CHAPTER ONE

SEVERED

Willow awoke sometime later, finding herself in total darkness, unsure of where she was or how she had gotten there. Then she remembered the attack on the fortress, and being dragged away into a mystic portal against her will, and a shiver ran up her spine.

I have so got to stop getting kidnapped, she muttered darkly to herself. I know Buffy will find me, but this is one damsel who's tired of being in distress!

"First things first," Willow said aloud, slowly getting to her feet. She clenched the fingers of one hand into a fist.

"Illuminate." A tiny ball of mystic light appeared over Willow's shoulder, casting its rays all around her.

"Okay, now I can see… I guess. Problem is, doesn't look like there's much to see." Despite the light gleaming brilliantly over Willow's shoulder, the shadows around her remained, seemingly impenetrable. She could see, however, that she was in what appeared to be a large underground cavern. Carved into a wall opposite her was something like an altar. She could see small, empty sconces set into the wall on either side of the altar, but there were no torches or any other sources of light anywhere.

"Creepy much?" Willow quipped. "Guess I'm not getting out that way…"

"You will not leave this place at all." A menacing, disembodied voice echoed in the darkness, startling Willow.

"W-who's there?" she called out. As if in response, a pair of burning red eyes suddenly appeared out of the darkness.

"You will be my guest, Willow Rosenberg… and together we shall teach this world the true meaning of fear!"

"Sorry, I'm way past the whole big bad thing. So maybe you could just show me the way out of here?"

"It was not a request." A brilliant flash of bluish light knocked Willow off her feet, sending her sprawling to the ground.

"Okay, no more Miss Nice Willow! Strike!" Bolts of magical lightning flared from her fingertips to strike her unknown assailant, but harmlessly dissipated into the darkness.

"Save your energy, girl… I have more important uses for you." Willow felt something grab hold of her, and then she was being pulled roughly through the air, hurtling towards those burning red eyes…

"Did you get hold of Giles?" Buffy asked urgently. Xander sighed. She had been asking that same question repeatedly ever since Willow's abduction.

"We're still waiting to hear back from him," he replied calmly. "As soon as we hear anything Buff, I swear I'll let you know."

"Why does he always pick the worst possible times to up and disappear?" the Slayer muttered crossly.

"Probably just trying to maintain that mysterious ex-Watcher image of his," Xander quipped. He started to smile, hoping to lighten the mood, but then he saw the look in Buffy's eyes and quickly cleared his throat.

"We'll find her," he said, looking away. "You've never failed Will before, and you're not gonna start now."

"I just feel so helpless," Buffy snapped. "Some Slayer I am; I can't even protect my best friend. Why do these things always have to happen to Willow?"

"Don't look at me; I'm just the demon magnet. And Buffy… we will find her."

"I know," Buffy said, her tone softening. "I'm sorry, Xander. I know you're doing your best."

"And looking great while doing it, I might add," Xander replied with his trademark sarcasm. "Look, I'm worried about her too, okay? We've got our mystics doing what they can to recreate that portal, and everyone else is trying to figure out that symbol the skeletons were wearing. Speaking of which…"

"What?"

"When did you want to have the, um… service for Leah?"

"After I get Willow back… once we're not all in life-threatening danger again."

"After you get Willow back?" Xander repeated.

"I'm going alone this time, Xander. I'm not endangering anyone else."

"Buffy…"

"No." Buffy's voice was like steel. "This time I go alone. You and the other slayers are needed here… especially with Leah gone."

"And if whatever took Willow has another army waiting for you?"

"I could use a good workout," Buffy said flatly. Xander sighed again.

"Fine," he said after a moment. "I know not to try and change your mind. The slayers and I'll stay here… and you can take Dawn."

"Xander, what part of 'alone' do you not understand?"

"Dawn's as worried about Willow as you are, and she wants to help. Besides, it's not like she can't handle herself in a fight. Even better than yours truly."

"Xander…" Buffy started threateningly.

"Buffy, she needs you," Xander cut her off. "Your sister needs you… and whether either of you want to admit it or not, the two of you need to talk."

"Don't you think I've tried?"

"Yeah, I've heard you 'try', all right… and you need to try again. Or don't you still love her?" Buffy glared at him.

"Of course I love her, she's my sister! Damnit Xander, I gave my life for her!!"

"Then why is this so difficult for you?" he asked simply. Buffy groaned and lowered her head into her hands. She hated to admit it, but for once, Xander had a point.

"How do you always do that?" she asked softly. Xander smirked.

"It's a gift."

"A dark, evil gift. And what about that army you were trying to warn me about?"

"She'll be with you… how much safer can you get than being at the Slayer's side?"

"Dawn?" Buffy called out, knocking softly on the door to her sister's room. When she received no answer, Buffy slowly opened the door and stepped inside. She saw her sister lying face down on her bed, facing away from the door.

"Can I come in?"

"You gonna yell at me again?" Dawn asked without turning to face her sister. Buffy winced.

"No. No yelling. I just want to talk."

"Not really our strong point lately."

"I know," Buffy said softly. "I'm sorry. Please, Dawn… can we just talk?" Slowly, Dawn rolled over to face her sister.

"Okay; so talk." Buffy took a deep breath.

"I was thinking… I need some backup when I go after Will."

"So take one of your new and improved slayer sisters with you," Dawn said bitterly.

"They're all kind of busy right now," Buffy replied. "I was actually hoping… you'd come with me." Dawn's eyes widened.

"W-what? Me?" Buffy nodded.

"I need someone with me I can trust."

"Why would you want me to come with you? I'm not even a giant anymore… I'm useless."

"No, you're not," Buffy said firmly. "You're my sister." Dawn blinked back a tear.

"Look, I know I haven't exactly been there for you lately… and I'm sorry. I want to make it up to you, if you'll let me."

"You're not just saying that because you're feeling guilty?" Dawn asked suspiciously.

"Maybe I do feel guilty… but that's not why I want you to come with me," Buffy said.

"Then why?" Buffy swallowed.

"Because I love you, Dawn… and I want to save the world again with my sister at my side." Dawn let a tear trickle down her cheek, and then she hurled herself into a fierce hug with her sister. Buffy gently stroked her hair.

"I've missed you, Dawnie."

"I love you, Buffy," Dawn whimpered.

"I love you, too," Buffy whispered back. Then she slowly pulled out of the hug and looked into her sister's eyes.

"Now let's go save Willow."

"Excellent timing," Xander greeted the Summers sisters as they walked into the command center. He smiled. "And I'm glad to see you two on the same side again."

"Any news?" Buffy asked. Xander nodded.

"Still nothing from Giles… but the mystics think they've got the portal figured out. One big catch, though."

"What's that?" Dawn asked.

"Apparently, opening the thing is going to take just about everything they've got… which means there's no way they can keep it open after you two go through it." He quickly looked away.

"What are you saying, Xander?" Dawn demanded.

"He means it's a one-way trip," Buffy replied, her voice tight. "Once we go through… they can't bring us back."

"What?!" Dawn exclaimed. "Then how are we supposed to…!" Buffy rested a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"Willow," she said simply. "Once we find her, she can use her magic to teleport us back here."

"Are you sure?" Dawn asked. Buffy met her sister's gaze.

"No…" she answered honestly, "But Willow's out there, and she needs our help. I'm going… even if it means I can't ever come back." Dawn swallowed.

"I'm with you," she said solemnly. Buffy smiled and took her sister's hand.

"The mystics need a couple of minutes to prepare," Xander said quietly. "Why don't you two ladies go grab a few sharp, pointy things to take on your trip?"

"Sounds like a plan," Buffy replied.

"And Buffy?" Xander turned to look at her again, catching her gaze.

"Be careful," he said solemnly. Buffy smiled and gave a short nod.

"We will be."

"You sure you're all right with that?" Buffy asked. Dawn smiled.

"I'm good with swords," she replied. "Worked on all those demon-thingies under the cemetery, remember?" Buffy did remember, of course; that was the day Willow had nearly destroyed the world, driven to madness by Tara's senseless murder. It was not a day Buffy enjoying recalling, but there had been joy at the end… and Buffy had come to see her sister in a whole new light.

"I remember," she said softly. "Let's hope we have as much luck today." Buffy chose a sword for herself, and then a few stakes; after a moment's thought, she slide one stake into a hiding place in her sleeve.

"Ready?" she called out to her sister. Dawn nodded.

"As I'm gonna be."

"Here." Buffy tossed Dawn one of the stakes. "Mr. Pointy needs a friend." Dawn nodded grimly. Buffy reached out to gently brush a stand of hair away from her sister's face.

"I'm glad you're with me," she said softly. Dawn smiled.

"I've still got your back," she said with a grin. Buffy smiled back.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Then she swallowed.

"Now let's get this rescue started." Dawn nodded and followed her sister out of the armory. It took them only a few moments to reach the large open courtyard where their journey would begin. The mystics were gathered in a circle, waiting for them.

"Everything is ready," one of them announced.

"Good… then let's get the chanting started. My friend's waiting for me." The mystic nodded and turned to face the others. She gestured, and as one they began to softly chant. Thunder rumbled angrily overhead. Buffy reached back and took Dawn's hand.

"Get ready!" she called out to her sister. Waves of purple energy began to flow from the mystics' outstretched hands, gathering together between them. The strain of casting the spell quickly became evident, as one by one they fell to their knees, and the purple light began to grow brighter. Then, without warning, the portal exploded open in their midst.

"Now!!" Buffy screamed. As one, she and Dawn hurtled towards the portal. Together, they leapt into the swirling vortex and vanished. The portal itself ceased to exist mere moments later, and the exhausted mystics collapsed to the ground