Warehouse District, Unknown Factory, 2300
"So that's how a new Slayer is called?" asked Daniel surprised.
"I guess so" said Willow, "This is the first time for me too."
"I thought there'd be lights or sparks, or something" whispered Daniel.
"Indeed" replied Teal'c as he and Daniel nodded at Kennedy before turning around and walking towards the canisters containing the symbiotes as Angel smiled at the newest Slayer.
"Kennedy" asked Angel as he held up Amanda, "how are you feeling?"
"Its strange" said Kennedy, "I can feel my whole body tingle, my senses feel like they're on hyper drive, it just feels….. powerful."
"Well" said Angel as he turned around and started to take Amanda out the entrance, "congratulations, we could always do with another Slayer."
"Yeah" said Kennedy as she stared at Willow, "I can't wait to train under Buffy now. The longest serving Slayer taking the newest Slayer under her wing."
"And why are you staring at me?" asked Willow.
"I'm sure you wish you were in my place" said Kennedy as she started to jump and run on the spot, "having Slayer powers are so cool."
"Right" said Willow as she turned around, "I'm sure they are, so maybe instead of acting like a fool you should help the others?"
"Excuse me?" said Kennedy as she grabbed Willow's shoulder and turned her around.
"You heard me" said Willow, "you wanted power, and now you have it. So use it to help these potentials instead of trying to make yourself feel better. Also, you should remember one very important thing."
"Which is?" said Kennedy as she took a step towards Willow.
Willow smiled and looked behind her. Once she made sure that there was no one there, she used her telekinesis to throw Kennedy to a wall and hold her there.
"There's always someone who could be more powerful in other ways" said Willow as she let go of her mental grip on Kennedy, "never forget that. Buffy and I have our differences now, but even she will tell you the same thing. Faith too."
"Right" said Kennedy as she stormed past Willow, bumping her shoulder on the way and headed towards where Rona and Vi were sitting down. She saw Kennedy help both of them up as they put their arms around her shoulders.
Willow them walked towards where Daniel, Teal'c and the others were with Travers, whose wound had already been dressed by one of the paramedics and was sitting on the cold hard floor glaring at the two members of SG3 who were guarding him.
"He doesn't look happy" said Willow as she approached Teal'c and the others.
"No, he does not" said Teal'c as he stared at Travers.
"Oh well" said Willow as Colonel Carter and Colonel Reynolds walked towards them.
"Willow" said Colonel Carter, "Faith was asking if you wanted to ride with her."
"Yes ma'am" said Willow, "I mean if there's nothing else."
"Did you miss anything?" asked Colonel Reynolds.
"I hope not" said Willow as she glanced at the Goa'uld symbiotes, "what about them?"
"Colonel?" asked Colonel Reynolds as he looked at Colonel Carter.
"I haven't decided yet" said Colonel Carter, "either we dispose of them here and now or we can ask the Tok'ra to check them out, I mean to see if these symbiotes are Tok'ra symbiotes or Goa'uld."
"Oh, they're Goa'uld alright" said Willow as she walked to one canister and crouched down until she was eye level with the snake that was swimming inside, "I can sense their hatred for us. I vote that we destroy them here and now."
"Sam?" asked Daniel, "we can't just summarily execute them."
"Dr. Jackson" said Colonel Reynolds, "we've been killing them for the past eight years, this makes no difference."
"Well" said Daniel, "they had bodies then."
"Exactly" said Colonel Reynolds, "we have to destroy them before they gain a victim."
"But does this mean that we go to the Goa'uld home world and kill them all?" asked Daniel.
"Daniel" said Colonel Carter.
"I can destroy them" said Willow as she stared at the symbiote that seemed to be looking back at her, "I can kill them all right now, they'll feel no pain. Besides, it's more than they deserve."
"Willow?" said Daniel.
"We could give these symbiotes to the Tok'ra" said Willow as she continued the staring contest with the symbiote, "but what would they do with it then? Let them go on another uninhabited world where the die without hosts? Or just throw them into a bag and then throw that bag into the unstable vortex of a wormhole. What I'm proposing is more….. for lack of a better term… humane."
"Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c as he approached the red head, "are you considering destroying all these symbiotes?"
"Colonel?" asked Willow as she stood up and faced Colonel Carter, "I'll do whatever you order me to do, ma'am."
"Let's give them to the Tok'ra" said Colonel Carter, "let them handle it however they wish."
"Yes ma'am" said Willow, "and the super vamps?"
"They're already dead right?" asked Colonel.
"Yes" said Willow as she looked at the zatted vampires, "since they're already dead to begin with, I'm not sure if they're just knocked out after two blasts of the Zat or if they are dead-dead. I'm sure the symbiotes are dead though since I can't sense them anymore."
"Colonel" said Colonel Reynolds as he looked at the commander of SG1, "I'll take the prisoner to Area 51 for questioning, this whole vampire thing is too confusing for me. General Hammond and Mr. Woolsey would love to have a chat with Mr. Travers there."
"Alright" said Colonel Carter as she saw Colonel Reynolds head towards Travers who was now standing up, "take the canisters with you as well, tell Colonel Pendergast to send it back to the SGC. I'll inform General O'Neill about the situation."
"Alright" said Colonel Reynolds as Colonel Carter got on her phone and called General O'Neill.
"Goodbye, Mr. Travers" said Willow coldly just as Colonel Reynolds pressed a button on a small pad in his pocket and the small group simply disappeared in a flash of white light.
"Alright" said Daniel, "and now, what about these vampires?"
"They're dead" said Willow as she gathered the white energy onto the palms of her hands and shot it at the head of the vampire nearest to her, which dusted as soon as the energy beam vaporised its head.
"Sam" whispered Daniel as he and Teal'c watched Willow blast the other vampires into dust, "is Willow alright? She seems…. Angry."
"Something about that man" said the Colonel as Willow walked towards them smiling.
"All done" said Willow as she looked at her friends.
"Willow" said Daniel as Willow interrupted him.
"I know what you're going to say" said Willow as she looked at her teammates.
"Did you….?" Asked Colonel Carter.
"No "said Willow as she shook her head, "I wouldn't read your minds without your permission, however I could feel your concern and I could only guess it's because of my sudden bad mood."
"Indeed" said Teal'c.
"I'm sorry" said Willow as the four of them started to walk towards the main entrance of the factory, "I got mad when I saw that man again and the fact that he wanted to use those symbiotes without any regard for the lives of others."
"Also, because he's part of the Watcher's Council?" asked Daniel.
"That's one" replied Willow, "but also because of what he had done to Buffy and what he did to the previous Slayers before her. Well, technically, it was more of a council 'tradition' that he and some of the other members decided to continue."
"What was this tradition?" asked Teal'c.
"On a Slayers eighteenth birthday, they would have to undergo a test" said Willow as she checked her pockets to make sure she had everything before handing the keys to the sports car to Colonel Carter.
"What test?" asked the Colonel as she took the key from her.
"The Slayer's watcher, in this case it was Giles, would have to administer a drug via an injection that would strip the powers of a Slayer. Once that was done, she would have to fight a vampire. From what I was told, it was meant to test a Slayers intelligence and practical capabilities as well as testing her abilities to out-think and outwit her opponent."
"Without powers?" asked the Colonel.
"That's what Buffy told me after she went through it" said Willow, "anyway, the vampire she was pitted against was someone called Kralik, a psychopath and a serial killer when he was alive. He eventually even kidnapped Mrs. Summers to lure Buffy to him. But Buffy managed to kill him."
"I see" said Colonel Carter as Daniel and Teal'c simply looked on, "does the General know about this?"
"No" said Willow, "I didn't have a reason to explain it until now after seeing that jackass, Travers."
"What about her Watcher?" asked Daniel.
"He was against it" said Willow, "but he still had a duty to do, so he gave the injections. Eventually he broke the rules and told Buffy about what was going on and eventually helped her in the end. But that meant that he was fired from the council."
"Oh" said Daniel as they reached the outside of the factory.
"Listen" said Colonel Carter, "you go with Faith in the ambulance, and we'll follow in the car."
"Yes ma'am" said Willow as she got into the ambulance.
"I'll call Miss Chase and ask her to set up a secure floor for them" said the Colonel as she took out her phone.
"Alright ma'am" smiled Willow, "I'll see you at the hospital."
Colonel Carter and the others watched as the doors to the ambulance closed, and then it started its sirens before moving off. She and the others entered the car and then followed the ambulances to the hospital.
"What do you think, Sam?" asked Daniel.
"Cruel bastards" said Colonel Carter as she drove behind the ambulance.
"Hopefully, that Travers guy can give us the information we need" said Daniel.
"Yea" said Colonel Carter as she drove the car, "either way, I'll be glad when he's put away for a long time."
"Indeed" said Teal'c as he leaned back in the back seat.
Sunnydale Memorial Hospital, 2330 hours.
"Xander" said Dawn as she, Tara and Anya arrived at the hospital lobby separately, "any other news from Buffy?"
"No" said Xander worriedly as he looked around him when suddenly he saw Cordelia walking towards them.
"Cordy" said Xander, "what's going on? Willow and Angel run out of the house and then I receive a call from Buffy saying that something happened and that I had to come to the hospital right away."
"Well, something did happen" said Cordelia as four members of the BPRI's NID security detail approached Cordelia.
"Ma'am" said one of the men.
"I want you guys to coordinate with the Air Force officers who are on the way and set up a secure wing" said Cordelia as she gave a signal to Xander, asking him to wait before she explains what's going on, "the injured Potentials should be put into one room and Miss Summers and Miss Lehane should be placed in another room. Both are to be provided with a twenty four hour guard unless Angel or I give the order. Is that clear?"
"Of course, ma'am" said the four men as they went ahead to set up the secure wing.
"Cordy?" said Xander as Cordelia turned to face them.
"Look, from what Angel told me" said Cordelia, "Buffy was asked to go on a mission. She took four Potentials with her including Kennedy."
"Faith?" said Dawn shocked.
"Faith joined them too" said Cordelia as she looked at Dawn, "they were told that there was a nest of vampires in one of the factories and that it needed to be taken care off. Buffy decided not to tell you because she didn't want you to worry on your birthday."
"Who told them about the nest?" said Xander.
"One of Agent Reed's sources contacted him" said Cordelia, "and then he notified Angel."
"No one did any recon?" asked Xander.
"Agent Reed said that he took a team for recon and that he found the nest" said Cordelia as she stared out into the ambulance entrance as she waited for the others to come in, "but when Buffy and the others got there, they found that it was a trap set up by the Watcher's Council."
"Wait" said Xander and Dawn together, "that can't be… we heard it was destroyed."
"Apparently not" said Cordelia, "Angel told me that the Air Force has Quentin Travers in custody for national security violations and that he'll be questioned. Any pertinent information that's not related to national security will be shared with us."
"They took him away?" said Dawn incredulously.
"I'm afraid so" said Cordelia, "if it makes you feel any better, Willow shot him in the leg."
"Good" said Dawn as she crossed her arms around her chest, "although I'd have gone for the head."
"Where are they now?" asked Tara.
"They should be here soon" said Cordelia as she looked at Xander, "how did Buffy sound?"
"Tired" said Xander, "she said that some vampires had fed on them. But other than that, she didn't say anything else."
"I see" said Cordelia, "Angel didn't say much either, which means whatever happened much have been big. Why don't you guys go to the waiting room on the secure wing?"
"We'll wait for them" said Xander.
"Miss Chase?" said Tara as she nervously tapped Cordelia's shoulder, "any news on Kennedy? Is… is she alright?"
"Angel said that the vampires fed on all of them" replied Cordelia, "but they're all alive."
"Good" said Tara as she placed her hand on her chest and released the breath she had been holding.
"Tara" said Xander as he held on to Tara's shoulder, "she's fine."
"So's Buffy" said Tara with a smile.
"Here they are" said Cordelia as she saw four ambulances come in followed by a sports car driven by Colonel Carter..
"Slowly" said Willow as she got out of the first ambulance and helped lower down both Buffy's and Faith's gurneys.
"We'll take it from here" said the Paramedics as they rushed Buffy and Faith inside as Xander and Dawn looked on worriedly.
"Willow" said Xander as she approached the red head, "what happened?"
"I'll explain later" said Willow as she looked at Dawn, Xander and Tara, "let's get the others inside first."
"Miss Chase" said Colonel Carter as she got out of the car, "has the secure wing been prepared?"
"Yes" said Cordelia, "if you'd come with me?"
"Of course" said the Colonel as she followed Cordelia into the lobby and headed to the elevators followed by the rest of the Potentials and then the Scoobies and the rest of SG1.
Sunnydale Memorial Hospital, Secure Wing, 0030 hours.
"Come on, I'm fine" said Faith as she tried to get out from her hospital bed, "see? I'm not dizzy anymore."
"No" said Willow as she looked at Faith, "they want to keep you under observation for tonight."
"Please" said Faith pouting.
"No" smiled Willow, "that's not working on me. Not this time."
"Come on" said Faith.
"Don't make me handcuff you to the bed" said Willow as she walked towards the bed.
"Oh" grinned Faith, "I never knew you liked handcuffs."
"Well" said Willow as she leaned over and gave Faith a peck on her cheek, "you never asked."
"Hey" said Buffy groggily from the other bed, "you do realize you're not alone here right?"
"Hey" said Willow as she approached Buffy, "you're awake."
"Yeah" replied the blonde as she looked at the red head, "what happened?"
"Simple terms?" said Willow as Buffy nodded, "well, the both of you died, and now Kennedy's a new Slayer."
"That's it?" said Buffy as she slowly sat up and looked at her hands which had multiple needles going into her veins.
"Well" said Willow as she became serious, "Travers received some demonic parasites from a group he calls the Trust. He wanted to implant those things in you and the Potentials."
"Yeah" said Buffy, "he said he wanted to control us."
"Any way to know who these Trust are?" asked Faith.
"We're questioning Travers now" said Willow as she turned to face Buffy, "don't worry, Colonel Carter and Cordelia have already explained the details to Dawn and the others while you were asleep."
"Right" said Buffy as she looked at Willow, "so you saved us."
"Well" said Willow as she looked at Buffy, "you saved me lots of times remember? Figured I owed you a few hundred, maybe."
"Yeah" said Buffy.
"So" said Faith, "about those demonic things."
"They've been destroyed" lied Willow.
"Travers said he had twenty of those things" said Buffy, "sure you got them all?"
"Yeah" said Willow, "ten parasite powered vampires and ten unimplanted ones, all destroyed and dusted."
"Well, the vampires anyway" thought Willow to herself.
"I want to talk to Travers" said Buffy, "there could be more of those parasite powered vampires out there."
"That would really be bad" said Faith as she looked at Willow, "we staked them a few times and nothing."
"Yeah" said Willow, "we had to literally blow their heads off to dust them."
"Willow" said Buffy, "this was something I've never seen before, those vamps nearly beat all of us. And that bastard said he had contacts, which mean that he could possibly get more of those things."
"B's right, Red" said Faith, "I hate to admit it but I was scared there for a while."
"The Air Force and the BPRI will be sharing the information, especially on the ones in the NID who knew about this after he's been questioned" said Willow, "there are other things, like the Trust that's going be handled by us… national security and all. But the BPRI will be handling the Watchers Council and its role in all of this."
"I see" said Buffy, "guess that's the best. I'd probably make him wish that he was dead if I saw him again."
"Don't worry though" said Willow, "I have a feeling he'll be spending a long time in a hole."
"Good riddance" said Faith as she too sat up in bed.
"Angel has any idea on what kind of demons those things are?" asked Buffy.
"Not yet" said Willow as she gave a quick glance to Faith, "but I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't already started going through his contacts."
"They'll be found" said Faith.
"You ready to see Dawn?" asked Willow as she looked at Buffy, "she's been waiting outside for you since Cordelia and the Colonel talked to them."
"Sure" said Buffy as Willow went outside to get Dawn and the others.
"You alright, B?" said Faith.
"I never thought I'd see the day that Willow has to save the both of us" said Buffy as she smiled to herself.
"Well" said Faith, "she did say you saved her many times, hell you even saved her from me remember."
"Right" said Buffy.
"Buffy" said Dawn as she ran into the room followed by Xander and Willow.
"Dawnie" said Buffy as she hugged her sister.
"How you doing Faith?" asked Xander as he approached the brunette Slayer.
"I'm alive" said Faith smiling as she glanced over at Willow who had slipped out of the room after Colonel Carter had tapped her on the shoulder.
"Ma'am" said Willow as she approached Colonel Carter after leaving the room.
"Willow" said the Colonel as Teal'c and Daniel stood beside her, "We'll be heading back to the SGC, the Tok'ra want to see Daniel and Teal'c about something the found and I need to check on the results of those scans that the Prometheus ran on that cloaked ship. Apparently the Prometheus has found some anomalies in the scans."
"What kind of anomalies, ma'am?" asked Willow.
"Not sure" said the Colonel, "they've even found some intact data crystals that hopefully we can still access. Worse to worse, I'll just call my dad. Maybe he'll be able to help us."
"Cool" said Willow, "Oh, does the General know about your wedding?"
"Crap" said the Colonel, "no he doesn't, he hasn't even met Pete yet."
"Well" said Daniel, "I think the Tok'ra are sending him to the SGC, so you can tell him then."
"Indeed" said Teal'c stoically.
"Oh" said Willow grinning, "good luck."
"Nah" said the Colonel, "my dad will be happy."
"I was actually referring to Pete, ma'am" said Willow.
"Very funny" said the Colonel, "anyway, we'll be off now. I'll let you know once we find anything."
"Otherwise I'll see you tomorrow, ma'am" said Willow.
"See you, Willow" said Daniel.
"Bye, Daniel" replied Willow as Teal'c gave her a simple bow.
Daniel, Teal'c and the Colonel turned around and walked into an empty room and closed the door. Willow looked on as she saw a flash of a bright white light from underneath the door before she turned around smiling.
"Willow" said Anya as she and Tara walked around the corner carrying a cake.
"Hey" said Willow smiling as she looked at Tara, "talked to Kennedy?"
"Ye…. Yes" said Tara, "she's tired but feeling better."
"That's Slayer healing for you" said Willow.
"Ri.. right" replied Tara as she smiled at Willow, "maybe we sh.. should bring this in?"
"Is Dawn inside?" asked Anya.
"Yep" replied Willow as she opened the door.
"Hi Dawnie" said Tara as she walked into the room followed by Anya with the cake and then Willow who closed the door behind her.
"Happy belated birthday, Dawnie" said Buffy as she gave her sister a kiss on the forehead.
"Thanks Buff" said a smiling Dawn as she blew out the candles in the cake.
As Dawn was blowing out the candles, Willow saw something in the corner of her eye that made her look out the small window that was on the door. Turning her head, she saw a glimpse of someone with red hair walking away from her and turn around a corner.
"No" thought Willow to herself as she slipped out of the room again and ran towards the woman.
"Athena" said Willow as she chased the woman, "Athena, wait."
"Willow, I'm not Athena" said Dr. Janet Frasier as she turned around once they had reached an empty hallway.
"Janet?" said Willow, "sorry, I thought you were….."
"You've had visions" said Janet.
"Yes" said Willow surprised, "how did you know?"
"Willow" said Janet, "I can't tell you."
"Is Athena an Ancient?" asked Willow.
"You know I can't….." said Janet as Willow interrupted her.
"I know" said Willow as she rubbed the bridge of her nose, "I'm sorry if I'm being a bit testy, it's been a long day."
"Are they alright?" asked Janet as she stood talking to Willow in a cream coloured shirt, black trousers and a white overcoat.
"Yea" said Willow, "the staff wants to keep them here for observation."
"Good" said Janet as she walked towards Willow, "is Cassie…?"
"She's doing great" said Willow, "you should visit her sometime, she knows that you're… you know."
"I know" said Janet, "thank you for giving her my message."
"It was my pleasure" said Willow.
Willow noticed as Janet faced reflected a sadness and worry that she had seen before, when she warned Willow about Anubis coming for her in her dream.
"Janet?" said Willow, "you alright?"
"Willow" said Janet, "I came to deliver a warning."
"What warning?" asked Willow as her face reflected her worry, "is it Anubis?"
"No" said Janet.
"But?" replied Willow.
"They're coming" said Janet cryptically.
"Who?" asked Willow.
"You need to be prepared" said Janet before she started stepping backwards and slowly disappearing, "the end of all things as you know is approaching. If the SGC falls, this galaxy will fall."
"Janet, wait" said Willow as she approached Dr. Frasier.
"I'm walking a very thin line, Willow" said Janet as she disappeared, "be prepared, and survive."
"Janet!" said Willow as she looked at a completely empty hallway, "what do you mean?"
TBC.