Willow wasn't feeling very well the next Reset, throwing up in the girl's bathroom within minutes. Buffy looked worried as she watched her friend clean her face.
"You okay, Willow?" Buffy asked, not used to seeing a sick Willow, "Was it something you ate?"
"Uh, no, this hasn't happened before, Buffy," the redhead replied, "Let's go find Xander."
"Okay, but what's Xander got to do with you being sick?" the blonde teen asked.
"I don't know, Buffy," Willow replied, "But he's the one I need to ask."
An hour and a half later, the entire group assembled in the library for the 'short version' of the Reset Tale, ending with Willow's apparent illness.
"We'll go through another couple of Resets," Xander declared, "And I've picked a couple of costume changes I think will draw off enough of the sick memories of Hainsley to where I really will think life is good and I'm ready to move on. Also, I'd like Jesse, Willow and Dawn to think really hard as to what they think might make a difference to me."
"But Xan," Jesse said confused, "I haven't been around in a while."
"Yeah, but you still remember the way I was before all this supernatural stuff started to happen," Xander said, "And maybe you'll think of some minor things no one else would, and since you guys'll only tell me, no embarrassment."
"That's very sensible Xander," Giles agreed, nodding, "So what else is on your agenda?"
"Well, if Willow's having trouble, she should probably sit out at least this Reset costume possession," Xander conveyed, "And we'll see if she feels better or worse after the next one."
"So how about Tara wearing my costume," Willow suggested, smiling at the blonde girl, "Let someone else try it."
"But it's Cassandra, Wills," Xander protested, "Her time with the Horsemen was not of the good even if she probably has the skills and training you'd expect."
"Well it's up to her, Xander," Willow replied, "And I was going to ask her if she knew the show and character."
With some Faith-coaxing, the blond girl agreed, inside hers mind figuring that after what she'd gone through before leaving her family, this couldn't be too bad since the worst would have the perspective of three thousand years.
As the group broke up, Jonathan's 'counter bad mojo with good mojo' plan continued with Xander as Galahad, Dawn as Joan d'Arc, Doyle as Lancelot. Jonathan, to gain more Immortal perspective and to counter the general bloodiness of Kaspian and broodiness of Longinus with an Immortal that seemed to enjoy life, chose to dress as Juan Ramirez D' Villalobos, his favorite Highlander movie character. Tara would go as the Immortal Cassandra, the witch that also had learned the hard way about life and its unfortunate moments.
This costume trip was meant to be a short detour, one in which the young people could feel as one that they could fight the Darkness and hold it back, and it was, but as Faith and Kendra broke the spell after only ten minutes, back at the Library, some things remained after the magic had dissipated.
Xander found himself surrounded by many of the lingering follow-ons from the chaos ebbing, Gurney Halleck's crysknife, the Rivan Sword, Galahad's Shield, and Duncan Idaho's two crysswords. Dawn with Chani's crysknife, Doyle with Lancelot's sword and Liet Kyne's crysknife. Jonathan's eyebrows rose as these 'holy' materials seemed to remain, and a few minutes later he reentered the library as the two slayers raced back into the building.
"Hey guys!" Faith addressed the group, "That Ethan guy was nearly dead when we got there. Any idea of how to end this thing before we all get the same? Hey, Jonathan, nice stick."
"It's the Spear of Longinus ," the young man declared, causing the Watchers and Xander to cease conversation and look over at him, "I-I think it's probably been with me since I dressed as him."
"Hold onto that Jonathan," a serious Xander pressed, "If you know how to use it, it's probably one of the holiest relics in existence."
"W-What's the big deal about a spear, Xander," Faith asked, looking at it as Jonathan carefully set it on the table.
"It's the spear used to mercifully shorten His time on the Cross, Faith," Xander softly explained, "So if it is used against a vampire or other evil demon…any hit probably poofs a vampire."
"Whoa…" the nominally-Catholic girl appreciated, stepping back a foot.
"W-why are they still here, Xander?" Willow asked, "And why don't I feel all that great?"
"We must be getting near the end of this, one way or the other," Xander considered thoughtfully, "And I think once I can put aside the remainder of what darkness I'm feeling, I'm ready to move on. And I think we should maybe have a Party next Reset to get us in the mood for the up-coming end to this long journey. I'll want Joyce there, because even if she doesn't remember it, I'd like for it to go into the Book." The library doors opened, allowing the entrance of a large, well-dressed black man in a very nicely tailored tweed suit.
"Greetings, everyone," the man addressed them as Kendra began walking toward him, "Ah, Kendra, I'm glad you are alright." He looked around the room, making eye contact with the three Watchers, "I am Samuel Zabuto, Kendra's Watcher, here to lend a hand in whatever needs to be done."
Giles, followed by Linda and Wesley, moved forward and offered his hand, "I-I'm Rupert Giles, Buffy Summers' Watcher. This is Linda Pryce and Wesley Wyndham-Price, both arrived similar to yourself and assisting with the research and planning aspects of our tasks." Pleasantries were exchanged, and the others in the room introduced, Xander last.
"So Mr. Zabuto," Xander maturely addressed the Watcher in a very slight British upper class accent, as he quietly took the Watcher aside, "I've noted that Kendra's efficiency and kill rate has increased dramatically since her and two friends formed a small triad. Some time loops they've used guile, magic and proper tactics to eliminate four score vampires. As an ally to her group, and that of Mr. Giles, I've begun adding sword and staff training to the Slayer skills to a greater extent, and should you remain in Sunnydale for any length of time, you have my offer to continue with this."
"You seem a little young, Mr. Harris, to make such an offer," Samuel Zabuto responded quietly but in a tone expecting further information.
"As a result of dressing in costumes that possess and leave behind memories including skills," Xander explained, "I have several thousand years of practical experience, and am the one who defied prophecy and caused there to be two Slayers." The Watcher looked at Xander for a moment then nodded.
"Very well, Mr. Harris, unless the Council compels us elsewhere, we accept your offer."