Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy: The Vampire Slayer.

One week later, Chicago

Buffy looked at her phone and checked the social media feed. There had been a lot of mentions of superpowered women being seen in the town recently and reports of police officers being assaulted and stripped of their weapons and ending up in the ICU and it was clear to Buffy who was behind it.

Buffy walked down one of the lower-class neighborhoods of the town as she approached what at first glance seemed like an abandoned building as she approached the door and knocked on it.

The shutter on the peephole opened as glowing yellow eyes looked at Buffy.

"Password." The demon bouncer said.

"Silence is golden." Buffy said.

The demon closed the shutter and opened the door as Buffy entered, while the ringleader demon eyed her. "Usually it's vamps, demons or some enhanced humans who want a thrill or witches, who give it a shot."

"I've heard. Wanted to try my hand." Buffy said.

The ringleader then turned to Buffy with a sympathetic look. "Look, we've heard some rumors around here about you recently, Slayer. And I know it ain't none of my business, but for it's worth, I'm sorry. But you gotta understand that it's not within our power to bring a human back."

"I'm not expecting it to. I just want the right direction." Buffy said and the ringleader nodded.

"Yeah, I heard some rumors, a bunch of nuts trigger-happy Slayers roaming around, killing demons and vampires indiscriminately and pouncing on poor humans too." The ringleader nodded.

"I'm trying to find them and stop them but they are always one step ahead of me." Buffy said and the ringleader considered.

"I can't guarantee that it'll bring you straight to her, but the right direction, that it definitely can give." The ringleader said.

"I'm not expecting anything less." Buffy said.

"And, by the way…" The ringleader then raised his hand and it glowed briefly, while Buffy frowned. "No Slayer powers allowed during the trial."

Buffy looked taken aback. "What? Don't I at least get a weapon?"

"You're not a demon or a vampire. Only few Slayers have ever come through here and they all have won even without their skills or strength or weapons." The ringleader said as they walked down the stairs.

"So there is a chance I'll survive?" Buffy asked and the demon laughed.

"Very slim. It will snap you like a twig, if you give it a chance. Can't make it too easy for the Slayer, ya know?" The demon then looked at Buffy as he lowered his voice. "My advice… it's not about strength."

Buffy frowned, wondering what did he mean by that, when she entered the arena.

In front of Buffy then appeared a giant Fyarl demon as Buffy stared. In size it was six feet tall, even bigger than the one Giles had been turned into by Ethan Rayne years ago. Its back was broad, its chest deep and its muscles made it seem like it could punch a hole straight through Buffy's chest if it got a chance, so she had to make sure it wouldn't land a single blow.

Even though Buffy didn't have her powers anymore, the muscle memory during all those years as a Slayer at least helped her retain majority of her fighting skills, alongside all those training sessions with Giles, Angel, Spike, Faith and other Slayers and she was also slim and used to be a cheerleader back in high school, so she had her speed and agility to her advantage.

'It's not about strength.'

Buffy flexed her shoulders as the Fyarl let out a loud bellow and charged, stomping loudly as Buffy dodged, but without her Slayer speed, the Fyarl's horns rammed into her shoulder, nicking it as she let out a wail of pain before hitting the ground. Buffy grunted as she saw the flesh exposed with her skin tearing before the Fyarl's shadow covered her and Buffy had to roll out of the way to avoid its foot stomping onto her as it slammed into the ground with a loud 'thud.' The Fyarl tried to grab Buffy, who jumped back, knowing she couldn't let it lay its hands on her, otherwise it would easily crush her or worse.

The Fyarl struggled to pull out its foot from the hole before it staggered on its feet and then Buffy got an idea as she gestured for the Fyarl to come at her, taunting it.

"That's the best you can do?" Buffy quipped.

The Fyarl roared in rage before it charged towards Buffy like a crazed bull as Buffy stood her ground. All she had to do was to time it right as the distance between them was shortening and at the last second, Buffy rolled away as the Fyarl continued charging before it hit the wall of the arena and staggered on its feet, dazed, holding itself by its head.

Seeing an opening, Buffy jumped onto the Fyarl's back with her legs on its shoulders. Before the Fyarl could grab Buffy, she grabbed its horns, using it as handles as it began flailing around wildly to shake her off and Buffy wrapped her legs around its neck to anchor herself in place before she would fall off, knowing she couldn't let go. The Fyarl whipped its back and Buffy slipped for a moment, almost falling but she managed to get her hands on the horns again as it continued fumbling its hands, shaking around for minutes before it began staggering on its feet, seeming tired as its roars became quieter and less rageful. The Fyarl fell on its knees, panting and then Buffy knew it was over as she jumped down, while the demon slumped to the ground, passed out.

Buffy got off the demon, panting out in exhaustion, while the ringleader clapped his hands as he entered before raising his hand as it glowed and Buffy could feel her Slayer powers returning as she felt less tired than before.

"Not a few people can figure out that the best way to beat the Fyarl is to wear it down. They're most of the time so dumb to fight it with weapons, even though its skin can be hard as rock." The ringleader said.

"I won, didn't I? The rule is that whoever wins the trial, they'll get what they are looking for." Buffy said.

"That's true." The ringleader nodded as he gestured. "Follow me."

Buffy followed him as she began inquiring what it was about. "So, how does it work? Is she a psychic? A Wicca? Can she see the future?"

"She's able to see into you and help you find your deepest desire." The ringleader then turned to Buffy, looking awkward. "Now, I don't wanna sound inappropriate, but just a heads-up. Her methods can be quite… heated. So I'll speak plainly and I'm not asking because I'm a creep, but I want ya to know what you're getting yourself into. You've ever done it with girls? You know…"

Buffy tensed. Sure, she had experimented sexually with Satsu and then Faith after Sunnydale was destroyed, but why was the guy asking? "It wouldn't be my first time." She admitted.

The ringleader sighed in relief. "Good, 'cause most of the girls can get quite uncomfortable. And look, just relax and don't try to look for any deeper meaning in it, in order for it to work, you need to bare your soul for her, like, literally. There are cases, when it gets to just chatter and one or two spells, so there's a chance you won't have to play sisters of Sappho, or whatever the kids call it these days. I wouldn't blame you if she'd scare the crap out of you, she has a way of getting under people's skin, when doing her thing."

Buffy then realized what this might entail and while the thought was enticing, it made her a bit uncomfortable due to being with Spike. Then again, how far was she willing to go to find Amy and Simone? She then took a deep breath. She had come too far to turn back now.

"What's it called?" Buffy asked curiously.

"She'd tell you one of her cryptical answers. You know, 'I'm what you desire', that kind of crap. Likes to speak in riddles. I just call her 'Emma.' You know, 'cause she's empathic, so that kinda stuck with me." The ringleader shrugged.

Buffy then took a deep breath.

Buffy entered the room and it was full of aromatic scent and bowls of water on tables around, with scented sticks and Buffy could feel the sweet smell entering her nose, feeling relaxed.

"Buffy Summers…"

Buffy could feel the voice echoing around as the whole room began filling itself with mist.

"The Slayer…"

"The Chosen One…"

"The lost one…"

Multiple voices resonated and echoed at once as Buffy looked around. "What is this? Who are you? Show yourself."

"Dutiful…"

"Angry…"

"Lost…"

"Hurt…"

The words began getting under her skin as she clenched her fists, gritting her teeth. "Stop. Show yourself!"

A few moments the mist in front of her began shaping into a silhouette of a woman.

"What are you?" Buffy asked.

A few moments later, the mist began taking shape, as, much to Buffy's surprise, it turned into Joyce before it then took the shape of Tara and then Dawn. "I'm everything you've lost."

Buffy breathed out, backing away as the mist then turned into Buffy, back when she was a teenager, looking younger and her high school clothes before it turned into Faith as fear briefly overtook Buffy, all the mirages getting under her skin in one way or another. It was showing her the family and the normal life before becoming a Slayer that she had lost.

"I'm everything you could've been. The real question is… what are you, Buffy?" 'Faith' asked, nearing Buffy as it briefly took shape of Angel, then Spike before turning back into Faith.

Buffy then saw 'Faith' nearing her.

"What are you in your heart?" 'Faith' asked.

Buffy could feel her heart race as 'Faith' touched Buffy's chest. Even though Buffy was trying to fight it, she felt the adrenaline surge through her as she and 'Faith' kissed, while they began taking off each other's clothes as they laid down on one of the couches as Buffy could see the flashes in her mind, with 'Faith' taking off Buffy's top, revealing her pink bra.

Buffy was with Angel at the cemetery, with him sitting behind her as he was hugging her.

Buffy was fighting Angelus, when he fell on his knees and gasped as his eyes glowed yellow before Angel came back. Buffy and Angel were kissing briefly before Buffy stabbed him in the chest as the portal to Acathla's dimension sucked him in as it closed.

Buffy was sparring with Faith in the library of Sunnydale High, both girls hanging around.

Buffy and Faith, with switched bodies, were fighting in the church, with Faith on top of Buffy and pummeling her.

Buffy, Dawn and Joyce were in the kitchen, making breakfast.

Buffy was chasing little Dawn across the garden.

Buffy was with Dawn in the hospital, convincing her that she was real and her sister, despite being the Key.

Buffy was with Willow, Tara and Dawn in the living room watching TV.

Buffy was with Dawn on top of the tower, with Buffy dazed after her resurrection, thinking she was in Hell, while Dawn was trying to reach her.

Buffy held Dawn, while she was impaled to the wall, with both girls on verge of tears.

'Faith' pulled away as Buffy gasped.

"You're hurt. And you feel like your Slayer destiny has become poison to everyone you love." 'Faith' said and Buffy tensed. This was not the answer she had been looking for. "You've lost so much as a Slayer and now you blame yourself for creating more of them and you feel like that has become even more toxic than anything else, with you losing the man you love and your family and now you believe you don't deserve it. Your real reason for leaving isn't because you want to find the woman who killed your sister. You're scared that your destiny as a Slayer will kill everyone you love, just like your sister. So you've left those that you love that are still alive behind to protect them from what your destiny will bring you and from what you want to become to destroy the one who has wronged you."

Buffy backed away as she began buttoning back her shirt. Even though deep down she knew that Emma was right, she was unable to face that truth head on. That was definitely not the answer she had been looking for.

Buffy was about to walk out, when the ringleader stepped up. "You found what you're looking for?"

Buffy considered for a moment. A part of her knew that it was wrong to abandon the people she loved once again, it was reminding her now too much of when she had banished Angel to Acathla's dimension, but right now she was too angry and full of grief to accept the truth.

"Honestly… I'm not sure. But it wasn't really the answer I wanted to hear." Buffy said.

The ringleader shrugged. "Ah, it happens. Don't worry about it, her advice might come in handy in the future. Even if what she says won't help you now, you never know what happens down the line. What I know is that everyone has always benefited from her advice, sooner or later."

"I'm looking for a gang of psycho Slayers, it's possible they're armed with guns." Buffy explained.

"Ah, heard some rumors." The ringleader nodded, now understanding.

"Do you know where I can find them?" Buffy asked.

"No, but I know of one… 'discreet' place where it might be possible to get guns… unofficially… if you've got the cash. And I'd say you've earned it tonight, Slayer." The ringleader said and Buffy nodded appreciatively, while he handed her an envelope full of cash.

Buffy entered what looked like a garage as she looked around, when a man dressed like a mechanic approached her, cleaning his hands with a cloth.

"We're about to be closed. Can I help you?" The mechanic asked.

"Oh, I heard this place got some fancy gears to sell, so I wanted to check if it's worth it." Buffy said.

"What? You need an upgrade for your car?" The mechanic chuckled.

"Upgrade, maybe, but not my car." Buffy said, showing a strap of cash and the mechanic smirked.

"Aha. OK, then, let's see what we got." The mechanic said as she followed him to the storage room, where was a hidden room and the mechanic turned on the lights to show racks and shelves with guns and boxes full of ammunition.

"Black market for guns hidden as a garage. Clever." Buffy quipped.

"What are you looking for? Auto, close range…"

"Frankly, not really a fan of guns. Bad experience." Buffy shrugged before looking around. "Though I've heard this place might've sold a buttload of guns to a gang of strong girls." She gave the marketeer a pointed look as he backed away nervously.

"Look, I don't—"

"Save it. I know you sold the guns to them. Where are they?" Buffy said, getting to the point as she neared him.

"I've got no idea." The marketeer said. Fuming, Buffy grabbed him by his face and slammed it to the wall as he grunted. "Ah! My nose! Are you crazy?!"

"Where are they?" Buffy repeated with a more forced tone.

"I swear I don't know!" The marketeer protested before she kicked him in the leg as a loud 'crack' was heard and he fell on his knees.

"Talk! Before I crush every bone in your body!" Buffy snarled. "A group of girls led by a woman with pink punk haircut and a blonde woman. Ring any bells?"

"Look, I swear I don't know where they are, OK? They gave me top dollar in exchange for all the arsenal I've got, I just restocked two days ago!" The marketeer wailed.

"You must have at least some general idea where they went." Buffy growled.

"South, alright! I overheard one of the girls talking that they were heading south! That's all I know, I swear to God!" The marketeer said fearfully with tears in their eyes.

Buffy then looked around before she saw a socket wrench and picked it up. "You know, I hate guns and explosives." She growled as in her mind flashed when Warren had shot her and Tara and the explosion that had killed Dawn. "I've lost two people I love to those things. And it really disgusts me that someone like you spreads them around."

She picked it up and raised it high as the marketeer widened his eyes in fear.

"No. No, please! Please, no!"

Buffy brought the socket wrench down on the man as blood began spattering the wall and the noise of bone cracking with each hit sounded off.

I'm sure those who have seen Heroes Season 4 caught the reference.

Now, this may have been a bit OOC for Buffy to try something sexual with someone else, especially a woman, when she is with Spike and could be considered cheating, but the demon was able to look right into Buffy's heart and prey onto her vulnerabilities, using that to make Buffy give into her baser impulses, which led to this but this was nothing on an emotional level, but desperation due to her searching for Simone, so given that Buffy's now full of rage and grief, well, she would resort to some spontaneous things she wouldn't even consider in the right state of mind, while looking for answers, though she didn't exactly get the answers she'd been hoping she would get and I wanted this chapter to explore the inner turmoil Buffy's facing, that though at first glance she seems full of anger and rage and this will give her some food for thought for later, plus, it's not the first time she'd run off due to thinking her Slayer duties hurts the people she loves.

And Buffy is now starting to lose herself to darkness. Yikes. Poor her. The next chapter is going to lead to the point which you saw in the prologue before the plot advances further.

So, what do you guys think?

Please review and let me know if you have been enjoying this so far.