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Quickly, Willow got off the Knights bus when it arrived at their destination.
"You could have warned me, that was almost as bad as driving with Buffy."
Hermione's sported a smile from the little joke of not telling her how terrifying the ride would be as she said. "Almost?"
"Well, the bus had anti-collision magic making Buffy's driving so much worse. Maybe, I can put those spells on her car when she isn't looking. It would be fun watching her passengers see trees and buildings jump out of the way."
"You realize you can't do magic in front of muggles; now, at least not with your wand. It would be illegal. Auror's would descending down upon you and all involved."
"No, I didn't realize that. I'll keep it in mind but it kind of blows."
"You might get away with it if we can convince the ministry that the slayers are magical beings."
"Actually, I'm pretty sure the Council would rather operate incognito when it come to most governments."
"Understandable, but it's still an option."
"So, why did you have the bus stop a few blocks from the G.C.?"
"There's one more shop I thought we should check out." She said as they came upon a door that she opened. They went inside. Willow wondered what kind of magical things she would see. When she entered the shop Willow became excited at the prospects. However, upon looking upon some of the items for sale she almost froze in place.
"Hermione, please tell me that the back of this place leads to another shopping district."
"Not that I know of, this place was recommended by several of your slayers. I accidentally e-mailed your letter to everyone. I didn't want to disappoint them by not taking their suggestions."
"Hermione this is a porn shop." She growled.
"Yes, I'm aware. How do you suppose they knew about this place? Oh, look at this one. That could theoretically chip a tooth."
"Hermione! Stop that! Put that back and let's get out of here."
"Oh, come on Willow! We're both adults. There's nothing to be ashamed of here."
"Well, I'm going to find out how the girls even found out about this place."
"That would be because of me Red," A familiar voice said.
Willow turned around coming face to face with Faith.
"Faith? What are you doing here?" Willow asked.
"I took the job for kicks. I'm filling in for a friend until he gets back from major surgery."
"For Kicks!" Willow exclaimed. "We're supposed to be a respectable girl's school. What would it look like if people found out that one of the staff has a part time job here?"
"It's not that big a deal Red. I actually cleared it with Giles before I took the job."
"Wait, how in the world did you clear it with Giles?"
"Same way you get anything by a stuffy British man. Talk about how a girl has a certain need of a sexual nature until he can't take it anymore and gives you the go head."
"Well that… that's just cheating." Willow stuttered appalled.
"Relax, Red. Listen, can I interest you in this little baby it's guaranteed to top anything you've ever tried before. It has seven settings…" Faith started but was interrupted.
"No! No, you can not! Come on Hermione lets get out of here." Willow screeched running out the door.
"What do you know? It works on stuffy British men and red headed American witches." Faith said, smiling at Hermione who chuckled.
"I'd better go after her. She's had several shocks today. She probably can't take too much more. Nice seeing you again."
"Yeah, nice seeing you too, Stop by again."
"Who knows, I might just do that." She said leaving to go after Willow.
Willow's new girlfriend just might be exactly what she needs. Faith mistakenly thought with a smirk.
Outside Willow was rubbing her forehead trying to clear her mind of what just happened.
"Willow, you're not upset with me are you?" Hermione asked.
"No, I suppose not, it's just… It's a lot of things. There have been so many revelations today and practical jokes are fun but I just don't think I can take any more today."
"I'm sorry Willow, I've gone too far. I should have been more sensitive to your feeling."
"It's nice of you to understand but I guess it's just my karma. I shocked you and Harry the first time we met so my deeds have come back to bite me in the butt."
"That's an interesting philosophy."
"Well, let's get back to the Guardian Council I want everyone to meet Pyewacket. And would it be okay to tell my close friends that I'm a wand witch now?"
"How many friends?" Hermione asked a little worried about the number.
"Giles, Buffy, Xander, and Dawn. Oh and Faith if that's alright."
"Oh, well, they already know about the wizarding world through Harry and me. I can see you're all like family. As long as they can keep the secret; it should be fine."
Just then Willow's cell phone received a text. After reading it; she turned to Hermione. "Looks like Giles and Dawn are back from the rare book auction."
"There was a rare book auction? I wish I'd known about it."
"I'll get him to take you to the next one. They want to have a meeting in Cleveland about the soft ball tournament."
"Soft ball tournament?"
"It's this week's code phrase for the end of the world. We use them so the other girls don't know what we're really talking about. Giles must have found something."
"Well," Hermione began with a sigh. "If we're ready take hold of my arm and hold on to Pyewacket."
Willow did as she asked. Before she knew it, they were standing in the teleportation receiving room in Cleveland. Willow still gasped her breath and Pyewacket shook herself as if coming out of water when Willow put her on the floor. They exited the little room as they both stopped by the guard's desk to sign in. Hermione took her badge. Willow didn't need one. She lived there being considered management and founder. They walked in as Xander passed by.
"Hello, ladies. You're just in time. Giles came back a few minutes ago and now, there suppose to be a big meeting about the softball tournament."
"We know, I got the text." Willow said as they walked up the stairs.
Willow and Hermione got to Giles office and took some seats. Pyewacket immediately took a position on a shelf where she had a good view of the whole room. No one seemed to notice her as everyone waited for Giles and Dawn to enter. Hermione reflected upon her day. It had been fun to bring Willow into the wizarding world. It turned into a big revelation to find she actually belonged there. It was nice to actually have a girl friend to do girly things with. She really didn't have any growing up. The closet thing she had was the girls of her dorm in Hogwarts. But they proved to be backstabbing bints throughout her stay there. Even Ginny, who now gave Harry an ultimatum not to see her or he couldn't share her bed. Thank God, Harry was such a great friend or she may not have any real friends left.
He and Willow seemed to be closest to her now. It was odd how fast she and Willow hit it off. What was even odder was that stunt she just pulled on Willow. What made her think it was a good idea to thrust her into an unsuspecting situation such as an adult entertainment shop. That was extremely out of character for her. She really didn't know Willow that well; it could have shattered the fragile beginning of a trust filled friendship that she was trying to build.
This was not like her at all but she was however, narrowing down her behavior. There were these feelings she had been having. A feeling she knew she had before and had been able to narrow it down to the specific times she had them. The first time she felt it was the moment she finally realized the war was finally over and Voldemort was never going to coming back. It was a feeling that a heavy weight had been lifted off her and the iron tension she had been holding onto could be released.
Oddly enough, the second time she felt like that was after the whole Abbodon conflict. She supposed that the whole incident had triggered responses in her from her time in the war. Therefore, when it was over again; the weight had felt lifted once more. Since then, she had found herself unexplainably feeling euphoric at times, making her try things she normally wouldn't try. This new attitude she adopted seemed to want to try new and different things. Sure she was the same person; she still liked books and research. She still secretly took pride when people called her a know it all. Not that she didn't like holding an intelligent conversation with her equals; but this new attitude meant learning through experience and less through books. That was a good thing wasn't it? The only thing she could come up; some subconscious need for random experiences due to the knowledge that the world would soon end. Just then, Giles and Dawn walked into the room.
"Sorry to keep everyone waiting, but we had to make a quick stop at our library down stairs to make sure our translations was correct. You see the thing is, we just purchased a book of prophecies at auction. The volume is very rare and written in and obscure dialect. Dawn noticed that the book made references to an end game Scenario."
"Okay, don't keep us in suspense. What's it say G-man?"
Ignoring Xander's use of Giles lest favorite nickname, he pushed on. "In a nut shell, the prophecies reads something like this."
When it is learned that the world's lands will sink into its oceans the fallen essence of a gifted one will bring wondering champions to the house of champions. There they will learn of the safe land where life can continue.
Of course, I'm paraphrasing a bit. The dialect is frustratingly odd.
"So, does this mean we have to wonder around to find this essence so we can be taken to these champions house?" Xander asked. "I mean we could send the Sunnydale slayers to wander. Maybe, one of them will get lucky. Umm, why aren't they at this meeting anyway?"
"I couldn't pull them from their stakeout. It's the first evidence we found that that vampire nest have a communication network. This enables them to make special plans that make there kills look more random. As far as your idea to let them wonder; that might be an option." Giles replied.
"Maybe it would be better for everyone to wonder regardless if they know about the end or not." Willow suggested.
"Wait a moment, why are we taking this prophecy as gospel. What's this one got that has us jumping at the idea other than hope?" Buffy inquired.
The silence was defining before Hermione said, "Buffy has a point. What does it exactly mean? What is this 'fallen essence of a gifted one'?"
"Don't either of you believe we should follow up on all the leads we find?" Giles asked.
"I've never clamed to be the sharpest crayon into the box. That's a title I usually hang around your neck Giles, but isn't sending people to wonder a waste of time and resources? Hermione is right. We should be analyzing this until we know exactly what it's talking about. You did say it was tuff to translate. I trust both you and Dawn's translations, but you seemed to have it done within a couple of hours of obtaining the book. Are you both sure you did it right?"
Both Dawn and Giles looked to each other. They worked through it pretty fast, perhaps too fast. They were pretty sure of their work but they usually had the other check it to make sure. That's why translators for the G.C. worked in pairs or trios. They also would have had a list of ideas as to its meanings. In their rush, they neglected to do these things.
With a sigh Giles spoke, "Buffy and Hermione are correct. This has been a rush job and is inexcusable. This meeting is in recess for two hours to further examine it."
/Sean break/
After passing the sign that says Welcome to Cleveland Jim and Blair let Melinda's SUV pass as she got directions to their destination through the ghost of Elise Davies who had been the mother of Tru and Harrison Davies.
Melinda was concerned that the pair hadn't had any questions or comments for their mother. She knew what the problem was. They just didn't believe her. But she was upset that they were missing a golden opportunity they would soon be sorry for, once Elise leaves. Elise was just happy to have her children close. Elise turned to Melinda, she told her not to be concerned that everything was alright and in the end we'd have eternity, she could wait. In the mean time, she gave directions. Everyone was wondering why they were parked in front of a school. Everyone got out of their vehicles and stood at the curb looking to Melinda for answers. Melinda, however, looked to Elise.
"This is a bit complicated," announced Elise. "This is a very special school for gifted people, mostly women."
When Melinda repeated what was said Harrison couldn't resist making a comment. "So what, our mom brings us to the X-men?" Harrison questioned in disbelief.
"Tru should lead the way to the entrance. With her leading, you should get through the door with little problem." Said Elise
"Why would there be a problem?" Melinda asked.
"It would mean the difference between getting a P.R. person or people that would actually make things happen. My daughter has a remarkable resemblance to one of their own. It is very important that she not confirm or deny their beliefs until they are in the presents of the man name Xander."
"Who is Xander?"
"He is known as The one who sees and for good reason."
Melinda relayed the information to the others and noticed Tru getting uneasy.
"Tru, you are not claiming to be someone else. As a matter of fact that's exactly what your mother is telling you not to do. Just let things play out the way they will. I'll be right behind you." Melinda encouraged.
With everyone counting on her, Tru felt pressured to do what they wanted.
"Tru, you don't have to do this. We can just turn around and go home." Harrison stated.
"He's absolutely right Tru we won't make you do anything you don't want to. If you want my husband, I will take the lead or Jim and Blair. You don't even have to be here if you don't want."
"No, I can do this! I will do this!" Tru said in determination.
"They walked through the gate and up the walk to the front door of the school. The guard looked up. "Hey Faith, that's a new look for you - never thought I'd see you in a dress."
"Do you know if Xanders in?" Tru asked more bravely then she felt.
The guard was a bit put off by Faiths lack of response to her question but looked up the list to make sure Xander was indeed still here.
"Yeah, he should be. Your friends can have a seat in the waiting room while you go find him."
Tru looked to the phone sitting on the desk and said, "Or you can just page him to the front desk and I'll sit with my friends."
"Umm sure." The guard said uncertain. She watched as Faith opened the glass door to the waiting room. She waked in. The guard picked up the phone. Everyone took a seat but on a hunch she called Giles office. Buffy answered.
"Faith is here with a party of six. They're looking for Mr. Harris." The Guard announced.
"That's not possible. Faith's in England." Buffy countered.
"That's what I thought but this lady looks a lot like her only she's dressed… in a dress."
"And she claimed to be Faith?"
"Umm… well no but she didn't say she wasn't."
Buffy sighed. "I'll be right down."
Buffy hung up the phone and looked to Xander.
"Are you expecting any company Xan?"
"No, why?"
"Do you know anyone that looks like Faith but isn't?"
"Umm, no."
"Well, not Faith and six other people are down stairs looking for you by name."
"Me? I hardly ever get visitors. I wonder who it could be."
"Well, let's find out." Buffy said.
They left the office and walked down stairs. When they reached the first floor they both stopped and stared at Tru. Tru in turn looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
Xander broke into a smile. "I always wondered what Faith would look like in a dress."
"Oh look, its Nick Fury." Harrison said sarcastically in response to Xander's eye patch.
"Actually, it's Xander Harris; but thanks for the compliment."
"He's been trying to get the rest of us to call him that since forever." Buffy announced.
"The woman's name that you believe to be Faith is actually Tru Davies." Melinda announced with Xander there. "And this is her brother Harrison; I'm Melinda Gordon this is my husband Jim Clancy and my son Aiden. Those two gentlemen are Jim Ellison and Blair Sandberg."
"Well, my name it Buffy Summers and for the record we knew she wasn't Faith. There are several differences in her appearance, but she looks enough like her to be her sister. "
"You didn't die your hair, did you?" Xander asked.
"What? No." Tru said.
"Yours is a lot lighter brown then our Faiths. So what, can we do for you?"
"Um, is there somewhere we can speak in private?" Melinda asks.
"The waiting room is sound proof." Buffy said. Melinda told Buffy and Xander they were here due to a ghost telling them they needed to come here because of a danger that threatens to kill them.
"A ghost you say?" Xander asked.
"Mr. Harris I've been able to see ghosts my entire life. I've helped many to cross over to the other side by resolving their issues here on this plain."
"It's not that we don't believe you. It's just that it's slightly new territory from what we normally deal with." Buffy said.
"Normally deal with?" Jim Ellison wondered aloud.
"We'll, get to that later." Xander said. "For now, I think we should find out what this danger is."
"Excuse me." Blair interrupted. "But we've been on the road since this morning and that last thirty two ounce drink has my eyeballs floating. Can someone show me to the little boy's room?"
Looking into Blair's eyes Xander could see that he wanted to speak with him in private.
"Sure, Buffy, you can handle this for a moment right?"
"Sure, Xan."
"Right this way Mr. Sandberg, "
Jim Ellison knew what his friend was doing. He just wasn't sure he liked it. However, he had to trust his partner's instincts.
The Guard let them pass given that Xander would be escorting Blair. Once in the rest room, they were both sure no one else was present Xander spoke.
"So, now that we're away from your friend, I take it there is something you wanted to say?"
"Yeah, there is. My partner and I were given information that we were told in a vision and the others don't know about. For the record, we were told by a ghost in a dream not to because who would believe that the danger was the end of the world."
Xander's eyebrows rose in shock. "Okay you can stop right there! I believe you, but this is a conversation that needs to be held with the rest of the scoobies."
"Scoobies? Who are the scoobies?"
"It's the core group of the Guardian Council."
"Wait a minute; this is the Guardian Council boarding school for gifted girls?"
"Well yeah, didn't you know where you're going?"
"The ghost was the one giving directions. She wasn't forthcoming with the details; something about being sent by higher powers."
"Okay, now, we really need to have a scoobie meeting."
After Blair did his business (he really did have to go) he exited the rest room and headed back to the waiting room. He approached the security desk and saw another visitor he recognized standing there.
"Oz! How the hell you doing man?"
"Xander, it's good to see you! I guess you can say life's been interesting."
"Well, it's great to see you too. You're looking good. What brings you by?"
"Willow," Oz said as if that would explain everything.
"Did she fill you in?" Xander asked.
"Nope." He said. Xander smiled as Oz went back to his familiar one word answers.
"Well, you're just in time. We were just going to inform a bunch of people about that very subject. Why don't you head up to Giles office? I think Willow's there. We'll be right up."
As Oz left, Xander opened the door to the waiting room. "Guess who I found in the hallway." He asked as he heard Jim Ellison ask in a very rough voice. "What the hell are you?" staring at Buffy. This greatly concerned Blair. He walked past Buffy who had her arms folded across her chest and a questioning look on her face.
Blair got to his partner and asked. "What's wrong Jim?" When he didn't answer Blair put a hand on his arm to make sure he hadn't zoned out. When he made contact he was instantly transported into the vision of a jungle. He saw Jim still standing in front of him but looking past him. Blair turned to see what caught his partner's eye. He saw at first glace an incredibly large saber tooth white leopard, but he soon realized that this thing may not even be feline.
It was a muscular powerhouse. Even though it was sitting on it's haunches it sat at eye level with Jim who was standing there in human form. It wasn't his panther spirit animal. The beast had two large teeth that hung off each side of its muzzle and two half sized teeth right behind them. It also had a ridge of small half inch horns running across it'd brow. It didn't have any fur at all and its skin looked like that of a Gila monster. Its front paws looked more hand like but the digits were bone covered all the way up to its knuckles. It's red and yellow eyes looked at the pair curiously when all of the sudden it stood up on is hind legs towering over them. It then folded it arms. Their surroundings faded into the waiting room once more. Then the beast shrank down to that of the blond woman, Buffy Summers that had been standing there when the vision first started.
"Wow! You have some really funky spirit animal working for you there Miss Summers."
Buffy's eye brows shot up to her hairline not understanding at first but then she figured that he must be talking about the slayer demon.
"Oh that, yeah, it's unusual."
"Then you know about it, what it looks like?"
"Not what it looks like, I don't see spirit animals; but I know it's there. If you can see spirit animals, then you'll see a lot of them around here and there."
"Do you know what it is?"
"Can you put a name to it?" Buffy asked avoiding the question.
"I wouldn't know where to begin," He replied.
Buffy shrugged.
"Buff, it seems that there is a ghost running this show and she likes softball. I was thinking that maybe we should see if Wills can hold a séance or something so we can all hear what she has to say."
Buffy was a little surprised to find the ghost had brought these people here to save them not from some danger but the end of the world. "Hmm, I don't know if a séance is right but maybe she has something." She said to Xander before turning to the others in the room. "Alright everybody we need to have a meeting with the rest of our key people. If you'll follow us we were already in session when you arrived. You'll all have to stop at the security desk for a visitors badge and then we can go up."
They all walked out of the waiting room and got there Badges.
"We don't need no stinking badges." Harrison said when he received his making the others groan.
"Oh very witty, I swear I've never heard that one before." The guard said sarcastically which made the others chuckle.
They followed Buffy up the stairs and down the hallway when Harrison asked. "What Kind of nane is Buffy anyway?"
"Very witty. I swear I've never heard anyone ask that before." Buffy said
"You're really sticking you foot in it bro." Tru said as they walked into the office where the rest of the scoobies waited. Tru felt a little uncomfortable as the scoobies stared at her. She wondered just how much she looked like this Faith.
"You got to get better material to keep up with the rest of us." Xander said in a cheery tone as he crossed the room.
"When I need advice from a guy that thinks an eye patch is a cool fashion statement I'll ask you." Harrison replied.
Xander crossed back over the room to stand in front of Harrison his back to the others.
"What, did I offend you? You want to try and take me on?" Harrison challenged.
"No, nothing like that." Xander said with a smile he reached up to his eye patch. "I just wanted you to know that it's more than just a fashion statement." He finished by pulling the patch off giving Harrison a good view of the eye socket with the missing eye as well as scar tissue around the edges. Harrison cringed. He tried to look away. Xander found it amusing when people were too horrified to look but too fascinated to turn away.
"Some times, it still weeps and I have to use cotton behind the patch. Can you guess what they call me then... Come on you know you want to say it."
"No, that's ok. I'll pass. But how…" Harrison began to ask but Xander finished.
"Did it happen? One of the bad guys we handled, held me down and did his impersonation of little Jack Horner; only he didn't get a plum."
"Ack! That's grosser than I could ever imagine. Could you back off please?"
Xander put his eye patch back on and turned around to find everyone that wasn't a scoobie wincing in his direction. "Sorry," He said to everyone else in the room before rejoining the scoobies. There was a knock on the door and oz walked in. "Oz!" The scoobies shouted except for Xander.
"What happened to you? I thought you'd be here before us." Xander asked
"Got lost!"
"Xander, Oz has never actually been here before." Willow stated.
"Oh, sorry man, I didn't realize." Xander apologized.
"Not a problem, I got an interesting Watcher named Sarah to show me the way. Nice place you got here."
"You know, you're still always welcome to join us." Giles said.
"Maybe someday, my band still got a few gigs out west we got to do."
"There will always be another gig Oz; but this time you need to come back into the fold." Willow replied.
"Is this about that cryptic thing you couldn't mention over the phone?"
"Yes it is, but I think it would be best if Willow did her magic to allow the rest of us to hear what the ghost lady has to say." Xander announced?
"There's a ghost lady?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, it would seem that these nice people were brought here by said ghost lady to save them from a danger she couldn't tell them about till they got here, Which coincides with our softball game."
"Oh we wouldn't what to interfere with your softball game." Harrison said sarcastically, earning him a swat to the arm from his sister and a swat to the back of the head from Jim Ellison. Not offended by his sister he turned to complain to Jim.
"Watch it, you big ape. What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"They obviously are talking in some kind of code. You don't think that we would walk in here and they'd be open to telling us everything about themselves do you?"
"Great," Willow began sarcastically. "I'm going to have to do some research on this one for the better part of the day to come up with a spell like that." Willow said ignoring her guests.
"Actually, I may have a spell that may help if I still have the required book in my bag." Hermione said opening said bag. She waved her wand and muttered the spell and the name of the book. The book shot out of the bag and she took it to the table for her, Willow and Dawn to look through. After a few minutes Hermione's shoulders slumped. She turned around to speak with Giles.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think this is the type of spell you'll appreciate."
"Why? Is it dark?" He asked.
"No, but it was meant to be used on an entire building. If I did this I don't think you or the others would like seeing ghosts walk the halls every day because there isn't any way to cancel it once cast."
Before Giles could reply, Willow injected her Idea. "You know this spell looks like it could be condensed down to a smaller area. I don't see why we couldn't make it room sized or even closet sized."
"Willow, I think the author would have added the spells to do that if he knew it could be done."
"But that's the thing, he may not have known. Your magic calculations look really easy compared to Wicca magic. I think I know of a couple of runes that can bridge the gap between this spell and what I can do with Wicca. All I need is the right space to work it on."
"Let me see what you mean."
With that, Willow took pen and paper and began rewriting the spell. When Hermione began to see how the spell was being put together she began to get excited. This was such a revolutionary concept. She wasn't sure of the Wicca calculations as she never seen such a complex formula used in magic before. She wasn't sure about a couple of the runes used as she didn't recognize a couple of them. The end result however, sounded like it could work. Hermione was slightly jealous as to how easy it seemed for Willow to look at a spell, take it apart, and create what was needed all on the fly.
"This… this is incredible. After a few tests, we may be able to try this by the end of the week." Hermione said excitedly.
Willow and Dawn looked at her with a raised eyebrow each.
"We were thinking on trying it out now." Dawn said.
"But I don't even understand some of the calculations in this spell to confirm your spell will work."
"I may not be too good at throwing around Wicca magic like Willow but I can do the math just as good and it looks flawless. besides the Jamaican runes were a stroke of genius. They are perfectly sound for this application." Dawn replied.
Harrison began whispering to his sister. "Do you believe this crap? Magic spells my ass. These guys have brought us to a bunch of weirdoes."
Ellison had heard him and normally would have swatted the back of his head but couldn't deign that it did sound strange. However, he had seen a lot of strange things since becoming a sentinel, things that didn't make sense. Maybe he would find the answers if what they were talking about were true. He would, at least, give them the chance.
"Oh. I just had a thought as to how to set this up and where." Willow began. "Giles, I think I found a use for that wing back chair with the broken springs no one likes to sit in."
" Well, at least it will give me more of a reason to keep it."
"Why would you keep a chair no one will sit in?" Hermione asked.
"It goes with the rest of the décor so nicely, I just couldn't get rid of it."
Willow and Dawn went to said chair and with a markers in hand began drawing the rune symbols on the fabric.
"At least, it used to go with the décor." Giles sighed.
Midway through the drawings Willow asked Dawn to get the necessary Herbs and a raw fist sized amethyst crystal.
By the time Dawn came back, Willow had just finished drawing the runes. She took the packet of herbs Dawn had mixed and placed them within the seat cushion. She then pulled out a ceremonial dagger because it happened to be handy and stabbed the top of the chair leaving a hole in the cushion used for back support. She placed the crystal within. It was now time for the spell.
"Hermione, I'm going to need you to do the original spell while I cast the Wicca incantation."
"All right then." She responded.
Harrison kept rolling his eyes at the whole affair but wisely kept his mouth shut.
As the spells were cast, the chair slightly shimmered and then emitted a glow as if a light shown upon it. The spell was finished and the women smiled at each other. Willow turned to the other people in the room
"Does anyone know the name of the ghost lady?" She asked.
"Her name is Elise Davies. She's here now." Melinda announced.
"Allegedly." Harrison injected not wanting to believe his long dead mothers spirit had anything to do with this con game.
Willow looked to the room and asked. "Mrs. Elise Davies will you have a seat in this chair please. It should make it easier to speak with you."
Everyone looked to the chair expectantly except for Harrison. He looked but wasn't expecting anything. Everyone gasped when a female figure appeared to stand in front of the chair and sat down.
"How…How…" Tru began.
"I thought it was suppose to only allow us to hear her." Melinda said.
"The spell Hermione found makes the atmosphere around the chair to be in both the astral realm as well as the physical plane. We should be able to hear her as well."
"Can…Can you really see me, and hear me as well?" Elise asked some what emotional.
"Yes, yes we can." Melinda confirmed.
"Mom? Tru asked on the verge of emotional overload."
"It' me honey. I'm so happy to see you or more importantly that you can see me."
"Mom, I don't know what to say….I've missed you so much. You have no idea how many times I wished you were with me, to help me understand this… gift… curse… power I have."
"I believe the way you see it determines the way you use it. I've always looked at it as a gift. Your father and Jack looked at it as a power. Something they needed to grab hold of and wrestle to the ground. Trying to control something obviously neither of them could understand as both were frightened of the out come that a person saved from dying meant. But you've handled it incredibly well. Better then I ever did. I'm so proud of you Tru."
Tru had tears running down her face at her mothers words. "Is it true that dad had the same gift I and Jack had."
"You and Jack don't have the same gift Tru. His was more of an extension of yours. You should know this; you swapped experiences with him that time the woman fell from the ledge of the tower."
"I remember. I didn't like it. When I went back that time it felt like I could feel her die."
"And that's why Jack saw your power as a curse, to feel that each time can drive a person view of life and what happen after down into the gutter."
"Excuse me, not to break up this moment but, what are we doing here? I mean you brought us here so, what is this danger were suppose to be watching out for? And why bring us to a girl's school of all places? What kind of protection can we possibly get here?" Melinda's husband asked.
"This isn't just a school for girls Mr. Clancy this is the Guardian Council. Being here, as hard as it may be to believe, you are better protected than you would be at a military base. However, I must now admit to bringing you here under slightly false pretenses. Protection isn't exactly what I brought you here for."
"I knew it." Harrison exclaimed.
"Let her speak." Ellison snapped at him.
"I brought you all here to save your lives. The higher power I was sent here by, the ones the council know as 'The Powers That Be' found that there is to be an almost extinction level event in the near future. If anyone is going to survive on their cunning alone, it will be the Guardian Council." Elise then turned her attention to the Scoobies. "Of course the 'Powers' will do what they can to help, but because of this event their resources have been stretched pretty thin."
"When will it happen and where the safe zone is would be helpful." Buffy replied.
"Even the Powers aren't privy to the information about where at this time. Should it come to their attention before you've found anything you and yours will be one of the first to know. As for the time they estimate anywhere between December 2012 and June 2013"
"The end of the world! Right. You expect us to believe that? What the hell makes these people so special that they could possible give better protection than a military base? That claim is just such a load of B.S. "
"The Guardian Council deals with a verity of problems that most people don't even believe exists. The girls here are gifted with the power of worriers. Each one is imbued with the skill, knowledge and enough raw strength to defeat the unnatural pray."
"Exactly what the hell is that suppose to mean? What do you mean by unnatural pray." Harrison scoffed.
"She means demons and vampires. Buffy replied without hesitation. If you haven't noticed with our resident witches and the Ghost in the corner, the supernatural exists and we're the people that beat back what goes bump in the night."
"Harrison you must believe them." Elise pleaded.
"Believe them? Lady I don't believe in you! You're just some kind of fancy holographic projection from another room some where. And while you have similarities to our mother, you're not. My mother died years ago. You people have a lot of nerve praying on sympathies like this but I'm not buying into any of it. Supernatural? Are you freaking serious? Do you really believe we'd jump on your band wagon with that line? Give me a break. Tru lets get out of here." He said heading for the door where Oz stood.
"If it's proof of the super natural you want I can prove it to you." Oz announced.
"No, you really can't." Harrison said and turned around to the rest of the group. Come on Tru. These people are all just part of some elaborate con.
The group jumped back startled in horror. Harrison looked at then in confusion.
"Har… Harrison, behind you." Tru stuttered out.
Harrison turned around to witness the biggest wolf he had ever seen. And what was really odd was that it stood on its hind legs. He could see it wasn't a costume. "Wasn't that Oz guy just standing there?" He thought.
Hermione looked on fascinated. She once saw her professor transform but that was in the moonlight, there wasn't a full moon tonight. She then remembered Willow mentioning Oz to her when they first met. She didn't believe her when she said that oz could control his wolf then, but the proof now stood before her.
"Everyone please calm down. Oz is one of the few wares that can control his transformation and remain in control of his mind." Willow announced.
Harrison backed away slowly. "Wares? As in ware…wolf?"
"Obviously." Buffy replied. "I think you've made your point Oz."
With that Oz transformed back to his human form right in front of Harrison's eyes. Oz looked on sheepishly at him and the others. He knew he convinced Harrison, because he could smell fear and knew that he scared a few of the others as well. So to divert some of the tension he asked.
"So, it's the end of the world again. What makes this time so different that we can't stop it."
"First of all it's not an apocalypse like the ones we stopped in the past. This is a divine cleansing having little to do with demons except to wash them away." Giles replied.
"The government knows about it but unless you have a billion dollars you'll never get passage on one of there ships." Dawn said.
"You mean like arks?" Blair asked.
"Yeah, they have about seven big ones made of steel that the rest of the public isn't suppose to know about." Willow announced.
"According to Charlie Frost, The governments seem to be killing off those that try to get the word out." Xander bit out in disgust.
"Makes sense." Oz replied calmly.
Some of the new arrivals looked at him like he was cold, heartless, and insane before Jim Ellison said. "He's right. They're trying to keep a lid on this so there isn't panic in the streets. It would be dog eat dog out there if that happened."
"What exactly is it that is making this happen?" Oz continued to question.
We have a video to show that Charlie Frost made. It's a crude animation but it gets the point across."
"So what types of gifts do you guys got?" Dawn asked.
"Miss Gordon see ghosts and Blair and Jim get visions." Xander replied.
"Actually Jim is a sentinel. He has heightened senses and I'm his guide and Shaman."
"That's debatable." Elise barbed.
"Excuse me?" Blair said.
"Mr. Ellison hasn't needed a guide for some time now. And your Shaman abilities leave a lot to be desired."
"What do you mean?"
"By now you should be having more visions then your sentinel. You should be able to spirit walk, communicate with not only spirit animals but the animals in nature as well. Incacha unlocked your shaman abilities years ago. He placed your feet on the path but you never walked upon it preferring to baby-sit your sentinels every endeavor.
Latching on to my daughters ability was a form of shamanism that you did accidentally."
"Wow! I never knew. But I was trying to help Jim there wasn't time with our job. The criminals don't let up long enough to let a person journey those kinds of paths."
"Excuses, Mr. Sandberg, Mr. Ellison could have helped you as you've helped him in the past."
"She's right, chief; I would have helped if I knew that's what you wanted. I still would. I owe you too much to say no."
"I don't see that we'll have the time now that we know the world is ending."
Jim swatted Blair up side the head.
"Ow! What was that for?"
Jim would have answered but Elise beat him to it.
"Excuses, Mr. Sandberg; There is always time to walk the path and I have just the opportunity for you to do so."
"What do you mean?"
" The Powers told me last night they were pleased with how you handled bringing this group here. They wish to impose on you again I'm afraid. There are some others around the country that need to be gathered and brought to Cleavland."
"Not that we wouldn't do it but could we take a break for a while?" Jim asked. "The cross country road trips are fun. I can use a few days of balanced meals, hot showers, and a few good nights of deep sleep."
"You only have until the late part of 2012 but I think you can take the week off." She said jokingly and with a smile.
"Mom," Tru began. "Why didn't these Powers want you to save me? I mean, I have a gift but Blair said you went against there wishes and got Jim and Blair to swing by to get me."
"It's simple. They may be higher beings but like most cavemen they seek to destroy that which they don't understand. Not that they would come after you but their plan was to just leave you to die with everyone else. Of all the gifts in the world yours is not one that they understand nor can they control. When you change things you change the future. When you change things they are unaware of what would have happened before you changed it. So they don't know whether it's good or bad, better or worse. They don't even know where your gift comes from. You're a wild card. Because of that there is a division between the Powers on this subject. The same arguments that you and Jack have had in the past. Should people get a second chance without knowing it or are you damaging the wheels of fate with a monkey wrench and a sledge hammer."
"So they were just going to let Harrison and me die?"
"Honey there will be a lot of death when the end comes. Allowing your gift to fade allows the division and the arguments to end but whether they realize it or not magic always finds away. Had you both died the gift would most likely have appeared in another family line. It was because of the Powers on your side that they agreed with the other half to let you die but sent me to do it. In that way should I take matters into my own hands they become blameless should you survive."
"But then the blame is put squarely on you, what happens to you?" Tru asked.
"I'm not sure, I can think of a few things that they could try but the bottom line is that they called me out of my just rewards to ask me to do this for them. If they wanted it done right they should have done it themselves."
"Um excuse me, but just what is your gift?" Dawn asked.
Tru looked to her mother who nodded to her, a sign telling her it was okay to tell them. Tru turn back the person asking the question.
"I relive days to save people who died the first time around."
At that moment, you could have heard a pin drop. Dawn looked at everyone and broke the silence.
"What's everyone surprised about? Going back a single day is small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. I'm sure it's barley a blip on the cosmic radar."
The scoobies then realized who was talking and realized a universal Key would know.
"Mr. Giles, while I'm able to speak with you; I'd like to ask a favor." Elise stated.
"Feel free to ask and I'll see what I can do."
"The purpose of a watcher is to find and train the slayers. Is it possible to extend that to find and train people with our family gift as well as Jacks gift so that there isn't an apposing philosophy in the future?"
"It's a little late for Jack. He's gone crazy." Harrison said sarcastically.
"It's latter than you think. I've been informed of his passing. This is why I ask for the favor in the first place. There will be another called to take Jack's place somewhere and Tru doesn't need someone trying to circumvent her accomplishments." Elise replied.
"The Guardian Council has already expanded it's help to those with different gifts. Several witch coven and werewolf pack among others. I believe your family gift can easily be helped by our organization if that is what you wish."
"It is thank you."
"Wait a minute. If this is going to happen, why not have Davis be my watcher? If these watchers work the way you say then Davis could do the job. I wouldn't have gotten as far as I had if it wasn't for him. Heck, there were a few situations where I'd be dead if it weren't for him."
"I'm sure if this Mr. Davis is as good as you say he is we would surely welcome him. However, there is something you all need to realize. Once the end happens we will be left to fend for our selves there will be a lack of resources. We don't know at the moment if it will be hostile territories or not. So, should you choose to save someone it will be on your head as to their fate."
"Oh, you make it sound so ominous. Just how many people do you guys plan on taking. Tell me you're not going to try and save everyone in this school." Harrison said sarcastically.
The scoobie group looked uncomfortable as they looked to each other and then anywhere but the other group in front of them. Then Giles finally spoke
"We are in the middle of determining how many we will bring with us. Of the thousands of girls we may only be able to save a small number."
"What! How can you be so cold hearted?" Harrison yelled.
"He may be right." Jim Ellison replied. "Wherever we find ourselves in the end we are going to be on our own having to deal with diseases, famine, finding shelter and thieves. It's a good bet that money won't mean a thing afterwards. We all like to think that people will pull together in times of crisis but when you've lost everything, a darker nature sometimes immerges. Mr. Giles may not be able to support or protect so many in the end."
"I don't know if we can live in a world like that." Melinda announced.
"Sure we can. You wouldn't want our son to live in that place alone do you?" Clancy asked.
Melinda knew the alternative was that she would need to leave her son die. No mother could bear to know that her child wouldn't survive. It was bad enough her son was so distant preferring to live in his computer games of one type or another.
The toll of seeing dead people all the time and being bombarded with all their emotional baggage had sent him into himself so deep the doctors said he may never come out.
Fortunately they found he liked video games. The games seem to be the only relief he gets. It has been the only sign of progress since he shut down. Melinda and Jim encouraged it. In time, he may decide to rejoin everyone but for now they'll make sure he is cared for until that day comes.
"In any case, I had originally called this meeting to decipher a twelve thousand year old prophecy that may lead us to find the safe zone." Giles announced.
"What does it say?" Oz asked.
"After retranslating it; we have found that we originally had it right. It reads:
When it is learned that the world's lands will sink into its oceans the fallen essence of a gifted one will bring wondering champions to the house of champions. There they will learn of the safe land where life can continue."
"Now, I believe Xander's Idea has merit we could send the Sunnydale girls out to… what are you all looking at me like that for? Giles stopped in mid hypothesis."
Everyone in the room stood looking at him with a smirk on their face. Some like Xander and Dawn were actually chuckling. It still took another moment before it finally hit him that the prophecy was just fulfilled.
"Bloody hell!" He said completely embarrassed.
"Jim, this is wild. We were just part of a twelve thousand year old prophecy." Blair said with a manic smile. "But what about finding the safe land?"
"It never said we would have it when you arrived just that you would learn it from us and when we know you'll know." Dawn announced.
As the Scooies explained about the end of the world and showed their guest Charlie frost's video, their new friends asked what kind of plans they had. Hermione excused herself from the room. It had been about twenty minuets before she returned. When she entered the room the Scoobies had just suggested that their guest be shown to their rooms as they would be staying with them for the time being. They would regroup later to go over what they needed to know about the upcoming disaster. It was then that Hermione spoke.
"Excuse me, but I thought I'd bring someone who should be here for this meeting."
The scoobies thought it might be Harry. Willow thought it might be Luna. The scoobies were only mildly surprised to see Faith walk in behind her. The other group was stunned to see Tru in two places at once. Faith was oblivious to this as she spoke.
"I just got off my temp job. Sorry I'm late, but you could have held off the meeting till I could at least get the chance to conferences call. Who are the new guys?"
It was then that she saw Tru,
"What the hell?" she said.
"That's just what I was thinking." Harrison said.
"How… how… Mom what's going on?" Tru asked her ghostly mother.
"To look like one another is one thing but you not only have the same voice but have the same accent. There's obviously more going on here". Hermione suggested.
"Mom?" Tru asked.
Reluctantly Elise answered. "I had hoped to put this off for a few days. Tru, Harrison, meet your half sister Faith."
"What! Wait, you had another kid you never told us about." Harrison asked.
"Hey, I know who my mother was and she isn't it." Faith said defensively pointing at the ghost.
"No. I didn't have another child." Elise confirmed. "Your father however, had an affair… with my sister."
"Wait a minute! Is your last name Lehane?" Tru asked.
"Yeah it is. What do you mean your sister? As far as I know my mom was an only child; I didn't have any aunts. Why haven't I heard of you?" Faith said.
"I remember the family talking about Aunt Lehene." Right after, Tru said it she realized what was said about her aunt and became uncomfortably quiet.
"Yeah, well, if it's true about us being related then you probably heard she was a drug addict and I can tell you it's true."
"Your mother ran with the wrong crowed in high school." Elise began. "That was also about the time she got into drugs. I tried to get her to quite for the longest time but for every step forward she would take two steps back sometimes three.
Then, I didn't see her for a long time and I decided to get a life of my own. I'd gotten married and was pregnant with my first child when I'd found Kelly again. By this time she had lost a lot of weight from her drug abuse. Enough to make her attractive to most of the lowlifes she hung around with. Again I tried to help her. I tried to help until I was pregnant with Tru.
Then my husband tried to convince me that your mother was a lost cause and that I should give up on her. When I wouldn't, he threatened to leave me if I was going to continue to drain the family resources on a drug addict. Little did I know that he just didn't want me around for her pregnancy. Other wise I might find out the baby was his. I imagine that he probably threatened your mother to forget she ever had a sister as well."
After a pause Faith asked. "What brings you here? Why now?"
"Um Faith it would seem that the Powers that be have decided to send people with certain gifts to us. While your new found sister doesn't possess your skills she does have a gift of her own that needs to be preserved after the world ends." Giles announced.
"God damn it the freak'en Powers knew I had family and didn't tell me nothing? Didn't they know how much I needed family back then? Didn't they know how much danger my family could have been in without me?"
"I believe that is precisely why they didn't let it be known you had family as your sacred duty might have brought the danger to them." Giles explained.
"Besides, your father would have had you kidnapped and sold into some form of slavery in another continent somewhere if he did just have you kill outright." Elise said.
"He isn't really that bad is he?" Tru asked.
"I never thought so while I was alive but looking at the world from this side opens your eyes to a whole level of twisted things you wouldn't believe about ones family. I know you and your brother have found out a lot of dirty and illegal secrets about him in the past few years but you've only seen the very tip of the iceberg." Elise stated.
"So, I was right my father really is a fubar piece of crap."
"You'll get no argument from us." Tru replied. Harrison didn't look like he wanted to agree even if he knew it was true.
"So, you're really my family? The powers must really like you. The most they've ever done for me was to give me a gift to beat up the living dead on a nightly basis for the rest of my life."
"Actually, the powers had nothing to do with us being here. They were happy to have just left us die in the end. It was our mother who went against the powers rules and brought us here."
"Impressive, I guess. Any other back home I should know about?"
"You had another sister. She had a drug problem too. She overdosed. I couldn't do anything to save her."
"You need to stop blaming yourself sweetheart it wasn't your fault." Elise began. "Even if you had been there, there wouldn't have been a thing you could have done. Even if you had found a way to go back again she would still have done it the moment your back was turned. Tru please stop beating yourself up over it."
"Not to rag on our sister but after taking care of my mothers drug problems I can tell you what your mom says it true. It's not pretty to watch a loved one descend into their addiction. With an addiction that strong, she would have over dosed at some point whether you were there to love them or not." Faith said her eyes focused on something a thousand miles away and over a decade in the past.
"Well, as uncomfortable as this has been to watch I've been wondering about those rooms you were about to show us to." Clancy inquired.
"Jim!" Melinda admonished her husband.
"What! Being in another family's duty laundry is very uncomfortable."
"Yeah, well you came to us and now are part of our group. Our laundry is your laundry so welcome to the family." Dawn retorted.
"This whole thing is too freaky for me, I still say there's a scam going on here somewhere and until I figure out what's real in this rabbit hole I'm going to stay at a motel. So unless your keeping me here I leaving." Harrison wondered.
"No one is a prisoner here but remember, you can't tell anyone about the end of the world stuff. You'll only incite a riot and there are government types that will kill anyone who tries to get the word out. There's a list of names on Charlie's website that shows the people who've tried."
"Yeah, right, whatever; I'll see you around."
"Harrison, I'd really rather have you help me."
"If you want my advice then here it is; pack your bags and head back to Boston with me and forget all this oogy boogy stuff these guys are pushing. If not, I'll call you when I get to the motel. He said and walked out of the office."
"I like him. Faith announced. He's opinionated; he doesn't take crap from no one, he's a true skeptic and hard to convince."
"Faith, our brother still has a hard time with the concept of my gift after all these years." True said.
"He's been traveling with a shaman, and a sentinel, who are both cops by the way and he calls us con artists." Blair added.
"I transformed into my wolfy self right in front of him." Oz finished.
"Alright, our brother is a bonehead. What should we do about it?" Faith conceded.
"I'll go talk to him." Tru said.
"But, we really didn't get a chance to go over what we do here." Buffy said.
"I'll have to catch up later." She told Buffy then turned to her mother. "You'll be here when I get back, wont you mom?"
"Actually, I have to go right now, but I'll need to come back when necessary.
I'll try to stay as long as I can. When I do, always remember I love you and I'm proud of you, the three of you." She finished looking straight into Faiths eyes.
"Thanks," both Faith and Tru said in unison and with that both Tru and Elise left the room.
"Umm… I guess Xander and I will show you to your rooms now." Dawn announced. She headed for the door. When everyone was gone Buffy and the rest of the scoobies as well as Hermione were there to console Faith.
"Are you alright with everything Faith?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah, sure B. It was a surprise and a bit strange and I'm going to kick each and every Power that be in the head for keeping this from me for so long but I'm okay. It's going to take a little getting use to but I'll deal. Now, new order of business has anyone of us claimed the two unmarried cops yet cause if not I'm calling dibs."
"You can't call dibs on both of them, you got to give others a chance I.E. me." Buffy wined.
Hermione was near Giles when she heard him say.
"These are our heroes. The earth is most defiantly doomed."
A.N.
Sorry for the long wait.
Major thanks to Major Simi for his words of support as well as Endymion2314, kdakmmt, Nedy Rahn, Zyanadryn, KVL, Old Girl Lost, and the anonymous Guests. I've appreciated all the reviews and advice and hope for more.
And Thanks to my editor for helping to make this story read better.
The answer to the last chapters question
Q; Where I pulled Pyewacket from?
A; The Movie, Bell Book and Candle
I like reviews.