Chapter Three: Willow's Dream
Willow had been tossing and turning in her bed all night, plagued by strange dreams. She kept skipping like Scrooge through various scenes in her life, except she only got to witness the horrible moments. Realizing Moloch was a demon, having to sing opera in front of everyone she knew, almost getting sucked down into a giant sandpit in her high school, Ms. Calendar's death, Oz and Veruca waking up naked together, Oz leaving, Buffy dying, Tara leaving, Tara dying, black hair black veins black magick reaching out for everyone she used to love and had come to hate. Fear. Fear and helplessness. In her dream, she felt her eyes and hair grow dark in response. Scenes flitted across her vision faster and faster until she screamed in pain. Then it all faded. She was in a white world surrounded by nothing. She realized her feet were on solid ground, but she couldn't see it. Suddenly, a creepy guy in a top hat appeared in front of her and began to speak before she could cry out in fear.
"It's ok, Witch. I'm Whistler. Like I told the Kid first time I met her, not all demons are bad. I serve the balance. I was sent by the PTB. 'Meetcha." He held out a hand and she ignored it, looking confused.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"In between," he replied. "Neutral ground and all that. I'd love to do the same go-round I just went through with your friend, but how about we just get down to business?"
"How do I know I can trust you? And what's this about?"
"Buffy. You should know this; you're smart. I told her I'd been listening in on your Scooby conversations, so I know you're the one that figures things out."
"No no," Willow interjected. "That's Giles."
Whistler sighed. "This isn't the point. The point is Buffy. You were right, Witch. She doesn't belong here anymore."
"Willow, it's Willow," she said. "And how much was I right about? I was just guessing."
"Long story short, I explained this better to the girl in question, she wasn't supposed to be resurrected. Furthermore, she was supposed to die in the battle with the First. When you did your spell, you tapped into her source of power instead of Faith's. And you also bound Buffy to the scythe so she couldn't die. Now, your dear old friend suggested that we end her life to restore the balance."
Willow gasped. "NO!"
"Don't worry," Whistler interrupted. "It's not necessary and I told her so. The point is, the Kid can't exist in this dimension anymore, so we're sending her to another one that needs her. A chance to start a new life, and use her awesome skills to help more of the hopeless. Win win situation, eh?"
"Win win?" Willow exclaimed loudly. "How so? Not only does Buffy have to leave the world she fought to save, but we have to lose her, too! What about Dawnie?"
"It is what it is," Whistler said. "The situation exists because you brought her back to life, but this isn't about blame. There is no other way. If the Kid continues to exist in this dimension, the First could rise again. Plus, if she stays here, she'll never get better."
Willow began to cry softly, and then looked up at Whistler sharply. "Why am I here?" she asked. "I mean, are you telling us all individually or something?"
"No. You're here because she was told that she had to choose someone to bring with her. And she chose you." Willow froze and stared at Whistler in disbelief.
"Me?" she squeaked.
"Yes, you. Believe me, I was shocked, too. I figured she'd jump at the chance to start anew with Tall Dark & Broody. She made it clear, however, that you are under no obligation to go."
"Goddess, this is crazy. We barely talk, and the things we've done to one another…" she looked back at Whistler. "How long do I have to decide?"
"I told Buffy she has to be ready to go in 24 hours. You can take that time to decide if you need to."
"24 hours," Willow breathed. "That's so short!" Tears began to fall again.
"I'm going to send you back now. You can talk to Buffy." Willow sat up straight in her bed, gasping. She remembered everything.