Chapter 31
"Rack's place was right around here last time..." Dawn said. She, Conner, and Clem were walking down a deserted street near the edge of town.
"I don't feel anything. Oh well. Not here. Let's go home." Clem said.
"You don't feel anything because his place moves. I told you."
"Know why Rack moves all the time? Because he's shady. A bad element comes down here."
"I get that. But Willow's part of it now... She is the element. Rack may know where she is. Which is why we need to talk to him."
"We? In a face-to-face way?"
"Or me and Conner will. We'll go in without you."
"No, it's fine. It's just. Rack isn't partial to the floppy eared. He's got a thing. But I'm in. Absolutely."
"Either way, just get me there."
"Say Rack does know where Willow is. He's not going to tell you for nothing. He's gonna want something."
"I've got money."
"I don't think that's the kind of something he's gonna want. Rack likes little girls."
"I'm not a little girl."
"Sorry. Of course. Little, that's wrong. But girl, I stand behind. I mean, you definitely have. You're clearly. You have parts."
"Look are you going to help us or not?" Conner asked.
"I just, I don't know if you two thought this through. I'm supposed to keep you both safe and this whole thing is. I mean, even if you guys find Willow, you really think you can stop her?"
"I don't know, but I can't sit around while another person I love. I can't just sit around." Dawn said.
"We don't have a plan. Don't we at least need a plan?"
"Buffy and her friends never have a plan. They just sort of... jump in and don't know what they're doing."
"And this works?"
"They never really let me come along. Guess we'll find out." Clem gave her a look. "It's ok. I mean, they usually come back in one piece."
"Usually?"
"My mother is the slayer. She is strong. It should be always. She came back from getting shot in one piece." Conner said.
"Well, that was because of Willow." Dawn said.
"Still. I've seen mom fight. She is absolutely amazing. She taught me a little. Therefore, we will be fine."
"Whatever. I wish Buffy would teach me a few moves."
"I'll talk to her."
"It won't work."
"Why not?"
"She doesn't want me 'exposed' to that kind of stuff."
"Oh. She let me."
"You were forced into it."
"No difference. You were forced into it too. I mean, mom and dad told me that you were once a key thing and a bunch of monks made you."
"I see your point."
"Thank you."
"You're exactly like your dad: very logical thinking."
"He's not all THAT logical."
"Are you getting anything?" Buffy asked.
"Not yet." Angel said.
"This sucks."
"Tell me about it."
"If we don't find her."
"We will. Don't worry; she still had some bit of humanity in her. Maybe we can reach that."
"I hope. But with our track record with humanity, we're definitely lacking."
"Yeah."
They walked towards the place where she remembered trying to find Rack's place with Spike. This was nerve wracking! Willow had killed a person, she'd tasted blood. Who knows what she's done since they lost her on the highway.
"Wait." Angel said.
"What?"
"I feel something."
"Rack's?"
"Maybe." They walked a little ways. "It's getting stronger."
"God, I hope she's there. But I also hope she's not."
"Here." Angel said. He stepped through a mystical barrier and disappeared. Buffy rolled her eyes and walked through too. When she got in, Angel was turned facing her. Clem stood next to him.
"Clem?" Buffy asked.
"Hi." The demon answered.
"What are you doing here? Where's Dawn and Conner?"
"Um, I know that this might make you mad, but." Clem pointed to a closed door.
"You brought them HERE?"
"It was against my will."
Buffy didn't listen. She walked over to the door with Angel and he opened it. Willow had Dawn backed up to a wall and was talking to her. Conner was sitting on the floor by a chair and he was just coming to.
"'Mom!' 'Buffy!' 'Tara!' Waah! Come on, someone's gotta stop the carnage. It's time you went back to being a little energy ball. No more tears Dawnie."
Buffy nodded towards Conner as she said to Willow, "I think you need to get away from her."
Willow turned and Dawn took the advantage to run over to Conner and Angel.
"You need to back down and think a minute Will." Buffy said.
"Wasn't gonna hurt her. Buzzkill." Willow said.
"She tried to turn me back." Dawn said.
"You're attacking the people who love you now?" Buffy asked.
"Only the ones in my way."
"That's not. you need help."
"Doing fine on my own, thanks."
"Angel take Dawn and Conner and get them out of here."
Angel guided them towards the door, but it slammed and locked.
"Don't we're all friends." Willow said.
"I know what you want to do, Willow, but listen to me: the forces inside you are incredibly powerful. They're strong, but you're stronger. Just remember, you're still Willow."
"Let me tell you something about Willow: she's a loser. And she always has been. Everyone picked on Willow in junior high, high school, up until college with her stupid mousy ways and now, Willow's a junkie."
"I can help. WE can help."
"The only thing Willow was ever good for. the only thing going for me. were those moments, when Tara would look at me and I was wonderful. And that will never happen again."
"I know this hurts. bad. but Will, if you let loose with the Magicks now, it will never end."
"Promise?"
"You don't want that."
"Why not?"
"Because you lose everything. Your friends, your self. you let this control you and the world goes away. That's not... Willow, there's so much to."
"Ack! Please! This is your pitch? You hate it here as much as I do. I'm just more honest about it."
"That's not true, not anymore."
"You're trying to sell me on the world. The one where you lie to your friends when you're not trying to kill them and you screwed a vampire just to feel and insane asylums are the comfy alternative. Then you go and get married cause you're pregnant with his kid! Please! This world? Buffy, it's me! I know you were happier in the ground, hanging with the worms. The only time you were ever at peace in your whole life is when you were dead. Until Willow brought you back." The whole time Willow had been talking, the rooms had changed. "You know, with magic." Willow finished.
Buffy and Angel looked around to find the Magic Box. Conner and Dawn were standing next to Buffy.
"Sorry. It can be kind of a rough trip if you're, you know, not me."
Dawn staggered and fell to the floor. "Dawn." Buffy and Angel went to help her and they collapsed too. Conner fell next.
Willow spotted Jonathan and Andrew. She turned to them. "Jonathan, Andrew, you boys like magic, don't you?" Willow raised her hands and a dark light came from them "Abra Cadabra." Willow blasted them, but a magical shield blocked them. "Ok, I didn't see that coming." She stopped.
"W.What just happened?" Andrew asked.
"We're alive!" Jonathan exclaimed.
"You want to take it slow? I can do that too. Just ask Warren."
"No." Buffy said behind Willow. She tried to stand and lunge at Willow, but she was too disoriented to get very far.
Willow shot at the guys again with the dark light, but she was blocked again.
"Let's get out of here!" Jonathan said.
"No, no , stay." Willow said. She gestured to the training room door and it slammed shut. Jonathan and Andrew each grabbed a sword.
"I mean we're just gettin' started. I got all kinds of big party plans."
Buffy collected her strength and stood up. "Will."
"Don't." Angel said, also getting warily to his feet.
"Guys... c'mon. I'm getting the wood for the violence here. And you know what they say: if at first you don't succeed..." Willow shot at Jonathan and Andrew again. Still, nothing happened to them. "Damn, this is one effective counter-spell. Won't keep you alive though."
"Will, stop. You have to give this up, now." Buffy said.
Willow ignored her. "Oh, I get it. You boys put a spell on yourselves didn't you. On everyone here. Protecting you from harm from Magicks. That's cute." Buffy grabbed Willow, but she ignored the slayer and shrugged her off. "I used to be cute. Now I'm just incredibly powerful, so, whatever the problem is, I know it's not me."
Buffy stepped between Willow and the boys. "Will, back off before somebody gets hurt."
"How bout I back off right after?" Willow looked at the boys. "So which one of you worked the mojo? Doesn't matter really. I'm just curious. Just because I can't do Magicks to you, doesn't mean I can't do 'em on myself." Willow looked down at herself. "DAH MEE-hee WIM." A black energy surrounded her and sent Buffy flying back into some bookshelves.
"Buffy!" Angel yelled.
"All right. Now, I'm pretty sure I'm strong enough..." Willow turned the table over, "to beat you to death."
Willow went for the boys, but Buffy came up and blocked her path. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Not a problem." Willow rushed at the boys, but stopped and spun back towards Buffy. She was trying to scare the boys a little.
"I said I didn't want to." Buffy punched Willow so hard that she went flying into the shelves that separated the table from the front of the shop. "Didn't say I wouldn't."
Willow looked up at Buffy in shock. Angel came to stand behind her. Buffy noticed Xander herding Conner, Dawn, Andrew, and Jonathan towards the door.
"I'm getting you all out of here." Xander said.
"What about Willow?" Jonathan asked.
"Buffy and Angel can handle her."
"Are you sure?" Dawn asked.
"No, that's why we're leaving. Come on." Xander headed towards the door with them then turned to bring Anya too.
"I have to stay to keep the spell going on Willow." Anya said.
"But."
"Do something right!"
Willow saw them leave and she screamed, "No!"
Xander looked back.
"Go." Angel told them.
Willow stood and faced Buffy and Angel. She smiled a little. "So, here we are."
"Are we really going to do this?" Buffy asked.
"COME ON! This is a huge deal for me. Six years as a sideman and now I get to be the slayer."
"A killer isn't a slayer. Being a slayer means something you can't conceive of."
"Oh, Buffy! You married a killer. You're blind. You really need to have every square inch of your ass kicked."
Buffy looked at Angel and then back at Willow. "Then show me what you got. And I'll show you what a slayer really is."
Willow attacked. She threw punch after punch at Buffy who blocked them. Willow tried to hit Angel, but Buffy caught her arm and spun her, nearly breaking her arm. Willow came back around and kicked Buffy into one of the side bookshelves. Then she looked at the ladder and it flew at Buffy, pinning her to the bookshelf. She tried to escape, but a barrage of books, statues, and a chair came flying at her. Angel jumped at Willow and brought her down as Buffy threw the ladder off of her. Willow threw Angel away and Buffy had to dodge his flying body. Willow turned to walk away, but Buffy flew into a tackle and brought Willow back to the floor. Buffy landed on top and Willow pushed her off.
"Get off super bitch!"
Buffy stood up in time to receive a sidekick that flung her through the glass counter. Angel tossed Willow back and Buffy was up and grabbing onto Willow.
"I can help you stop." Buffy said.
"I thought you were going to show me what a slayer was." Willow said.
Willow punched Buffy again and she went through the counter and the curtains revealing Anya casting the spell. Angel's eyes widened and he rushed at Willow, but she flung him back magically, knocking him out.
"Well, hey. Isn't that interesting?" Willow said. Buffy stood to try to get between Anya and Willow. "Anya's still here." Willow shoved Buffy onto the front room table. ".chanting her little heart out. And I think I've been beating the wrong gal." Anya tried to run, but Willow grabbed her and lifted her up by the throat.
"HELP ME!" Anya cried.
"Can't block my spells if you can't chant. Can't chant if you're sleepin'." Willow threw Anya into the back wall of the Magic Box.
Buffy stood and tried to rush Willow, but stopped short when the witch turned on her.
"Buffy, I gotta tell ya: I get it now. The slayer thing really ISN'T about the violence. It's about the power." As Willow said this, a black energy formed around her and then she shot it at Buffy.
Buffy soared into Giles' desk and went out for a few seconds.
"And there's no one in the world with the power to stop me now." Willow said.
Buffy looked up groggily just as Willow was hit by a green blast of energy. She went flying back onto the marble floor and slid to a stop. When she looked up, her nose was bleeding. Then she looked up at the door. Buffy followed her eyes and saw Giles.
"I'd like to test that theory." He said.
Buffy looked at Angel and saw that he had come to and was looking at what had just happened with wide eyes.
"Rack's place was right around here last time..." Dawn said. She, Conner, and Clem were walking down a deserted street near the edge of town.
"I don't feel anything. Oh well. Not here. Let's go home." Clem said.
"You don't feel anything because his place moves. I told you."
"Know why Rack moves all the time? Because he's shady. A bad element comes down here."
"I get that. But Willow's part of it now... She is the element. Rack may know where she is. Which is why we need to talk to him."
"We? In a face-to-face way?"
"Or me and Conner will. We'll go in without you."
"No, it's fine. It's just. Rack isn't partial to the floppy eared. He's got a thing. But I'm in. Absolutely."
"Either way, just get me there."
"Say Rack does know where Willow is. He's not going to tell you for nothing. He's gonna want something."
"I've got money."
"I don't think that's the kind of something he's gonna want. Rack likes little girls."
"I'm not a little girl."
"Sorry. Of course. Little, that's wrong. But girl, I stand behind. I mean, you definitely have. You're clearly. You have parts."
"Look are you going to help us or not?" Conner asked.
"I just, I don't know if you two thought this through. I'm supposed to keep you both safe and this whole thing is. I mean, even if you guys find Willow, you really think you can stop her?"
"I don't know, but I can't sit around while another person I love. I can't just sit around." Dawn said.
"We don't have a plan. Don't we at least need a plan?"
"Buffy and her friends never have a plan. They just sort of... jump in and don't know what they're doing."
"And this works?"
"They never really let me come along. Guess we'll find out." Clem gave her a look. "It's ok. I mean, they usually come back in one piece."
"Usually?"
"My mother is the slayer. She is strong. It should be always. She came back from getting shot in one piece." Conner said.
"Well, that was because of Willow." Dawn said.
"Still. I've seen mom fight. She is absolutely amazing. She taught me a little. Therefore, we will be fine."
"Whatever. I wish Buffy would teach me a few moves."
"I'll talk to her."
"It won't work."
"Why not?"
"She doesn't want me 'exposed' to that kind of stuff."
"Oh. She let me."
"You were forced into it."
"No difference. You were forced into it too. I mean, mom and dad told me that you were once a key thing and a bunch of monks made you."
"I see your point."
"Thank you."
"You're exactly like your dad: very logical thinking."
"He's not all THAT logical."
"Are you getting anything?" Buffy asked.
"Not yet." Angel said.
"This sucks."
"Tell me about it."
"If we don't find her."
"We will. Don't worry; she still had some bit of humanity in her. Maybe we can reach that."
"I hope. But with our track record with humanity, we're definitely lacking."
"Yeah."
They walked towards the place where she remembered trying to find Rack's place with Spike. This was nerve wracking! Willow had killed a person, she'd tasted blood. Who knows what she's done since they lost her on the highway.
"Wait." Angel said.
"What?"
"I feel something."
"Rack's?"
"Maybe." They walked a little ways. "It's getting stronger."
"God, I hope she's there. But I also hope she's not."
"Here." Angel said. He stepped through a mystical barrier and disappeared. Buffy rolled her eyes and walked through too. When she got in, Angel was turned facing her. Clem stood next to him.
"Clem?" Buffy asked.
"Hi." The demon answered.
"What are you doing here? Where's Dawn and Conner?"
"Um, I know that this might make you mad, but." Clem pointed to a closed door.
"You brought them HERE?"
"It was against my will."
Buffy didn't listen. She walked over to the door with Angel and he opened it. Willow had Dawn backed up to a wall and was talking to her. Conner was sitting on the floor by a chair and he was just coming to.
"'Mom!' 'Buffy!' 'Tara!' Waah! Come on, someone's gotta stop the carnage. It's time you went back to being a little energy ball. No more tears Dawnie."
Buffy nodded towards Conner as she said to Willow, "I think you need to get away from her."
Willow turned and Dawn took the advantage to run over to Conner and Angel.
"You need to back down and think a minute Will." Buffy said.
"Wasn't gonna hurt her. Buzzkill." Willow said.
"She tried to turn me back." Dawn said.
"You're attacking the people who love you now?" Buffy asked.
"Only the ones in my way."
"That's not. you need help."
"Doing fine on my own, thanks."
"Angel take Dawn and Conner and get them out of here."
Angel guided them towards the door, but it slammed and locked.
"Don't we're all friends." Willow said.
"I know what you want to do, Willow, but listen to me: the forces inside you are incredibly powerful. They're strong, but you're stronger. Just remember, you're still Willow."
"Let me tell you something about Willow: she's a loser. And she always has been. Everyone picked on Willow in junior high, high school, up until college with her stupid mousy ways and now, Willow's a junkie."
"I can help. WE can help."
"The only thing Willow was ever good for. the only thing going for me. were those moments, when Tara would look at me and I was wonderful. And that will never happen again."
"I know this hurts. bad. but Will, if you let loose with the Magicks now, it will never end."
"Promise?"
"You don't want that."
"Why not?"
"Because you lose everything. Your friends, your self. you let this control you and the world goes away. That's not... Willow, there's so much to."
"Ack! Please! This is your pitch? You hate it here as much as I do. I'm just more honest about it."
"That's not true, not anymore."
"You're trying to sell me on the world. The one where you lie to your friends when you're not trying to kill them and you screwed a vampire just to feel and insane asylums are the comfy alternative. Then you go and get married cause you're pregnant with his kid! Please! This world? Buffy, it's me! I know you were happier in the ground, hanging with the worms. The only time you were ever at peace in your whole life is when you were dead. Until Willow brought you back." The whole time Willow had been talking, the rooms had changed. "You know, with magic." Willow finished.
Buffy and Angel looked around to find the Magic Box. Conner and Dawn were standing next to Buffy.
"Sorry. It can be kind of a rough trip if you're, you know, not me."
Dawn staggered and fell to the floor. "Dawn." Buffy and Angel went to help her and they collapsed too. Conner fell next.
Willow spotted Jonathan and Andrew. She turned to them. "Jonathan, Andrew, you boys like magic, don't you?" Willow raised her hands and a dark light came from them "Abra Cadabra." Willow blasted them, but a magical shield blocked them. "Ok, I didn't see that coming." She stopped.
"W.What just happened?" Andrew asked.
"We're alive!" Jonathan exclaimed.
"You want to take it slow? I can do that too. Just ask Warren."
"No." Buffy said behind Willow. She tried to stand and lunge at Willow, but she was too disoriented to get very far.
Willow shot at the guys again with the dark light, but she was blocked again.
"Let's get out of here!" Jonathan said.
"No, no , stay." Willow said. She gestured to the training room door and it slammed shut. Jonathan and Andrew each grabbed a sword.
"I mean we're just gettin' started. I got all kinds of big party plans."
Buffy collected her strength and stood up. "Will."
"Don't." Angel said, also getting warily to his feet.
"Guys... c'mon. I'm getting the wood for the violence here. And you know what they say: if at first you don't succeed..." Willow shot at Jonathan and Andrew again. Still, nothing happened to them. "Damn, this is one effective counter-spell. Won't keep you alive though."
"Will, stop. You have to give this up, now." Buffy said.
Willow ignored her. "Oh, I get it. You boys put a spell on yourselves didn't you. On everyone here. Protecting you from harm from Magicks. That's cute." Buffy grabbed Willow, but she ignored the slayer and shrugged her off. "I used to be cute. Now I'm just incredibly powerful, so, whatever the problem is, I know it's not me."
Buffy stepped between Willow and the boys. "Will, back off before somebody gets hurt."
"How bout I back off right after?" Willow looked at the boys. "So which one of you worked the mojo? Doesn't matter really. I'm just curious. Just because I can't do Magicks to you, doesn't mean I can't do 'em on myself." Willow looked down at herself. "DAH MEE-hee WIM." A black energy surrounded her and sent Buffy flying back into some bookshelves.
"Buffy!" Angel yelled.
"All right. Now, I'm pretty sure I'm strong enough..." Willow turned the table over, "to beat you to death."
Willow went for the boys, but Buffy came up and blocked her path. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Not a problem." Willow rushed at the boys, but stopped and spun back towards Buffy. She was trying to scare the boys a little.
"I said I didn't want to." Buffy punched Willow so hard that she went flying into the shelves that separated the table from the front of the shop. "Didn't say I wouldn't."
Willow looked up at Buffy in shock. Angel came to stand behind her. Buffy noticed Xander herding Conner, Dawn, Andrew, and Jonathan towards the door.
"I'm getting you all out of here." Xander said.
"What about Willow?" Jonathan asked.
"Buffy and Angel can handle her."
"Are you sure?" Dawn asked.
"No, that's why we're leaving. Come on." Xander headed towards the door with them then turned to bring Anya too.
"I have to stay to keep the spell going on Willow." Anya said.
"But."
"Do something right!"
Willow saw them leave and she screamed, "No!"
Xander looked back.
"Go." Angel told them.
Willow stood and faced Buffy and Angel. She smiled a little. "So, here we are."
"Are we really going to do this?" Buffy asked.
"COME ON! This is a huge deal for me. Six years as a sideman and now I get to be the slayer."
"A killer isn't a slayer. Being a slayer means something you can't conceive of."
"Oh, Buffy! You married a killer. You're blind. You really need to have every square inch of your ass kicked."
Buffy looked at Angel and then back at Willow. "Then show me what you got. And I'll show you what a slayer really is."
Willow attacked. She threw punch after punch at Buffy who blocked them. Willow tried to hit Angel, but Buffy caught her arm and spun her, nearly breaking her arm. Willow came back around and kicked Buffy into one of the side bookshelves. Then she looked at the ladder and it flew at Buffy, pinning her to the bookshelf. She tried to escape, but a barrage of books, statues, and a chair came flying at her. Angel jumped at Willow and brought her down as Buffy threw the ladder off of her. Willow threw Angel away and Buffy had to dodge his flying body. Willow turned to walk away, but Buffy flew into a tackle and brought Willow back to the floor. Buffy landed on top and Willow pushed her off.
"Get off super bitch!"
Buffy stood up in time to receive a sidekick that flung her through the glass counter. Angel tossed Willow back and Buffy was up and grabbing onto Willow.
"I can help you stop." Buffy said.
"I thought you were going to show me what a slayer was." Willow said.
Willow punched Buffy again and she went through the counter and the curtains revealing Anya casting the spell. Angel's eyes widened and he rushed at Willow, but she flung him back magically, knocking him out.
"Well, hey. Isn't that interesting?" Willow said. Buffy stood to try to get between Anya and Willow. "Anya's still here." Willow shoved Buffy onto the front room table. ".chanting her little heart out. And I think I've been beating the wrong gal." Anya tried to run, but Willow grabbed her and lifted her up by the throat.
"HELP ME!" Anya cried.
"Can't block my spells if you can't chant. Can't chant if you're sleepin'." Willow threw Anya into the back wall of the Magic Box.
Buffy stood and tried to rush Willow, but stopped short when the witch turned on her.
"Buffy, I gotta tell ya: I get it now. The slayer thing really ISN'T about the violence. It's about the power." As Willow said this, a black energy formed around her and then she shot it at Buffy.
Buffy soared into Giles' desk and went out for a few seconds.
"And there's no one in the world with the power to stop me now." Willow said.
Buffy looked up groggily just as Willow was hit by a green blast of energy. She went flying back onto the marble floor and slid to a stop. When she looked up, her nose was bleeding. Then she looked up at the door. Buffy followed her eyes and saw Giles.
"I'd like to test that theory." He said.
Buffy looked at Angel and saw that he had come to and was looking at what had just happened with wide eyes.