Chapter 9: It's All About Scythe

Disclaimer: I own nothing but an intense hatred for this episode. BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon / Mutant Enemy. Charmed characters belong to WB, I think. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

A/N: Thanks to my betas for their help...BkwrmDancer, DawnDreamer, AshDawnSoulmates, ktweaver, and Chrislover.

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"So Doyle said that when we find who made the scythe that we'd learn the prophecy about us?" Buffy asked as they gathered around the kitchen table the next morning.

Piper apparently thought they were expecting a couple dozen people with all the food she was making them for breakfast. She just waved a dismissive hand and said that Buffy needed to eat more. She looked insulted until Phoebe leaned over to tell her that her sister did that to everyone.

"Alright, then we just have to figure out where to find that person," Piper said, smiling at Buffy's enthusiasm in eating. She really did think that the blonde was much too thin. She feared for her health.

Paige cautiously offered, "I know this might not work, but maybe we could just scry with it and see what happens." True, she had been a witch for a while now, but she still doubted herself occasionally.

"What does 'scry' mean?" Buffy wondered aloud, not having heard the term before, finishing the eggs she had on her plate. Piper was a really good cook and the good night's sleep she just had fueled her appetite.

Phoebe explained, "Think of Google for magick. If you want to find someone or thing you scry with an object connected to what you're looking for." She bit back a laugh as Buffy snagged a couple more pancakes. She agreed with Piper's thoughts about the Slayer, but felt instinctively that she'd fight any obvious attempts to help her until she felt safer with them.

Buffy stared at them in awe. "Sounds handy. I spent a lot of time beating the crap out of Willie, trying to get info on someone's location."

The others looked at her, shocked that she just calmly talked about violence like it was nothing. She noticed their looks and guessed what bothered them. "You see, most of what I do is fighting. It's just part of the Slayer deal," she said almost apologetically, hoping that they wouldn't judge her too harshly for it.

Leo reached for her hand to set her mind at rest. He and Piper discussed him giving Buffy physical contact. She figured the girl wouldn't feel comfortable with the sisters touching her. But she had known Leo and his touch without sexual intentions would serve to let her know there were people who cared for her.

"We aren't as used to physical fighting as you are. We have our share of violence as well; it's just usually done at a distance or with a spell. Don't feel like you have to justify yourself to us for the methods that work best for you in your situation. We'd hope that you wouldn't judge us for the way we do things." His words calmed her worries as well as the nods of agreement from the girls.

Piper decided to get back on topic. "Yeah, but scrying doesn't always work," she let Buffy know. She didn't want to give her the false impression that magick solved everything. She didn't need to worry.

"But it's a good place to start," Buffy accepted and went about finishing her breakfast, not noticing that she ate more than she usually did in a whole day.

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They pulled out a map of Sunnydale, tied a crystal to the scythe and started scrying. Within seconds it landed on a part of town that Buffy hadn't had much occasion to go to. The baddies just seemed to ignore it.

As they walked to their destination – checking the town as they went – they continued to swap stories of their lives. To all the women it felt good to talk to somebody who also felt the burden of destiny.

The sisters had each other, but it was just different with Buffy. Being able to share this with others gave them a strong bond of friendship so quickly that it shocked them. They felt not any hesitancy about offering parts of themselves that were previously hidden.

Buffy in particular blossomed with the freedom of being able to show weakness, something she rarely enjoyed since being called eight years ago. It was always just expected for her to push through her pain so she could do her 'sacred duty' for the world.

But with the sisters, they encouraged her to talk about her fears and reassured her that they had theirs as well. The important thing was to have others who truly supported them.

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As they entered the well-hidden cave, Leo and the witches froze in place. Buffy stiffened in alarm when she saw this and fell into a fighting stance immediately.

When the portly older gentleman with a kind face showed up, she swung the scythe in a threatening manner towards him and demanded, "What the hell are you and what have you done to my friends?"

"Peace Slayer," he uttered, attempting to calm her, "They are only momentarily frozen while I discuss your future with you. They will not suffer in any way for it. I am the Angel of Destiny," he introduced himself with a slight bow of his head.

She wasn't so easily pacified. "I don't care if you're God! Unfreeze them…now!!" she demanded angrily.

"But this only concerns you, young one," he protested gently.

"And they're my friends so it concerns them too," she insisted. Plus she would have to tell them about it afterward anyway to get their read on whatever he said.

He smiled at this, cheered that she hadn't lost the ability to trust. "Very well," he consented and waved his hand at the others.

Piper swung around with her hands up. "Whoa, where the hell did he come from?" she yelled in shock.

Buffy answered, "Hey guys, this is the Angel of Destiny and he froze you . By the way…" she turned to him, "is that seriously your name?" He just smiled in response.

Leo looked at the man, warily. "What do you want with Beth?" He knew a little about the Angel of Destiny but wasn't sure if his presence was a good thing for her or not.

Buffy had a sudden thought. "Wait, you're the maker of the scythe?" she asked in wonder.

He shook his head. "Not me precisely, but it was made at my request." He turned to Leo and informed him, "And I'm here to talk to Buffy Summers about her destiny."

This infuriated the young Slayer. "Dammit, I'm getting tired of hearing about my 'destiny' and 'sacred duty'! Can't you guys just leave me alone?" she cried out in frustration.

"Actually, that's what I'm here to do," he announced with a smile. Sometimes he really enjoyed his work. This was one of those times.

She looked at him in confusion. "Run that by me again! That was my hopeful ear." She couldn't believe what she thought he was saying.

"The prophecy that the four of you will fulfill releases you from any claims on your destiny. Furthermore, upon your death, it will be your choice to become a whitelighter or continue onto your final rest," he stated with a hint of pride. He had made sure to add that part because of the Elders.

"Just what does this prophecy say anyway?" she asked warily, remembering the last one included her death at the hands of the Master.

He slid a scroll out from the sleeve of his robe and handed it over to them. He spoke while they read and re-read the prophecy for themselves, "It has been determined that you have been manipulated long enough by others, both human and of those of the higher planes." He gazed at her with compassion in his eyes. "It has gone on far too long. The final straw was the humans wrenching you from the Elders," he said with a touch of anger.

He allowed a rare share humor with his next statement, "But you know, it's your own fault. If you weren't so good – both at what you do and who you are – they wouldn't fight so hard to keep you for themselves."

Hope began to spring up in her until she remembered about her duty as the Slayer. "Wait, how can I stop being the Slayer? You don't actually think I could stop. Not with knowing people would die because I did," she demanded, insulted at the thought.

"Of course not, it just isn't in your nature to stand back. But the duty of Slayer has passed onto Faith as it should have 5 years ago with Kendra's death." He noticed her flinch at the mention of the fallen Slayer.

"Unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough to assume it then. Her past few years have taught her the humility and patience she needs to appreciate the burden of this responsibility. Have no worries, she will do fine," he assure her.

She breathed a sigh of relief, she could really be free! "So how do we go about doing this? I mean, the scroll is nice and all, but kinda skimpy on the details," she requested, wanting to do this so she could get on with her life…her destiny-free life.

He chuckled at her light-hearted manner, "You will receive the essential ingredient to the spell soon. Until then, work on devising a Power of Three spell to close the Hellmouth; to put it into a state of near dormancy."

"Why can't we just close it for good?" she asked, thinking of all the lives lost over the years because of the damn thing.

He replied, "Because it serves a purpose for both Evil and Good." He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a friendly caress. "Take care, small Warrior."

She glared at him, "You only get away with calling me 'small' because you could freeze me, but don't push it buster!" But she slapped him playfully on his arm, showing she wasn't truly angry with him. His obvious concern for her made her comfortable with him as she hadn't been with a stranger in a long time.

He laughed outright at this and disappeared in the same way as he appeared.

Buffy looked at the others and declared, "What are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road." She linked elbows with Paige and Phoebe and bounced out of the cave.

Leo and Piper followed with smiles at her carefree antics. This hope was a miracle for her battered spirit. What they didn't realize was their acceptance of her, warts and all, did even more for her than the prophecy offered.

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A/N: I know the Angel of Destiny was OOC, but I liked changing him to suit my whims so deal!

A/N2: Hey gentle readers, I need help deciding Spike's reward for helping to save the world:

He becomes human again.

He can go out in the sun again without flaming.

He loses the bloodlust and goes back to human food for nourishment.

B & C

Nothing, sheesh it's just one apocalypse!

I need the results for the last chapter or epilogue, which I'm guessing to be about 5 chapters away, so vote soon and vote often. (in a review please).

A/N3: Next…The Scoobies find their own prophecy and go about trying to stop it.