My Immortal: Between Canons: Not Fade Away.

[elisi]

I bring you new fic! Specifically, the first of two STANDALONE ‘Fill-in-the-Blank’ stories (one short, one long) for My Immortal. The purpose of the stories is to tie together major events in the Who- and Buffy-verses, ironing out inconsistencies, and - as I said - you need no knowledge of (or interest in) 'My Immortal' to read them.

HUGE thank you's to kathyh for the banner, and for putting up with all my e-mails.

Title: Between Canons: Not Fade Away.
Summary: What happened after the fade-to-black.
Characters: Illyria, Angel.
Rating: PG-13.
Spoilers: None.
Genre: DW/AtS crossover.
Word count: Less than 500 words.
Feedback: Always, always welcome!


The Doctor: Ten million ships on fire - the entire Dalek race wiped out in one second.
The last Dalek: And what of the Time Lords?
The Doctor: Dead. They burnt with you. The end of the last great Time War. Everyone lost.

An alley in Los Angeles. 19th May 2004.

The world is a curtain of rain and blood, through which Illyria battles the oncoming hordes. Bones and bodies break beneath her hands, and beside her the swords of the vampires slice through demon flesh with deadly precision.

Grief is still as fresh as an open wound within, her thirst for vengeance not quenched in the least by the violence she is wreaking. She wishes for this battle to be as eternal as her wrath.

And then everything stops.

[A drop of blood hangs suspended in midair. A deadly blow is frozen midstrike. A scream cut off as with a blade.]

Somewhere - somewhen - the entirety of creation trembles. And although she is far, far removed from the centre of the storm, Illyria can still sense the grandeur and finality of a nameless war with such an unthinkable outcome.

A war that has been fought outside time and space - out of all knowledge of Lower Beings. It has been hidden, even to her, until this moment, when a force, greater than any she’s known, sears across reality; burning, destroying, obliterating.

Billions of voices screaming, and then abruptly ended.

The universe shifts around her, and she feels the very foundations of the world change - irrevocably, irredeemably - as the walls between dimensions close, growing unbreachable and impenetrable.

She knows this is new, and yet the alteration is somehow eternal, timeless, come from that point beyond which she cannot see - the aftershocks hitting her like waves crashing on a beach.

The unknown and unknowable war sealed away and hidden, forever.

And the world is suddenly alone - no Power or deity will ever again be able to reach across the void in an attempt to lay claim to this human-ruled sphere.

Slowly

[it has been a fraction of a second; it has been lifetimes. Frozen time shatters like glass and a drop of blood falls on her cheek]

she once more becomes aware of the melee around her; a fight that now seems small and trivial, reminding her only of the glory and power she has lost.

Why is she here?

Turning her head she sees Angel, the destroyer of the Circle of the Black Thorn, and she knows that the machine he sought to halt for just a moment has been broken for good. Was this the intention of the Powers? Did They know? Did They choose this moment on purpose?

He looks up and stills when he sees her, immobile in the fray.

But before he can open his mouth, she answers the question he doesn’t know to ask.

“You win.”





(Author's notes here.)

Comments

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Why yes, I felt very clever when I thought of it!

Deservedly so, it was a very clever idea. :-) (And very expressive writing.)

[elisi]

Deservedly so, it was a very clever idea. :-)
::beams::

(And very expressive writing.)
Thank you! :) Illyria lends herself well to a more lyrical approach, the problem is that it easily becomes too cryptic. Oh and thank you for reading, I hoped to catch non-Whovians too! (And I hope it made sense.)

[zanthinegirl.livejournal.com]

Oooh-- that's brilliant!! It makes total sense too. ::pets shiny plot::

guh.

[elisi]

Oooh-- that's brilliant!! It makes total sense too. ::pets shiny plot::
*grins* I've been itching to share for ages, but wanted the next part to be at least half-done before I posted this.

And 'guh' might be some of the best feedback I've ever got! :)

[avamclean.livejournal.com]

*stares in awe*

I LOVE this! Illyria is my favorite BtVS/AtS character and with that being said I also think she's the hardest for writers to write for and you nailed her.

*bounces* I'm in love. *snuggles your ficlet*

[elisi]

*stares in awe*
Squee! :D

I LOVE this! Illyria is my favorite BtVS/AtS character and with that being said I also think she's the hardest for writers to write for and you nailed her.
\o/ I, too, adore Illyria, and I'm ridiculously happy that you think I got her right, since hs;e sone of my favourite characters to write. (Although bogwitch is undoubtedly the queen of Illyria.)

*bounces* I'm in love. *snuggles your ficlet*
You sure know how to bring the cheer! Thank you so much for your fabulous comment. And the ficlet is all yours for snuggling!

[adoxerella.livejournal.com]

But, then what happens??? Angel lives yes? No? You're killing me here.

On a more serious note, you did a very good job in this. Even with only a basic understanding of the DW background, I was able to connect the events from that 'verse back to what Illyria was sensing. It was a very nice way to connect the two together, and I am looking forward to seeing how the various ripples flow out of this event.

Thanks for sharing this.

[elisi]

But, then what happens??? Angel lives yes? No? You're killing me here.
*laughs evilly* Next fic you'll find out, I promise!

On a more serious note, you did a very good job in this.
Thank you! :)

Even with only a basic understanding of the DW background, I was able to connect the events from that 'verse back to what Illyria was sensing.
Oh good - it's near-impossible to know work out how much people can intuit from something this opaque.

It was a very nice way to connect the two together, and I am looking forward to seeing how the various ripples flow out of this event.
There's always consequences... Not sure I'll tackle any *specifically*, but it's a different world now for Buffy & co.

Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for your feedback! :)

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

She wishes for this battle to be as eternal as her wrath.

Nice. But, of course, even her wrath has an end.

And the world is suddenly alone - no Power or deity will ever again be able to reach across the void

Except...the author! Mwahahaha! This is a powerful way to bring meaning to the Time War. Terrific stuff!

[elisi]

Nice. But, of course, even her wrath has an end.
Indeed. Although I think even Illyria can get caught up in the moment.

Except...the author! Mwahahaha!
::laughs:: Of course!

This is a powerful way to bring meaning to the Time War. Terrific stuff!
Thank you! I love taking things and looking at them in a different light, so I'm very pleased this works for people! :)

[kerkevik.livejournal.com]

Hi,

just read this and, despite not being a fan of either show, I was really impressed with the way you linked twoof the events I 'did' like about them, in a wonderfully believeable way; without losing the integrity of the originals, and gave Illyria the kind of Human face, which doesn't require her to become an imitation of Fred.

Really well done.

Still under Willow & Tara's spell,
Ray.

[elisi]

Hello!

just read this and, despite not being a fan of either show
In which case I'm exceedingly grateful that you took a chance! :)

I was really impressed with the way you linked twoof the events I 'did' like about them, in a wonderfully believeable way; without losing the integrity of the originals
Goodness, thank you! One of my favourite things in the world is to get things to fit together, and make *more* sense. (Also known as fanwanking, of course. *g*) And I'm always thrilled when it works for others too!

and gave Illyria the kind of Human face, which doesn't require her to become an imitation of Fred.
I love writing Illyria because she's so very much Not Human, and yet at the same time she is influenced by people and events, and it changes her.

Thank you again for your lovely comment, and Willow and Tara's spell is indeed strong! :)

[(Anonymous)]

You are very much welcome,

I took a chance because I have been an afficionado of your meta, the first of which, I think, was a few S4 thoughts. There I liked the even-handedness of your comments about Riley. I liked him, but he never worked for me, for me that whole arc buffy/riley/adam was the only real weakness about S4, which is my favourite, for obvious reasons :-), but also because it contains so many individually classic buffy stories.
I have to say that the biggest reason for me not being a fan of AtS, was it's lack of female-centredness, but also in the way they totally wasted a whole host of good Cordelia/CC plotline possibilities.
I love DB so much better, as well, now that he's allowed to show off his sense of humour.
As DW, it's ironic that I stopped watching the revamped show, just one story after, possibly one of the greatest DW story of all time, 'The Girl in the Fireplace'.

Still under Willow & Tara's spell,
Ray.

[elisi]

I took a chance because I have been an afficionado of your meta, the first of which, I think, was a few S4 thoughts. There I liked the even-handedness of your comments about Riley.
Oh that makes me exceedingly happy! (A lot of my fic is meta in disguise btw. *g*) I'm very much anti-bashing, and like to look at things objectively, and - if at all possible - positively. Riley never did much for me, but he was a big part of Buffy's life, and as such deserved to be taken seriously.

or me that whole arc buffy/riley/adam was the only real weakness about S4, which is my favourite, for obvious reasons :-), but also because it contains so many individually classic buffy stories.
Oh I adore S4, even though the Initiative story was rather weak.

I have to say that the biggest reason for me not being a fan of AtS, was it's lack of female-centredness, but also in the way they totally wasted a whole host of good Cordelia/CC plotline possibilities.
A lot of people feel the same way, I know, and killing off all the women (more or less) is certainly not brilliant. But I love Angel to tiny pieces, and the darkness really worked for me!!

I love DB so much better, as well, now that he's allowed to show off his sense of humour.
I've never seen Bones, but I know enough about DB to know that he's a huge dork!

As DW, it's ironic that I stopped watching the revamped show, just one story after, possibly one of the greatest DW story of all time, 'The Girl in the Fireplace'.
Oh that *is* a good episode. Not sure about 'great', since there are so many others that would come ahead of that one if I had to make a list... For me, I didn't actually get really into the show until the end of S3, and now I'm hopelessly hooked.

[kerkevik.livejournal.com]

Hi again

For me, I didn't actually get really into the show until the end of S3, and now I'm hopelessly hooked.

Well, of course I can remember 'sneaking' out of the Saturday shopping to watch Jon Pertwee's doctor. Actually it was watching 'The Green Death' that convinced my mum that the good Doctor wasn't going to giving me the 'screaming heebeegeebees' :-)

The only thing Dr. Who gave me, besides an everlasting love of SF, was uncontrollable giggles at the thought that anyone could find the Daleks scary!

Ironically they killed off the original show just when they had just about the perfect Doctor/Companion pairing, Sylvester McCoy as The Doctor & Sophie Aldred as 'Ace'.

V. Frustrating for a long term fan like myself.

Still under Willow & Tara's spell
Ray.

[elisi]

Actually it was watching 'The Green Death' that convinced my mum that the good Doctor wasn't going to giving me the 'screaming heebeegeebees' :-)
Hee!

The only thing Dr. Who gave me, besides an everlasting love of SF, was uncontrollable giggles at the thought that anyone could find the Daleks scary!
I thought they handled the Dalek scare-factor rather well when they first returned (or rather, just the one) - having the Doctor be utterly terrified made a good point of showing how something that looked so silly could be scary. (Although 'Blink', and 'The Empty Child' are properly scary!)

Ironically they killed off the original show just when they had just about the perfect Doctor/Companion pairing, Sylvester McCoy as The Doctor & Sophie Aldred as 'Ace'.
Given the amount of fic starring those two, I think the pairing is still alive and well. *g* (This is why I love fandom - nothing ever dies.)

V. Frustrating for a long term fan like myself.
Heh. If I had to list my 'perfect' Doctor/companion it'd be Ten/Donna... *sigh*

[kerkevik.livejournal.com]

'Given the amount of fic starring those two, I think the pairing is still alive and well. *g* '

Feel free to link me to some of those. It'd be nice to catch up & see how thry're portrayed, given the arrival of the new show. Of course Ace probably prepared me for BtVS. That girl would crush a Dalek with a baseball bat, before she'd been seen running away from one :-)

I can't recall the ep, but there was a scene where Ace hadn't allowed enough time before throwing a grenade & The Doctor Says something like, "Sometime Ace, we have to have a talk about acceptable safety standards."

I've always wished I'd got a t-shirt made with The Doctor wagging a finger at her, with those words underneath.

And, gotta agree about 'The Empty Child'.

Still under Willow & Tara's spell
Ray.

[elisi]

Feel free to link me to some of those.
Well this is probably a good place to start.

Of course Ace probably prepared me for BtVS. That girl would crush a Dalek with a baseball bat, before she'd been seen running away from one :-)
Yes, that's been my impression, even though I've never actually seen her!

I've always wished I'd got a t-shirt made with The Doctor wagging a finger at her, with those words underneath.
That would be brilliant indeed! *g*

And, gotta agree about 'The Empty Child'.
Are you my mummy?

[kerkevik.livejournal.com]

Sorry honey.

Despite many attempts, I think I'd still need some MAJOR help from my favourite witches to be that :~}

Still under Willow & Tara's spell
Ray.

Oh, and thanks for the link.

[elisi]

You might also like seventh_doctor. (There's probably more, but that's all I've got time for right now.)

[the-royal-anna.livejournal.com]

Oh! I've been so intrigued about this and here it is, yay!

What a wonderful read, and an inspired idea! The descriptions here are just gorgeous, and you write a perfect Illyria.

[elisi]

Oh! I've been so intrigued about this and here it is, yay!
:D I've been wanting to share for ages - and the next part is going rather well by now!

What a wonderful read, and an inspired idea!
*beams* I've been feeling very clever. *g*

The descriptions here are just gorgeous, and you write a perfect Illyria.
Thank you so much! And really, Illyria kinda writes herself... no one else is allowed!

[juliet316]

Wow. What a brilliant way to tie in the end of the Time War and the Time Locking of the war with the events of Not Fade Away and that climatic battle.

Wonderful way to use Illyria to great effect here.

[elisi]

Wow. What a brilliant way to tie in the end of the Time War and the Time Locking of the war with the events of Not Fade Away and that climatic battle.
Thank you! :) Once I'd thought of it, it struck me as the most logical thing in the world, since the Time War must have impacted at a specific time.

Wonderful way to use Illyria to great effect here.
I think she might have used me! ;)

[evilawyer.livejournal.com]

Very nice blending of the two. And so right to focus on Illyria's character as the conduit to bring the two shows together.

[elisi]

Very nice blending of the two.
Thank you!

And so right to focus on Illyria's character as the conduit to bring the two shows together.
It wouldn't work without her! Not only can she sense it, she can also absorb what it means, and be purely objective, not horrified.

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous style and intriguing concept. As far as I understand, in your universe the battle in NFA happened at the same time as the last great Time War - right? (I wish I knew Whoverse better)...

[elisi]

Gorgeous style and intriguing concept.
Thank you! :)

As far as I understand, in your universe the battle in NFA happened at the same time as the last great Time War - right?
More or less... The Time War(s) were fought out of time, but obviously the ending (the destruction of Gallifrey etc) and the consequences (the sealing of the walls between dimensions) must have impacted in 'real time', as it were, and what better time than the NFA battle?

[me-llamo-nic.livejournal.com]

Shiny! Makes sense that Illyria would feel the Time War. Invisibly to lower beings perhaps, but not the God King of the Primordium. Well done indeed.

[elisi]

*Beams* Thank you! It also took care of the problem with BtVS characters forever opening portals and the Doctor going 'OH NO THE WORLD WILL END IF WE DO THAT [again]!!!' :) And Illyria rules!

[me-llamo-nic.livejournal.com]

Nice icon. Imagine the havoc those two could wreak. The two 'verses really do fit like puzzle pieces, it's amazing.

[elisi]

Nice icon.
I had it made specially. :)

Imagine the havoc those two could wreak.
Oh I'm WAY ahead of you! (My index post is here if you are ever in the mood for LONG fic. Although the 'Year That Never Was' is a standalone.)

The two 'verses really do fit like puzzle pieces, it's amazing.
They really, really do!

[endeni]

Oh, loved it! Awesome concept. :)
“You win.” is a killer ending.
(Also, mind if I friend you?)

[elisi]

Oh, loved it! Awesome concept. :)
Squee! Thank you thank you! And I felt so clever when I thought of it...

“You win.” is a killer ending.
It's one of those lines that just *works* in the right context, and, especially in the light of the way it (or rather 'I win') is used on DW I had to use it. :)

And friend away! The more the merrier. *pulls out chair* Have a seat, and make yourself at home. :)

[(Anonymous)]

So. The Time War...took down the senior partners?

Or...something like that?

Thanks again. *off to the last of your work* ...so far... *playful glare*

[elisi]

So. The Time War...took down the senior partners?
Something like - as a consequence of the Time War it became impossible to travel between dimensions, so it left the Senior Partners stranded. W&H of course continued, but it was all alone now, and much more manageable. (There's notes! *hides*)

Thanks again. *off to the last of your work* ...so far... *playful glare*
I have a draft! I swear!

[promethia_tenk]

Oh, VERY COOL. Very cool, indeed. Love your Illyria voice.

(Email inbox has gotten to unmanageable proportions. Unrepentantly archiving all those dangling threads I'm just never going to get back to omg, so many, but saw you'd pointed me towards this and I'd never gotten around to reading it. Glad I did, though!)

[elisi]

Oh, VERY COOL. Very cool, indeed. Love your Illyria voice.
*beams* I don't mind admitting that I felt like a goddamned genius when I thought up the premise (you read the notes I presume?). And I *adore* writing Illyria - for some reason that should probably worry her voice comes very easily to me. (Also see the Doctor for the delight of delving into someone Other. I have my kinks and I stick to them! *g*)

Email inbox has gotten to unmanageable proportions. Unrepentantly archiving all those dangling threads I'm just never going to get back to
You are doing better than me. I'm currently just trying to focus on stuff I want to finish and post, and am ignoring all our lovely discussions. (Just posted my Ianto meta. Next up I'm going to try to work on my DW thoughts on AGMGTW... /o\ And then it's the last two chapters of My Immortal 2. And then I might try to finish 'Dating the Cleverest Boy in the World'... I love that fic to distraction, but it just wouldn't stop growing.) /random rambling

but saw you'd pointed me towards this and I'd never gotten around to reading it. Glad I did, though!
Me too! :) If you ever feel like tackling the other story (the Year That Never Was one) I'd be trilled to know your thoughts, but that one is... *goes to check* approx 12,000 words long. And came from a single line in an essay. Ah well, at least this one was short! \o/

[perfiction.livejournal.com]

Okay, I read this one too as it was so short. Along with the author notes. That's really clever of you! I love reconciling these two worlds. It's challenging. And you do it well.