Chapter Six: Old Melodies

Note: Still don't own the characters. Sorry for the long delay- university keeps a guy busy. But, here I am, ready to finish the story- I hope.

The mansion was a great knot of tension. That was evident to anyone capable of observation, but even more to a telepath. Professor Xavier was worried. The upcoming battle would hardly mark the first time that his school has been attacked, but that knowledge didn't make it any easier for him. His students and their new friends would be facing a God and whatever help she brought with her. Again, not the first time that his students had done so, but still…

The strategy session broke up relatively early. Everyone knew what Glorificus was capable of. No one knew what kind of help she'd be bringing with her- Cordelia didn't recognize any species in the opposition, but as she herself admitted, she wasn't an expert. So, it would be a free-for-all. It was far looser than the X-Men liked to play it, but old hat to the Scoobies and the investigators.

He let his astral self drift throughout his school, and listened in on the conversations of the students and his guests…

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"So you're Illyana Rasputin, huh?" Lorne asked the young sorceress. "I thought you'd be older."

"Actually, Krevlornswath, I should be much younger."

"Oh, right, right. Sorry. And please, call me Lorne."

"It's okay. I'm used to it."

"No, you're not. You won't ever be, not really. Not unless you lose your humanity, and sweetheart, that wouldn't be a good idea."

"Oh yes, that's right- you can read auras. But I thought that only happened when people sing for you."

"Singing helps, but it's not always necessary. I know what you're planning if this all goes nuts, little girl."

"You protest? You know what the Key's capable of."

"She's a person."

"In the wrong hands, she's dangerous."

"And who here isn't? In fact, I'd say you're a hell of a lot more dangerous than she is."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"And this, Amanda," Kurt said, "is Angel."

"Ah, Angelus," Amanda said in her sweetest tone, "so pleased to meet you."

"Uh, please, call me Angel," Angel replied, feeling a little nervous. 'Angelus', huh? This woman knew of him. She even looked a little familiar, but he couldn't place her.

"Liebchen, the man is here to help us," Kurt hissed. "Please don't start."

"You know as well as I that this… thing isn't a man, Kurt," Amanda said, false sweetness gone.

"Am I missing something?" Angel asked. It probably wouldn't hurt to play along with- whatever this was.

"Janna Calderash was our cousin, vampire," Amanda snarled.

"Oh, God!" Angel closed his eyes. He looked up at Amanda. Now he knew why she looked so familiar. She was blond, and younger, but the resemblance of Amanda Sefton to Jenny Calendar was unmistakable. "I'm so sorry…" he began, then stopped. It wasn't often that he was in the position of apologizing to the family of Angelus'- of his- victims.

"Yes, yes I know- you're not him, not really," Amanda sighed. She looked a little tired, and not just from the early hour. "But you have him inside you. And I can't forget that." She said as she stalked off.

"I must, apologize, Herr Angel-"

"No, it's okay. I deserve a lot worse."

"You blame yourself?"

"Sometimes. I have all of Angelus' memories. I'll never forget Jenny's death. He- he enjoyed it too much"

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            "And this is my loft," Ororo said to Tara and Willow as she and Kitty gave them a tour of the mansion.

            "Whoa! All these plants!" Willow marvelled.

            "Isn't it the coolest, or what?" Kitty bubbled. She loved Ororo's loft.

            "Goddess, Ororo," Tara breathed, "This place is so beautiful!"

            "I'm glad you girls like it," Ororo smiled. "Am I to assume that you worship the Goddess as well, Tara?"

            "Doesn't everybody, one way or another?"

            "Uh, not me," Kitty broke in. "Remember- little Jewish girl from Chicago?"

            "Me too, except I'm from Sunnydale," Willow added. "Hey Kitty, did your father ever let you watch the Charlie Brown's Christmas?"

            "Yeah he did." Kitty blushed. "I know it's silly, but the Snoopy Dance is my favourite part."

            "You like the Snoopy Dance too? Oh, I have got to get Xander to do it for you while we're here! He does the best Snoopy Dance I've ever seen! Well, except for Snoopy, of course, but Xander's a darn close second!"

            "Really? We should get him to do it while he's here!"

            "Yeah!"

            "Kitten, would you like to show Willow your computer?" Ororo asked.

            "Yeah! Would you like to see it, Willow? I mean, I heard about how good you are with computers. I'm not that bad with them, if I say so myself."

            "That would be great! So Buffy and Dawn have telling stories, huh?"

            "Yup."

            "Oh God, they tell you about me and 'Malcolm' have they?"

            "Nope."

            "Good. Well pay attention, Kitty, and I'll tell all about the dangers of an online boyfriend…" Willow started as she and Kitty went downstairs.

            "They're a lot alike," Tara smiled.

            "Yes, they are. Tell me, Tara, as someone who has encountered Glory- how are our chances?"

            "I-I think they're okay. I mean- I'm sure that you and the X-Men have b-been up against a lot worse."

            "Perhaps, but no battle is ever easy, especially when the fate of the world rests on it."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            "I'm glad we could have a chance to talk," Rupert Giles said quietly.

            Moira MacTaggart turned to look at him. Damn- the man actually managed to get her alone in a room, and without her realizing it.

            "What d'ye want, Ripper?" she asked him. He flinched at the emphasis.

            "After we- parted company, I never" he removed his glasses, "I never got a chance to tell you how sorry I was. How sorry I am."

            "Oh- you're sorry. Right, well then, thank you Ripper, it's good to hear it." She turned away. She did not want to deal with him right now. Or ever, for that matter. But knowing him-

            "Moira," he began, and touched her shoulder lightly. She whirled around.

            "How dare ye!" She hissed. "Ye come into my life, ye befriend me brother, and then ye get him killed on a- on a juvenile quest to get- to get what? High? Is that it? Some demon wearing Robby's body tries to attack me, an' ye and Ethan and Deirdre an' all the rest come and kill him? And then ye all vanish- and then ye vanish, without saying goodbye, let alone apologizing? Oh aye, Rupert Giles, ye're very sorry!"

Giles lowered his head. She was right. Under other circumstances, he might have given a bitter laugh. Once again, he was paying for the sins of his youth in his old age. When he met her eyes again, he saw that her eyes were wet.

"There is nothing that I can say that can make it up to you," he told her, tonelessly.

"Well ye have that right!" She stormed out of the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts, and his memories, and his guilt.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Hello!" came the voice of Lila Cheney, as she and her band teleported into the mansion. "I know we're a little early, but I got quite the sound system to set up here for tomorrow, and I wanted to know- hello?" The hall of the mansion, usually full of mutants going to and fro, was empty.

"Huh," came the voice of her newest guitarist. She looked at him. Dan was nothing if not taciturn, but in the short time she'd known him, she'd grown used to deciphering his various 'Huh''s- he was saying "Guess nobody's home." His silence wasn't the weirdest thing about him, though. Her crew had become used to the strange, after being around her for so long. Still, she had noticed that they left Dan alone for the three nights of the full moon. Better to be safe than sorry, she guessed.

"Well this is strange," Alison muttered. Alison Blaire had been with the band a little while longer than Dan, and knew Xavier and his people longer than any of them. When he arrived, she no longer had put up with being the newbie. She was another strange thing that the crew had around, but she was one of them, and they were tight. And God knew, the woman had had enough disappointments in her life. The Cheney band knew it, too.

"Hello!" Lila tried again, louder. There was no response.

"So much for trying inside," she muttered. She looked at her band. "Okay, guys- looks like we check out the outside. And if the Professor gets angry-"

"I won't Lila," came the voice of Charles Xavier. A teenaged girl she didn't know- a new student, apparently- was wheeling him into the hall. "But, to be honest, now isn't really a good time."

"What exactly does that mean, Charles?" Alison asked him. Lila frowned- that didn't sound good. As she did, the girl's eyes widened.

"Oz?" she breathed.

"Hey, Dawn," Dan said from behind her.

"Oz!" the girl- Dawn- squealed as she ran past Lila to hug her guitarist.

"Oz?" Lila asked, confused.

"Ah," Charles said. Lila looked at him, smiling in his wheelchair. "So this is Oz." Lila looked at him, and then turned back to look at Dan- or Oz, or whatever his name was- embrace the young girl.

"You know this girl, Dan?" she asked him. Dan looked at her.

"Yup," was all he said. Well, that figured. He wasn't a talker.

"Dan?" Dawn asked him.

"Daniel Osbourne, remember?" he told her.

"Okay," was all Lila could say. The world really was small, after all.

"And you're Scott's cousin right?" he asked Dawn after they let go.

"Yuh-huh. You've met Scott?"

"A couple times. He's pretty cool. Is Buffy here?"

"Yeah." She hugged him again. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Uh, thanks." He looked at the Professor. "Trouble?"

"You could say that."

"Oz?" came a voice from behind Lila. She turned and saw a woman about her own age staring at Dan, or Oz, or Whatever.

"Hey, Cordy," he replied in the same even tones he always spoke in. The woman just grinned and went to hug him.

"I was wondering when you'd get here," she told him as they broke their embrace.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. See, there's the insane HellGod who's coming after Dawn. Us, and the Scoobies, and the X-Men and the little X-Men-"

"They're called the New Mutants," the Professor interjected.

"Right, the New Mutants. Anyway, we're all going to protect Dawn from her."

"Okay. So why did you know I'd be here?"

"I can see things now. Flashes of the future, from the Powers That Be. I saw two werewolves protecting Dawn. One of the girls here can turn into a wolf. The other one looked kinda like you."

"Yeah, I know Rahne. So why does this HellGod want Dawn?"

"Dawn's not really human. She's the Key Between Dimensions, and Glory- the HellGod- is going to use her to destroy the universe."

"Huh."

"Exactly."

"Excuse me- what?" was all Lila could say.

"Same old, same old, huh Professor?" Alison asked Xavier, voice full of amusement. There was a reason she tried to avoid the superhero life.

"Come with me, everyone- I'll explain further," the Professor told her, as he wheeled himself to his study. "Dawn, Cordelia, I'm certain your friends would love to catch up with Oz."

"There in the Dining Room having breakfast," Dawn bubbled. Even though there was going to be a fight for her fate soon, she was happy. Almost all of the people she loved were together.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

"Look who's here!" Dawn enthused as she entered the kitchen.

Here? Tara looked up from where she was sitting. Could Hank Summers finally have gotten t the mansion? If so, then the man had a bad sense of-

Oz entered the kitchen. Tara felt her blood run cold. No. Not him. She remembered the last time she encountered the werewolf. She closed her eyes- the change, the warning to run, the- the wolf chasing after her, hell-bent on killing her. It wasn't his fault, though- not really. None of them knew that his treatment of his condition would make him go wolf when he became agitated- not even him. And, to be fair, he was extremely sorry. She opened her eyes. Willow and Oz were hugging. Her heart dropped a little. This is to be expected. She knew that. Oz was Willow's first love, and that was special.

"Hey, my man!" Xander enthused as he gave Oz a man-hug. "Looks like the gang's almost all here."

"Yeah," Oz agreed. The rest of the Scooby ladies, minus Anya, went to hug the new arrival.

"Nice timing," Buffy smiled, as she hugged Oz.

"Yeah, Cordy told me. What's the ETA?"

"We don't know. Glory is- a little unpredictable."

He shook Giles' hand, and Angel's, and nodded at Wesley and Spike. Tara nodded to herself- from what Willow had told her of her life, he wouldn't have good memories of those two. Then apparently it was the X-Men's turn.

"So you're the werewolf that Xander was talking about," Scott said. "I should have known."

"Hi Oz!" Rahne called from across the room. How would- oh, right. Rahne could turn into a wolf and a hybrid form. A kinda mutant lycanthrope- except she was in full control and couldn't infect anybody by biting them.

"Where's Lila?" Jean asked. Lila?

"The rest of the band is with the Professor. He's filling them in. They're not so used to Apocalypse-y stuff, except for maybe Lila and Alison."

"Lila? Alison?" Buffy asked.

"Lila's my boss. I'm in her band. So's Alison."

"Have I heard of them?"

"Ever heard of Lila Cheney?"

"No way," Xander breathed. Lila Cheney? The rock star? Oz had gone up in the world!

"Yeah. And Alison's the Dazzler. Remember her?" Alex asked.

"Alison Blaire?" Angel asked. "That Dazzler?" Tara remembered the Dazzler. She had a hot career- until her mutation was discovered. The public dropped her after that.

"The one and only."

"Wow," Angel smiled. "I've got all her CD's! I remember the first song I ever heard on the radio."

"How did it go?" Fred asked. Angel opened his mouth as if to sing, and Cordelia quickly dashed to him and shut it.

"Angel, you're my friend, I love you, but please, please, please in the name of God don't sing."

"Why not?" Fred asked.

"Because he can't," Wesley stated in a manner of fact tone.

"He can draw, he can act, and his singing sounds like the screaming of the damned." Cordelia said. Angel looked hurt.

"I'm not that bad," he whined after Cordelia took her hand off.

"Not quite, but pretty close" Gunn muttered. Angel glared at him. Gunn looked at him, all innocence.

The talk continued for a while. Tara just ate, and glanced at Oz. This really was to be expected. Cordelia said two werewolves were defending Dawn. Rahne was one, and it only made sense that Oz would be the other. Still-

"Please, Goddess," she silently prayed, "don't let him lose control ever again."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Oz was a little weirded out. He met the X-Men, and the New Mutants, shortly after coming to work for Lila. She didn't believe him when he said he was a werewolf- she thought he was a mutant. After a checkout at the X-Mansion, as he liked to call it, she believed him. Well, he couldn't blame her. After all, Lila was a mutant, and so was Alison. The band all knew about it, but didn't talk about it. Just like they didn't talk about him being a werewolf.

He didn't expect to encounter the Scoobies here. He thought that Scott smelled kind of familiar- being Buffy's and Dawn's cousin would do that to a guy. Not that he minded meeting the Sunnydale crew- they were his friends, and in a way, his family. The family that slays together stays together, and there would be some serious slayage soon. But that wasn't his problem. When he left Willow that last time, he knew he'd meet her again, but not like this. Not with- her here.

He looked across the room at Tara Maclay. After reuniting with everyone, they talked, and then when Lila and Alison came in with the Professor, well- Xander was a big fan of Lila's, and Angel had all of Alison's CD's (somehow, Oz could believe it), so there was some gushing over the celebrities. He didn't mind- it was to be expected, and he was kinda glad. With a diversion there, he didn't have to face the blond witch. He didn't want to, not after what he did. Not after what he almost did. It wasn't her fault that she met and fell in love with Willow, and that Willow loved her back. It wasn't her fault that her girlfriend's ex couldn't keep his damn wolf under control. And yet, part of him did blame her, and for everything, and he knew which part. Wolves mate for life, after all. Willow's not a wolf, though, nor is Tara.

He lowered his eyes. What the hellmouth is wrong with him? Now is not the time to focus on his own problems- now is the time to worry about protecting Dawn. So, little Dawnie can destroy the universe? Huh. He got up, and went over to Tara. Time to face the music.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Tara looked up in alarm as Oz came toward her. She looked around- Willow was talking to the students, and by the looks of things she was telling a story. Still, she was nearby, and the room was full of superheroes, so if he lost control and tried to attack her, she would be safe. She hoped.

"Hey," was all he said. He wasn't looking in her eyes.

"H-hello," she stammered back.

They were silent for a time.

"I'm so sorry," he said quickly.

"I know," Tara responded.

Silence again.

"Will's special." They looked into each other's eyes. Oz didn't continue. He didn't have to. Willow Rosenberg was funny, kind, brilliant, and gentle, but with a core of steel and fierce caring for those she loved. Her laugh was like birdsong, and she was beautiful inside and out.

Willow described her high school self as the wallflower of wallflowers. Her opening to the sun was thanks to the Scoobies, and all of the adventures they had. Part of that was because of Oz. She knew her love well enough to know that loving Oz brought parts of her to life that she didn't even know existed. In that way, Tara actually owed Oz a debt.

She opened her mouth to speak.

"Thank you for loving her," Oz said. Tara could hear his voice crack as he said it, and she saw tears begin to form in his eyes. She could tell why: Oz had just given Willow to her. Willow wasn't his to give, or hers to receive, but she knew that he knew that, and she could tell what he meant- he was revoking any claim he had to her as a lover. He was letting Willow go. He had done it a long time ago, but now he was speaking to another person. Hearing your long-hidden thoughts spoken aloud creates a sense of reality and immediacy. She learned that when she finally told her father to go, after she had finally mustered the courage to leave her family in the first place. And it was Willow that gave her that strength.

She took Oz's hand in hers. He looked at her in surprise.

            "Thank you for loving her," she whispered. She let her face show all the understanding and sympathy she felt for him. His expression changed- from surprise, to shock, to wonder, and finally to gratitude. They stood holding hands for a long time.

            Neither noticed Willow looking at them, tears of joy in her eyes.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            "Buffy," Lila said as she came up to the young… Killer? Mauler? No… Slayer. That's it. Slayer.

            "Yeah Lila?" Buffy looked a little distracted. Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why, not after what the Professor told her about this Glory bitch.

            "I don't know if you know, but I'm a mutant too. I'm a teleporter."

            "Like Kurt?"

            "Yeah, but Kurt is short range. I'm… long range."

            "Like how long?" Buffy was beginning to catch on.

            "Like about halfway across the galaxy."

            "No way." Buffy's eyes bugged.

            "Way. I've got a place out there- my personal Dyson Sphere, and I was thinking- wouldn't it just be easier if I took Dawn where we know Glory can't follow?"

            Buffy looked shocked, then relieved.

            "Wait here," she said, as she went across the room to where Cordelia was talking to that cute Wesley and Sam. Ah, Sam. Her boyfriend. At least, that's what she said, and what he thought. But really? No. She liked Sam- she liked him a lot- but the fact was that she too busy for a boyfriend that couldn't be on the road for her. And besides- Sam was far too young. She was hoping to break it to him after the wedding. She hoped he wouldn't be too hurt. He deserved someone that could be with him more often- someone closer to his own age.

            Buffy talked to Cordelia for a short while, then the two came back to her.

            "Thanks for the offer," Cordelia told her, "but no, that won't work. The Powers work in mysterious ways, and I'm such a spaz for saying it with a cliché, but it's the truth. I've never had a vision that far in advance before now, but the way I saw it is the way it's supposed to go down if we're to have a chance."

            "Besides," Buffy said slowly, "if I get used to just sending Dawn off with you, then I'm going to stay used to it, maybe even after we take Glory out. I don't want Dawn living her life on the other side of the galaxy away from her family and friends."

            Lila frowned. She didn't really know much about visions and powers, but she could see Buffy's point.

            "It's your call," she said, "but just remember- I'm here if you change your mind, 'kay?"

            "Okay, and thanks," Buffy smiled.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            "Excuse me, everyone," the Professor said from the doorway, "but it is probably time to get the rehearsal underway."

            "The rehearsal?" Giles asked, a little incredulously. He couldn't believe what he just heard! Rehearse for a wedding, with a HellGod on her way?

            "Yes. We do not know when Glory is arriving, and we cannot just sit around and wait. No- best to just live our lives while we wait." People around the room were nodding. Giles opened his mouth to object, but then closed it. He remembered the Prom- his children went to that, even in the face of hellhounds and the Ascension. Come to think of it, why should he object? It seemed the X-Men had the same mindset as his children in this way. Best just to play along.

            "That's an excellent idea, Charles," Giles agreed. "If I may make one suggestion?"

            "Please do."

            "All of the people here without powers should have some form of protection with them."

            "Yeah that's right!" Xander broke in. "We got weapons!"

            "What would I do without you guys?" Buffy smiled. Giles knew she'd be happy.

            "Weapons? All of us?" Dr. Grey asked, a little confused. Not that Giles could blame him for that.

            "Yes," Giles told him. "That would probably be best. Tell me, have you ever used a weapon?"

            "Well, I fenced a bit in college-"

            "Perfect! Xander, get Dr. Grey a sword." Xander went off.

            "But I haven't fenced in years!"

            "Trust me, sir- it's like riding a bicycle."

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Jean stood with her father as the rehearsal for the wedding started. Like the rest of the mutants, she wore her combat uniform, just to be safe. Her father felt a little strange holding the sword the Scoobies gave him- she didn't even need her powers to know that. If the attack came while the rehearsal was in progress, he had to have a way to defend himself. He had done a little fencing in college, but that was a long time ago. In the event of an attack, the X-Men's only plan was to get the non-combatants- her family and most of the band- and Dawn out of the way as soon as possible. Part of her hoped that the attack would be today. Tomorrow would see even more guests. Some would know the truth about the school, but others would not. And few of them were able to defend themselves from the supernatural.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Scott stood at the 'altar' set up in the mansion's back yard. The rest of the wedding part was waiting for their cue back in the mansion, leaving him all alone- except for the band and the rest of the 'guests,' all equally nervous. Cordelia's vision warned of an attack outdoors, but didn't say when. He couldn't recall seeing armed people at the X-Mansion for a good cause.

            Giles had a crossbow and a sword. Wesley had a sword and a knife. Gunn carried a wicked looking axe, and the strange young woman- Fred?- had a sword. Swords seemed to be the order of the day- Scott knew that Buffy, Kurt (who had three- two for his hands and one for his tail, if needed), Dr. Grey, Moira, Angel, Oz, and Spike each had one, and Illyana could call one up if needed. Xander had a baseball bat, and Anya a mace. Even Mrs. Grey had a dagger. Of the ordinary humans, only the witches and the children went unarmed, but they were special cases. The mutants didn't need weapons, except for Warren who had a crossbow, to rain death from the sky, and Lila, who had a blaster. Doug was going to merge with Warlock, and the others had combat worthy powers.

            Looking up at Lila, he saw her give a nod and a small smile. She cued up the wedding march. The rest of the party began to file in.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

            Hearing the wedding march begin, Buffy jumped up from where she was sitting and grabbed Hank's arm. Jean niece, Gailyn, was the flower girl, and her nephew Joey was the ring bearer. They went first, Joey keeping the rigs from falling off the pillow, Gailyn strewing flowers in the bride's path.

            "Why, Buffy, I'm flattered," Hank grinned, "but I already have a girlfriend."

            "Why can't I have that problem? I mean, I-" Alex and Ororo- Best Man and Matron of Honour- went next.

            "You want a boyfriend? It's hard to believe that you're unattached. I imagine that young men would be breaking doors down to get to you." Warren and Lorna were next.

            Buffy laughed as she and Hank went next. Young men had broken down doors to get to her, and so had old men, and young women, and many more- but they were all of the undead variety. Then she sobered. Pike. Owen. Angel. Scott Hope. Riley. Of all of them, only Owen hadn't hurt her, but she didn't have an investment in him- and the fact that she broke it off with him after only one date helped. But other than him… the convent was looking better and better all the time. Maybe she could convince Dawn to take nunnish vows with her- there was no reason all the Summers women had to have relationships go awry.

            "Thanks, but singleness has its own special goodness."

            "I've said that myself- after I've been dumped. And then I remind myself of the words of the Immortal Bard- ''Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.""

            "How often did the 'Immortal Bard' lose?"

            "Hmm. You know, that's a very good question." They reached the altar, and went to their respective sides. A moment later, Dawn was at her side, and Bobby at Hank's. Buffy looked at where Jean and her father were making their way up the aisle.

            Jean. God, Buffy wished that all this had to happen now. The marriage of Jean Grey to Scott Summers was a long time coming, and it should have been a completely happy happening- not part of a nervous, tense, wait for a battle.

            *Don't* Buffy gave a small start. Jean was reading her mind, and she sounded mad!

            *You're broadcasting. What's happening now is not, and I repeat not your fault, and you are not to blame yourself for it* Jean continued. Her serene face was completely at odds with her fierce, almost angry tone.

            *I'm sorry*

            *Don't be. All of this is Glory's fault. The sooner she comes, the sooner she's no longer a problem* Well, that was true. Still…

            *Should we have taken Lila up on her offer?*

            *No. I think you did the right thing- Dawn can't live her whole life in Lila's Dyson Sphere*

            *I guess*

            Jean had reached the alter, and stood across from Scott. Buffy didn't need to be a telepath to read Scott's mind just then- and he'd be an even bigger wreck tomorrow. Yup- first came the silly grin, which he already sort of had, then came the sweating- and he was sweating a bit.

            "Dearly beloved," the Professor said from the altar. "I would like to welcome you all to the rehearsal for tomorrow's big event."

            "Long has it been in coming," Alex audibly whispered. A few dirty looks were sent his way.

            "Amen," Bobby said in the same tone, earning a few looks of his own. Buffy and Dawn just looked at each other- Men!

            "Well, at any rate-" the Professor began, but he was cut off by a loud crash. All was silent for a moment.

            "They're here," Bobby muttered. And the backyard was filled with motion. John Grey grabbed his grandchildren and ran to where his wife was already standing- with the band. Lila opened a gate, and the band, minus Oz and Alison, entered, along with the Greys. Lila would be staying with them- the non-combatants needed a way back, and if anything happened to Lila... The Mansion had a communicator that was ready to send a message to the Dyson Sphere, no matter the outcome.

            Rogue and Ororo took flight to scout the cause of the damage.

            *Charles, two buses have crashed through our front gates. There are demons inside* Storm sent.

            *An' the demons are makin' for the back yard* Rogue added. *I don't know why they're not chargin' through the mansion, but I'm not complainin'*

            *Do not engage them yet* Charles sent back.

            *Everyone, this is the Professor. Glorificus has arrived. Maintain your positions, and do not let yourselves get separated!*

Ororo and Rogue came back closer to earth, as Sam stood a little apart from the others for when it was time to blast. Dani mentally called Brightwind, her pegasi. Glorificus and her demons weren't just about to fight mutants- a Valkyrie stood ready to face the bitch! Rahne shifted into her half-wolf form, as Roberto became Sunspot and Amara became Magma. Doug and Warlock shared a look, and then merged, becoming Douglock. Xi'an stood back a little, hoping she could possess a demon. Illyana smiled wickedly as she called her Soulsword. Her magic wasn't all that great on Earth, but her Soulsword was more than enough to give demons nightmares.

The X-Men were far from idle. Bobby iced up, and Peter became Colossus. Jean took to the skies, as did Lorna. The X-Men and Scoobies formed a protective circle around Dawn.

They didn't have to wait long.

Glory led a large group of demons around the house to the back yard. She was holding some kind of crystal on a string. The crystal glowed, then escaped Glory's grasp and flew straight to Dawn. It slipped around her head. Glory grinned.

"There's my little Key," the deity purred.