanted to spend my night," Jackson said, but there was a hint of fondness in his voice.
"Glad to see you too," Danny replied. "By the way, how much do you know about vampire slayers?"