Author: Aether Dragon



Disclaimer: I don't own, don't you wish I did?



A/N: 7th season, picking-up after the First bleeds Spike



She will rise

She will rise, and the First shall pay Her tribute

For thus it is written

And for She holds the power...





The vamp was dust. Buffy Summers sighed with exhaustion as she straightened her poise and looked around for more evil. As she turned to go, there was a rustling in the bushes nearby. She looked in that direction, but nothing jumped out. She turned to go. And then it jumped.

The vamp reminded Buffy of the Master, only worse, probably older. She punched at the vamp. It ducked, and recovered with a speed no vampire she had ever met had. It took her by the throat and lowered it's fangs.

"Buffy! No!"

The next moment there was a sudden rush of energy, and the bolt hit the vamp fast and hard. He was on his back, though he was only stunned for a moment. The next second Buffy was halfway across the cemetery, and the thing had her in its' grip again. She struggled for dear life, but it wouldn't let go. Willow was attempting another spell, but the vamp was too fast, and held Buffy before like a human shield.

Willow was scared, and needed help on this. She couldn't beat the vamp on her own, she couldn't even help Buffy. She was thinking of a spell that might work when she blacked out.



Buffy was scared. Willow fell to the floor. Her only chance of winning gone. The vamp moved in for the lunge.

"Did you miss me?" The voice was familiar- and unwelcome.

Willow now stood before Buffy and the vamp, but she was different. Her hair and eyes were pitch-black, and she had an aura of evil around her.

"I see. Nice. The first vampire. Let me let you in on a little secret: I'm older and stronger than you. I made the First, and it defied me. I was locked within the Aether for centuries before your time. And now, I'm back, and I'm stronger than ever. Go now, tell your master I am back, and I want my throne back." The vamp fled as though the gods themselves were upon it with fury like no creature has ever known.



The First was tormenting Spike when the feeling came to it. A feeling of hate going back further than even it went. And for the first time since it's creation, the First was scared. It could sense the vampire on it's way to deliver a message, though it was a message already known. The First looked around. Nothing. No one. It was alone. Damn, where are those servant's when you need them? But the thought was lost in sudden buzzing, as though an angry hornet loomed nearby. And, for the first time ever, the First found a dark corner where it would be safe... it hoped.

Then, Spike met the eyes of the First.

"She will rise

She will rise, and the First shall pay Her tribute

For thus it is written

And for She holds the power..."

With that, the blonde vampire burst into laughter, and the First cowered even more into it's corner...





To Be Continued