Chapter Four: A Slow Movement

Author's Note: the characters in this fanfic do not belong to me. They are the property of Mutant Enemy (Buffy and Co.), and Marvel Comics (X-Men/ New Mutants).

Buffy-wise: This story occurs during Buffy S5. The prologue is post "Triangle" but pre "Checkpoint", and the rest is post "The Body." May veer off into AU- in fact, it probably will.

Marvel-wise: Everything up to Uncanny X-Men #137 is canon. In this work, the Phoenix Entity left Jean after the battle in Uncanny X-Men #138. Also, this verse has been updated to 2001- well, this part of the timeline... you know what I mean. Also, the only other X- team at this time is the New Mutants. X-Men and the New Mutants- that's it.

            Note: This takes place after "Intervention."

            April 22, Sunnydale CA.

            Ten days after Joyce Summers was buried, her daughters got ready to go to New York.

            The Scoobies were all at the airport, sans Spike as it was daytime, ready to bid the Scoobies goodbye.

            "Have fun, Buff," Xander said as he embraced Buffy.

            "Count on it."

            "Um, could you get me the X-Men's autographs? I mean, I hear that the Avengers and the Fantastic Four give them if their approached on the street, and well-"

            "I getcha. I'll ask, 'kay?"

            "Thanks." He moved on to Dawn.

            "And remember, no slaying," Willow added as she took her turn.

            "I'll try,"

            "Good. Now, no burning things down, or blowing things up, and no fighting."

            "Will! I thought you wanted me to have fun!"

            "Have a great time, Buffy," Willow laughed.

            "Now, Buffy," Anya said brightly as she took her turn, "Here's a list of all the places you'll want to go see when you're in New York."

            "Thanks, Ahn," Buffy said. She looked at the list. "Why are all these places expensive stores?"

            "Oh, uh- no reason in particular."

            "Just have fun Buffy, and don't worry about us," Tara said as she hugged her friend.

            "I will. I mean, I won't! I will and I won't."

            "Buffy," Giles said, last as always, "Enjoy yourself, and that's an order."

            "I thought you didn't give orders anymore," Buffy replied, then turned serious. "Giles, what-"

            "Don't even finish that sentence! If she comes for us, we'll go to L.A., and ask Angel for protection."

            "What if she finds out about Dawn?"

            "Then she'll head for New York. If she comes, call us. We may not get there in time, but I'm confident that a team of superheroes can hold her off."

            "Okay."

            "And Buffy, enjoy yourself! You deserve it."

            Half an hour later, Buffy and Dawn were in the air. Buffy remembered the past few days with a shudder.

            After her cousins left, she started to feel empty again, empty and drained. She talked to Giles about it, and he took her out to a sacred place in the desert, where she had a vision of the First Slayer, that told her that "she was full of love." When she got back, she found that Spike had made a robo-bimbo that looked just like her. She would have pummelled him into a pulp, if Glory hadn't beaten her to it. And then she found out about Dawn's new habit of cutting classes. She was not happy, but she made her displeasure very clear. Fortunately it was now Dawn's Spring Break, or there would have been no way that Dawn could have gone.

            She sighed and felt worried. She didn't know how the Hellbitch knew, but Glory had somehow discovered that the Key was a person. Fortunately, that person was sitting right beside her in the window seat. Giles was right- surely a bunch of superheroes could help Buffy put Glory in the ground if it came to that. Couldn't they?

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            In the mansion, Ben was pacing in a nervous manner. Very soon, it was probably going to be all over, for him and for the world. Jinx and his 'contacts' were idiots, but they knew their stuff. And most importantly, they knew what happened when a promise that was made to his dear parasite wasn't followed through.

            He considered bolting. Even though the Minions always found him, yet another testament to their magical skills- which they probably had to balance out the fact that they were completely useless otherwise- he might be able to make it to the Slayer to warn her before Glory popped up. Or maybe she'd get a hold of him in the middle of his warning. It was possible- the bitch was getting stronger, so he was spending more and more time in that dreamless sleep that he entered into whenever she took control.

            Just then, Jinx and the other minions entered, carrying a number of bags and small trunks. Jinx carried an enormous leather bound book.

            "We are almost ready sir," the minion told him brightly. "This world will soon be going to hell in a hand basket- literally."

            "Wonderful," he replied flatly as the minions began to unpack. He looked at the items that were being brought out. Some of them looked awfully- disposable. He checked his options. Once Glory's gate was opened, she'd regain her powers and he would no longer exist. He didn't want to die, but at this moment, it looked inevitable. He'd die anyway- now or in fifty years or so. If he did his share in protecting the Key, he'd not only fend off his doom for a while, but also get even with that insufferable life-stealing bitch. One of the minions was removing a crystal disk from a chest. It looked like- it was! Kyrellian Crystal! Such crystals were notoriously fragile. That would be his target.

            Without warning, he sprang for it. Getting it away from the minion was easy, but just as he was about to smash it-

            "No!" The world began to grow dark, and he could feel Glory in his mind. She was always there, but now she was active.

            "No-" it was too late. He felt his body crunch, grow shorter, and shift form.

            Before his consciousness fell fully into darkness, he heard a female voice say, "What does this do?"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            New York, NY.

            The flight was uneventful- the best kind, really- but the airport was a nightmare. Buffy hadn't been in a large airport for years, and she had forgotten how crowded they could be. Dawn was a little nervous.

            "What if we can't find them?"  she asked Buffy.

            "We'll find them," Buffy responded.

            "How do you know?"

            "Dawnie, I've tracked things that don't want to be found. I'm thinking I'll do okay finding something that does."

            A few minutes later, the Summers sisters were still on their own.

            "Oh, so you can track something that wants to be found, huh?"

            "Quiet, you."

            "Hey!" Dawn suddenly pointed out in the crowd. "Isn't that green hair?"

            Buffy looked where Dawn was pointing. It did look like green hair. Buffy decided to risk it. "Lorna?" she called.

            The figure turned. "Buffy! Dawn!" It was Lorna.

            The ladies hugged.

            "It's so good to see you," Lorna said happily. "How was the flight?"

            "Boring," Buffy said.

            "The guy in the seat in front of me kept trying to hit on the lady next to him," Dawn said. "He just didn't give up. It was funny."

            "And why didn't I notice this?" Buffy asked.

            "You weren't paying attention," Dawn replied. "You were off in your own world most of the time."

            "I was just thinking about- stuff."

            "Bad stuff?" Lorna asked, concern showing on her face.

            "I'll tell you later. It's nothing urgent."

            "Where is everybody?" Dawn asked, looking around.

            "Scott and Jean are picking up Jean's family. Alex and I came to pick you two up."

            "Where is he?"

            "Probably feeding his face," Buffy snorted.

            "Anything wrong with that, Summers?" came a voice from behind them.

            "Alex!" Dawn charged towards him before she noticed the various bags and trays in his arms. Fortunately, she stopped in time.

            "I brought something for everyone," he explained, handing his burdens to Lorna. "Okay," he said in a mock-resigned tone, "now I'm ready."

            Dawn hugged him. He kissed her cheek and ruffled her hair.

            "It's been a while, Shorty," he smiled. "What's new?"

            "Don't ask."

            "That bad, huh?"

            "We'll talk later." They broke their embrace, and Alex turned to Buffy.

            "Go easy on me, huh?" he half pleaded.

            "I'll try," she responded. They hugged.

            "Well, not as hard as it could have been," he smirked. "What's happenin' Buff? Big badness on your end, too?"

            "Sort of. Nothing I can't handle, but as I've been saying, we should talk later, and elsewhere."

            "Gotcha. Shall we repair to the luggage reception?"

            "After you, cuz."

            They started off, Alex and Lorna holding hands- and food- and Buffy and Dawn following.

            When they picked up their baggage and found a relatively secluded place to sit and eat, the conversation resumed.

            "So, Buffy," Alex said, "when Scotty came back and told the Prof what happened, he put Scotty through a whole battery of tests."

            "Yeah," Buffy replied. "I've been meaning to call. Giles came up with a theory for why your powers went wonky."

            "It involves sunlight?"

            "Uh-huh. I take it that Professor Xavier came up with the same theory?"

            "Mm-hmm."

            "What theory is that?" Dawn asked.

            "Well," Lorna answered, "the Professor believes that because Scott and Alex absorb their energies from sunlight and basically just rechannel it, the vampires reacted as if they'd been struck by pure sunlight."

            "More like sunlight-concentrate," Buffy said. "Even direct sunlight takes a while to work. Believe me, I know. When those guys got hit, it was more like instant poof. And that's what Giles figured too. So let's get one thing settled right now," Buffy said, looking Alex and Lorna directly in the eye. "How much did Scott and Jean tell the Professor?"

            "They told him everything," Alex responded. "We do that when something major happens- it's usually safer that way."

            "I don't know how much the other X-Men know, or the New Mutants for that matter," Lorna added, "but everyone does know about you being the Slayer, Buffy. I hope you don't mind."

            "No big. I expected it, actually. It's not like anyone's gonna think that's strange."

            "You've got that right," Alex laughed. "Ever since I became an X-Man, I've seen more weird things than I care to think about."

            "And you don't live on a Hellmouth," Buffy wryly responded.

            "So did Scotty tell you about some of the unusual types we've got?" Lorna asked.

            "Yuh-huh," Dawn said. "There's a guy that looks like a devil, a guy that looks like a blue furred ape, and an alien that's all black and yellow." She counted each off on her fingers.

            "That's them," Lorna laughed. "Though Hank would object to being called an ape."

            "Just wanted to make sure you were warned," Alex put in.

            "Don't worry," Buffy replied. "We traveled by air, remember? I couldn't bring any of my weapons, other than Mr. Pointy." She patted her jacket pocket. "What can I say? He's my security-stake." That got a laugh from the others.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            On route to the Xavier School of Gifted Youngsters (Salem Centre, NY.).

The mood during the rode back was grimmer. Buffy filled Alex and Lorna in about the fact that Glory now knew that the Key was made human, but that she didn't know who it was. She decided to stay quiet about Dawn's truancy. That was between Dawn and her, and Buffy hoped that the matter was resolved. She did not want to lose Dawn.

            "So he made a sex-bot of you?" Lorna asked, referring to Spike and the Buffybot. "That must have been awful."

            "It was most wigsome," Buffy shuddered.

            "You should have told me that Spike was- after you," Alex growled. "I'd have-"

            "I know," Buffy told him. "That's why I didn't."

            "He can't defend himself, Alex," Dawn put in, anxious to defend her best friend. "It would have been murder."

            "Yeah, and I bet that's stopped him in the past," Alex snorted from the driver's seat. "You said it yourself- he's only harmless because of that chip. If it ever gets it out, do you really think he'd hesitate to get his food fresh?"

            "Alex has a point," Lorna said slowly. "But on the other hand- Alex, how many evil mutants have the X-Men killed?"

            Alex was silent for a moment.

            "TouchĂ©," he finally said, conceding the argument.

            The car was silent for a while, until-

            "Here we are!" Alex said brightly, as he turned into the driveway of the mansion at Greymalkin Lane.

            "It's huge!" Dawn goggled as she took it in.

            Buffy hadn't ever seen anything like it. Dawn was right- it was huge. In fact, it was far larger than any house in Sunnydale, including Glory's villa and Angel's mansion. It was evidently old, but kept in great repair.

            "How old is it?" Buffy asked.

            "It's been around for oh- sixteen months," Alex responded. Because she was in the back seat, Buffy he couldn't see his smirk.

            "WHAT?" both Summers sisters said.

            "The school's had to be rebuilt, at least once that I know of," Lorna told them, swatting Alex's arm. "That's what Mr. Clever here meant. The original building was around for at least a hundred years. The Professor could give you the exact details- it's his family's estate, after all."

            Alex parked the car in front of the house. They all got out.

            "I'll get the bags," Alex and Buffy said. They looked at each other.

            "Technically, you're our guest," Alex said.

            "Right now, you two are guests too, right?" Buffy responded. "And I can lift more."

            This went on for a few moments, until they heard someone clearing their throat. They looked at the source. There was Dawn and Lorna, carrying the luggage. The squabbling Summers' sighed, and took the bags from the smirking Lorna and Dawn. They went towards the doors, which opened on their own. Out came a tall, beautiful woman with mahogany skin, blue eyes and white hair pushing an older bald man in a wheelchair.

            "Hello all," Alex said. "Buffy, Dawn? I'd like to introduce two of the leaders of the X-Men. This is Ororo Munroe," he nodded to the lady, "and this," he nodded to the man, "is the famous Professor Charles Xavier. Professor, Storm? My younger cousins, Buffy" he cocked his head to Buffy, "and this is Dawn."

            "Hello, Buffy," the Professor said warmly as the handshaking began. "I trust the flight went well." *Welcome to my school for the Gifted, Buffy and Dawn Summers,* he sent.

            "Whoa," both sisters responded.

            "I see that the residual effects of this "Hellmouth" didn't accompany you," he said by way of explanation.

            "Oh," Buffy said. "Oh yeah! Jean said that you're a psychic, too."

            "That I am. And I understand that you were yourself, for a time."

            "Ugh," Buffy shuddered, remembering. "That's a long story."

            "I'm very interested in hearing it."

            "Alright. Professor Xavier, I'd like to thank you for letting Dawn and I stay here. This place is huge, but I guess it's a little crowded, what with all the other guests."

            "Nonsense," he replied. "Scott's like a son to me, and that makes you and Dawn my nieces. And please, just call me 'Professor' or 'Charles.' No need to stand on formality."

            "Okay, Professor." She turned to Storm, and shook her hand as well.

            "I'm very pleased to meet you, Buffy," Storm said. "Scott and Jean have told me so much about you."

            "Likewise," Buffy replied. "Alex called you Storm, right? Is that your codename?"

            "Yes it is. I can control the weather."

            "That's right!" Dawn exclaimed. "I've seen you on the news a few times. You're the one that shoots all those lightning bolts!"

            "Ah, there's more to it than just lightning, but yes, I can do that."

            "It's a pleasure to meet you," Buffy said again. "You're Jean's Matron of Honour, right?"

            "Yes I am. I hope that you two brought your white dresses."

            "Yes we did. How's everything going to go? I mean, how's it going to work?"

            "That's what the rehearsal is for, but we can talk about that later. I'm sure that Scott and Jean would like to see you. Follow us, please." Storm whirled the Professor around, and the group entered the mansion. It was as nice on the inside as it was on the outside.

            "Where is everybody, Professor?" Lorna asked as they walked.

            "Playing baseball out in the back," he replied.

            "What?" Alex asked in disbelief. "They started without me?"

            "They decided not to wait," Storm told him. "You were a longer than expected, and you didn't phone."

            "I knew I shouldn't have gotten lunch," Alex muttered.

            "Why aren't you playing, Storm?" Dawn asked her. "Oh! I'm sorry, Ms. Munroe."

            "It's alright, Dawn," Storm laughed. "We call each other by our codenames all the time. And please don't stand on formality- 'Ororo' is fine, as is 'Storm'- but not in front of civilians that don't know about us. I'm not playing because the teams are the X-Men vs. the New Mutants, and since many of the guests are former X-Men, all of whom wanted to play, so we had to draw lots. There are nine New Mutants, and thirteen X-Men and former X-Men, not counting Havok or Polaris, so four of us had to stay out. I lost, as did Kurt, Bobby, and Rogue."

            "Would it be alright to leave the grand tour until later, ladies?" the Professor asked. "I know Scott would very much like to show you around."

            "It's okay with me, Professor," Buffy said.

            "Me too," Dawn added.

            "Good. Alex?" he turned to his old pupil. "You know where we've placed Buffy and Dawn, so would you please take their luggage to their rooms."

            "Okay, Professor. I'll see you out back." Buffy gave her suitcase to Alex, who went off. The remainder went on.

            They went through a large dining hall and out a set of glass doors onto a spacious back porch. In the field, Buffy could see a baseball game being played. On the porch were a number of observers, seated at tables that had been pushed together, who were talking or calling out instructions to the players. The Professor got everyone's attention.

            "Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Scott's cousins, Buffy," Buffy nodded, "and Dawn," Dawn gave a small wave.

            "Buffy, Dawn, I would like to introduce you to Jean's parents, John and Elaine Grey, and to her niece and nephew, Gailyn and Joseph." The Grey's were older than Mrs. Summers had been, in their late forties or early fifties. Barring any extreme physical changes, looking at Mrs. Grey was like looking at a future picture of Jean. The children were between eight and ten.

            "Are you superheroes too?" Joseph asked them.

            "Joey!" The Greys scolded their grandson.

            "It's alright," Dawn said. "I'm not, but Buffy is."

            "I'm not a superhero!" Buffy protested. "I just- kill vampires."

            "Cool," Joseph breathed. The eyes of the elder Greys widened.

            "Vampires really exist?" Gailyn asked.

            "Oh, yeah," Buffy said.

            "This is Dr. Moira MacTaggart," the Professor said, referring to an auburn-haired woman about Giles' age. She gave the girls a warm smile and a handshake.

            "So this is the famous Slayer," she told them. "I cannae tell ye how glad I am to meet ye both. Scott's been going on about ye both for a while now."

            "Scott brags too much," Buffy said, a little embarrassed.

            "This is Amanda Sefton," the Professor said, referring to a blond woman about Scott's age, who smiled at them.

            "It's an honour to meet you, Buffy Summers," she said as they shook hands. "I've heard so much about you."

            "Scott's a talker, huh?"

            "Not from Scott. I'm a practicing sorceress. You're something of a legend already."

            "Really?"

            "Yes." She leaned in close to Buffy. "You've, ah, held the mantle of the Slayer longer than any of your predecessors, at least those in the past hundred years."

            "I guess I have." Ugh. Mortality-rate talk. As if she hadn't had enough of that from Giles. The Slayer came with a short lifespan, as all Slayers knew, but that didn't mean that they liked to talk about it.

            "And," Amanda said slowly, "my real name is Jimaine Szarados. I am Romany."

            Buffy stared uncomprehendingly.

            "A Gypsy," Amanda- Jimaine- clarified.

            "Oh," Buffy replied. "So, Jimaine, you knew Ms. Calendar?" A regret that Buffy would always have was the way she treated Jenny Calendar.

            "Janna was my cousin. I thank you for avenging her. And please, call me Amanda."

            Buffy only nodded. She didn't really avenge Jenny. In fact, she inadvertently helped cause the woman's death, not once, but twice.

            "And these are some of my X-Men," the Professor finished. "Rogue, Kurt Wagner codenamed Nightcrawler, and Bobby Drake, codenamed Iceman."

            "Hi," Rogue said simply as she shook their hands. She was an attractive young woman, a few years older than Buffy, really, with brown hair that had a white streak in it. With the exception of her face, she was covered from head to toe. Buffy realized- this must be the one that steals people's powers and can't control it. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

            "Likewise," Buffy replied.

            "Guten tag, liebchen," Kurt Wagner told them merrily, kissing their hands by way of greeting. This was the one that looked like a devil. He had dark blue fur that covered his entire body, black hair, and pointed ears. His eyes were a glowing, pupil-less yellow. That she had been warned about him was wholly of the good, Buffy decided. If she saw something that looked like him in Sunnydale, it was entirely possible that- Buffy put the thought away. Now was not the time to dwell.

            "I would like to add my thanks to Amanda's," Kurt said.

            "You knew Ms. Calendar too?" Dawn asked him.

            "Ja," he replied. "Amanda and I were raised together. I looked to Janna as an older, wiser cousin from a different clan."

            "You're a gypsy?"

            "I was raised by them."

            "Oh."

            "And I'm just plain Bobby," Bobby Drake said. He was a couple years younger than Scott, with brown hair and mischievous blue eyes.

            "What's your power," Dawn asked.

            Bobby smiled. He put his hands down on his table. When he lifted them, there were two perfect roses, made out of ice. He gave one to each Summers sister.

            "They'll melt soon," he warned.

            "They're beautiful," Buffy said, and meant it.

            "Well, I'm a beautiful guy. I can do more, but I'd ruin the threads, y'know?"

            "And cause a mess," Rogue put in.

            "Which is something he's good at," Lorna smiled.

            "You know it, babe," Bobby grinned. He turned to Dawn. "I guess I'd better start getting to know you, Dawn. I mean, I'll be walking you down the aisle in a couple days, and I'd hate to do so with a total stranger."

            "Huh?" Dawn stared. "Oh! You're a groomsman."

            "Yup."

            The group sat down on unoccupied seats. A few moments later, Alex joined them.

            "So who are we cheering for?" Dawn asked.

            "Well," Alex said, "the Professor is Switzerland, but the rest of us are cheering for the X-Men, for obvious reasons."

            "We're all related to X-Men?"

            "Those of us that aren't X-Men or ex-X-Men," Bobby added.

            "Besides," Kurt put in, "we're losing. Our team needs all the support it can get."

            "WHAT?" Alex demanded, incredulously. "How the-," he stopped, remembering the presence of the children. "How on earth is that happening?" he said, in a strained voice.

            "The kids are on fire today," Rogue smiled.

            "Hey!" Dawn exclaimed. "Jean's going up to bat!" She stood up. "SWING, BATTER, BATTER, BATTER!" she yelled. Jean turned around, and waved.

            *Hello Dawn, Buffy* Buffy and Dawn heard her voice in their minds. *We'll talk after the game, okay?*

            "Okay!" Dawn called back. The Professor smiled.

            "When Jean sends to you, you can just think your answer back," he said. "She'll hear you. We don't want you to lose your voice, now."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Sunnydale CA.- a few hours earlier.

"What does this do?" Glory asked, noticing that she was holding a round piece of what looked like Kyrellian crystal that was the size of her palm.

"It is the crystal that we will imbue the detection spell into, Your Most Beauteous Inquisitiveness," Jinx told her.

"Ah. Now tell me, dear, dear Jinx, what exactly was Ben doing with it?"

"He, ah- he was about to smash it, Your-"

"And how did it get into his hand?"

"He took it from us-" Glory made a cutting motion with her hand. Jinx got the message.

Glory smiled at her little scabby minion ash she gave him the crystal.

"Jinxy, you're lucky I'm in a good mood. Otherwise, I'd eviscerate you. Now don't let this happen again."

"Oh no, Your Most Supreme Cruelness!"

Glory had long since tuned him out. Ben. He was becoming a problem. It was bad enough that he'd had the audacity to try to hide his knowledge of the Key from her. Now he tried to foul up her detection spell, and he'd almost succeeded! If she could only- but she couldn't so much as touch him, literally and figuratively. Anything that happened to him would happen to her, so having the minions torture him wouldn't help. Then again, her minions were incompetents, so they likely wouldn't do him much damage anyway.

She sighed. Her existence would be so much easier if Ben was just her thrall like he was supposed to be. But no- at the moment of his birth, as she was cast into his infant body, the Powers That Be took direct action. Direct for them, anyway. They erected a wall between her consciousness and his. If it wasn't for the wall, Ben would be hers, body and soul. But no- Ben was an individual, and a highly independent one at that. It was sickening, living in his mind in his early years, watching as this horridly good person did wretchedly good things. She spent sixteen agonizing years, years that should have been a blink of an eye to a Goddess, watching him be a boy scout, helping old ladies across the street, getting kittens out of trees, and the like. She didn't dare take over and mess it all up for him, because once she started being active, she wouldn't be allowed to rest in his mind as she did. Once the possessions started, she would have to fight Ben for the body. While she would eventually win those battles, there was no point- she could contact her earthly minions, and those humans that had the good taste to worship her, and direct their actions in finding a way to get her out of her prison and home, where she could face those snivelling brothers of hers.

Finally, one of her human worshippers, known as Doc, made a great discovery- the dimension that she was bound to was the one that held the manifestation of the Key! Not only that, but she was on the very planet that held it! And, of course, he had a ritual that could release the essence of the Key, which would open the dimensional gateways and return her home. She would have only nine years before the stars entered into the right alignments for the ritual to open the gates to her home. More time than Glory needed, or so she thought. She emerged from Ben, and as her first meals, she devoured the intellects of his parents. She then had her minions dispose of them. Unfortunately, she lost control of the body soon after, and the next she knew of the outside world, she was with her loyal minions. Doc had altered the will of Ben's parents, and passed himself off as the boy's great-uncle, and took him in. Of course, when that was all done with, the Minions had let Ben know exactly where he stood. Ben's hatred of her, and of the situation he was in, stemmed from that time, as did the spell which caused any human that chanced to witness a body-switch to instantly forget it.

At the moment, Ben was her greatest threat. Well, her greatest present threat. The Knights of Byzantium were snooping around Sunnydale, but she could take care of them with great ease. The Slayer was slightly trickier, but as she only managed to escape Glory by the skin of her teeth every time they met, killing her would be easy once Glory knew who the Key was. Other threats were potential- the Asgardians and the Olympians came to this world from time to time. She was a God, but so were they, and in her weakened state- Glory inwardly shuddered. She'd never ever admit, but she'd get her ass kicked. And then there was Doctor, Doctor- Doctor Something, the current Sorcerer Supreme. Of all the six billion plus humans on the planet, he was the only one she truly feared. If anyone could find a way to separate her essence from Ben's body, it was him.

Glory felt great rage begin to build up. Was there no one on this stupid mudhole that realized how truly difficult it was to be divine? All she wanted was her Key, so that she could go home. So what if this world would be sucked into the various HellDimensions? It's inhabitants should be honoured to do as much for the once and future almighty Glorificus!

"What are you waiting for?" she yelled. "Get the fricking spell ready, already!"

As one, the minions said "Yes, Oh-"

"NOW!!!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Salem Centre, NY.

An hour later the game was over- and Rogue was right, the New Mutants were indeed on fire that day- and the spectators went to start making dinner while the players showered and changed.

            Dawn was stoked. In such a fancy place, she was expecting a fancy dinner, but they were taking advantage of the good weather and having a barbecue that evening. They were exactly her kind of people. Okay, she had to help, but hey- Buffy never let her make dinner before, and it was nice doing it. And, of course, the fact that she was with her family was solely of the good. Of course, it would have been perfect if they had Dad there. Hank Summers wasn't able to attend the wedding, due to a very important business conference that he couldn't get out of. Big surprise. And, of course, she knew that the Scoobies would love the place, and the people. She'd only met a few of the X-Men, but she already liked them a great deal. Bobby was a riot, and Kurt was pretty funny too. Ororo was like a Goddess- not a Hellskank like Glory, but a wonderful, loving, mother. And Rogue. She was sweet, but so sad, and Dawn knew why. She couldn't imagine not being able to touch anyone ever. And she thought she had it bad, not being real. And the Professor was the kind of principal that she wished she had. Tough, yes, but gentle and warm too- the kind of teacher you couldn't help but love. If only Mom could be there-

            A tear went down Dawn's cheek as she thought about Mom.

            "What is wrong, liebchen?" a voice came. It was Kurt.

            "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about Mom. I wish she could be here."

            "Ah, but your mother is here, Dawn."

            "Huh?"

            "She is watching you right now, and she's upset that her youngest is unhappy at such a time."

            "How do you know that?"

            "Because she is in Heaven."

            "You believe in Heaven?"

            "Ja, I do. I would think that you do as well, living on a- a Hellmouth?"

            "That's why I'm not sure I do. I've seen demons, but no angels."

            "Oh, no? What about your sister and friends? How many lives have they saved?"

            "So the Scoobies are angels because they fight demons?"

            "No, because they protect people. There's a difference. Dawn," he paused for a moment. "Dawn, if my life has taught me anything, it's that love, as corny as this may sound to an American, truly does conquer all. It's our ability to love that makes each and every person on this planet. I've seen terrible things, Dawn- things of hatred and fear. I was almost a victim to them. But I've seen wonderful things, also- things of pure love. At the heart of it, we X-Men are all about love, and so, I suspect, is your Scooby Gang. God is love, I am told, and love exists, so-" he shrugged. "The logic may be spurious to a scientist, but I'm told that God doesn't believe in science." He grinned at that, and Dawn did too.

            "So if there's a God, then there's a Heaven too, right?"

            "Ja. Where else would God live? Now come, smile for your mother, and know that she's now smiling too."

            "Okay."

            "And when your done, you can help me with the barbecue."

            "Really? Buffy doesn't let me do that at home. She has that I can break something just by looking at it."

            "Ah. I was not aware that I now look like Buffy." He flashed Dawn a roguish grin. "Now liebchen, if you'll follow me, I'll show you how to work the beast that we call a barbecue."

            Dawn giggled, and linked arms with Kurt. "Lead on, good sir."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Buffy smiled at her sister as Kurt led her off to the barbecue. She didn't hear what was said, but Dawn evidently liked it. It was good to have someone else give the pep talks around here. Now if Kurt could just convince her to never cut another class-

            "Is it hard, Buffy?"

            Buffy whirled around.

            "Oh, Professor! I'm sorry, I was just- well, I guess you heard."

            "I did," he nodded solemnly.

            "Dawn has a problem with truancy?"

            "I guess she does. Apparently, she has ever since Mom died. And I didn't even know." She sat on a nearby bench. "Why did I not know? I should've. I should've known she wasn't as good as she seemed. Is she that good an actress, or did I just not want to see it?"

            "You were going through a rather rough time of it yourself," he told her, and then he smiled. "You are so much like Scott, you know."

            "What do you mean?"

            "I mean that the two of you are firmly convinced that you must be in control of everything every second of your lives. You can't be, and in the depths of your mind you know it, but you both do your utmost anyway. It's admirable, but when you fail, and you there are times when you do fail, you flagellate yourselves mercilessly."

            "I'm the Slayer, Professor. I have to be in control. Of everything. At all times. If I'm not, people die."

            "They die anyway. The people of Sunnydale need a whole guardian, not one that is liable to crack when enough pressure builds. And it will- I've seen it happen several times. Something has to give, Buffy."

            "I know, I know, but" she stood up, "I have to be there for Dawn. I can't let her be taken away and put into some foster care home where they can't realize how special she is! She needs me!"

            "Is that the only reason," he asked her quietly.

            "No, no it's not. I need her too. You must think I'm horrible."

            "You need her because you love her, Buffy. And love may be many things, but never horrible."

            "I guess."

            "You will get through to Dawn, Buffy. In fact, from what I've seen, I think you already have. She loves you very much- and that's without any prying from me."

            "I hope you're right."

            The Professor didn't respond to that. He knew that he had given Buffy something to think about. Hopefully, she would draw the right conclusions.

            "So," he said, changing the subject, "I believe that you were psychic at some point."

            "I was. See, it was my Senior Year, and I was fighting a pair of mouthless demons, and-" Buffy and the Professor worked as Buffy told him all about her telepathic experience.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            "See liebchen? It's not hard!" Kurt told Dawn as she used the barbecue.

            "If you say so," Dawn replied.

            "Well, I do." The two shared a grin.

            "And I say that I don't want my food burnt!" A voice came from behind her. All thoughts of barbecuing left Dawn's mind as she raced to hug Scott.

            "How've you been, kiddo?" he asked her.

            "Better. You?"

            "Busy." They broke the embrace. "It's good to see you."

            "Ditto."

            "Aren't you forgetting someone, Scotty?" Buffy called as she came over.

            "And who might that be, I wonder?" he asked as they hugged.

            "The cousin that could crush you into a pulp if you got her angry, maybe?"

            "Better not forget her, then." They broke the embrace. "How've you been, Buffy?"

            "Ah- I'll tell you later."

            "That bad?" Scott grew serious.

            "Sort of."

            "Aren't you both forgetting someone?" Jean asked as she joined the group. She proceeded to be mob-hugged by the Summers sisters.

            "Good to see you both, too," Jean grinned.

            "Likewise," Buffy said.

            "God, Jean, you must be so nervous!" Dawn said.

            "That's me- the big wreck." The embrace broke. "Have you two met everyone yet?" she asked.

            "Just the Professor, Ororo, your family, Moira, Rogue, Kurt, Amanda, and Bobby."

            "Well," Scott said, "it's time to fix that." He got everybody's attention.

            "Everybody? I think we all mostly know each other, but I don't think that you've all met my cousins." He shoved them forward. Dawn blushed. If she knew her sister, Buffy would be wondering if Scott would die slower if she eviscerated him or cut of his limbs one at a time.

            "The blond is Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, and the brunette is Dawn." The sisters received a number of waves and a few spoken hellos from the people that they hadn't yet met.

            "Girls, this is everybody." He began the pointing-out process.

            "The fellow standing next to Bobby is Hank McCoy." His codename was obvious, as he was the other blue furred fellow they'd been warned about. Dawn recognized him- he was a super-genius scientist who used to be an Avenger known as the Beast at one point.

            "And with them is Warren Worthington III."  Warren was a tall, very handsome man with very broad shoulders. Of course, Warren was commonly known to be a mutant too. The shoulder breadth was partly because of his immense wings. Dawn knew about him, too. He was a billionaire, and a former superhero who called himself the Angel, and your classic blond haired blue eyed hunk. And, apparently, at one point an X-Man.

            "Setting the table are Dani Moonstar, Xi'an (author's note- pronounced 'Shan') Coy Manh, and Sam Guthrie, three of our students." Dani was a Native American girl older than Dawn herself, but younger than Buffy. She was very beautiful, with copper skin, long black hair and smouldering brown eyes. Xi'an was about Buffy's age, and also very beautiful, with straight black hair and lovely dark eyes. Sam was cute, in a gawky way- about Dani's age, he was almost as tall as Scott was, and even skinnier. He had pale blond hair, and blue-grey eyes.

            "Getting the steaks ready are Sean Cassidy, Logan, Kitty Pryde, and Peter Rasputin, and his sister Illyana." Sean was a merry looking redhead with mutton chop sideburns and twinkling green eyes. He looked about Giles' age, or maybe a bit younger. Logan was a burly man of indeterminate age with wild black hair, large sideburns, and fierce looking blue eyes. He was easily the shortest man there, as he was about Buffy's height. Kitty was a slim young woman about her age, maybe a bit older, with long curly brown hair and impish brown eyes. Peter was just as muscled as Logan, only a year or two older than Buffy at most, and was easily the tallest man present. He had black hair, and smiling blue eyes, and more quite the hottie. Illyana, apparently his younger sister, looked to be about her age, and was of average height. She had straight blond hair, and blue eyes that seemed a little cold. She gave a small start when she looked at Dawn, but said nothing. Dawn felt a little cold. She'd seen that expression before, but Illyana didn't seem to be crazy.

            "The young lady who will helping with the barbecuing is Amara Aquilla." Amara was a stunning blond, about her age but taller, who seemed very- regal, somehow.

            "And the rest of them, the one's that somehow don't look busy when I know that they really are," Cyclops grinned, "are the rest of the students. They are: Roberto da Costa, Rahne Sinclair (author's note- pronounced Rain), Doug Ramsey, and Warlock." Roberto was a very cute athletic young man about her age, with curly black hair and fiery dark eyes. Rahne was maybe Dawn's age, or possibly a bit younger, with short red hair. Doug was a bit taller than Roberto, but not as muscled. He was blond, and had clear blue eyes. He seemed shy, but was also very cute. And then there was Warlock. He was the alien that she and Buffy had been told about. He was all black, with lines of yellow defining his body and giving him facial features. Dawn had never seen anything quite like him before, and she wondered if Buffy had, either.

            After the introductions, the girl named Amara came to join Dawn and Kurt.

            "Greetings, Dawn," she said. "I am Amara."

            "Pleased to meet you," Dawn replied. Amara sounded as regal as she looked. She certainly wasn't from the States- she didn't have an accent, but her diction was perfect to the point of almost being stilted. "Have you, uh, used this thing much? I haven't."

            Kurt laughed. "Dawn, Amara doesn't need to actually use the barbecue."

            "That is correct," Amara smiled. "My power allows me to tap into the planet's molten core and channel its heat through my body. See?" Amara removed the barbecues grill and touched the coals. They instantly lit on fire.

            "Cool," Dawn breathed. If only she could light things on fire- then Buffy would let her help with the Slaying! Memo to self- badger Willow and Tara even harder about learning magic. After all, if she was going to live in Sunnydale, she'd need some sort of self defence skills.

            "Do you not mean, 'Hot?'" Amara asked, eyes twinkling. They shared a laugh.

            The three set to work cooking the food.

            "So, Kurt, Amara, what's it like being superheroes?" Dawn asked after a while. The two mutants looked at each other.

            "It can be difficult at times," Kurt responded.

            "However, it is worthwhile," Amara added. "What is it like living surrounded by vampires and demons?"

            "Oh, it's- scary, and dangerous most of the time, but it's also a lot of fun- well, when I'm not being threatened by monsters or anything."

            "Does that happen often," Kurt asked.

            "Not too often. The things in Sunnydale all know who the Slayer is, they all know who her family and friends are, and they all know that Buffy's fighting gets a lot better when she takes it personally."

            Amara sighed. "I wish our nemeses had that same knowledge."

            "I bet you have a lot, huh?"

            "Oh, yes. Since I became a New Mutant, I have fought such things as robots, evil mutants, human bigots, alien beings, trolls-"

            "Oh we fought a troll, once. He was really tough- I was told."

            "I imagine that you have many stories, Dawn."

            "So do you. Wanna swap?"

            "I would love to. I know that the other New Mutants would be interested in hearing of the exploits of the Slayer."

            "Scott's a talker, huh?"

            "Actually, most of our information comes from Amanda and Illyana. They are both sorceresses, so they both know a great deal about what a Slayer is."

            "Great! I'll talk to Buffy, see if she wants to join in. What about you, Kurt? You have any good stories?"

            "I do, actually. Would you like to hear them?"

            "You bet! Y'know, Scott talks a lot about others, but never about himself."

            "Ja, and that is when he talks at all."

            Dawn laughed. It was good being around people that notice the same things that you did.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Sunnydale CA.- a few hours earlier.

            "All is ready, Your Amazing Magical Stupendousness!" Jinx told his mistress proudly.

            "Now that is what I like to hear," Glory beamed as Jinx led her to where the ritual had been set up.

            "All has been completed, and only awaits the binding that you must perform, oh-"

            "Yeah, yeah," Glory said as she went to the Kyrellian Crystal. It now had a hole delicately bored into it, and looped through it was a thread made of the heartstrings of a newborn deer. Ah- sometimes, her minions knew just how to make something perfect even more so.

            Glory picked up the ancient spellbook that had been left open for her and began to chant the incantation. It was in a tongue so old only an immortal could remember when it was commonly used.

            Her voice went alternately fast and slow, catching the inflections of the words just so. The incantation was difficult, as befitted a powerful spell, one that could find you anything, no matter who or what tried to hide it, and then unerringly guide you to it.

            Finally, her voice rose to a crescendo, and the magic was done. She yelled out "Key!" Brilliant white light came all around her, and then it was gone. Glory looked down. The crystal was glowing. Success!

            She held the crystal up, and imperiously said, "Well now would be a good time!" The crystal glowed brighter, and then shot a beam of light towards a wall. It showed an image of a mansion situated on a large estate. On the walls of the estate were a sign. It was a school, in- Salem Centre, Westchester County, New York?

            "What?" Glory said as the image suddenly went away. "Show me again," she demanded. "Show me again!" But the crystal wasn't listening.

            One of her minions, Murk, came up beside her. "Oh, Most-"

            "What is it?" she demanded.

            "I copied down the address, Your-"

            "You did?" She grabbed the piece of paper from his hand and stared at it. It seemed correct- it got the New York part right, anyway. She turned to address her minions.

            "Check this out! The Slayer wouldn't let the Key skip town without her, so find all of them and see which ones are missing!"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Dreg stealthily crept through the streets of Sunnydale. He was looking for the friends of the Slayer, and he would not let Her Most Trembleworthy Evilness down! He made his way to the campus of UC Sunnydale, the institution that the Slayer and some of her friends were attending.

            Dreg shuddered as he noticed that the campus was swarming with humans. He saw banners on the walls that explained the reason- they were evidently celebrating the diversity of human cultures. Let them celebrate, Dreg decided. None of those cultures would be around for long when her Amazing Genocidal Partyruiningness had her way. Now how to find the specific humans he was looking for?

            "I wonder what Buffy's doing right now?" came a voice that was all too close to him. Dreg hid in a nearby bush when- wonder of wonders- all of the Slayer's friends were walking by. There were the two witches, the ex-demon-who-stooped-so-low-as-to mate-with-a-human, said human, and the older human male that ran the magic shop. The questioner was the younger human male, the one that the ex-demon-who-stooped-so-low-as-to-mate-with-a-human was mating with.

            "Oh, she's probably at that big mansion hobnobbing with the X-Men," the redheaded witch said.

            "No, she's out in New York, buying us expensive souvenirs," the ex-demon-etc-etc said brightly.

            "You know, she doesn't have to buy any us anything, Anya," the blond witch told her.

            "No, just as long as she gets me something!"

            "So- how do we think that Dawn is doing?" the younger human male asked, evidently trying to change the subject.

            "Oh, I imagine that she is enjoying herself, and maybe even making a few new friends," the older human said. "You know, Buffy has all of you to lean on-"

            "And you too, G," the younger human male put in.

            "But Dawn doesn't have anyone that she can trust," the elder finished, evidently annoyed at being interrupted.

            "Yeah," the redheaded witch said, "I hope Dawnie's enjoying herself. She needs it."

            "And did you see Spike last night?" the blond witch said. "He was totally upset that they were going to New York." Dreg's eyes went wide. The Slayer took her sister to New York? All of her friends were still in Sunnydale, so that meant- Her Most Wonderful Destructiveness needed to know this, and as quickly as he could get it to her!

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Glory was thrilled beyond words to hear Dreg's news. She soon came to the same realisation that he did.

            "So the monks made the Key into the Slayer's sister!" Glory exulted, even as part of her kicked herself in Ben's balls. The girl was in the same room as Glory- within arms reach, even! - not once, but twice.

            "They knew that family was the one thing that the Slayer would do anything to defend, so they gave her a sister! They made her well- they gave her quirks, and friends, and a personality- and I didn't even feel reality shift when they made the girl! They did their jobs beautifully, which makes me all the smarter for seeing through their little game. Well look out, Slayer, 'cause here I come! I'm glad that you're hiding out with superheroes- you're gonna need them!"

            "Jinx!" she yelled. "Pack my bags! Murk! Book me a flight- and make it a crowded one. I'm super-hungry right now! Dreg! Gather the minions! I want them here a week ago yesterday!"

            Once more, in unison, the minions said "Yes, Your-"

            "NOW!" The scabby ones left to do their duties.

            Glory began to exult once more to herself, as she donned the crystal. Soon, she promised herself. Home was so near that she could taste it. Home- and all those that had ever sought to thwart her. Soon…