Angel was in his room packing for the trip to find the Essence Prism when Xander appeared in front of him and punched him.

"That's just so you know, I'm not the First. I was just wondering, was it you or Angelus who read the Watchers reports on Faith? You know the ones Giles never got around to reading because he was too busy worrying about Buffy. The ones that say she activated while chained to a wall, while being forced to watch as her Watcher was gang raped to death by Kakistos' minions? You know why Faith believes you're the only one who never gave up on her? Because you're the one who convinced a scared, confused kid that she was evil in the first place. You chained her up and lectured her on good and evil after she accidentally killed Finch when Buffy threw him at her. And hey, bonus! It made Buffy the VIP again. She didn't have to share the spotlight with another Slayer. Made Buffy all cozy with you too, didn't it? So when Faith came to Los Angeles, it was you who was able to convince her, she wasn't evil, after all. Word of advice Angel, if you're going to be a good guy, try not being such an asshole. It would help a whole lot."

Continuing his tour, Xander next went to see Giles, he had a few things to say to him to. Appearing in front of him he reached out and flicked his finger against Giles' nose.

"Ow. What was that for?"

"You have a habit of ignoring things that are right in front of your nose. I'm just calling attention to that fact, while also letting you know I'm not the First. You know what your problem is, Giles? It's the same as Willow's actually. Assuming your brains make you better than others. Makes you less prone to mistakes. And less likely to take responsibility for your mistakes. You know why you didn't investigate what Beljoxas Eye said about Buffy being back in the world was the reason why the First could manifest? Because it wasn't Buffy fault that she was back in the world, it was ours. So why investigate the ramifications, when you had someone to blame? Your brains aren't going to be able to get you out of everything Giles and sooner or later, you're going to have to take responsibility for your own actions. Faith's spiral had just as much to do with your failure as a Watcher as her fear that she was evil, did. You never even bothered to learn her last name or pull her out of the hellhole you already knew vampires could get into. You never read the reports from the Council or her first Watcher's diaries. It wasn't all about Buffy, Giles. You had two Slayers you were responsible for and you hung one out to dry. You're supposed to be the example, you were the adult. You can't always put Buffy first, sometimes you have to put the world first."

He had two more stops to make and the next was his counterpart in Angel's crew. The so-called normal guy.

"So you're Gunn, huh? I'm Xander Harris. How do you want me to prove I'm not the First? Faith poked me, Buffy punched me and I flicked Giles' nose."

Gunn held his fist out and Xander fist bumped him.

"So why do I rate a visit from a genuine angel? So cool by the way."

"Because we're alot alike. Both fighting and being willing to die, against something bigger than us, because it's the right thing to do. And we bear a similar pain. We each staked someone who meant alot to us. The first vampire I ever staked, wore the face of the closest thing to a brother I ever had. Jesse would never have wanted to be a monster. Neither would your sister. And we were both manipulated by Jasmine. She took something from both us to get what she wanted. Neither of us, ever let lack of power, keep us from doing the right thing, no matter how hard the right thing is. You need to remember that. It's going to be even more important in the future. That and not giving up. I hear you got close to that point once, but found a reason to keep going. If you need another reason, remember Cordy's still around. She hasn't died and she's still your friend."

His last stop was his little Dawn patrol. Who at sixteen, wasn't quite so little anymore, but he still remembered the little eleven year he used to babysit.

"Hey Dawnie, didn't think I forgot about you, did you?"

"Xander!" She threw herself in his arms and he held her tight as she cried.

"It's ok, Dawn. I'm still here. Still looking out for you. You're stronger than you know. And still extraordinary. Big brother's always going to be looking out for you. Especially when you get yourself a boyfriend. I've got my shovel speech all prepared."

"Don't you dare!"

"Nope, not even your pout will keep me from enjoying that. If you need me Dawn, just call my name. I'm just a heartbeat away." He kissed her forehead and orbed away.

As the two groups set out for their separate destinations, each was remembering Xander's words, although none of them knew, just how important, how much impact those words would have on their quests. But they would soon find out.