A/N: Sorry for the delay! But this is a big chapter. It's not really what
I wanted it to be but I also didn't want to get to into the fighting
aspects of it. I don't think I could have handled getting into detail
about any of my (okay, actually Joss') beloved characters' deaths. Oh
yeah, this is where the character deaths I warned about come in. Anyway,
if you haven't read 'Shatters', the prequel to this, yet, you probably
should before reading this. Also, I'm going away on vacation so no updates
for a while! But I hope you enjoy this chapter! Have happy holidays,
everybody!
* * * * * * * * *
Chapter Six~
Even though she felt suspicious, Anya followed the old woman to a building that was probably apartments in a past life. Now it was just a broken down five story building that was decomposing even as Anya sat on the ground in a windowless room.
"Now," started the old woman as she settled down in front of a crystal ball. "Scrying requires intense concentration. You can blink but make sure your main focus is the crystal ball."
'Great idea, Anyanka,' Anya thought miserably to herself.
"Are you focusing on the crystal ball?" the woman questioned.
"Yes," Anya replied.
"Good. Now to do this I want you to think of an event in the past which involved the person you're looking for."
Anya's mind quickly jumped back five years ago against her will. And before she could replace the memory, an image panned across the crystal ball and a scene played out.
* * * * * * * * *
He stood in the corner of the Magic Box, aloof and uncaring. She hardly took any notice to him from where she stood at the table by Willow until he spoke.
"But we can handle it, right?" Spike asked with a bored and cocky air as he let cigarette smoke curl around him.
"In theory," Buffy replied but she looked worried.
"Yeah, it's just another demon, right? No biggie," Dawn chimed in and then added quickly, "and I am helping."
"Jupeille is hundreds of years old, he's not just another demon," Giles informed them. "W-well I guess he is but he's a powerful one. That's why I came to help."
"Plus he's got connections," Anya added.
"That too," Giles said.
"Connections?" Willow asked with worry.
"Like Mafia connections?" Xander asked.
"No, more like connections of the scaly and hideous kind," Anya said. "Demons, I mean, if you didn't get the stereotype."
"But that was a long time ago. Jupeille has been more of a below-the- radar kind of demon as of late," Spike pointed out.
"Which could mean either he was on a spiritual journey or plotting something. I'm thinking the latter," Buffy said.
The mood got a little graver when these words were spoken.
"Let's just hope his minions aren't as big as he is," Buffy murmured.
"Or have as many claws," Dawn added softly.
No one knew what to say.
* * * * * * * * * *
Long repressed memories started clogging Anya's mind.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I feel like we should be talking," Dawn informed them from the backseat of Xander's van.
Buffy exchanged glances with Xander before asking, "what do you mean?"
"Just things we want to get off our chests, you know," Dawn said casually but with evident nervousness.
"In case we die, you mean, bit?" Spike asked from beside her.
"Nobody's dying," Buffy commanded.
"I'm sorry for being so mean when mom died," Dawn said to Buffy. "And I'm sorry, Willow, for slapping you."
"Dawn, this is."
"I'm sorry for getting in that car wreck, Dawnie," Willow interrupted Buffy.
"While we're at it, Rupert, I'm sorry for breaking your Kiss the Librarian mug," Spike jumped in.
"That was you?" Giles asked.
"Buffy, I'm sorry for not telling you about Angel's soul," Xander apologized.
"What about it?" Buffy asked.
"Spike, I'm sorry for not helping you stake Drusilla," Anya chimed in.
"I'm sorry I. insulted the disco ball in your basement, Xander," Giles said.
The van was silent again but less somber as they drove to the military base for weapons.
Then Dawn said, "Buffy?"
"What?"
"You didn't apologize to anyone."
They all looked at her expectantly.
"I did it, you can to," Spike prodded.
"Fine, um, I'm sorry, Dawn, for spilling something on your green shirt," she said quickly.
"I knew that was you!"
Oddly enough, they all felt a little better.
* * * * * * * * *
It was the night everything changed. The night everything went to hell. Almost literally. The night Anya never wanted to think about ever again was playing on the crystal ball.
They were all in the Magic Box again. It was cold. It was colder than it usually was at that time in November. Anya could vividly remember what everyone was wearing. They were all in coats, of course, and Anya remembered thinking how disturbing Willow's bright red scarf was. It just eerily seemed to be an omen. And Xander was wearing a sweater Anya made for him after she had the conviction that wives should sew for their husbands. Well, she was actually a wife-to-be at the time but it was an early wedding gift. It was also hideous, everyone knew it but didn't say it. Spike was wearing his usual outfit but without the usual attitude that went along with it. He seemed nervous, surprisingly enough. Buffy, Xander, Anya, and him had had a run-in with Jupeille and a few of his minions that week so he had cause to be. Jupeille's minions were about as big as Jupeille.
Weapons were splayed across the table they were huddled around. Axes, swords, crossbows, and even some guns but it wasn't enough.
"This could be it," Buffy said gravely. "This battle. it could end it."
They exchanged glances that showed they all had one thought, 'it can end?'
After a silent moment, Willow said, "we should make a pact."
"We aren't a bunch of fifth grade girls at some bloody slumber party, Red," Spike complained.
Willow ignored him and continued, "The possibility of separation. we can't take the risk of staying here in case the fight goes, well, bad, like Buffy said. So we're supposed to leave if we don't if we don't know of any other survivors, right?"
Everyone just looked at her, waiting for a point.
"Five years from now, any survivors should meet at that cliff in Rein Park that overlooks town," Willow said.
* * * * * * * * *
"Couldn't stay away either?"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Agreed," Buffy said on everyone's behalf. "And I know I'll be seeing all of you in five years."
Anya remembered how Spike had whispered in her ear before they left the shop, "we're the only demons on these guys' side. We need to use that to the fullest."
* * * * * * * * * *
Anya saw Buffy kiss Spike. She saw the mixture of hope and confusion on his face. And Anya saw Buffy have the same expression on her face that she had had while cradling Willow's lifeless body in her arms. Sadness mixed with guilt and regret. They all saw the end drawing near. And with it came past regrets to add to the mounting feeling of dread.
Looking out sadly, Anya saw Xander standing, sword in hand, above a dead minion.
* * * * * * * * *
"I'll see you next year, Spike."
* * * * * * * *
Through a cloud of dust, Anya made out the form of Buffy. She was holding an axe high above her head that she quickly dug deep into Jupeille's claw. He roared and swatted but missed the quick Slayer. While he swung his claw at the girl, Giles hacked at Jupeille's leg with a broad sword.
Anya knew she should get up and help them but her legs wouldn't listen to her commands. They remained kneeling, willing Anya to look down at the dead body she sat beside. Tears stung her eyes as she gently squeezed Xander's warm but lifeless hand.
"Goodbye," she whispered as she leaned down and kissed him softly.
With new resolution, Anya willed herself to stand up and grab the mace that lay near. Briefly she wondered about where Spike was but soon she stood in front of Jupeille and was too caught up in blind rage to think.
* * * * * * * * *
All of Jupeille's minions were gone. Most were dead but many had fled. Some would return later to savor the destruction while most went on to conquer other cities. Jupeille's zeal for power and destruction had fueled his followers to seek paths of their own. If their master defeated the Slayer, what would stand in their way?
But none of those thoughts crossed Buffy, Giles, or Anya's minds as they attempted to kill the demon that started had it all.
"Stupid gnats!" Jupeille screamed as he tried to flick off the miniscule humans. "Your determination won't help you."
As if to prove his point, he smacked Anya into a wall. Everything went black.
* * * * * * * * *
TBC
* * * * * * * * *
Chapter Six~
Even though she felt suspicious, Anya followed the old woman to a building that was probably apartments in a past life. Now it was just a broken down five story building that was decomposing even as Anya sat on the ground in a windowless room.
"Now," started the old woman as she settled down in front of a crystal ball. "Scrying requires intense concentration. You can blink but make sure your main focus is the crystal ball."
'Great idea, Anyanka,' Anya thought miserably to herself.
"Are you focusing on the crystal ball?" the woman questioned.
"Yes," Anya replied.
"Good. Now to do this I want you to think of an event in the past which involved the person you're looking for."
Anya's mind quickly jumped back five years ago against her will. And before she could replace the memory, an image panned across the crystal ball and a scene played out.
* * * * * * * * *
He stood in the corner of the Magic Box, aloof and uncaring. She hardly took any notice to him from where she stood at the table by Willow until he spoke.
"But we can handle it, right?" Spike asked with a bored and cocky air as he let cigarette smoke curl around him.
"In theory," Buffy replied but she looked worried.
"Yeah, it's just another demon, right? No biggie," Dawn chimed in and then added quickly, "and I am helping."
"Jupeille is hundreds of years old, he's not just another demon," Giles informed them. "W-well I guess he is but he's a powerful one. That's why I came to help."
"Plus he's got connections," Anya added.
"That too," Giles said.
"Connections?" Willow asked with worry.
"Like Mafia connections?" Xander asked.
"No, more like connections of the scaly and hideous kind," Anya said. "Demons, I mean, if you didn't get the stereotype."
"But that was a long time ago. Jupeille has been more of a below-the- radar kind of demon as of late," Spike pointed out.
"Which could mean either he was on a spiritual journey or plotting something. I'm thinking the latter," Buffy said.
The mood got a little graver when these words were spoken.
"Let's just hope his minions aren't as big as he is," Buffy murmured.
"Or have as many claws," Dawn added softly.
No one knew what to say.
* * * * * * * * * *
Long repressed memories started clogging Anya's mind.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I feel like we should be talking," Dawn informed them from the backseat of Xander's van.
Buffy exchanged glances with Xander before asking, "what do you mean?"
"Just things we want to get off our chests, you know," Dawn said casually but with evident nervousness.
"In case we die, you mean, bit?" Spike asked from beside her.
"Nobody's dying," Buffy commanded.
"I'm sorry for being so mean when mom died," Dawn said to Buffy. "And I'm sorry, Willow, for slapping you."
"Dawn, this is."
"I'm sorry for getting in that car wreck, Dawnie," Willow interrupted Buffy.
"While we're at it, Rupert, I'm sorry for breaking your Kiss the Librarian mug," Spike jumped in.
"That was you?" Giles asked.
"Buffy, I'm sorry for not telling you about Angel's soul," Xander apologized.
"What about it?" Buffy asked.
"Spike, I'm sorry for not helping you stake Drusilla," Anya chimed in.
"I'm sorry I. insulted the disco ball in your basement, Xander," Giles said.
The van was silent again but less somber as they drove to the military base for weapons.
Then Dawn said, "Buffy?"
"What?"
"You didn't apologize to anyone."
They all looked at her expectantly.
"I did it, you can to," Spike prodded.
"Fine, um, I'm sorry, Dawn, for spilling something on your green shirt," she said quickly.
"I knew that was you!"
Oddly enough, they all felt a little better.
* * * * * * * * *
It was the night everything changed. The night everything went to hell. Almost literally. The night Anya never wanted to think about ever again was playing on the crystal ball.
They were all in the Magic Box again. It was cold. It was colder than it usually was at that time in November. Anya could vividly remember what everyone was wearing. They were all in coats, of course, and Anya remembered thinking how disturbing Willow's bright red scarf was. It just eerily seemed to be an omen. And Xander was wearing a sweater Anya made for him after she had the conviction that wives should sew for their husbands. Well, she was actually a wife-to-be at the time but it was an early wedding gift. It was also hideous, everyone knew it but didn't say it. Spike was wearing his usual outfit but without the usual attitude that went along with it. He seemed nervous, surprisingly enough. Buffy, Xander, Anya, and him had had a run-in with Jupeille and a few of his minions that week so he had cause to be. Jupeille's minions were about as big as Jupeille.
Weapons were splayed across the table they were huddled around. Axes, swords, crossbows, and even some guns but it wasn't enough.
"This could be it," Buffy said gravely. "This battle. it could end it."
They exchanged glances that showed they all had one thought, 'it can end?'
After a silent moment, Willow said, "we should make a pact."
"We aren't a bunch of fifth grade girls at some bloody slumber party, Red," Spike complained.
Willow ignored him and continued, "The possibility of separation. we can't take the risk of staying here in case the fight goes, well, bad, like Buffy said. So we're supposed to leave if we don't if we don't know of any other survivors, right?"
Everyone just looked at her, waiting for a point.
"Five years from now, any survivors should meet at that cliff in Rein Park that overlooks town," Willow said.
* * * * * * * * *
"Couldn't stay away either?"
* * * * * * * * * *
"Agreed," Buffy said on everyone's behalf. "And I know I'll be seeing all of you in five years."
Anya remembered how Spike had whispered in her ear before they left the shop, "we're the only demons on these guys' side. We need to use that to the fullest."
* * * * * * * * * *
Anya saw Buffy kiss Spike. She saw the mixture of hope and confusion on his face. And Anya saw Buffy have the same expression on her face that she had had while cradling Willow's lifeless body in her arms. Sadness mixed with guilt and regret. They all saw the end drawing near. And with it came past regrets to add to the mounting feeling of dread.
Looking out sadly, Anya saw Xander standing, sword in hand, above a dead minion.
* * * * * * * * *
"I'll see you next year, Spike."
* * * * * * * *
Through a cloud of dust, Anya made out the form of Buffy. She was holding an axe high above her head that she quickly dug deep into Jupeille's claw. He roared and swatted but missed the quick Slayer. While he swung his claw at the girl, Giles hacked at Jupeille's leg with a broad sword.
Anya knew she should get up and help them but her legs wouldn't listen to her commands. They remained kneeling, willing Anya to look down at the dead body she sat beside. Tears stung her eyes as she gently squeezed Xander's warm but lifeless hand.
"Goodbye," she whispered as she leaned down and kissed him softly.
With new resolution, Anya willed herself to stand up and grab the mace that lay near. Briefly she wondered about where Spike was but soon she stood in front of Jupeille and was too caught up in blind rage to think.
* * * * * * * * *
All of Jupeille's minions were gone. Most were dead but many had fled. Some would return later to savor the destruction while most went on to conquer other cities. Jupeille's zeal for power and destruction had fueled his followers to seek paths of their own. If their master defeated the Slayer, what would stand in their way?
But none of those thoughts crossed Buffy, Giles, or Anya's minds as they attempted to kill the demon that started had it all.
"Stupid gnats!" Jupeille screamed as he tried to flick off the miniscule humans. "Your determination won't help you."
As if to prove his point, he smacked Anya into a wall. Everything went black.
* * * * * * * * *
TBC