The visions continued to haunt her dreams. She could see it: Buffy, and a dark-haired girl, were in a cemetery, staring at this ugly blue-skinned demon. A large, red-skinned demon came up from behind Buffy, knocking her back. It had to be Laibach. Now Buffy was giving chase. The dark-haired girl stayed behind.
The other demon floats in the air and unleashes a crack of energy which strikes the ground behind her. The undead begin to come out of the earth. The girl fights back. She is strong. Almost as strong as Buffy. There was another Slayer, Faith, if she recalled. She was in prison, but the girl had on a jumpsuit so it must be her.
The battle raged on. The demon came down to bring Faith down, but she fights back. The demon is faster; he brings her down, almost knocking her out cold. Zombies start clawing for her. She's done for. Meanwhile, the battle between Buffy and Laibach continued in the remains of Sunnydale High.
She hears a familiar voice, screaming out a weird chant somewhere in the distance, when suddenly, the sunlight cracks from the sky. The dark blanket covering the sky begins to dissipate. Something hits her, snapping her out of her vision, out of her sleep.
Tara's eyes snap open.
---
Faith felt as cold, dead hands began clawing for her, ripping her clothes, pulling her hair. She tried to fight them back, but couldn't find the strength.
A burst of light flashed suddenly in the sky, causing her to close her eyes. The zombies began to move more frantically. It wasn't until she opened her eyes that she realized that she was looking at daylight.
Yes! Go Willow!
She pushed back at one of the zombies latching on to her arm. The zombie's arm broke off with ease, and he fell to the ground limp. To Faith's dismay, all the other zombies followed suit. They all began to drop to the ground, breaking on impact.
Faith sat her head up, just as Matereani screamed and came flying towards her. He grabbed her neck and brought her head to the ground. She stared in horror as his face began to literally melt from his skull. He yelled in pain and disgust as his facial features melted away, getting blood and all kinds of unknown body liquids all over Faith's jumpsuit.
His grip tightened, cutting the air from her pipe. Faith gagged for air
She saw a glint on the left side of his body.
The dagger!
With a free hand, she snatched the dagger from the pouch at his side, and drove it into his gut. She twisted the blade. Matereani screamed in pain. His grip loosened on her neck. Faith pulled his bleeding, melting corpse off of her, and jumped up to the ground. Matereani twitched on the ground a few times, then stopped. Energy crackled around his deformed body, followed by a blast of white light, and he was gone.
Bile began to rise in her throat from the sight of Matereani's melting face near hers. She knelt over and puked on the grass.
"I can't believe I got out of prison for this." She said to herself between breaths.
She looked down at the dagger in her hand. Its hilt appeared to be carved out of bone. The face of Laibach was carved on the front. His two outer horns curved around to form the handle. His other two wrapped around the start of the metal blade.
"Not too shabby." Faith thought out loud. "Sure would have been something I would have picked up robbing a knife store. Now, if only I can find Buffy, if Laibach hasn't killed her yet."
---
Angel caught a glimmer of the sword in the corner of his eye off to left. Scylla was turning around, making her way back over to him. He ran over and picked up the sword. Scylla charged. Angel raised the blade up, prepared for her attack.
Scylla came towards him, ramming right into the blade. She screamed out as blood began to ooze from her gut, onto the sword.
"See what happens when you do the same move over and over? Eventually, I…"
Angel felt a sudden burning sensation over his body. He glanced up, just as the dark shroud slow began to disappear. Cracks of sunlight spilled out onto the construction site.
Crap!
"Tag, your it." Spike said, holding the stake in the cat's heart.
Corny line, he knew, but it's the first thing that came to mind. Malik let out a pained growl. Spike knew the stake didn't kill him. The last time he showed up, he had to use a long piece that went all the way through. Malik was stronger than your average vamp, so it took more to get rid of him.
"Spike!" Angel yelled, pointing up. Angel held a sword, which was pierced in Scylla's gut.
As soon as Angel yelled out, he felt his skin begin to burn. The sky became much lighter, and it was obvious that the witch had completed the spell and destroyed the shroud.
"Son of a bitch!" Spike yelled.
Panicking, Spike quickly withdrew the stake and kicked Malik backwards with strong force. The huge cat fell back, landing on the other end of the blade protruding from Scylla's back. Spike snatched his leather duster off and put it over his head. He ran for cover to the building, behind a smoking Angel. Behind him, he heard the simultaneous screams of Malik and Scylla, followed by the sound of both of them dusting as they struggled from the blade in the offending sunlight.
---
Laibach charged for her, but Buffy was quicker. She pivoted her foot and side kicked him in the chest, just as he reached her. She came back in with another kick, followed by a punch to the face. Laibach blocked another blow, and threw a fist across her face. Buffy staggered backwards, just as Laibach advanced towards her, throwing another punch. Buffy blocked it, and threw out a kick with her right foot, but was caught off guard as Laibach grabbed it with his free hand and lifted it up, causing her to fall back, onto her back.
Buffy had little time to recover before Laibach kicked out a massive foot, smashing into her side. She gasped in pain. She coughed and gripped her side, clenching her teeth. He was just too strong.
Buffy watched as he brought a massive fist up, preparing to smash her face into a pulp. Laibach stopped suddenly, and looked at his arm in surprise. There was an arrow going through his arm. He turned around to see Faith in the doorway, a crossbow in her hand.
"Knew that would get your attention, baldy." She remarked.
Laibach growled.
"The other Slayer. I thought Matereani would have gotten rid of you."
"Yeah, he sends his regards. He told me to give you this."
Faith threw the crossbow down, and reached into her pocket, pulling out a glimmering blade.
"The Tedarke dagger! Give that to me!" he raged as he began to charge for it.
"Chill, dude. It's yours. Here ya go."
Faith threw the dagger towards him. Laibach stopped dead in his place. He tried to stop the dagger, but was too late as it rammed right into his chest.
Laibach yelled out in rage. He was done for. Somehow the dark-haired Slayer was able to get a hold of the dagger, and she used it against him. He was foolish to not have killed Matereani himself and destroyed it.
He looked down at the dagger, and realized something. The hilt was different from before. He pulled it out, glancing at the blade. The blade was split down the center, very unlike the one that was crafted to destroy him. He threw it down.
"You idiot. You used the wrong one. Your mistake will cost you…"
A sharp, intense, pain struck him in the back. He looked up to see Faith beaming down at him.
"You might want to rethink that last statement." Buffy said from behind him.
"You're done, Ace." Faith smirked.
With that, Buffy twisted the blade, driving it in further into his back. Laibach gave out a thunderous yell. His crimson skin began to blacken, turning ashen. His body began to crumble away. His arms fell off, hitting the ground and crumbling on impact. Buffy backed away and watched as the rest of his body disintegrated into black dust. The wind picked up, blowing his remains around the room.
"That was it?" Buffy said. "No explosion or bells and whistles going off? Just, poof?"
"Yeah, that was pretty much a buzz kill." Faith replied. "Let's get out of here, B."
The two of them headed out, into the street.
In the distance, sirens could be heard, followed by the sound of people as they made their way out of their houses. No more inhuman screams or demons running around…for the time being, at least. Just plain old Sunnydale. Buffy wondered how the police would try to cover this up.
EPILOGUE
"PCP." Willow said, glaring at the television.
"Figures." Buffy sighed.
The whole group stood in Giles' living room, surrounding the TV. After Laibach had been killed, the paralysis spell wore off, leaving Giles, Cordelia, Xander, and Fred with aches all over their bodies. Buffy and Faith were banged up as well. It was only Willow who appeared to have energy, as she went around tending to everybody.
"Pass those aspirin around here, Will." Xander said, holding his palm out.
"Well, at least they were a little more creative with it this time around." Giles sighed.
"Yeah, if you want to believe that a violent gang hyped up on PCP and dressed up in Halloween costumes went on a massacre that lasted over six hours without the police doing much about it." Buffy said.
"Well, we can't tell them the truth." Cordelia replied. "I guess Sunnydale hasn't changed. You would think after years of crazy stuff happening they would have figured it out by now."
"Oh well. At least it's all over." Faith said. "We kicked ass out there, B."
"Five by Five." Buffy added.
"If you wouldn't mind doing me at least one favor today; don't say that again." Faith said.
"So what happens with Laibach?" Fred asked. "I mean, he is dead this time right? He won't come back and try to open the portal again would he?"
"I'm pretty sure Laibach is indeed dead. Though not as sure Matereani is, given you've killed him before, but without Laibach, he no longer holds much of a threat. Especially stuck in Batal without either the dagger or talisman around."
"So that's that then." Buffy said.
"So Willow, what has you running around?" Xander asked. "After all that magick you did today I would have thought you would be sleeping like a baby."
"Yeah, right. Like I could sleep after all that." She replied. "All that magick gave me all the energy I needed. It was like, a rush, you know? Even Tara would have been proud."
"What happened to Tara anyway?" Buffy asked. "Is she still in a coma?"
"I don't know." Willow replied, sadly. "I called the hospital to check on her, but the phone line is busy."
"Well, with all the death and apocalypse, you would figure the hospital would be pretty tied up." Fred said.
"Yeah. But still, I'm worried about her. When I repelled Laibach, I felt her essence escape from him. I thought maybe that would bring her back."
"Tara? That's the other witch, right?" Faith asked.
"Yeah, what about her?" Willow asked.
"Well, after I killed Matereani, someone spoke to me in my head. She said her name was Tara. She said she knew what had been going on. That's how I knew where to go to find Buffy to use the dagger."
"So she's awake?" Xander asked.
There was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it." Fred said, getting up from the couch.
She limped towards the door and opened it. Anya stood in the doorway. Dawn and Tara were behind her.
"Who are you?" Anya asked her.
"Winifred. But you can call me Fred." Fred said, extending her arm out.
"Hi Fred!" Anya said, in that awkward, high-volume, tone of voice that only meant she still hadn't mastered human politeness. "Welcome to Sunnydale! Awfully skinny girls like you usually have a great time here, as they seem to be ignored by most vampires due to your low blood content."
Anya's eyes, suddenly lit up and walked past her, no longer interested in the thin Texan girl, who still couldn't process what had just happened.
"Xander!" Anya beamed.
She jumped on top of him. Xander let out a pained grunt as she landed on his sore muscles.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Dawn." Dawn said, shaking Fred's hand. She came walking in.
"Whoa, the gang's all here. Hey guys!" Dawn said, waving.
She ran up to Buffy and gave her a warm hug.
"Hey Dawn! I missed you." Buffy said, returning the embrace.
"Missed you too, sis. Did you kick any demon ass in my name?"
"Yeah. This one demon reminded me of your ex-boyfriend from last year. I told him about you before I chopped his head off."
"Good." She replied, smiling.
Tara walked through the doorway.
"Tara?" Willow said, smiling.
"Willow." Tara replied.
Willow ran up to her, and the both of them wrapped each other in a strong embrace. Willow brought Tara up to her lips and planted a huge kiss.
"I was worried about you." Willow said.
"You didn't need to be. Amazon, remember?" she said, smiling. Willow smiled back.
"You should have seen me, Tara. I shut down Batal and killed all the baddies in Sunnydale, while single-handedly defending myself against Laibach's wrath."
"I saw what you did. I felt everything going on while I was out. You are quite the witch."
"So are you." Willow replied. "And I promise, no more spells."
"You cross your heart?" Tara asked.
"Well, I don't mind making a little more magick right now. The both of us." She replied with a suggestive smile.
"Oh you mean that spell from that Hindu book you got last week." Tara said, returning the suggestive smile.
Willow turned to the group.
"We're gonna head back to the house. You guys take care. Fred and Cordy, you two have a safe trip back."
"Thanks." Cordelia replied.
"Yeah, have a good time pleasuring each other." Anya said. "Me and Xander have a plan of our own tonight."
Tara's face turned red.
"Can I banish her?" Willow asked.
"Maybe later." Buffy replied. "Take care, Will."
"You too."
Willow headed out the door. Tara followed behind with a small wave.
"Oh yeah, Faith. There are some men in police uniforms out there looking for you." Anya said. "We saw them on the way over here. They're pretty stewed."
"Right, I'm an escaped convict. Forgot about that." Faith said, nervously. "Guess I better be heading out then."
"I'll head out there with you." Buffy said, getting up.
"Peace, guys." Faith said, walking out.
Buffy and Faith walked out towards the front of the complex. A police car, followed by several others, pulled up in front of them. Half a dozen cops stepped out, cocking guns towards them. One cop in a grey-colored suit walked up to them, holding a badge.
"Faith Lehane, on behalf of the Sunnydale Police Department, I'm placing you under arrest. You will be held at the state correctional facility in Stockton. You have the right to remain silent."
Faith held her arms out without resistance as the cop attached handcuffs to her. He pulled her towards the car. The other police trained their weapons, ready for any retaliation from either one of them.
"I guess this is it, then." Faith said. "Take care of yourself, Buffy."
"Bye, Faith."
She was pushed into the car.
"Tell Angel I said bye." She said, as the door closed.
The other cops returned to their cars. Buffy watched as the car Faith was held in took off.
It was then Buffy remembered something. With all the other things going on she had completely forgotten until Faith had said something.
"Where's Angel?" she thought out loud.
---
Angel clenched his teeth, trying his best to ignore the clanking as Spike sat next to him, flicking the lid of his lighter up and down repeatedly as they sat under the shade of the building.
"Spike, will you cut that out? It's bugging the hell out of me!"
"What else am I supposed to do? I'm bored out of my bloody mind."
"Well so am I. But I'm not keeping my simple mind entertained by playing with a lighter."
"At least I have something to do. All you can do is sit there and do the 'look at me, I'm brooding' act; nobody's watching, you know? You might as well do the Tom Cruise in Risky Business underwear dance, like you always do when you think no one sees you."
"How could you even know that?" Angel said.
"So, you're admitting you do it?"
Angel paused for a moment, hiding a hint of embarrassment. "No," he finally said and paused again. "You know what? Just shut up."
"If you don't like it, why are you sitting by me?"
"Like I have any choice. This is the only shady spot nearby for now. But one more hour with you and I'll almost consider throwing myself out in the sun."
"Go for it. It's not like I would miss you, or anyone else would. If that was the case, Buffy or your little flunkies from L.A would have gotten you out of here by now."
Angel sighed. There was no arguing with him.
Only ten more hours till the sun goes back down….