The quake didn't do much to the residential area of Sunnydale, but it completely ravaged the downtown area. The Bronze was still in tact, save for one of the walls, which had a huge crack down the middle. The boutique across the street from the Sun Cinemas was completely destroyed, as for the Sun Cinemas, it might have to shut down for a few weeks for repairs. Coffee spewed out everywhere from the busted machines in the Espresso Pump. Chaos ensued everywhere. It was as if someone had done something to make this happened.
And knowing Sunnydale, someone probably had.
Buffy knew this. Earthquakes of this proportions rarely happened without an apocalypse following eagerly behind. And with chaos came demons. Demons who wanted to feed on all the free game, running around like dishes on an all you can eat buffet. Buffy couldn't let that happen. It was her job.
She came upon a group of demons all decked in black leather, who looked similar to the demons she had fought after she was resurrected. Only this time, she was at full strength. Two of the demons were attempting to pillage a store, while another was chasing around a small brunette woman a little shorter than Buffy.
"Hey." She said, standing with firm confidence. "Did your mother teach you any moral values?"
She did a quick cartwheel and smashed the one chasing the woman in the face with her fist.
"One, you should always respect a lady." She said as she swept him off of his feet and shoved the small blade she had been hiding in her pocket into his chest. Afterwards she flipped up from where she was kneeling.
"Two..." She began to say, but before she could finish, a black ethereal energy swirled up around them. It began to swirl faster and faster before penetrating the two demons like a sword's blade. They screamed in agony and collapsed.
"Hmph... That was easy..." Buffy boasted, then went to go check their bodys. She knelt beside the first one and reached for his face slowly. Something wasn't right.
The demon quickly rose again, knocking Buffy down. As Buffy lay, the demon walked to her and wrapped his hands around her neck. He was different... stronger. His skin had turned from a rosy hue to a dark grey, and his eyes were a solid yellow. Not yellow like any vampires eyes. This yellow emanated power. Darkness.
The two of them locked eyes and stared for a while. Then, a commotion started behind them. The other demon had risen, and that boy named Sora was there. The two were trading blows, but before long, with one mighty swing of his odd looking sword, he had knocked the demon through a wall and he evaporated like water.
As he was looking, Buffy kicked the other demon in the face. Before long he was back on her again, growling and snarling like a rabid dog. They both had a hold on each other, but she kicked him three times in the side and swung him around, flinging him down on to the broken glass from the window the demons had broken earlier. The glass penetrated his neck, lopping off his head. Then he evaporated too.
"Those were..." Buffy started to say.
"...heartless" Sora finished for her.
* * *
"Downtown's safe once again." Buffy said as she walked through the front door, Sora not far behind. Willow seemed excited and had that 'I've got useful information!' look on her face.
"What happened?" She said first.
"Met another one of those Heartless guys. Two actually. Thing is, they weren't Heartless to begin with. Just regular old demons."
"What!" Donald quacked, jumping up.
"These things were different...stronger than any we've faced." Sora said.
"And it was like this cloud just possessed them. Gave them power." She continued.
"The Initiative's database never mentioned non corporeal possession by a Heartless. This must be something new entirely..." Willow said rubbing her chin. "Anyways, I've found more info on the ritual."
"And." Buffy said, nodding to her.
"Well it does require a drop of Dawn's blood. But the thing is, she's a key to another dimension once again. It will open up a portal to a place meant for only a Slayer. There awaits a set of trials before you are granted the Keyblade."
"Well I'm always excited about getting new toys. You sure it's completely safe for Dawn?"
"Yes, I wouldn't think of it if it wasn't"
"Okay. You and Anya prepare the ritual. Xander." She said looking at him, and he was shoving a few cookies in his face.
"Yesh." He spit out with a full mouth.
"Come with me to question the cartoon people."
