Chapter inspired by: "Our Farewell" performed by Within Temptation
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The Scoobies could feel themselves flying through a vortex-type tunnel. There were swirling green lights everywhere, and within them were moments that the Scoobies recognized from their time in Tulsa. They saw their new friends, their enemies, and the demons.
Flash
Dawn and Ponyboy sitting together on the Curtis' couch, looking at drawings. The two grin at each other when their hands brush, then blush at the thought of what the contact could mean.
Flash
Dally and Spike conversing on the matter of which side they want to join. Both men salute their drinks before downing them, then go to collect their friends.
Flash
Willow and Tara smile as they show Johnny some of their spells. He smiles shyly but eagerly, and leans in to see better. He accidentally bumps into Willow and cringes back, but she just smiles again and hugs him.
End Flash
Buffy, Willow, Dawn, and Tara sent silent goodbyes to the friends they made during their stay in Tulsa. Buffy sent a special goodbye to Two-Bit, as he was the one she had spent most of her time with. Willow and Tara were sorry to leave Johnny. He was a great guy, but they could both sense something in him that made them want to protect him from the world. Dawn looked longest at the images involving Ponyboy. She would always miss him.
Then they began to see flashes of the Tulsa gang that happened after the Scoobies left.
Flash
Ponyboy, Soda, and Darry stood next to one another, each drawing strength from his brothers. They had known that the Scoobies would leave eventually, but they still weren't prepared for it to be so soon. They didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.
Flash
Johnny and Dally stared unblinking at the spot where the Scoobies had last been seen. They both felt that, with the Scoobies went their only hope. Neither could understand the feeling, but both knew that they would never see those people again.
Flash
Two-Bit and Steve stood at opposite ends from each other, creating a square with the Curtises and Johnny and Dally. Neither knew what to do. Steve was feeling a mix of things. On one hand, he was glad things would be going back to normal, but on the other hand, the world seemed darker and colder without the personalities and vibrancy of the Scooby gang.
Two-Bit was uncharacteristically somber. Seeing the Scoobies departure, and Buffy's single-minded need to protect those she considered family made Two-Bit wonder what it was about her life that made her so family-oriented. She seemed to have had a much better life than any Greaser, apart from the Slayer thing, but she was even more attached to Dawn than the Curtis brothers were to each other. It just didn't make sense.
End Flash
The Greasers left the area after standing in silence for nearly an hour. By an unspoken agreement, they all returned less than two hours later, each with arms laden. They created a small memorial in tribute to their friends. They knew it wouldn't last long, but they felt that it needed to be done.
Flash
Angel was actually smiling as he arm-wrestled Two-Bit. Strangely enough, he truly enjoyed being among these people.
Flash
Anya nearly-patiently explained about the various alternate dimensions to Soda. He seemed truly excited about the idea of a world with horses and centaurs. As he continued to ask questions about the things she had seen and knew about, Anya began to open up further.
Flash
Giles sat with Steve, taking the time to show him anger-management techniques learned through years of training with the world's most one-of-a-kind Slayer. Steve enjoyed the fatherly feeling Giles gave off, and the thought that a father-figure was directing positive attention at him.
End Flash
The Scoobies landed in one of the cemeteries closest to Buffy's house. They all stood and, with Angel and Spike's guidance looked in the direction of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They all silently said their farewells to the friends they had just left behind.
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A/N: Nearly done! There's only one chapter left after that. Raise your hand if 'Hallelujah!'. Sorry, I just never thought nine chapters would take so long to write. And also sorry for again taking so long. I have an excuse this time though! I was busy moving! My computer just caught up with me. Please review and enjoy!
Thank You...
sweetypie15-Thanks a bunch. Sorry it took so long.
cowgirlnm-1-Thanks for not holding it against me. I've only done that for one story, and that was because of a mix of lack of reviews and fading interest in the fandom. One more chapter and this will be finished. What was I thinking? I wanted pizza, and the owner of the place said he loved it (makes you wonder about the guy) and basically sold me on it... Until I tried it. Thanks for the review, and sorry again for taking so long.
Tensleep-Thanks again, and I agree completely with the BBQ sauce. I still blame that pizza on the reason I wasn't as fond of Titanic as everyone else I knew was... There is an end in sight, and thanks for the comments. I didn't expect my cliffie to actually remain one for this long... Oops... Thanks once again!