The Key's Choice
Rating: FR18. May go up. Depends on how far my mind goes into the gutter.
Author: Sunrunner's Fire
I Disclaim: Joss Whedon owns all things Slayer-ific. JRR Tolkien owns all things revolving around the One Ring. I own a 1987 BMW and a really crappy computer with a spastic Ethernet connection. That is all. Please don't sue me.
Everything hurt. In fact, on the pain-o-meter, Dawn was pretty sure this was right up there with pain caused by the rack, or listening to emo, or Buffy's cooking. Anyway she sliced it, this royally sucked. "Let me die… please, just let me die," she whispered, feeling the blood that fed the portal run in steady streams down her legs.
She knew what would happen. Buffy would come. She would come and save Dawn the only way she knew how: by leaving her little sister to clean up the mess. Dawn still remembered the mess that Buffy left for her to clean after the snake demon came for her. Some of the stains were permanent. There was much moving of the furniture done that day at the Magic Box.
She could see Buffy climbing the tower, and knew that Buffy would try to leave her behind, be the hero and leave everyone else to deal. Anything she could to escape the raw deal given to her by the Powers. Summers blood. It needs Summers blood and I will be damned if she gets to take the easy way out this time.
Dawn looked around, searching for something, anything that would free her from the bonds that Glory's leper-like minions had tied. "Stupid Boy Scouts and their stupid knots," Dawn mumbled, jerking frantically on the ropes. To the side, a slash of steel caught her eye. Somebody left a knife nearby. Ignoring the part of her mind that longed to roll its eyes at the sheer idiocy of minions in general, and those of the bitch hell-goddess in particular, she reached out towards the knife with one foot, finally grateful for the too-long legs the monks had so thoughtfully provided. Pervs.
Using her toes as grips, Dawn brought the knife up to her hand, and, holding it rather awkwardly, cut the rope attaching her to the tower. Working swiftly, she freed her other hand and looked to see what progress Buffy had made in climbing the tower. Buffy had reached the top and began to make her way to Dawn when the determined tone in the younger girl's voice stopped her cold.
"Not this time."
"Dawn – "
"No," Dawn cut her off before she could finish. "Not this time. This time it's my turn. This is what I was made for. I'm the Key, not you. Slayer, you have your destiny. Let me have mine," her voice broke.
Dawn choked back her sobs and looked at the face of her family. "I love you." Dawn turned her back on her sister, and without looking back, dived off the platform, the purple dress billowing around her as the world dropped out from under her, the wind attempting to catch the tall girl. It took everything in Buffy to keep her from following Dawn off the tower, as the worlds separated and night fell over Sunnydale once more.
More pain. So not of the good. Dawn felt as if she was being ripped apart at the seams. Closing her eyes, she braced herself, waiting for the impact, hoping that when it came, she would not feel it. Hello Key. With those whispered words, the pain stopped, and Dawn hesitantly opened her eyes, afraid of what she would find on the other side.
Light. Everything around her was light. Without form a vast nothingness of pure whiteness that Dawn felt sure would irritate her if not for the fact that she was too happy about the feeling of non-impact she was currently experiencing.
Who's there? Who are you?
We are those that guard the worlds, Key. We are called many things in many tongues. Your kind calls us the Powers that Be.
What do you want with me? Dawn asked defensively.
You asked for death. We are here to consider your request.
There's something to consider? Dawn snorted. In case you've missed it, I'm kinda in mid air and bleeding to death.
We are wondering, Key, if the rest you now seek is what you truly desire. We have an offer for you. There is another to consider.
What are you talking about? In the first place, I jumped. You know. Took the plunge. Made a flying leap. Took a long walk off a short pier. Offed myself… need I go on? In second place, nuh-uh. No deals from you. Not for me. You guys tend to give those lame-assed game show deals, only there's just one door and the prize is pretty shitty.
We offer you life, the Powers continued, unfazed with the girl's rant. Life eternal for you and the other, Key. Life in exchange for guiding our champions. You will show them the way, give them hope. You and the other will be their symbol for good, something that they are even now searching desperately for.
Who is this other? It's only me here? Dawn asked, confused about the invisible partner the Powers were apparently saddling her with.
You hold the other, the Powers whispered. Think, Key. Remember. And remember she did. Forgotten in the drama that was her life was a memory of a shy boy in her art class. Fumbling hands and lips that were hesitant and all of it over too soon for either of their liking. Dawn froze, realization coming like a two-ton anvil landing on a bug. Do you now understand our considerations? The Powers asked, the monotonous, androgynous voice grating on her nerves. Yes, Dawn whispered. And our offer?
Life. Dawn said, staring defiantly into the light, as if staring down an enemy. Life she repeated, stronger this time and waited for the Powers to respond. Very well, Key. Life you shall have. And for the second time that night, Dawn Summers, sixteen, pregnant, and newly immortal felt the world drop out from under her feet.
Three days later, in a small town in Southern California, a funeral was held for a teenage girl that everyone thought committed suicide, unable to live without her mother. Everyone but her family, who knew the truth. Buffy, Giles, Willow, Tara, Xander, and Anya turned as one from the new grave. Spike was waiting at the house on Revello Drive. He would want to know about the service for his Nibblet, but the Scooby Gang was not willing to rise above their own grief to comfort him. As night fell, he left the house, making his way to the graveyard and the stone that awaited him there.
Dawn Marie Summers
1984 – 2001
Beloved Sister and Friend
You have gone into the light and left those behind in darkness
We will miss you forever
On that same day, in a different world, Dawn Summers found herself lying on the ground, looking up at the business end of a rather sharp arrow wielded by a man with a rather forbidding expression on his face. And for some reason, pointed ears. With such a sight in front of her adding to the weight of her decision, Dawn did the most sensible thing she could think of: she fainted.