Darkest 'fore the Dawn

AN: This is an alternate Season Seven and a direct sequel to I Will Always Find You. Thanks to the effects of the Hellbridge spell, the Scoobies find themselves with unusual help in fighting the First Evil. This is intended to both complete the saga begun in the first story and the adventures of the Scoobies in Sunnydale. Not only that but this should be really fun, and I've been waiting for the opportunity to screw with Kennedy. I mean, how can you not hate her?

Pairing: Mainly Buffy/Faith, but with Willow/Tara thrown in for good measure.

Disclaimer: Only the story and any original characters are mine. Everything else belongs to the minor deity that is Joss Whedon.

On with the show!

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PROLOGUE

The light from Willow and Tara's merging of souls tore through every realm within reach. Their cries of joy echoed even in the darkest corners of reality, calling every awareness to attention with the power of their release. Even after the source was calmed, the remnants of the combined souls' power lingered, wisping here and there, dissipating into the stretches of existence. It was shards of these remnants that found each other in the dark, merging and twisting until their light, the light of two souls made one, coalesced into a single, pure being. Once the transformation was complete, and the soul was the being's own, it plummeted to Earth, taking shape as it fell.

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The vampire had become overconfident. He'd managed to avoid not one, but two Slayers on several occasions, and was starting to feel like he was invincible. Therefore he had no qualms or worries about whistling to himself as he strolled through the park, looking for unwary stragglers who thought it would be a good night to stargaze.

He was in luck – curled up against the tree, shivering at the cold night air, was a young girl, no more than thirteen or fourteen. She had vibrant red hair and pale skin, and when she looked up at his approach, he saw that her eyes were deep blue, almost indigo in color. She was also naked.

Feeling much like the wolf in the story of Red Riding Hood, the vampire brought his demon face to the fore and strode casually forward. To his surprise, the girl's expression didn't change. In fact, she seemed very calm. Dismissing any misgivings, he stood in his most menacing pose and stared down at his prize.

"Lost, little girl?" he asked. "Don't worry – I'll take you home."

The girl didn't respond – only tilted her head to the side and watched the vampire curiously. A moment later, a small smile appeared on her face.

The vampire had no time to be confused. A moment later he was screaming in agony as shafts of sunlight erupted from his body and he collapsed in front of the girl as a pile of dust. She watched his demise with the same curiosity she'd shown his unliving form. She looked up from her perusal of his remains, however, when another figure stepped forward from the shadows.

"Neat trick," drawled the British voice. Spike's stance appeared nonchalant, though there was a stiffness in it that indicated a tinge of fear. Nevertheless, he stepped forward. "Don't worry – I'm not going to hurt you. Hell, it's not like I could," he added, spreading his arms. When he was no more than four feet away, he stopped cold, and his eyes widened.

"What are you?" the vampire asked quietly.

The girl, her expression still calm, simply shrugged.

After a moment of indecision, Spike sighed, taking off his leather coat as he walked the last few feet towards the strange girl curled up against the tree. She stood up as he reached her. "Well, come on then," he said, wrapping the jacket around her. She put her arms through the sleeves and zipped up the front. The coat fit her like an oversized robe. "I'd best get you to the Slayer, or she'll never forgive me. Not that I care," he said quickly.

Putting an arm around her shoulder, he looked down at the pale redhead. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "So where you from?" he asked. The girl shrugged again. "Well, you got a name?"

"Aura," she replied, her voice soft and almost child-like.

"Spike," the vampire introduced himself. "Now let's get out of here before you freeze to death."

Obeying without question, Aura followed Spike out of the park and into the night.