Ethan stumbled into Willy's around dawn. There were plenty of patrons there, both human and demonic. Many of them had lost their homes or places of business and were drowning their sorrows in the unscathed bar. Hell, some were celebrating. Ethan wasn't. He was defenseless except for the puzzle box that he had duct taped to his hand weeks prior. That was the only thing protecting him from mind numbing pain. It was the only thing protecting him from the Cenobites. He was at the end of his rope. He hadn't bathed, shaved, or slept in a week. He hadn't eaten in days. And he hadn't had good Scotch in God only knows how long. He sat at a stool by the bar and watched a Fyarrl demon actually celebrating the damage that had been done in the town. Ethan wondered how useful it would be against the Cenobites. Probably wouldn't even slow them down.
"Well, well Ethan Rayne back in my bar. What's it been Ethan? Two years?", Willy, the human owner of the bar remarked to Ethan as he cleaned a glass
"Three actually.", Ethan managed to murmur, "Scotch. Make it strong."
"So what brings you back to the Hellmouth? Last I hard you got taken captive by the government or something.", Willy said pouring Ethan's drink
"Something like that. On the run actually.", Ethan said taking the drink and downing it in one gulp.
"Who'd you piss off?", Willy grinned.
Ethan gave him a long, hard, incredulous look, "You do NOT want to know. It's all because of this trinket though". He raised his right hand and showed the box that he had expertly duct taped to his appendage.
"What is that?", Willy asked
"Heaven. Or Hell.", a soothingly beautiful voice came. Ethan turned and swallowed in fear. The female Cenobite, Angelique stood there with the Chattering Cenobite standing nearby. Willy stepped back in fear. Human patrons froze. Even some demons looked shocked at the appearance of the Cenobites.
A particularly stupid human tried to run past the two newcomers and out the door. As he went, Angelique merely smiled making him feel a combination of revulsion and arousal. It was a long enough distraction for the Chattering Cenobite to grab him and start brutally biting into his skull. Each second the chattering teeth feel upon the skull of the poor man, who was screaming in pain. Angelique tittered girlishly as the man screamed louder and shriller with each passing second. Then she sighed and nodded to the Chatterer, who somehow saw her without the benefit of eyes, and took a tool from his belt. The tool, resembling a serrated knife, carved into the man's back effortlessly. The Chatterer pushed and pushed the blade deeper and deeper until it came out the mouth of the still writhing man in a sort of twisted mockery of a puppet. Angelique turned to Ethan.
"That was something we rarely use Ethan dearest. That was mercy.", Angelique said licking her lips.
"Wow. I simply can't believe this.", Xander said looking at Buffy and the rest of the Scooby Gang, "Tara's alive?"
"Yeah. She came in late last night. Even had a fight with Spike.", Buffy explained.
"And she's still alive? Jeez Spike, losing your touch man.", Xander smirked
Spike replied by flipping Xander off.
"That is hard to believe. I would have expected Spike to twist Tara's head off and urinate on her remains if they ever fought.", Anya chimed in.
"Anya!", Willow yelled in shock.
"What? Oh, too forthright?", Anya asked
"Yes An, a tad.", Xander replied.
"Something different about her. She was strong. As strong as Buffy or me.", Spike said, speaking up.
"I believe I know what it is.", Giles said reservedly.
"Well what is it?", Buffy asked.
"Well, Tara seemed to believe that that crow that has been following her around and supposedly speaking to her has something to do with her resurrection. She's right. In many cultures, crows and ravens are seen as harbingers of death. From Europe and Asia, to the early North Americas. I've heard legends of beings that are resurrected by crows and…"
"They're a type of wraith.", Anya said as she flipped through a copy of Vogue.
"I beg your pardon?", Giles asked.
"Well, standard thing really. Happens every now and then. Oh look, shoes.", Anya said excitedly. Everyone looked at her bizarrely making her slowly look up from the magazine, "Well I was a Vengeance Demon for over a thousand years. Every once in a while a crow will resurrect someone to seek vengeance on their murderers making them a sort of wraith. We kept tabs on the competition."
"How does a crow resurrect someone though? It's just a bird.", Xander asked
"Well they were sent by the competition.", Anya said pointing up to the ceiling.
"Anya is correct. People once believed that a crow could carry spirits to the land of the dead. However, sometimes a great sadness was carried with that spirit and it couldn't rest until it made things right.", Giles finished.
"So who's Tara after? I mean Warren killed her but he's dead. There's no one to go after. Unless….", Buffy looked at Andrew, who nearly fainted straight away.
"I don't think so. Andrew wasn't responsible for Tara's death as he was incarcerated at the moment she died. It may be someone else though I'm at a loss for whom.", Giles said, his brow furrowed.
"It's me.", Willow said, "It's my fault. I should have saved her. It's my fault she died."
Buffy went over to her friend and hugged her, "Willow don't be silly. It's not your fault. And hey, she's back now."
"Yeah, until she finds whoever it is she's supposed to be after and kills them and goes back to being dead.", Anya said trying to be helpful by failing miserably. Everyone merely looked at her as if she had grown another head.
Upstairs, Tara was enjoying one of life's little pleasures. A nice, hot shower and a talk with one of her best friends.
"I'm really glad you're back.", Dawn said sitting on the bathroom sink.
"Glad to be back Dawnie, though it feels like I never left.", Tara said enjoying the feel of the water.
"Well, you're back now and you can kick that skank Kennedy's ass.", Dawn smirked
"Dawnie!", Tara admonished.
"What? She can be a real bitch to the other Potentials when they're training. Yesterday she was making Amanda do fifty push ups with Rona and Molly pushing her down just to abuse her power. And its just, well, I like you and Willow together more than I do Kennedy and Willow.", Dawn explained.
"Dawnie, if I've been gone for almost a year I expect Willow to move on even if it doesn't feel that long to me. It hurts and I love her more than anything but I was dead.", Tara replied.
"Spike never moved past Buffy when she died.", Dawn retorted.
"Buffy wasn't dead as long as I was. Either time. Spike would have moved on eventually", Tara said
"Still I'd like to see you get back together with Willow.", Dawn explained.
"I would too Dawnie. More than anything.", Tara replied then looked up at her crow sitting on the shower curtain rod watching her, "Hey, Poe turn around."
The crow cackled and turned to face Dawn.
"You named your crow Poe?", Dawn asked.
"Kind of fitting huh?", Tara smiled.
"Was kinda expecting Miss Crowy Fantastico.", Dawn replied. Poe squawked.
"Dawnie, Poe's a boy bird."
Downstairs the phone rang. Buffy sprinted to it to prevent any cranky Potential Slayers being woken up by it and ruining the day. Buffy could make out screams and moans on the other end, in addition to a very small voice.
"Slayer, I need your help.", Willy said frightened over the phone.
"Who is this?", Buffy asked
"It's Willy. Willy the Snitch. My bar's in shambles Slayer. Some new demons blew into it and are tearing everyone up literally, human and demon alike. I don't ask you for favors, but you gotta help me. Please.", Willy said in a quivering voice
Buffy had known Willy for years. Hell she'd broken his nose repeatedly for information. And he never once asked for help, but if those sounds were any indication he needed it. Buffy breathed in deep.
"Hold on. I'll be right there.", she said hanging up the phone. And heading for the weapons trunk, "Got some problems guys. Willy's bar is getting attacked by some demons. Giles, you stay here with the Potentials and be ready. These guys may work for the First for all we know and could attack. I need all of you here."
"You'll need backup.", Xander said
"Xander, these things are wiping out other demons. I know you'd want to be there but you wouldn't last a minute. You'd know that if you heard what I did.", Buffy replied
"Take me. My magick might be able to help.", Willow stated.
"I know it could Will. It's why I need you here in case these things come for the Potentials. You may be the only thing that could protect them.", Buffy said honestly.
"Okay.", Willow said acknowledging she was right. Buffy picked up a crossbow and an axe and headed for the door. Spike followed her.
"Wish I could come with you.", Spike said almost tenderly.
"Me too, but daylight. No hope of that. But it's the thought that counts.", Buffy said, giving him a slight smile.
"Be careful."
"I will."
Angelique kissed the huge ape-like demon as it feel to the ground, disemboweled and trying to put its intestines back in.
"Mmmm Ethan. Thank you for this gift. It's exquisite.", Angelique smiled as she surveyed the tortured forms of man and demon alike. The Chatterer stood blocking an escape Ethan could have, "And dear Ethan, do you know what's best? We can't take the box from you, but one of these things surely would in order to spare themselves the suffering."
"Yeah, well if they want him they have to get in line. He's already got people he pisses off."
Angelique turned and licked her lips, "Who are you dearie?"
"I'm Buffy. The Vampire Slayer.", Buffy said holding her weapons high.
