Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back! I have Mase stuck in my head. Well, for the past three days I've been home, in the dark, without TV or Computer!! Agh! For one of those days I had no electricity, so it was wicked hot, and I ate room temperate Chef Boyardee.:-P Quite gross. Anyways, I have AC and I have suitable conditions for writing the next chappie. Can I hear a woot woot?

Oh, by the ways, I made a tiny error. I'm not sure if anyone noticed it, but Spike inhaled. Now, normally Spike cannot breathe, so I thought we could pretend that he inhaled, like a real human would, except that no breath was drawn to his lungs. K? Alright, now on with the show!

Disclaimer: I am a disclaimer who is disclaiming this claimed claimer. Make sense?

Silvery white moonlight shone mutely on the faces of the valiant night warriors as they approached their destination. The night was abnormally cold, the tight winds sending blistering lengths down their spines. They were in the old, abandoned part of town, the places where unimaginable creatures lurked and fed off of poor, unsuspecting bystanders. They passed many old buildings of Sunnydale, some with rotting roofs and others with no roofs at all. Some buildings were home to criminals, others only residents were a few bats. But their mission was chosen, their hearts were set, and their fears were conspicuous.

"Another block and a half," cried the red-headed Wicca, strolling alongside Xander and Giles. A sphere of glittering blue magic was formed in the palm of her outstretched hand, making her usually pale skin glow milky.

The Slayer nodded her reply. She walked in front of the band of do-gooders, pacing herself and counting the seconds until their battle. Spike had given her new confidence, not only in heart, but in spirit. Besides that fact, he was also trailing behind them, walking deviously in the shadows.

Dawn, Anya, Xander, Giles, Willow and Buffy continued walking. Their shadows cast ghostly figures upon the passing structures, making the most fearsome demons' skin crawl. Each was set with a face of determination and strength, their love for each other and loves for themselves burning their cores, begging for release.

"This is it," said Anya, following their gaze up the ten story building to the rooftop above."

"This is it," confirmed Buffy, her wits about her. They all made a move to follow behind, but Buffy stopped them.

"Wait here. I want to see if everything's okay up there."

Giles stepped out. "No, Buffy, not this time. We're coming with you."

Buffy smiled gratefully, and in turn looked at each of them. "This is it," she said once more.

High, high above the mouth of Hell stirred a very unholy force, something greater than any of them could envisage. Yes, the Rysterca was indeed up there, but he was not without help.

Crimson, spiraling winds encircled the large rooftop, shimmering brightly against the midnight sky. Large pillars of red-hot fire rose disastrously ten feet in midair, hovering over the surface of the building. The Rysterca was lost in translation, muttering his ever-so-infamous incantation over and over again. His fiendish head was lifted to the dark night, his form glowing with his usual gleam.

Suddenly, out of the eerie cold silence came a loud bang as the door to the rooftop was knocked down by Buffy's high heeled roundhouse kick. All of the Scoobies came pouring into the scene, each spread out and in their fighting stance.

"Well well," said the Rysterca in his velvety voice. "I see that my word was heeded. And what can I expect from this overdue visit?"

"Here's the deal," Buffy said, stepping out from shadows. "You tell us your plan, about the prophecy you just have to fulfill, and we'll see if we're up to it." Her hands rested promptly on her hips, awaiting an answer from their foe.

The Rysterca took a step forward, revealing himself more than before. He was clad in blood stained robes of silk material, pure gold silk on the hood and on the cuffs. He handled a black book of mystical interpretations in his hand, which instantaneously disappeared. He lifted his grotesque arm and pulled the hood off of his head, revealing his toothy smile. "That, dear slayer, will be revealed, but not quite yet. I'm afraid you're going to have to wait..." He looked up into the sky above, studying the swirling red winds, "another five minutes."

Buffy also took a step forward. "I'm thinking you can tell us now, and leave the details for later."

The Rysterca smirked, and watched the gang as they stared in distaste, Willow with her blue magic and Xander and Anya with their sharp weapons. He bowed his head slightly, his hands in front of him like a gentleman. "Very well, if you insist."

Going over to the nearest pillar of fire, the Rysterca pulled out a dark earthen box out of the flames, clad richly with diamonds, pearls and rubies. Walking back towards the group, he held out the box in his outstretched arm, which lifted into the air, hovering inches from his bony fingers. "Do you know what this is?"

Buffy looked carefully at the box, remembering the time when her voice was swept away and deposited inside of a box similar to this one. She then looked up at the demon, a trace of sarcasm in her voice. "A jewelry box?"

The demon chuckled, slightly amused. "This box is part of the ancient prophecy. It has been in my tribe for thousands of years, waited to be opened once more, just like it was before."

"What happened before?" Buffy asked, curiosity taking the better of her.

Somehow, the Rysterca knew she would be curious. "This box was opened before, only for the most powerful slayer in the world. The only one," he added, "more powerful than you."

Buffy looked slightly disgruntled, but the demon went on.

"The slayer I am talking of, of course, is the first slayer. Hacset sycentente." When Buffy said nothing, he kept on. "During her time, the first watchers commanded us to use our spells to make her the most powerful slayer in the world. She would have no set-backs, nothing to keep her from destroying all evil. Of course, she would not destroy us, not even if she could. We were too powerful and too wise to be destroyed by the powers that be, even the Wolf, the Ram, and the Hart."

All of the Scoobies turned to each other, all equally sharing an untold fear. Buffy let down her guard slightly. "What was the spell? What made her the way she was?"

"Patience, dear slayer. The ancient watchers told us to conduct a spell that would take away her emotions most compelling to her. The ones that would weaken and possibly destroy her. The ones that were foolish and unwise to listen to and feel." His smooth voice grew low and sinister. "We took away her love."

Buffy's face grew pale. She steadied herself and removed her hands from her hips, her frame unmoving, yet intimidated.

The pillars of fire continued to rise and glow. The Rysterca's voice was bloodcurdling and slow, as if forced by something that he did not possess. "Do you know why I have set the spell on you? To make you realize that love in a foolish emotion, that it causes damage and recklessness and nuisances that can be avoided if you did not feel this emotion at all. I have the power to take it all away, to make you stronger than you ever imagined."

Buffy walked over closer to the Rysterca, nearly fifteen feet away. "Let me tell you something. Your tribe and the first watchers made her weaker by taking away her love." At that moment, Spike crept in, listening to her disposition. "Without love, the first slayer was nothing more than half demon, if only not wholly. Love may destroy, and it may break people apart and away from each other, but love is what keeps us strong." Her voice rang out, confident and strong, against the swirling winds of fury. "And I would never give that up."

"Slayer, slayer, do you not realize that even if you do not accept my proposition, you have no power over it? The first slayer shall rise again, and she shall be the queen of this damned world, whether you like it or not. And our race of demons shall rule over all other demons, and the human race shall serve us only!" A glint of anger raced through his bloody eyes.

The others starred, the winds rushing past them and devouring their hopes. "You, Buffy Anne Summers, cannot stop prophecy."

"Maybe she can't," called a voice. "But I can."

In the threshold to the door of the roof came Tara, standing tall, a large ball of clear green energy surrounding her body. Her hair was streaming behind her, her usually limp head held high above her chest. Her eyes glowed a dangerously venomous emerald.

The Rysterca heaved a laugh. "Another witch? This one is filled with much love, for the red-headed Wicca, I see. And yet, I detect another emotion."

"Yeah," Tara said, her voice rough and low sounding, like it was filled with magic she was not capable of. "Anger!" Smaller green balls of energy emerged from her open palms, flying directly towards the monster.

Preparing for the attack, the Rysterca sent his own red flame balls straight towards the girl, their magic mingling with each other, both fighting for triumph. After a few moments, Tara's power gave way, and she was defeated. Her form disappeared, and instead reappeared inside one of the glowing fire pillars. Rushing towards the pillar, Willow was thrown back by a force field blocking the way.

"You should have known, witch. Your Tara is not harmed, not now for that matter. But I'm afraid that until Buffy's love is taken, you shall not be released." Suddenly, many pillars of fire emerged from the sky, blocking all ways out, including the doors and the edge of the roof. "None of you."

Cliffie! Dun dun dun. Well, this is indeed the climax to my epic tale, so to receive its full action-packed ending, you must review! And please, if you've reviewed previously, or have just read this story for the first time, please send some reviews my way! Encouraging ones are great! Man, I just watched the season finale of season 7, it was so sad! I've seen it before of course, but still, I was about to cry! And I laughed too.
Spike was hot. It was a great episode, although I didn't think it was when I first watched it. D-word, Spike WAS hott!! Oh, sorry...

Thanksies to the reviewers, but still, I'd like more of you!! To whoever reviews to this chapter will receive an especially large chocolate fudge filled brownie!! Mmmm!!

Electricgurl: I'm very happy you liked the last chapter! Hehe. I gave you more Spuffy, woot woot!! Yes, Spanish is muy bien. Como se llama usted? Me gusta Spike. Lol. (I just said I like Spike to anyone who doesn't know..learn! J/k) Thanksies!!

Jobe: A story can never have enough Spuffy! Lol. Thanksies for reviewing!!

Cordy18: Thanksies for your review!!

Alright, mi amigos. On you mark, get set, REVIEW!!

Xoxox,

Heidi