Key Change

Disclaimer: As before.

Chapter 3: My Mortal Sister

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Buffy couldn't reconcile herself to the fact that at least part of the sister she knew and loved was essentially dead. She'd overheard Dawn make reference to "my mortal sister" earlier in the day and it just brought forward too many emotions.

It had only been a week since the Key had re-emerged and Buffy seemed to be the only one who was struggling with it. Giles had accepted it almost immediately, as did Xander when the Key went to pay him a visit. The two had always been close. Apparently, due to her sacrifice in Sunnydale, Anya's slate had been wiped clean and her soul was residing in heaven, just another dimension to the Key. She'd allowed Anya to temporarily cross over and Xander had finally said goodbye properly. The energy in Dawn's body could do no wrong to Xander. He believed that she wouldn't hurt anyone and treated her as he had always done.

But Buffy couldn't do that. When Giles had remonstrated with her she pointed out that the Key was a threat; it was powerful and should be monitored. It was her job to monitor threats. But Giles merely asked how she was intending to stop an immortal guardian of dimensions who could teleport through them at will.

Two hours after this conversation, the Key had referred to her as mortal. At first it had stung, hell yes she was mortal, in fact her second death had been to stop Dawn dying! But the phrase kept cycling round her head and she'd retreated to her room to ponder.

"My mortal sister." The Key was formed in the beginning, and would be there at the end. But Dawn was made of Buffy's blood. Or was she? Had the Key given Buffy her blood or energy at conception so that at the correct time they could be bound to each other? And if so, was Buffy even a person, or just an extension of the Key?

The Key (Buffy didn't call her Dawn, she didn't believe Dawn existed any more), had stated that she was still going to finish her gap year and then go to university. Buffy was contemplating calling and cancelling Dawn's place. Since Dawn was gone, the Key had no right to it.

If Buffy was truly, truly honest with herself, it was the word "mortal" that bugged her more than anything else. One day, Buffy would die. She'd accepted that. But Dawn, if she actually was part of the Key, would live forever. She would watch everything die around her, probably already had, for millennia. Maybe she'd leave this plane, and exist as energy somewhere with other immortals.

Buffy didn't know what to do. If Dawn was dead, the vessel for the Key had to leave. Buffy wouldn't keep her here. On the other hand, her knowledge, if she chose to share it, would be invaluable. But if the Key was telling the truth and Dawn and the Key were one...she just didn't know that she could ever view her the same way again.

There was a knock on her door and it opened to reveal the Key. 'Would you mind turning it down a bit?' she asked. 'You've been broadcasting your angst so loudly I can't concentrate.'

'Broadcasting my angst?' Buffy repeated incredulously. 'So now you're invading my mind.'

'It's the bloodlink,' the Key explained. 'Ever since the re-fusion, I can feel your strong emotions. And you never could hide your feelings.'

Buffy stood in front of her sister – no, the Key, – 'So that gives you the right to eavesdrop, does it?' she glared.

'I can't read your thoughts,' the immortal answered. 'Just hear your emotions. And this angsty stuff is getting boring. So let's end it. Say it.'

Buffy was caught off-guard. 'What?' she asked.

'Whatever it is you've been wanting to say since I became the Key again.' Dawn replied. 'You avoid me, you won't say my name-'

'What is your name?' Buffy asked, now angry. 'Because it probably isn't Dawn. Dawn's a modern name, and the Key is ancient. You stand there using a made-up name for a made-up person, who died so you could come back and now you walk around in her shell. Dawn is dead; she died for you so stop leaping on her achievements, use your own name, and stop pretending to be my sister.'

The Summers girls stared at each other as Buffy's voice died away. The Key took a deep breath.

'My name is Dawn,' she said. 'It is the only name I've ever been given, the only name I've ever used. In the past, I was addressed only as the Key, La Kia was the most common form. My personality is immortal; when the monks pressed me that personality was separated from the power and named Dawn. It has never changed and never will. I believe a sample of your blood was obtained and used to create this vessel shape, hence the bloodlink. If it was tested, my human DNA would match yours. I have an empath bond with you now too, so I need you not to broadcast so loudly, if you can.'

Buffy listened, stunned, then punched her sister in the face.

With a strength that effortlessly overpowered the Slayer, the Key pinned her to the wall, her eyes glowed green and a haze of green energy shot from one face to another.

Buffy gasped as she saw the bloodlink between them pulsing. She saw flashes of images of her and Dawn throughout their lives (the real bit, not the fake memories). And she saw the pain the Key went through to get to her, the faked capture by the monks, the excruciating pain of being ripped in two and pressed into a manufactured vessel, being injected with her blood in order to bind them together. The Key broke them out of the haze and Buffy sagged to the floor. The Key looked at her.

'I would prefer to stay here,' she said. 'You're the only family I have. In any dimension. But if I have to leave, I will go away until it is time to return to my studies.' And she walked towards the door.

'Dawn,' Buffy started.

Dawn turned round. 'I'm sorry,' Buffy said. 'You're wiser than I am. You've had the time to be. I am so used to protecting you I can't get my head round the fact you don't need it now. It feels like the Dawn I knew is dead, and you're an alternative version of her.'

Dawn looked sorrowful. 'You want me to leave, don't you?' she said. It was not a question.

'I shouldn't, but yes,' Buffy said, as Dawn clutched her head and doubled over. Before Buffy could react, the Key opened a portal right in front of her. Out stepped a glowing Joyce Summers, looking absolutely furious.

'BUFFY ANNE SUMMERS! What on earth do you think you are doing?' she yelled at the astonished slayer, who remained rigid on the floor. 'Apologise to your sister right now!'

'Why do I need to...' Buffy managed before her mother started again.

'You would kick your sister out of the house, away from her only family? She's our blood Buffy, she's Dawn! When are you going to realise this? I've been watching you and I am ashamed!'

'Stop this!' Buffy shouted at the Key. 'This isn't fair!'

'You think she could stop me? I'm your mother and you will listen to what I have to say!' The ghost of Joyce Summers would have been enjoying this, if she wasn't so angry. 'So Dawn gained a bit of extra knowledge and some magic, it doesn't stop her being Dawn. If you even think about making her leave, I will haunt you from now until the day you die, missy!'

Dawn groaned again, and the two women looked round.

'Bloodlink,' Dawn said briefly. 'Broadcasting.'

Joyce turned back to her eldest daughter, who was now standing in front of her. 'There is nothing else to say,' she said, much calmer now. 'Dawn is still Dawn, and you need to see that. I have to go. They wouldn't allow me much time. Stay together, both of you. I love you.' And she stepped back through the portal, which the Key closed with a blink.

'Love you too Mom,' Buffy and Dawn whispered together. They looked at each other, and Dawn left the room before her sister could say a word. Buffy shook herself, and raced after her.

She found her in her room, flinging clothes into a suitcase. 'Dawn, you're not going anywhere,' Buffy announced.

'I will not stay here to become your information source,' Dawn replied. 'Because that's how a Slayer mind thinks. What's my strategic value?'

'No, you will stay here because Mom was right,' Buffy said. 'I acted terribly. And I'm sorry. Everyone else is allowed to possess special gifts and I'm fine with it, but when you came into yours I was a jerk. You can do what you want. Stay or go. It's your choice.'

'Then I'll stay. For now,' Dawn said. 'But I'm still taking that university place. And then I'll come back for holidays. But you need to know now. The stakes have changed. I'm a neutral. I won't use my powers for your side, and I won't participate in battle. However, I don't need to be defended either, so that should ease your mind. Any who strike at me will be dealt with by me.'

'Fine,' said Buffy. 'And what about your name? Do you prefer Dawn or La Kia?'

'My name is Dawn. I am La Kia.'

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THE END

Finished! I hope you liked it. I would like to see some reviews on this, so please review!