PART 4

"Ow!", Dawn exclaimed as Rick put a bag of ice on her jaw.

Rick smiled at the girl. "You did good young slayer", he said. "Tomorrow will be your last day with us. Be ready, they will be fireworks".

"What do you mean?", Dawn asked

Rick sighed. "The sponsors know I will betray them", Rick said. "They will call for reinforcements".

"But you have followers", Dawn said. "They can fight with you".

Rick shook his head. "No", he said. "My people are shipping out tonight. The only people I count on is my loyal fighters".

"So?", Dawn asked. "What are we going to do?"

Rick's smile grew wider. "I have arranged your match for tomorrow", he said. "A powerful vampire. Once the battle is over, the sponsors will kill me in the closing ceremony. That is where you will help me. I need you to fight along side me. We will have help, but I am counting on you".

"Angel?", she asked.

Rick nodded. "I want you to take it easy now", he said. "Tomorrow will be another day. Do not talk to anybody but me and the experienced fighters. My servants will be gone, as well as the prisoners."

Dawn nodded again. She didn't understand why she trusted the vampire in front of her. Something told her she should though. Rick left and locked the door behind him. Dawn walked towards the bed and laid down. One more day, she thought to herself. Than I will be free.

Dawn woke up and saw herself in a cold black desert. The sky was completely blacked out. A few dead trees were the only visible thing in the black dunes. "Welcome to slayer ground", a voice behind her said.

Dawn turned around and saw two young women approach her. One was brunette and seemed to be in her mid twenties. Her eyes though… they looked so old. She was dressed in white top and grey sweatpants. The other looked younger. She had long white hair and was dressed in black pants a top with a black trench coat.

"Who are you?", Dawn asked trying to control her voice. She felt it would break any second.

Both girls smiled. "I am Mary", the brunette said. "And this is Katarina". The other girl just waved and smiled softly. "We are both slayers…" the brunette paused a bit. "Well.. I am currently retired… and Katarina is not been called yet".

"Is this a dream?", Dawn asked.

"It is called astral projection", Mary said. "Right now your body is in Rick's room. Yet your mind is here with us".

"You didn't do it by yourself though", Katarina said. "We gave you a hand".

"Why did you call me?", Dawn asked.

"Well", Mary said. "You were scared. Who can truly support you in this moment but people in your line of work".

"I am not a slayer", Dawn said. "This is just a big mistake. My sister was a slayer".

"Ah", Katarina said as she closed in to Dawn. "But you are a slayer. Your sister tried to run from it. She was witness that it can't be done. It follows you. You discovered your powers. You have to accept them".

"Dawn", Mary said. "Your sister's blood runs through you. It is a gift. You are here for a reason. You are to protect those that need protection. The helpless and the needed. You are a soldier against darkness. Not by destiny, but by the fact that you have the ability to do so".

"It has nothing to do with fate", Katarina said. "It is because of who you are. You are Dawn Summers. Sister to Buffy Summers. You are made of her. She is in you now".

"How did…"

"In due time", Katarina said. "Remember what she said. You have to protect them. Your friends. You have to… until…"

"Until what?", Dawn said. The tears slowly started streaming. "Buffy is dead! She is dead!".

"She is not dead", Mary said. "She just waits. Your sister will be by your side again. She will never leave this world with her work not finished. Our work has just begun. The fight against darkness is not over".

Dawn kneeled down and cried. "I don't understand!", she exclaimed. "What does it all mean?"

Katarina knelt down beside her. She hugged the young girl. "Do not worry Dawn?", the white haired girl said. "Live. Follow your heart and you will never go wrong. Friends are forever. We will never let you fall".

Dawn stopped crying. She felt her heart grow. A sudden peace reached her deep inside. Both slayers smiled at her as the world turned white as day.

Dawn opened her eyes. She saw Rick packing a few things into small bags. She than gave the bags to Dee. "Make sure these things make it".

Dawn stood up just as Rick waived off his servant. She looked in the mirror. She seemed ok. The bruises were disappearing. She looked at Rick and saw the vampire smile. "What?", she asked.

"You look like my sister ", he said as he walked towards the closet. "Long dark hair. Beautiful eyes and kick ass attitude. Very protective and very cautious, but always with a hell of an instinct".

"Wow", Dawn said as she sat on one of the chairs. "I didn't think of myself that way".

Rick smiled as he pulled a long dress from the closet. He than motioned Dawn to stand up. "She is also very modest", he said as he put the dress on top of Dawn's body. "She does not brag about the power she has".

"What are you doing?", Dawn asked pushing the vampire away.

"There is a party today", Rick said as he put the dress on the bed. "And that outfit you are wearing ain't for this type of event". Dawn looked at her clothes. She frowned. "The party is a legacy", Rick continued. "It is what makes the closing ceremony what it is. You will meet some demons that are quiet friendly. They just live to duke it out. To see who can reign supreme".

"And why am I going again?", Dawn asked.

"Today after the party", Rick said. "It will be your final battle. The new fighters who reach this point are always invited. As well as the ones that enter the thing for pure gamble. Those get the four star treatment".

"You mean the treatment I am getting now?", Dawn asked with a smile. "So you can have them back for next year".

"Is it working for you?", Rick asked returning the smile.

"No", Dawn said flatly as she crossed her arms.

"Oh well", Rick said shrugging his shoulders as he walked back to the closet. "That still doesn't mean I am not going to invite you next year. Offering you a better environment". Saying that, he pulled out a pair a black low heeled sandals from the closet. "I knew I had these in here", he said as he put them on the foot of the bed.

"What if I don't want to go?" Dawn asked.

Rick smiled as he walked out of the room. "I can't force you", he said. "But your friends will be there. Remember, it will start in three hours". Saying that he closed the door behind him.

Dawn frowned. The vampire had done it again. Dawn wondered how can a manipulative being still be existing in this planet. She looked at the garments. They could fit. She sighed and grabbed the dress.