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Time Bomb by Seven Sins
Chapter 5 - Undone
Posted: 8.28.04
Dawn's breathing stopped.
"Dawnie, what's wrong?" Willow asked, tentatively taking her hand.
Dawn forced herself to speak, "All of them? The one I asked for?"
Willow looked back at Giles, confused.
"Yes, all of our books have been destroyed, including the one you asked for," Giles said, stepping into the room, "Why?"
Dawn shook her head, "They can't be gone!" she yelled, "It wasn't supposed to happen like this! Why is it like this?!" she was screaming now, and Willow and Giles were completely at a loss for what to say to her.
"Dawn, what's wrong? What're you talking about?" Willow asked.
Giles shook his head and tapped her on the shoulder. Willow turned to look at him and he gestured for them to leave the room. Willow didn't look like she wanted to, but turned to leave with one last curious glance at Dawn.
"Rest, Dawn," Giles instructed, "I know this is a lot to take in, especially now, and I think it'd be best for you to just lie back down."
He followed Willow out of the room, and pulled the door almost all the way shut behind him. There was still a small crack, and Dawn strained her ears, trying to hear their conversation.
"Giles, what's wrong with her?" Willow asked.
Dawn was sure that by this point, Giles had his glasses off, and was rubbing them frantically.
"I believe that maybe she's in some sort of shock. Or denial. She could possibly have some type of head injury," he answered, "We have no idea what happened to knock her unconscious."
Dawn could see a flash of red through the crack as Willow shook her head in disagreement, "That book. The one she's asking for, you know what's in it. Well, what was in it."
"Yes, Willow, I know. But I don't believe that Dawn does. It's most likely some sort of injury that has her so worked up."
"And you think it's just a coincidence that she's asking for that particular book. What if..." Willow continued.
"No," Giles said firmly, "Dawn doesn't even process enough magical energy to make a spell that powerful work. And we don't have time right now to be running around with false accusations coming from a delusional teen-aged girl."
There was silence.
"You're right," Willow said, "It's just, I don't know," she took a deep breath that sounded as if she was trying to hold back tears, "If she did, we could change things. Make things different."
"I understand," Giles said, "I know it's difficult, for all of us. But eventually we're all going to have to accept that they're gone, and there's nothing we can do."
Dawn saw Willow nod, and felt anger building inside her again.
"Uh, guys," Dawn heard another voice say.
"Yes Andrew?" Giles asked.
"We have a problem. Another one."
"What now?" Willow sounded exhausted.
"They've found us."
There was a loud crash from above, and Dawn looked up at the ceiling.
"Damn," she heard Giles say, "Willow, get Dawn. We'll go out the back."
The door to the room burst open again and Willow rushed in, "Dawn, honey you need to get up. We have to leave."
"Why? What's going on?" Dawn said, not moving from where she sat.
"The First," Willow rushed over and threw open a door to her right, grabbing the contents on a shelf inside and dropping them into a bag on the floor.
"The First?" Dawn asked, "He's here? But.."
"Listen," Willow turned back around to face her, "There isn't much time to explain. But the First, he's corporeal now, and he's after us."
Dawn shook her head, "What?"
"I'll explain everything to you when we're safe, now come on!" Willow grabbed her arm and pulled her from the bed. She pointed to a pair of sneakers sitting against the wall, and Dawn hurried to put them on. They ran out of the room, and Dawn followed Willow down a hall. They rounded a corner, and almost ran right into Giles and Andrew who were standing next to a large metal door with the word 'exit' written on it in big red letters.
Not a word was said as the door was pushed open and Giles stepped out. He was the only one that got a chance the step out.
He stopped dead, and Andrew ran into his back.
"Going somewhere?"
Dawn gasped.
Buffy stood in front of Giles, her arms crossed over his chest, and a smirk spread across her face.
Giles took a deep breath, "You're not Buffy," he said, "Don't think you can fool us."
Buffy shook her head, "Oh, but I could fool Faith."
The First switched forms, and then Faith stood before them. Dawn looked over at Willow, and saw a combination of anger, fear, and sorrow flash through her eyes.
"Faith's dead?" Willow asked.
"Faith's dead!" The First said gleefully, "And now you're gonna be dead too!"
There was no time to react before an army of uber-vamps appeared behind her and rushed toward them. She heard Andrew scream and pull a cross out of his pocket, holding it up in front of him. One of the vampires grabbed his arm and twisted it until the cross fell to the ground with a clatter. Less than a second later, his neck was broken and his body fell to the ground next to it.
Dawn's hand flew up to her mouth in shock, and she spun around to find Giles and Willow fighting as much as they could, but there was only so much they could do.
But no one was coming after Dawn. She was confused. Why was no one trying to kill her?
She spun around to face the First, who had returned to Buffy's form. She was smiling at her. A wide, sarcastic smile. Dawn couldn't remember hating anyone more.
She heard Giles cry out, and turned around just in time to see him fall to the ground, a sword protruding from his chest. Willow was still fighting. Using magic now. Some sort of spell that was forming a shield around her, protecting her from the vamps.
The First rolled Buffy's eyes and sighed, walking over to her, and right through the spell. Willow gasped and stared at her, confused.
"That's a funny thing about magic," The First said, pulling the sword out of Giles, and looking over at Dawn, "It never quite works the way you expect."
The sword impaled Willow's chest, right through her heart, and she stared down at it for a moment, before she too fell down to the ground, lifeless.
Dawn screamed.
The first looked annoyed, "Tie her up and get her quiet!" she ordered two of the vamps.
They obeyed, and grabbed Dawn's arms, throwing her back against the wall. Dawn struggled, but it was no use. They had her tied in less than five minutes, and she had given up on screaming.
Once they were done and moved out of the way, Dawn found herself face to face with Willow again. The First stood next to her dead body, and was still smiling the same, sarcastic smile. Dawn glared at her.
"You know, I guess I should be thanking you," The First said, stepping over Willow's body, "If it weren't for you, who knows what could have happened down in that basement."
Dawn struggled against the ropes, even though she knew it was no use.
The First shook her head and sighed, "You're taking this a lot better than your sister did."
And then she was staring at Buffy, who continued, "I made her watch them die too. All those girls? She got to see each and everyone one of them die slow, painful deaths."
Dawn continued to glare at her, her eyes following as the First paced the alley. Tears were building behind her eyes, and she could felt a lump in her throat. But she wouldn't cry. She'd never give the First the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
"It's a damned good thing you disposed of that necklace. Or amulet," she shrugged, "Whatever the hell it was called, it could have ruined everything , if that vampire had worn it."
She changed, Buffy's features melting into Spike's, "Who knows what could've happened."
Dawn inhaled sharply, realization clouding her mind. This was her fault. They were all dead because of her. Willow had been right about the spell.
But she could still change it, if she could just remember the counter-spell. But it had been a long, and in Latin. It was a lot to remember. But she could try.
The First, however, continued to talk.
"I made her watch him die too, you know," he lay a hand on his chest, "But he went last. After I killed all the rest. But I still dusted him. She stopped fighting then and gave up. I think watching him turn to dust had been enough for her to realize she wouldn't win. 'Course, that took all the fun out of killing her."
The First turned to look at her, "Are you listening?"
Dawn wasn't. She had her head dipped down and she was muttering what she could remember to herself, "Laxo quis ego have perfectus...goddamnit, how'd it go after that!?" she hissed.
The First stared at her, "What are you doing?"
Dawn ignored him and continued, "Alieno quis ego..." her head was snapped up by the First, and she was looking into the eyes of her mother.
"You listen to me," she said, "You cannot change it. No matter what you do. Stop what you're doing now or..."
"Or you'll what?" Dawn asked, "Once I finish this spell, there's nothing you can do to stop me."
Joyce smiled, "You're not the only one who can play with time, you know. If the magic between you and the old one cross..." she trailed off.
Dawn's rage was building, and before she could control herself, her legs snapped out from under her and hit the First in the middle, sending her staggering backwards.
She almost fell, but caught herself.
"That was rude, Dawnie," Joyce said, "And just think, I was considering keeping you alive," she smiled, "Not anymore though," she turned to the two vamps that had tied her up, "Kill her."
They ran towards her, but never got a chance to touch her before she screamed.
"Deleo is totus quod licentia is quam is eram!" she screamed, and everything shook around her.
Dawn was breathing heavy when she opened her eyes this time. But she wasn't where she should have been.
She was still tied, but this time by her wrists. She was standing on top of an unstable platform and looking down into Glory's hell dimension.
She screamed again.
"Quiet!" she heard a voice yell behind her.
Dawn craned her neck to try and see what stood behind her. It was a woman. But she looked strange. Her hair had blue streaks for it, and her lips were the same color, but lighter.
"Please!" Dawn cried, tears streaming down her face, "Help me!"
"Why should I help something as disgusting as you!" Illyria spat, "You're the mortal that has been altering time. Mortals should never alter time!" she was pacing now, staring down at everything below her.
"Please! Can you help me?" Dawn asked again.
Illyria stopped and stared at her, "The small part of humanity that was left in me from Winifred Burkle feels pity for you," she said, and then resumed her pacing.
"Please," Dawn tried again, pulling at the ropes on her hands.
Illyria turned to stare at her, cocking her head to the side.
"Well isn't this interesting?"
Joyce stood behind Illyria. Dawn gasped.
Illyria spun around, "Who are you?" she demanded.
Joyce smiled, "I'm the First. I don't believe we've met," she held out a hand.
Illyria stared at it.
The First drew her hand back and frowned, "Fine. Anyway, I'm in the middle of taking over the world, so I'll just get what I came for and be on my way," she pushed past her towards Dawn.
She walked up to Dawn and began to untie the ropes on her wrist, "I told you, Dawn. Don't try to stop me. There's nothing you can do now."
Dawn looked away from the ropes back to Illyria, "I'll do anything! Help me!" she pleaded, tears pouring out of her eyes.
Illyria looked up at Dawn before stepping forward and grabbing the First's shoulder and spinning her around violently.
The First looked shocked, and then pissed, "Don't touch me."
"You will not speak to me in such ways," she said, "Your disrespect will be punished."
The First blinked, "Whatever," she said, turning back to Dawn, "I'm busy."
Illyria stared at her, anger filling her eyes as she glanced up at Dawn.
"Please," Dawn mouthed.
Illyria grabbed the First by the shoulder again, only this time, throwing her against the side of platform. The entire thing shook.
The First stared at Illyria, "God," she sighed, "I don't have time for this, you know!"
"I suggest you attempt to make some," Illyria said, pulling her up by the collar of her shirt and throwing her down.
The ropes on Dawn's wrists were untied, and she struggled to hold on as they fought. The First was fighting back, but she wasn't having very good luck against the ex-god. Illyria was pushing her closer and closer to the edge of the platform, and Dawn moved away towards the side. But she wasn't fast enough. The First was backed up as far as she could go towards the edge, and as Illyria reached out to push her off, she grabbed Dawn, and they both fell.
Dawn screamed and grabbed onto the edge. The First had ahold of her ankle, and she could feel herself slipping.
"Help!" she yelled up to Illyria, "Please!! Save me! Save everyone! Can you save us?" she was babbling now, rambling on and on out of hope.
Illyria stared at her, confused about why she felt so sorry for this pathetic human being who was moments from death. But she did, and because of that, she chose to help her.
And Illyria raised her hands and began work the power up inside of her, Dawn felt her fingers slowly slip off the edge, and she fell backward, screaming.
She hit the ground hard, her head bouncing off of the ground beneath her. Everything was a blur, but she knew it wasn't right.
She was in a white room, and the blue woman stood beside her, staring down at her.
And the last thing she remembered before falling unconscious was a very familiar British voice saying, "Dawn?"
A/N - Uh...R&R! That's about all I have to say right now..hm. Ooh you should visit the site, too! clik.to/vintagenostalgia