Thursday
Dear Diary,
Hey its Dawn. I know its been a while since I've written you but until now I haven't had a lot to say. Let's see, last time I wrote I think Buffy just killed that Uber-Vamp at the school. Wow, that's been months. Let me bring you up to speed.
The world is ending. No really. The First went and got itself a body and has been playing with all of us like a chew toy. Lots of people have been showing up here in Sunnydale cause there's this guy named Adam Warlock here. He has the First nervous because he has this glove that lets him do anything.
The only thing is he can't do anything because it would cause even more badness to go down (its complicated I know). But he's got Buffy, Faith and all the Potentials training really hard with that green chick that came with him. So far they've really sucked, but they hit the five minute mark today so they're doing something right.
Oh yeah and there was a lot of screaming at Willow over this hole she made in the floor this week. I think they were overreacting really.
Let's Anya's a demon. AGAIN. But this time she's like a really powerful demon. I'm not really sure if that's comforting or not to be honest. All I know is that I'd hate to be Xander.
Oh did I mention a member of the Justice League is staying at my house? Batman is here! It's way cool! He saved Connor and me last night (more on Connor later) from this psycho preacher guy, Caleb (and you thought Pat Robertson was scary). Caleb escaped though so that was a turn for the sucky.
Anywho, he was up on the Watchtower on the moon (the moon! Can you believe that?!) doing research when the rest of the JLA fought the First. After seeing Superman get knocked out in the first few minutes, he figured that the First was magical in nature (I'm sorry. I refuse to spell magic with a "K") cause magic hurts Superman. He then did a check on magical hotspots on earth and voila he found the Hellmouth on the web, a place not two hours away from where the First was fighting the Justice League. So he teleported down to the Hellmouth with a lap top before the darkness that's covering the earth…well covered the earth.
Now get THIS. He knew about the old Initiative area underneath Sunnydale from some Black Ops stuff he had hacked into before. He hacked into what was left of the old Watcher's Council archives to find out if the Slayer lived in town (He said he was following a hunch because the First mentioned Buffy to the whole world when it was kicking the Justice League's ass and because he knew about the Slayer "myths"). He tracked us down, did some recon, and decided to approach one of us so our new allies wouldn't kill him the second he came in the door (Thanos in particular). Turns it out that he and Doctor Strange know each other too. So now we got Batman on our side!
Onto Connor. He's neat, kinda quiet, kinda cute and really arrogant. Still he can be nice sometimes. He's like a little kid when you explain things to him, and that tends to be when he's nicest. I kinda like him. I even told Buffy that I did. Then she kinda got really quiet and said something about hoping he doesn't go evil when he gets a happy. I think I heard her talking to Angel about it later. They got really quiet, then started laughing really loudly about us making eyes at each other.
Now look just because I'm Buffy's sister and Connor is Angel's son and Buffy and Angel used to date and try to kill each other doesn't make an attraction between Connor and me twisted…okay so maybe it does but screw that, I don't care. Anywho, think I'm going to go. Xander's making his famous call to the pizza place. Buffy's got this thing where we all try to eat with each other before the world ends so I can't be late.
Dawnie
Asgard
King Thor was often considered to be brash, hard headed and quick to anger. And he was. But he was also a powerful warrior; one of the mightiest heroes of earth even before his father's enchanted Odinpower took up residence within him. This power was one of the deciding factors that had helped to make New York City safe after the spires unleashed its creatures there. Many a great monster was felled in battle by the Mighty Thor. Thor had even convinced the powerful storm giant Sturm to join him in battle to fight off the giant Baragons and Gyaos. There were casualties of course, but in the end Thor and other heroes in the area had made New York the first monster free major city on the planet. And as a result, Sturm now had plenty to eat.
However, Thor was not finished there. He wanted to attack the source of the problem. And the other heroes were not ready to attack soon enough, so the Odinson took matters into his own hands. He called audience with many like-minded heroes who were either not missed or not welcomed in trying to help the other cities of earth. Thor however knew that they were among the most vicious, dangerous, and powerful denizens of the planet. They would aid him in his attack against the First. They would help him to free the captive Justice League. They would….HAVE TO GET ALONG LONG ENOUGH TO DO THESE THINGS!
Thor put his head in his hand and then sighed, "All Father, why hast thou forsaken me?"
"Watch where you breathe you green-skinned baboon!" Prince Namor of Atlantis growled loudly, already regretting that he had decided to come here. He had regretted it as soon as he saw the one he quarreled with.
"RAAAARH! Hulk think that fish man should watch where he stand if he no want Hulk to breathe on him!" the Hulk shook his great green fist in the air.
"Me Grimlock think that you Hulk right! You watch where you stand!" a huge robot, about twenty five feet tall said.
"See, Hulk try to tell fish man that, but does fish man listen to Hulk? Noooo!" the Hulk said looking up at Grimlock.
Namor simply shrugged and looked to Thor, who simply shrugged back. Until something else caught his eye. He groaned audibly.
"No I would not like to test your mettle Hercules." Power Girl said, with a scowl on her face.
"Oh fair maiden, merely allow the Lion of Olympus to give you his attentions and truly thou will sing another tune!" Hercules said with a huge smile. Right before Power Girl punched him in the face, putting him on his ass.
"My face," Power Girl said pointing, "Is up HERE!"
"My apologies fair one. My eyes doth move of their own accord." Hercules grinned.
Power Girl's former teammate the giant Atom Smasher laughed as loud as he could at the proceedings, as Hercules again tried to pick up on Power Girl.
High above the courtyard, two beings of great might hovered. One was tall, with bronze skin, slicked black hair and wore a full black bodysuit with a lightning bolt on the chest. The other was shorter and wore a blueish-black suit of armor and had enormous spiked hair.
"Why do we waste our time with these idiots?" Vegeta asked.
"Not all of them are idiots. I consider Atom Smasher a friend and Namor a brother in battle." Black Adam replied.
"You didn't answer my question." Vegeta said again.
"Thor has summoned us and a summons from the gods is one that simply cannot be ignored." Black Adam explained.
"I still feel I'm wasting my time. This demon could kill Kakkarot unless we act soon." Vegeta said in regards to the plight of the Justice Leaguer known as Goku, "AND I WANT TO DO THAT!"
"Calm yourself old friend. Patience is a virtue as strong as a sword. Impatience is like an intemperate sword which can break and be useless." Black Adam replied.
Vegeta looked at him, "What the hell did you just say?"
Black Adam sighed, "It's an ancient Egyptian proverb. Keep calm. That's what it means, just keep calm."
"If I could please have the attention of all!" Thor began, firing a lightning bolt for emphasis, "You have all been gathered here for a single purpose. That purpose is to plan to strike against the demon that places the world in terror and holds our allies in its grasp. I speak to you of the First Evil! My father told me tales of this creature long ago when I was but a child and I can safely say that this thing wishes to end fair Midgard's existence! Like myself you are all great warriors who are both feared and respected throughout the universe. Your aid will be greatly necessary if we are to defeat this evil!"
Grimlock raised a massive metal arm.
"Aye friend Grimlock?" Thor asked.
"Me Grimlock want to ask what's a Midgard?"
Thor sighed, "Earth. It's what mine people call earth."
"Why not just call it earth then? And why you talk so funny?" Grimlock asked.
"BE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?!" Thor asked the crowd.
Grimlock knelt down to the Hulk, "See that what me Grimlock talking about."
"Hulk understand. Hulk think goldilocks not all there in head." The Hulk said in sympathy.
"How do you intend to bring this demon down? Where can we succeed where the Justice League has failed?" Power Girl asked.
"We here hold great power and what is more we will use it in ways that the Justice League were not prepared to. They fought this thing to subdue it, reason with it. While I applaud them for their ideals, I also must scoff at them. This creature be purest evil. It will not be reasoned with and it cannot be subdued. We must do what is required of us. We must kill the First Evil!" Thor explained.
"I admire your bravery." Black Adam said landing, "But how exactly are we expected to do that? The Justice League were brutalized. They were no weaklings. I know this. I have fought both at their side and against them."
"While the Justice League were powerful, they did not have have the power of a Skyfather on their side. You do. Also there are others who wish to aid us." Thor smirked.
"Name them Thor. I would like to meet them." Namor said, crossing his arms. As the Prince of Atlantis said that, a shadow was cast over the torch lit courtyard. The courtyard's occupants looked up to see a many miles long Shift-Ship overhead.
"Our allies be the ones known as the Authority." Thor said with a gleam in his eye.
"We attack on Saturday." Warlock said as the residents of the house ate.
"Saturday? Warlock it's Thursday evening!" That's less than forty eight hours from now!" Buffy said, dropping her slice of pizza.
"Yes it is." Warlock said as he ate his own slice.
"We haven't even beaten Gamora yet!" Faith added in outrage.
"And you never will." Gamora said, standing behind Warlock.
"Look, I know you want to take this guy on and all, but we're not ready yet."
"And if that's the attitude you have, then you will never be ready. This is war. You must strike when you are told to strike. Ready or not, the attack begins on Saturday." Warlock stated.
"You had better be sure of this Adam." Doctor Strange said.
"If I were not, it would not matter. This is what must be done." Warlock said to Strange.
"Not really loving the attitude." Angel said from across the room.
"The First said that the world will end in seven days. Meaning that it will be ended by this Sunday. Saturday is the very latest we can attack. That gives you another day to train and an evening to relax and reflect." Warlock explained, coldly devoid of emotion.
"You know what? I really don't like you." Buffy said, getting right in Warlock's face.
"Such is the burden of all who lead. You should know better than anyone." Warlock replied.
Buffy then pulled her arm back and punched him right in the face. Warlock flinched and looked at her. Doctor Strange and Gamora's jaws dropped. Thanos merely smiled. Batman suppressed a chuckle.
"You hit me?" Warlock said, sounding surprised.
"You're damn right I did." Buffy growled.
"Buffy, you just hit a man who wields the Infinity Gauntlet!" Willow shouted in surprise.
"Big deal. He seems to be a lot of talk and no action." Buffy replied.
"Bite your tongue!" Gamora shouted.
"How about no you freaky green bitch?" Buffy asked, "All I hear about when Warlock gets here is about how powerful he is and how easily he could take the First out. Then I hear excuses about how he can't just do it like that. So instead he sits back and takes it easy while we work our asses off to get good enough to fight the First. You know what? Learn to make sacrifices once in a while. So getting involved like you want to may throw a wrench in your plans? So what?! If you really cared as much as you want us to believe you do, you would stop the First the moment it popped out of Lucifer's head rather than just sit back and wait for this time to come. I…WE…we have ALL had to sacrifice so much to save the world. We lost our innocence, our hearts, even our souls to try and make a difference. And we NEVER get to stop. We have to go on. We can never stop being what we are. If we could we would fix the universe to where nothing like this ever happens again, but we don't have the power to do that. You do. What's your excuse? Oh we'll fight. We'll even do it the way you want us to. And we'll win. But we won't do it because you tell us to. No, we'll do it for us, for our world. And frankly, when its all done, I'd like you to get off of it as soon as possible."
Warlock didn't smile or get angry or anything like that. He just looked at Buffy. He nodded.
"Very well then." Warlock said walking out of the room.
Warlock walked out onto the porch and actually felt shame at the girl's words. She was young, idealistic, and thoroughly headstrong much like he himself once had been. She would never understand his quest. She would never understand what all was at stake. She couldn't contemplate being All That Was and then ended. She would never know how much the desire to know why burned deep within him. She couldn't imagine the forces that would rain down upon him if he dared to use the Gauntlet and erase the First from existence. Adam Warlock was an anomaly that would gladly sacrifice all creation to know why he had been murdered by the great powers of the universe. But he would not sacrifice it to ruin by using the Gauntlet now. He would wait. He would help to defeat the First and then he would gather his armies for his own quest at a later date. He would find his own personal answers on another day. For now however, he merely watched the blackened sky and mused how, for all his omnipotent might, he could not be brave and sacrifice himself. How he could not explain any of this to a twenty two year old girl.