Wow, got a fair share of review last update. A wholehearted thank you to: Miracle Angel Summers, Tutorgurltigger, Mony19, butterfly-grl4, Serrafina, Tsunamigal, Spk

AN: Disclaimer in first chapter. Buffy is called Joan here.

If somehow this is poorly written compared to the other chapters, I apologize in advance. I've stopped writing for a few weeks.

CHAPTER 9: DEEP THOUGHTS

She was back in the same old office. Her eyes searched around but there was no sign of the human-looking thing; she could sense him but can't see him.

"I know you're here," she called out firmly.

Before her sight, a crackle of dark light burst and then there he stood. His eyes roamed her whole body up and down; he smiled, clearly liking what he saw. "It's nice to see you again Miss Moonstrom. I see that the sword 'agreed' with you. You look beautiful."

Joan held up the sword in front of her, her eyes staring at her own reflection on the sword's blade. She lowered the sword back down. "I would have preferred to have black hair but I guess Princess has a thing for violet."

Her words brought out of chuckle in him. "That's true. She has a fondness for it. After all, in the old days, it is the color of royalty."

"I'm not really big on history."

"Yes, it appears most people dislike history these days," he sighed.

"Enough with pleasantries, let's talk shop," she requested.

"Of course. Did She tell you the sword's real purpose?"

"To get her out of prison?" she asked with a tiny voice.

"Good but we're not completely ready yet," he said.

"What do you mean?"

OOOBTVSOOO

In the library, Giles and Willow had their heads buried in a book. The two had the remaining Slayers alive here on standby and a great of the other divisions in case they needed an army for battle. They were not only facing Buffy but also the remaining army of the Princess, however many of them survived. Rupert Giles was confident that their army of Slayers would prevail. However, making sure that Buffy survives the battle is another issue. They might not have a choice but take the prime Slayer's life if their plan falls redeem her fall to pieces.

Willow closed a book and let out a heavy sigh. Obviously, the textbook proved to be unhelpful. She ran a hand through her rich red hair, thinking about Buffy. An important thought sparked in her brain. "Does Dawn or Xander know what's up with Buffy?"

"No, they have no idea. I figured it would be best if we resolve this conflict before we do," Giles said without looking up from his book.

"Good call. We don't need them going here just to be in danger. I don't think Xander's yellow-crayon speech works on Buffy. So what now?" Willow asked.

Giles laid the book he was searching through down on the table. "We must stop Buffy from releasing this Princess."

Willow nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but how? We don't even know where they're going to do it."

"It's going to take place somewhere in Rome," Giles began. "The book doesn't give any specific place but they would have to do it where the dimensional barrier is weak. We'll ask for the assistance of the Coven in England in 'sensing' such location."

"Oh cool! Can I help them?" Willow asked excitedly.

"I suppose but we still don't know when they're going to perform the ritual," Giles pondered.

"They'll do it ASAP as in the next few hours so we need to act now," Willow suggested.

"Yes we do need to act now," Giles agreed. "Though I doubt they'll do the ritual right this moment. They would need immense preparation as Buffy and whoever she does the ritual with will be helpless and vulnerable. I'm certain that they know we're coming after them so they would have to set up some kind of protection. Something that will hold a throng of Slayers back. There couldn't have been more than five soldiers that survived the Princess' army as they were hunted by the remaining Order of Kaerlyn in their lifetime," the Watcher stated.

"So whomever would have to turn to vamps and demons," Willow finished Giles' thought. "Ha! That's a piece of cake Giles! The Slayers are experience enough and certainly good enough to plow through some chock full of baddies." The witch's voice rose slightly with a hint of giddiness in them. This was their first time facing an impending major supernatural disaster after Willow's Slayer spell.

"Yes, on paper it should be," Giles agreed. Willow's eyebrow scrunched up in question. "However, they know that we're coming and they'll be prepared for us too."

"We could be walking into a trap..." Willow supplied.

"Yes. Have you worked out the details of the spell?" Giles referred to the spell that would save Buffy.

"Yeah, it's all set. I need the Scythe though. I'll use it like a 'receptacle' for my spell and then fire it on Buffy's sword. If everything goes all right, the Scythe's essence, part of it, should go with the blast..." Willow informed him.

"I see; with the Scythe's essence, it would make the spell much more effective. Effective enough to go take the wards on her sword for granted and destroy the sword. That's very brilliant Willow!" Giles smiled.

Willow returned the smile and said her thanks. After another few rounds of small talk, the redhead prompted leave from the Watcher to check on Faith.

Faith. A name she thought would never come to like. As the redhead walked on, she pondered about her. She and Faith are actually getting along and they are -dare she say- friends. The wild Slayer wouldn't be participating in the upcoming battle. The stomach wound is simply too severe. Buffy really did her in. 'Well at least she's not in a coma,' she thought.

Buffy. That name made the Earth keep on spinning. It made the world safe. Hopefully, once again it will.

The redhead looked at her hands.

For now, Buffy is making the world quiver in fear. It's such an ironic turn of events. The savior is now a pawn of evil.

Willow studied her hands more deeply. She knew that if she looked hard enough, her eyes would start to see Buffy's fate sitting at her palms. Albeit she doesn't know what it looks like, it doesn't make that perception wrong. If she fails to do the spell, Buffy would most surely have to die. Have to die because of some stupid, royal possessing sword.

It was so painful when she first died. She never witnessed her death by the hands of the Master so she doesn't count it. Now, she wondered how much pain she would feel should Buffy die again. Little, because they had to kill her because she was evil? Massive, because the blonde could have live if the spell had work?

These deep thoughts hardened Willow's resolve. She won't fail her best friend; she will save her. Give her a second chance that she deserve. The girl more than deserved it. Fate had been so cruel to Buffy. Her mother, chosen destiny and the things that a normal girl enjoys that she never got to enjoy. Fate won't be delivering the final blow to Buffy by their hands.

Willow Rosenberg refuses to let it happen. Death won't be getting it's grimy hands on Buffy, she'll make sure of it.

The redhead finally arrived at the infirmary. After talking to a few personnel, Willow went into a room. She stared at the fragile, resting body of Faith's; just watching her chest rise and fall and the occasional beeping of the machinery. The sight of the wreck that is Faith sent ripples of doubt to her resolve.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I know not much action but this is sort of like a calm before a storm chapter.

The battle and what happens to Buffy will be decided on the next update. Hope you like.

Please R&R!