#18 - The "WHAT?!" ChallengeSubmitted by Daien
The gang realize that someone has been watching Dawn,they discover that he is one of the Monks (only survivor) that created Dawn. The Monk reveals that although in everyone's memories Dawn is Buffy's sister,genetically she is Buffy's (and Giles') daughter. Why? Because having The Chosen Ones' genes would be beneficial for The Key.
Disclaimer: Written for entertainment, obviously. No ownership, nor unintended infringement of rights, is implied or claimed. Just a love of Joss and the Buffyverse.
Prologue: The Fall
Buffy and Dawn stared down at the portal - energy crackled and pulsed as the rift grew wider. Wind swept hair from their tear-streaked faces.
"I'm sorry," said Dawn. She tried to swallow down the thick feeling in her throat.
"It doesn't matter," Buffy replied.
Dawn started to run past, but she was stopped by Buffy's hand on her arm. Buffy twisted Dawn around, glaring at her.
"What are you doing?"
"I have to jump... the energy..."
Buffy frowned at her. "It'll kill you."
"I know," Dawn said softly. Buffy could only stare at her. "Buffy, I know about the ritual. I have to stop it."
"No."
The tower trembled beneath them and they stumbled into each other. Buffy grabbed Dawn's upper arms and they both looked down at the rift again.
"I have to. Look at what's happening."
From below, Giles, Xander, Anya, Willow, and Tara watched them. Spike slowly woke from his position below the tower. Lightening lit the sky, charged the air as the wind whipped stronger around the duo. Out of the portal a huge dragon emerged; energy crackled and buzzed, shaking the tower as it flew past.
Dawn sniffed and waited for Buffy to look before she spoke again. "You know you have to let me. It has to have the blood."
The anguish on Buffy's face slowly melted with realization. Flashes of memories fired in her brain.
Spike flicking his cigarette away. "Cause it's always got to be blood."
Holding Dawn's hand in the hospital, just after Dawn found out about her origins. "It's Summers blood. It's just like mine."
Buffy saying it herself: "She's me. The monks made her out of me."
The First Slayer pacing across the fire. "Death is your gift."
Buffy frowned and slowly turned to look at the roiling portal below them. The rift was bigger and showed no signs of stopping its growth anytime soon. Holes were ripping across the sky. Creatures were everywhere, and more on the way. The sun was trying to rise.
"Death is your gift..."
The haunting words finally made sense. For the first time in years, peace descended. She got it. She glanced at her friends - the people she loved so much in this world. They weren't going to understand.
She turned to her younger sister. Her plans were easy to see and Dawn shook her head. Fresh tears trailed down her cheeks from wide eyes.
"Buffy... no!"
"Dawnie, I have to."
"No!"
Buffy grabbed Dawn's shoulders and pulled her close. She put on her most determined expression and spoke low, urgent. "Listen to me. Please, there's not a lot of time, listen." Buffy took a small breath, fortified. She put on a sad, soft little smile. "I love you. I will always love you. But this is work that I have to do."
The tower groaned and trembled beneath their feet. Buffy's fingers tightened on Dawn's shoulders, but the younger girl didn't complain.
"Tell Giles... tell Giles I figured it out. And... and I'll be okay. And give my love to... my friends." Dawn let out a small sob and nodded. "You have to take care of them now. You have to take care of each other. You have to be strong."
Dawn squeezed her eyes shut. Her mind was racing, but when Buffy spoke again, she knew she'd never forget her words.
"Dawn, the hardest thing in this world... is to live in it. Be brave. Live. For me."
Dawn couldn't hold back her emotions any longer, and it only hurt more when Buffy leaned forward and kissed her forehead. Brushed hair behind her ear like always. As Dawn and the others below watched, it was almost in slow motion. Later, Giles wouldn't admit to anyone else that it was. He knew the moment he saw her look down at them what she planned to do.
Buffy turned from Dawn and pushed forward. She ran to the edge of the platform, kicked off, and jumped at a swan-dive into the portal. She heard the others scream, Giles the loudest. She couldn't see them, just bright light.
Then pain, pain everywhere, slashing into her skin.
