Twenty-Three-
(Buffy's POV)
It's time. Finally, the wait is over and it's time for everything to begin. I could feel the magic humming in the air. I stood in the entrance of the cave, gazing out into the darkened sky. It was supposed to be almost noon outside, but the eclipse made the sky dark and foreboding. I turned and looked at my militia. Demons they might be, they stood ramrod straight and gazed at me for instructions. Each second that passed, magic grew stronger and more thick in the heavy air. I could feel the 'good' magic that Dawn and Willow were conjuring on the other side of town.
Fools.
Like that would stop me.
"It would be wise to leave now." The male seer said, as the two came up behind me, Brett following them.
I nodded slightly, just wanting to wait and savor this moment. Connor was no where to be found, he had told me there were a few things that he needed to prepare, things that would be most helpful to me. I had told him to leave, but be quick so we could surprise Daddy-Dearest. I couldn't wait to see the horrified look on Angel's face when he saw his precious little baby boy was working on my side. Revenge would be mine, would be sweet.
I turned back my forces and smiled a slow, sinister smile.
"Let's go!"
*
(Dawn's POV)
I don't know if I can do this. Fight my sister. Maybe even kill her. Even with this weird, kick-ass power I have. Can I hurt Buffy? The only real connection to my mother that I have left? I might have too. It might be the only way to save us. To save her. Willow wants to restore her soul. She wants to 'help'. Doesn't she know that giving Buffy back her soul after all of this will only make her more self-destructive than the last time she brought her back? Even Angel agrees. And Spike. She's killed many people already. I know this. I saw her. She and some little follower she was with were walking through the park and then they came upon a couple and tore their throats out. I'll never forget that. The pure glee on my sister's face while she killed those innocent people. I almost screamed but that would have alerted her and she would have no doubt killed me.
"Dawn, are you ready?" Willow asks, her voice already deep with magic.
I nodded and took her hand. She started off the chant in Latin and I followed in English. We had to protect Faith. Willow had injected Faith with Buffy's blood and then sealed it with a bind. Faith had winced and you could feel the power grow within her. Faith eyes glowed an amber color but she didn't vamp out, thankfully.
I looked out the window and saw the moon move over the sun and felt a chill come over me as everything grew dark. Spike and Angel stepped out of the shadows and I could see Angel's eyes. They were dark and scared. He didn't want to hurt Buffy either, he loved her. As did Spike, but I think that Spike had a little thing for Faith. But, this was neither the time nor place and I wondered what would happen between the two if the circumstances were different. I shuddered as I saw shadows play over the building outside. People knew something was going to happen and they had locked themselves in their offices and houses. Something changed in the air and I grew alert. The ground seemed to be pulsing… And then it started to churn.
Earthquake.
*
(Faith's POV)
The ground started to shake and I grabbed mini-Buffy and hauled her to the doorway with the hot Billy Idol wannabe and me. Earthquakes. B once told me that she died right after an earthquake had happened and now they scared the crap out of her. I wonder if she's scared now? I haven't come face to face with her yet. B being evil, it's a hard thought to take in. The little-miss-goodie-two-shoes from years back is gone and replaced with a killing monster hybrid thing. I feel so damn guilty for doing what I did in the past and if she dies, it'll be worse cause I'd have never told her how sorry I was. For everything. I mean, she was like my sister. And, sure, I tried to kill her a couple times and everything, but the sisterly feeling never went away, for the both of us. I know this because we couldn't kill each other. Tried but failed. Close but not cigar. And now, I'm watched as the scoobies little shop is getting torn apart by the earthquake and I wonder just how in the hell we're going to get through this. We can't kill her, none of us can. The only one that may even try and succeed is Angel. And only because he loves her and doesn't want her to remain a demon forever. Or have a soul and deal with what she's trying to do for years to come. And, I know it'll tear him apart, only because Angel's that kinda guy. I wish I were as brave as him.
The shaking finally stops and we all know its time to go. Willow walks past us, her eyes black. She scares me now. I wouldn't put it past her to team up with B and end the world. Again. Angel leads Dawn and I out, the bleached blonde following him.
"Are you ok?" I ask Angel.
He looks at me and I can see how torn her is.
He shrugs, "It's not me you should be worried about."
"I'm not going to even try to kill her, you know? Stop her, stall her. Yeah. But, I won't have her blood on my hands." I said straight forward.
"I know. I don't expect you too. Just…don't let her distract you." He warns and I almost say it's not me she'll distract.
It won't be anyone but him.
*
(Cordelia's POV)
The only thing running through my mind is; I have been an idiot. What have I been trying to do these last few months? One up Buffy? Too late. Doesn't matter how many points I've got on her, she is going to kill me. For ruining her life in high school and trying to steal Angel now. I know he doesn't love me. He never did. After he found out that Buffy came back from the dead, again, he ran to me for comfort. To bury her. And being the bitch I am, I took advantage of that and tried to get him to love me. And, I don't even love him. I wanted too, very much. He's a safe zone. Can't hurt me too much if his heart isn't in it. And, I wanted to show Buffy that I could steal her man. I wanted her to see that any time I wanted, I could take away anything in her life. But, it backfired. I've got nothing now. Doyle hates me. And, that's all that matters now. She's got the friends, the family, the love f everyone she meets. And I thought I could have that too. But I don't and I never will. I just wish she had her soul back so I could tell her, and God I don't believe I'm saying this, but that I could tell her that I'm sorry.
And, instead of forgiving me, she'll rip my heart out and feed it to me. I am so screwed…
*
(Spike's POV)
It's about bloody time this is happening. We're getting closer to the battlegrounds, I can feel her power. It's not right. She shouldn't be this powerful. She shouldn't be tryin' to end the damn world. She should be saving it. But…she isn't. And, I don't know what to do. I don't think anyone does.
I look down at the other Slayer and she meets my gaze. Her eyes are old. Seen too much, been the cause of too much. I know that look. Poof's got that look and I'm pretty sure I got that look too. And, I'm bettin' that blondie will have that look after all of this is done. We two pairs we will be. Two slayers and two souled vampires. I chuckled slightly and the brunette looked up at me.
"What's so funny?" She asked me.
"Just thinkin' 'bout the screwed bloody lot of us…" I murmured, smirking down at her.
"Yeah. We are a little bit strange…" She murmured, then stuck out of hand, "Faith."
I grabbed it and shook firmly, a smile growing, "Spike."
She snorted and said, "I know who you are."
I looked at her, "What?" We had never met. I had just heard of her from Buffy.
She looked down and said, "Never mind. If we make it through this, maybe I'll tell ya sometime…"
We both stopped talking as we came upon the battlefield. It was where two big hills overlooked one another and met in a deep valley below, right on the edge go town.
"Come on." Angel ordered, leading us to the top of one of the hills. I could see shadows on the other hill and I just knew it was blondie on this other side.
I just knew it.
*
(Buffy's POV)
I step to the edge of the hill and gaze over to the white hats on the other side. Angel stands in front and I know, the fight will end with him and I. No matter who it starts out with, the two of us will determine who wins this battle. Thunder booms from the dark sky and lightening flashes.
"Bring me fire." I whisper as my seers come to stand behind me, chanting their magic. I watched as the sky seems to open and cry tears of fire. I watch with wide eyes as it scorches everything in its path. It truly looks like hell on earth and I then know it's time to start.
"Go!" I shout and my army rushes past me to the valley below. I watch and saunter down, feeling Brett behind me. I watch as my father calls to his troops.
"Looks like everything is going to plan, darling, but where, pray tell, is the boy?" Brett smirks.
I look around and cannot locate Connor he said he would meet me. Where the hell is he?
"What did you do to him?" I ask angrily.
"Oh, it's not what I did, it's what they planned against you." He whispers and turns me around. I see Connor and Angel walking side by side, advancing on me
"No!"
*
(Angel's POV)
I watch as my beloved turns toward us. Her eyes blaze in betrayal and fury. She actually thought she could turn my son again me.
"No!" She screams, her voice enraged.
Yes. Connor came to me after she took him and told me what she planned to do. How she planned to use him against me. We turned the tables around. Connor was her confider. She told him all of her plans and he made daily trips to me and told me of them.
"Connor… What are you doing?" She asked, her eyes yellowed and her lips snarling.
"You didn't actually think you could turn me against my Father, could you?" He asks mockingly.
"You played me!" She screams, her voice raw and angry.
"Yes. I did, didn't I?" He asks her, smirking.
"Damn you!" She says lunging toward him, only to be grabbed by Faith.
Her sister Slayer.
*
(Faith's POV)
I see B run towards Angel's kid and I can't let her hurt him. I grab her and spin her around, facing me. I punch her in the jaw and watch as she reels back. She stumbles back, holding her jaw and looks up at me, eyes glowing.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She snarls, circling me.
"You know. The usual. Trying to rid the earth of scum." I sneer.
She backhands me and I go flying.
Damn.
She's strong.
"Idiot. You just want to get on everyone's good graces. Try and win back their trust." She sneers, then shakes her head, "Not gonna happen."
I stand and roll my eyes, "We done talking? Kinda like to get to the fighting."
She smiles and runs toward me. I dodge her and grab her wrist, flipping her to the ground. She sweeps her feet under mine and then straddles me, pressing her hands around my throat.
I claw her face and reopen the scars on her face.
She screams and I use that to my advantage, rolling from under her and getting up. She was right behind me and grabbed me by my hair, pulling me back. She held a jagged rock to my neck and started to press.
No.
I'm going to die.
*
(Dawn's POV)
Through everyone fighting, I see Faith and Buffy in the middle, Buffy about to slit Faith's throat. God, no. Angel and Connor are too far away and they can't reach her. I can feel the power within me as I scream,
"Buffy!"
She turns to me and I reach out my hands, feeling the neon blue power slip from my, past all the fighting, and into Buffy. She screams with pain and I can see that man, Brett, running to her. I turn my head sharply and the magic kills him. He drops to the ground, dead. Buffy is frozen within the power and I can still hear her screaming. Willow grabs my hands and her power surges through me.
She screams, "GODS BIND HER!"
And a lightening bolt zaps to the ground and into Buffy. Her screams become louder and I wonder just what s happening. The fire from above still falls, but it seems to be lessening.
God, let this be over!
*
(Willow's POV)
I can feel Dawn weakening. I try and give some of my energy to her so Buffy won't become free. She is trapped for now, but the fighting still goes on. Angel and his son fight side by side, taking down some of Buffy's demons.
I can see a figure on the hill and wonder what the hell it is. It has horns and shiny, rock-like skin. It rushes to the field and stomps on the ground, making it shaky and throwing everyone off balance. Dawn falls and it breaks to connect between her, myself, and keeping Buffy locked. Buffy overpowers me when I fall to the ground. Her eyes are wild and she screams to the beast-like creature,
"KILL THEM!"
The creature rushes to us and Dawn scrambles up, a bit woozy. I see Xander grab her from the corner of my eyes.
"Give me strength!" I scream to the heaven above and feel a new surge of power run through me. I throw power at the beast and he stumbles, but doesn't stop.
He starts to kill the men Mr. Summers had brought, tearing their limbs off as if they were toothpicks. Our numbers are lessening and I know I have to do something. I move to the edge of the field and draw a circle, with the toe of my shoe, around me. I sit cross-legged and start to chant the spell I had created.
"Gods of this world, hear my plea. Save your warrior, lost. Reach your hands to me and let my body be the vessel of your magic. Bind her to this world! Bind her to humanity! Restore the core that separates us from the beasts! I call upon you! Grant her, her soul!" I screamed into the wind, my eyes closed to the dangers around me.
Oh God, please let this work.
*
(Buffy's POV)
Anger flows through me as I slaughter my fathers men. Their blood is on the ground and on my skin. I am winning. All will be mine. I gave around and see Willow on the ground, chanting. She cannot be doing what I think she is going. I start to run to her, but fire seems to rush through my veins and I fall to the ground, writhing. My body seems to burn. I think I'm dying. Then my body feels tight, like it's being filled, and I want to scream. She can't do this. I have to fight it!
No!
She's giving me my soul!
And, everything disappears until I find myself face to face with the Oracles. Not mine. The Powers' Oracles. I fall not my knees and they begin to speak.
"You're soul is returned to you, brute. Only you have the power to stop what's happening to the world. Only you and you alone can stop the battles."
"No!" I cry, my body and mind hurting, "Take it away!" I scream.
They just look at me, "No."
And, then I'm gone. I'm back in the midst of the battle and I freeze. I did this. I made this happen. I'm responsible for all these deaths, and many more. I ended the world when I should be trying to save it. No! Tears stream down my face as I watch. The Beast I called upon tears people apart and the many demons I called upon kill mercilessly. I stand up shakily and set my feet apart.
"STOP!" I scream, my voice torn, "STOP ALL OF THIS!"
Since, I am their superior, they listen. Everyone does. I can't meet anyone's eyes as I say, "It's over!"
Brett, sensing the change in me, rushes forward, "You can't do this!"
"I can and I did." I said brokenly, "I started it and now I'm stopping it."
His hands are on my throat then and he's strangling me, "This was my plan until you waltzed in! You won't stop this!" He screams. I shove him off of me and in his craze he rushes to me again only to have me snap his neck. His body falls to the round brokenly and I sink to my feet, weeping silently.
Just let me die…
Everything is quiet now. My demons are destroyed and bodies pile on the ground. No one comes near me. For that, I am grateful. I don't move, can't move. The thought of what I had done weighs me down and I hope it'll crush me.
"It won't." A voice said.
I looked up slowly and saw the Oracle, the good one, standing before me. I stare at them brokenly and whisper, "Just leave me alone."
"No. You were the cause of this massacre, this bloodshed. And, now, you will bear the consequences." They said.
Everyone; Dawn, Connor, Angel, Faith, Willow, Xander, Anya, My Father, Giles Wesley, Spike, and I are all transported to what looks like a celestial court room.
The whole room was white and my friends were seated behind my while I was in a seat up front. Five cloaked people sat at a semi-circle desk facing me and everyone else. The middle one spoke.
"On the account of Buffy Anne Summers, Slayer of Sunnydale, you are now in judgment for the murders and deaths of hundreds of people and for the bringing of the End of Days."
I knew they were the Powers and that I was about to be handed punishment on a silver platter.
Please let it be death.