Chapter 209
Cordelia followed Tom Warner and Jack O'Toole all the way to the Sunnydale pools. In summer time this indoor pool was used to teach children how to swim. Now it was empty, Tom Warner's friends used this area to summon Moloch. Buffy, Giles, and Jenny arrived. Buffy looked inside, they were performing the ritual. They couldn't make out what was being said, but their intent was obvious. At any rate Buffy knew she had to act quickly to save the infants. The four of them went inside and fought the cult members. They knocked them out quickly, although Giles was knocked out in the fight. Although the ritual was interrupted, a cloud was forming around the heart of Moloch. The cloud was growing in the empty pool, and taking shape. Buffy and Jenny saw this as Cordelia watched and listened.
Buffy: This cloud is Moloch, isn't it?
Jenny: Not yet. If I can destroy the orb the cloud will dissipitate and Moloch dies.
Buffy: What happens to you?
Jenny: It doesn't matter.
Buffy: Fine, I'll destroy it.
Jenny: No, you're a potential slayer. This town needs you.
Buffy: I'm not a slayer. You might still be able to restore Jessie's soul. You guys need his information.
Time was running short, but neither Buffy nor Jenny seemed willing to let the other die. Cordelia decided to act. She was neither a potential slayer, nor capable of saving Jessie. She jumped into the cloud. Her decision was rash, the others didn't have time to stop her. Once she was in the cloud Cordelia knew there was no going back. She searched in the dark for the orb. Jenny went to save Giles, Buffy went to the infants. Moloch was draining their lifeforce. If Cordelia couldn't smash the orb there was nothing Buffy could do for these babies. Moloch was taking shape, it was huge and frightening. If this was how Moloch looked from eight infants Giles hated to think how big Moloch would be from twelve. Some of the unconsciouss frat boys got trapped inside the cloud, evidently Moloch didn't care about his worshippers. Before Moloch was complete Cordelia found the orb, and smashed it. The cloud dissipitated, with Cordelia inside. Cordelia screamed, but it was drowned out from the sound of Moloch's death cry, the only sound it would ever make. When it was over there was no trace of Moloch, Cordelia, or the inconsciouss frat boys. But Cordelia's sacrifice was not in vain, the newborns were alive.