"Given the chance to go back, would you do things differently?" the lead voice boomed after Giles and Willow had finished recounting her near destruction of the world.

Willow considered a moment, looked at Giles apologetically, then stated simply, "No."

"I said this was a waste of time. What's been done has been done and she isn't sorry."

"Why regret what I can't change?" Willow retorted.

"She still deserved a chance to be heard," the gentler voice joined in.

"Deserved?! She nearly destroyed the world-what else does she deserve but to-"

"She must restore the balance."

"She has violated our laws. She must pay the price."

"You alone do not decide. The Powers have spoken. This is to be her punishment."

"The Powers granted us sovereignty."

"In matters that concerned us alone. But this goes beyond us." The softer voice directed itself toward Willow, "If you are able to restore the balance, you will be exonerated."

"I want guidance as well."

"You want?!" The first voice growled.

"When I accomplish your task, I would like a guide to help me learn to control the Magicks."

"If you succeed, we will review your request. Be happy that you will be exonerated."

"And if she doesn't succeed?" Giles asked.

"If she doesn't succeed, it won't matter."

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"All or nothing, wayward. You tried to destroy the world, now you must save it."

Willow took a deep breath, "What next?"

"You and Rupert Giles will return to the Hellmouth," the soft voice replied.

"He is biased. She must be monitored!"

"And she will. I shall go with them," the soft voice figure stepped into the light.

Neither Giles nor Willow could speak.

"The Powers sent me back as her Guardian. They deemed that this was my purpose in life and ever-after. And I sh-shall nnot ffffail her as I did in li-life," the familiar blond ducked her head shyly as she had many times in life, the darkness no longer giving her power in anonymity.

"So let it be." Then there was nothing.