The Seer Chapter 8: Kiss Me, Be Kind, a buffy: the vampire slayer fanfic

Chapter Eight: Kiss Me, Be Kind

An explosion rocked the group to the ground and Luna groaned as she staggered back to her feet, dragging Dawn up. "Keep moving," she spat through gritted teeth as arrows continued to fly at them from all sides, the Knights of Byzantium relentless in their assault. Anya was being carried by Spike while Tara and Giles helped Buffy. The Slayer's head was bleeding profusely as she stumbled between them, having slammed it against the edge of the door as the trailer fell onto its side. Xander and Willow brought up the rear, both of them silent as they hurried behind the others, the spell Luna had cast keeping the arrows from hitting them.

As they reached the gas station they had seen in the distance, Dawn let out a cry of pain and Luna let out a string of curses as Buffy stirred weakly, lifting her head as she murmured, "Dawnie?"

"I hate it-"

The voice chilled everyone's blood.

"When people-"

It got closer.

"Touch what's mine."

Luna shoved Dawn into the group, spinning around to face Glory who laughed as she said, mockingly, "Oh, what now, little witch? Think you can beat me?"

"No," Luna said with a thin smile. "But I can hurt you. A lot."

"Do you really want to do that?" Caleb asked as he materialized from the shadows, the two Turok Han setting themselves on the Knights. Screaming arose as the others watched in horror, Spike grimacing as he shifted Anya in his arms at the smell of blood that rose quickly into the air.

"Look at you," Caleb said with a chuckle. "Protecting those who don't deserve it. Just like him."

"Shut up," Luna hissed through gritted teeth as she narrowed her eyes. "You killed him."

"Correction," a boy stepped out from behind Caleb, brown eyes filled with amusement. "He freed me."

Luna paled, her eyes widening as she whispered, "Jamie...?" stepping forward and causing Dawn to cry out in alarm. Immediately, the boy laughed and said mockingly, "Oh, Luna. How could you let me die?" as Caleb stepped through him and punched Luna in the face causing her to fly back through the air and away from Dawn.

The priest cracked his knuckles and said, "I do so love it when you do that..." before walking towards the Seer. The boy giggled and looked at the others as Glory smiled wickedly. "Now," the Hell God said walking forward. "Give me my Key..."

Spike snarled setting Anya onto the ground, Dawn gathering the older girl into her arms as she watched her vampire bodyguard say, "Why don't you and I have a go, love?"

Glory rolled her eyes as Spike stepped out of the barrier. "I don't play with vampires."

Spike grinned as his face shifted. "Who says we're playing?"

And then he lunged with a roar.

Buffy's head swam in pain as she tried to figure out what was happening. She could hear the sound of fighting and screaming, the smell of blood was in the air and fear filled her as she realized that Dawn wasn't near her, Dawn wasn't...

Something filled her then; something that had been lying deep inside her but she'd ignored it for months now. She lifted her hand to touch her brow, heard Giles's exclamation of, "Buffy!" as she rose unsteadily to her feet, hazel eyes fluttering open.

Dawn was holding Anya and crying.

Spike was fighting Glory; his lean form moving with the grace she remembered from all their fights, his face pulled back into a snarl as he fought Glory with all his strength. Fury filled her and she narrowed her eyes as something primal rose within her. She snarled, eyes flickering red as she murmured, "No more..." and stepped out of the barrier. As she walked forward, towards Glory and Spike, she could hear Dawn screaming something at her but it didn't register.

All she knew was that this ended now.

Luna grunted as Caleb kicked her in the stomach, rolling and crawling away as tears slid down her face. Caleb laughed and said, "I love it when they crawl. Makes the kill so much easier and sweeter."

"Get away from me," the Seer spat as she managed to get to her knees. She could hear the others thoughts, everyone's thoughts on the field, the Knights's thinking about their god's wish to destroy the Key, to hurt Dawn and she groaned as she rose to her feet, clutching her side.

The Turok Hans slammed against her and she shrieked in fury, her skin and eyes flaring silver as she burned them to ash, panting as she landed on the ground in a heap. Caleb clicked his tongue in disapproval as he squatted down, chuckling.

"Now, why," he began as Jamie materialized behind him. "Would you do a thing like that?"

"Don't you remember," Jamie asked mockingly. "You don't do that unless it's necessary Luna. Didn't I tell you that?"

"You're not real," she sobbed as she closed her eyes tightly. "You're dead, he killed you, you're dead..."

"I know I am," Jamie nodded seriously. "And you know, it's funny, but it's not so bad, being dead." He grinned. "You can do some cool things. Wanna see?"

Luna's eyes fluttered, tears spilling down as Jamie's face morphed into the Master. "I think you're going to learn something about yourself. You'll learn you're nothing but a sad, hopeless little girl with too much power for her to handle. The Slayer? She'll learn that evil is everything. And the rest of this world will learn to worship me." He laughed, as his eyes twinkled maliciously as he became the African Slayer. "What do you tink of dat?"

Luna smiled, eyes filling with silver once again.

"I think," she said as she began to glow again. "That you're going to lose a vessel tonight."

The First blinked and started as Caleb began to scream.

The Hell God laughed as she batted Spike aside, saying, "What are you going to do?" as Buffy walked up to her. The Slayer smiled, her eyes glittering red briefly before saying, "This." as red light shot out of her hands and wrapped around Glory, who arched her brows.

And then the Hell God screamed in pain as the light burned her skin.

Spike groaned as he rolled to his feet, rubbing his head. He sniffed the air and spun as an arrow shot at him, catching it in his hands. Spinning it around, he threw it right back at the knight, cursing as pain shot through his brow as the chip fired. Spinning around, his eyes widened as he saw Luna rise above them all, her body glowing silver as she poured her fury onto the priest, who snarled in fury.

Rushing foward, the Cockney vampire grabbed Caleb by the neck and twisted, grimacing in preparation for the pain as the neck snapped beneath his hand. Luna fell to the ground as Spike slammed his hand against his forehead but nothing happened.

And then, a scream rose in the air.

Dawn.

Buffy flew past the others as Glory swung out, the red light streaking through the barrier and causing it to shatter into thousands of pieces. Willow, Xander, and Giles all cried out as Glory laughed insanely, rushing forward and grabbing Dawn's hand.

"No!" Tara screamed reaching forward and grabbing Dawn's hand but the youngest Summers slipped through her fingers as she tripped over Anya's unconscious form. Dawn cried out, saying, "Buffy! Luna! Spike!" as the vampire began to run from where he stood. Luna staggered to her feet, shouting, "Dawn!" as she limped as fast as she could, tears spilling down her cheeks as Glory began to run, laughing all the while.

The First chuckled as it appeared before the Seer, saying, "Told you."

Caleb rose from where he'd fallen and Luna let out a gasp of surprise as the priest lifted her by the throat and began to squeeze. Stars began to dance in front of her and she thought, 'No, no, I couldn't have used that much power, I couldn't...' as she began to black out.

Suddenly, the sound of steel slicing through flesh echoed in her ears and she fell to the ground, gasping as she opened her eyes. Tara stood before her, a sword in her hands as she trembled, saying, "Luna..."

"Where's Dawn?" she gasped and tears filled the white witch's eyes as she said, "She's gone."

Luna's world shattered.

Dawn shrieked as she was thrown into the room, scrambling to her feet as Glory entered, eyeing her with a smile twisting her lips. The Hell God chuckled and said, "Do you know how long I've searched for you? Do you?"

The youngest Summers trembled as the Hell God paced before her, saying, "I mean, you know, it's not so wrong of me to ask for my property back, is it? I made you and that means you belong to me."

Dawn squeaked in fear as Glory grabbed her chin hard and said, "And you're going to make me so happy Dawnie. So, very, very happy."

Tears slid down her face as she whispered, "But I don't know-"

"What to do?" Glory finished and smiled. "You don't need to do anything. All you do is bleed."

Meanwhile, Caleb grunted and laughed as he rose up, causing Tara to cry out in horror as Luna turned to stare at him with dull eyes. He grimaced as he pulled the sword out saying, "Why you stupid little..." as he turned to glare at the two women.

The Seer said nothing even as Tara pulled on her to step away. The others watched from where they stood, Anya having woken groggily as Buffy stumbled towards the two with Spike's help.

"Luna," the Slayer called desperation written in her voice. "Luna, we need to find Dawn."

The Seer didn't answer; her gaze trained on Caleb as he laughed, saying, "You can't stop this. This is the end."

"Yes," the Seer agreed as she opened up her hand and a sword lifted into it. "It is." Her eyes narrowed. "I owe you pain."

And she struck.

"Dawn."

She refused to open her eyes but the voice persisted.

"Dawn."

No, she wouldn't look, she wouldn't look.

"Pumpkin belly."

Her eyes snapped open and Dawn gasped as she stared up into Joyce's face. "Mom?" she said voice trembling as the older woman smiled and nodded her head. With a strangled sob, the Key threw herself into her mother's arms, saying, "Mom!"

"Oh, baby," Joyce murmured soothingly as she rocked her from side to side. "My poor, poor baby."

"I don't know what to do," Dawn whispered and Joyce said gently, "You don't have to do anything. I'm here to help you."

"How?" she asked pulling away to look up into her mother's face. "How can you help?"

Joyce smiled. "By being there." She looked up. "Your sisters won't abandon you Dawn. And neither will Spike."

"Mom?"

"It's time, baby."

"Time for what?"

Joyce's eyes bored into hers. "Time for you to wake up."

Dawn awoke with a start, wincing as the pain in her neck and shoulder ached. Looking around the room from where she sat in the corner she had claimed. She licked her lips and swallowed as the door opened, fear filling her as someone came in. Her eyes widened and she said disbelievingly, "Ben?"

Ben smiled at her sheepishly, saying, "Hey Dawn."

"What are you doing here?" Dawn demanded then narrowed her eyes. "You're working for Glory aren't you? Oh my God, you are!"

"Dawn, no," Ben tried to interrupt but the teen refused to listen, merely slapped her hands over her ears and screwed her eyes shut. Ben sighed and squatted down so that he was sitting in front of her, saying, "Dawn, please? Would you listen?"

"No!"

Ben arched his brows in amusement as she peeked at him. "Please?" he said again and the Key sighed before dropping her hands. She chewed on her lip and said softly, "What?"

"I'm not working with Glory," he said and she sagged with relief as Ben continued saying, "Do you know even what the Key does? What it is?"

"I'm not an it," Dawn snapped, her eyes flashing green briefly causing Ben to start and scuttle away from her in surprise. He jerked and his face shifted as Glory's body appeared before Dawn, causing her to screech in shock and horror. Glory blinked and frowned, looking around as she said, "What...?" before glaring at Dawn.

"Murk!" she shouted and one of the little brown demons hobbled quickly into the room. Pointing at Dawn, Glory said through gritted teeth, "Anoint this thing, nonw!"

"Your most evilness?" Murk asked as he snapped his fingers, summoning two other little trolls. Glory snarled, running her hands up her arms as she said, "I want this thing out of me. This human meat-sack who's infecting me. Do your mojo, cut me open, but I want him out!"

"This I cannot do," the priest said solemnly as he finished anointing Dawn. "You risk terrible magics in opening the portal. Nothing comes without a price and this is yours."

"Gods don't pay," Glory snarled as she reached out and jerked Dawn forward roughly. Leaning forward, she hissed, "Make me feel as bad as you want girlfriend. Tomorrow, you bleed little girl."

The Scoobies, Buffy, and Spike all watched in awe and shock as Luna's entire body lit up with silver light. It glimmered along her skin, in her hair, and in her eyes as she kicked, punched, and slammed Caleb into her ground. The dark priest was bleeding and broken, his eyes and mouth bleeding as he coughed from where he lay on the ground.

He laughed as Luna landed above him, legs spread open as she towered over him. Chuckling, Caleb said hoarsely, "So, is this payback?"

"No," the Seer said the light receding and forming a ball in her hands. "This is justice."

"Luna!" Buffy cried limping forward. "You kill him, you're just as bad as he is."

"Don't tell me that," Luna said never leaving Caleb's face. "You know what's he done Buffy? He's sacrificed girls, young girls that are babies. They've never even made it to kindergarten much less to their own marriages or children. And all because his god demanded it."

Caleb coughed, blood dribbling down his chin as he said, "It is my destiny, to serve him."

"No," Luna said as her eyes flared. "Your destiny is to die."

"And what makes you so sure?" Caleb mocked and Luna smiled, her lips curving up into a malicious sneer. "Because," she said simply. "I Saw it."

As his eyes widened in horror and shock, she let loose the small silver ball in her hands. Caleb's scream resounded in the air as he began to burn and soon, he was nothing but a charred skeleton on the ground. The Seer panted and dropped her hands, the silver in her eyes fading into her normal hazel color. She swallowed as she stared down at the skeleton before turning to the others.

Ignoring the stunned look on Buffy's face, she said grimly, "We need to save Dawn."

Glory narrowed her eyes at the reflection in the mirror, reaching out and flicking at herself. Grumbling, she turned away and paced the length of her penthouse, stopping long enough to grimace as she became Ben again. The intern shook his head and groaned as he became Glory once more, saying, "How do they do it?"

Morphing, Ben frowned. "Do what?"

"People!" Glory said spinning to glare at her reflection. "How do they function here like this in the world with all this bile running through them? Every day it's woo-hoo, you have no control." She rolled her neck on her shoulders. "They're not even animals, they're just meat baggy slaves to hormones and pheromones and their feelings. Hate 'em!"

"Human's aren't animals," Ben said through gritted teeth. "This is humanity you're feeling. Welcome to the world."

"No, no, no!" Glory said furiously. "Little late in the game to start growing a backbone Benjamin! Now, be good and stay quiet! I'm strong and you're weak."

The First chuckled as he watched Glory argue with herself, moving with ease into the room. Cocking an eyebrow, it said in Caleb's voice, "Problem?"

Ben turned to face the priest and said, "What do you want?"

"Well, considering I'm dead," Caleb drawled. "Not much."

Glory arched her brows and said, "Aw, did you die, little human?"

"Stuff it," Caleb snapped before turning into Jamie. "How close are you to completing this?"

"Very close," Glory said and grimaced as Ben snapped, "I'm not doing a damn thing for you!"

"You're like a cockroach!"

"And you're a slut!"

"Children?" the First clapped his hands and said, "We do have other things to discuss."

"I'm not killing Dawn," Ben snapped and the First chuckled as it morphed into the Master, revealing jagged teeth. "Oh, boy," he said cheerily as he clapped his hands together. "You've got a lot to learn about the world. It's either the girl or you."

"Which means," Glory purred as she staggered to a chair. "That you need to think about this Ben, baby. Do you want to die or live forever?"

"I couldn't live with her death for a day much less eternity!" Ben snapped and the First laughed as he said, "Well, it's either her or you. Make a decision."

Luna staggered towards the wall and slid to the ground, gasping as Tara rushed over in concern. Waving the white witch off, the Seer said weakly, "I just need to rest for a little bit and maybe some food..."

"I'll make something," Tara offered, leaving the Summers living room where Luna had transported everyone from the desert with the help of her and Willow. Shivering, Luna pulled her knees up to her chest, closing her eyes tightly as her body began to shut down. She stirred briefly as Spike gathered her gently in his arms, murmuring as the bleached vampire left the room to take her upstairs.

Buffy watched with exhaustion written on her features before turning to Giles. "We need to find out what we can about this ritual," she said and Giles nodded, saying, "I'll go to the Magic Box and bring everything back here."

"I'll come with you," Willow offered and Xander said, "I think I'll take Anya to the hospital. She's still not waking up..."

Buffy nodded and sank into a chair, her body trembling as soon as the front door shut. That's how Tara found her, muffling her sobs so as not to alarm Spike or her. Shaking her head, the white witch immediately went and gathered the Slayer into her arms.

Spike watched from the shadows, pain written on his handsome features as he slipped into the kitchen. He closed his eyes tightly as he thought about Dawn's screaming and whispered, "I'll find you Bit. I promise."

She stands on the edge of the platform watching the light cracking in the sky, forming from a single drop of blood. Turns her head to stare at her sisters and smiles as she lets herself fall.

This is her destiny.

This is what she must do.

It is written.

And they live.

Luna awoke with a start, her eyes fluttering open as she sat up in bed. She stared at the walls for a moment before laughing quietly to herself at the irony. Getting off the bed, she padded over to the dresser and studied her younger sister's bedroom. It was a typical teenager's room with boy band posters on the walls. Sighing, Luna cracked open the window and lit up a cigarette, exhaling as she did so.

The person behind her chuckled. "A good girl like you, killing herself like that?"

"You're not him," Luna said calmly as she turned to glare at the First. The entity that looked like Caleb laughed, nodding his head, as he placed his arms behind his back. "No, you killed him right and proper," he agreed. "Terrible loss. This man was my good right arm. 'Course it don't pain me too much; don't need an arm, got an army."

"I'm not afraid of you," Luna said turning to look at him. "And we'll stop you."

"I doubt that," he said as his body morphed into that Jamie. "Don't you know Luna? Evil is all over the Earth. Everywhere you turn, there is evil."

"And there is good to stop it," she retorted narrowing her eyes. "You know how this works: evil comes and there is good to counteract it."

"I will overrun this Earth," the First hissed, a malicious smile crossing its features. "And when my army outnumbers the humans on this Earth, the scales will tip, and I will be made flesh."

"And I will stop you," Luna replied her eyes flaring. "You think you know what I am? You don't have the slightest clue." She turned around then, staring at the photograph of Dawn. She traced the laughing face of her sister and smiled as the First said mockingly, "This family? They will never accept you or what you are. They cannot possibly comprehend it."

The First leaned forward until his lips were by Luna's ear. "And then you will be alone and you will be mine to control."

Luna narrowed her gaze at the mirror. "I would never," she hissed as her eyes flashed silver. "Bow to you."

The First laughed. "We'll see," he said and vanished.

Leaning against the dresser, Luna pressed her forehead against the mirror, inhaling shakily. She swallowed and looked out at the sky, whispering, "We're coming Dawn. I promise."

Next Chapter Nine: From What Power Hast Thou This Powerful Might...